Contemporary patio in Other with tile and no cover.

In a wooded area of Lafayette, a mid-century home was re-imagined for a graphic designer and kindergarten teacher couple and their three children. A major new design feature is a high ceiling great room that wraps from the front to the back yard, turning a corner at the kitchen and ending at the family room fireplace. This room was designed with a high flat roof to work in conjunction with existing roof forms to create a unified whole, and raise interior ceiling heights from eight to over ten feet. All new lighting and large floor to ceiling Fleetwood aluminum windows expand views of the trees beyond. The existing home was enlarged by 700 square feet with a small exterior addition enlarging the kitchen over an existing deck, and a larger amount by excavating out crawlspace at the garage level to create a new home office with full bath, and separate laundry utility room. The remodeled residence became 3,847 square feet in total area including the garage. Exterior curb appeal was improved with all new Fleetwood windows, stained wood siding and stucco. New steel railing and concrete steps lead up to the front entry. Front and rear yard new landscape design by Huettl Landscape Architecture dramatically alters the site. New planting was added at the front yard with landscape lighting and modern concrete pavers and the rear yard has multiple decks for family gatherings with the focal point a concrete conversation circle with central fire feature. Everything revolves around the corner kitchen, large windows to the backyard, quartz countertops and cabinetry in painted and walnut finishes. The homeowners enjoyed the process of selecting Heath Tile for the kitchen backsplash and white oval tiles at the family room fireplace. Black brick tiles by Fireclay were used on the living room hearth. The kitchen flows into the family room all with views to the beautifully landscaped yards. The primary suite has a built-in window seat with large windows overlooking the garden, walnut cabinetry in a skylit walk-in closet, and a large dramatic skylight bouncing light into the shower. The kid’s bath also has a skylight slot with light angling downward over double sinks. More colorful tile shows up in these spaces, as does a geometric patterned tile in the downstairs office bath shower. The large yard is taken full advantage of with concrete paved walkways, stairs and firepit circle. New retaining walls in the rear yard helped to add more level usable outdoor space, with wood slats to visually blend them into the overall design. The end result is a beautiful transformation of a mid-century home, that both captures the client’s personalities and elevates the house into the modern age.

Inspiration for a contemporary shed and granny flat in San Francisco.

Photo of a contemporary master bedroom in Moscow with grey walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Photo of a contemporary deck in Other.

A Victorian terraced townhouse set over five storeys, with five bedrooms and four bathrooms on the upper two floors; a double drawing room, family room, snug, study and hall on the first and ground levels, and a utility room, nanny suite and kitchen-dining room leading to a garden on the lower level. Settling here from overseas, the owners of this house in Primrose Hill chose the area for its quintessentially English architecture and bohemian feel. They loved the property’s original features and wanted their new home to be light and spacious, with plenty of storage and an eclectic British feel. As self-confessed ‘culture vultures’, the couple’s art collection formed the basis of their home’s colour palette.

Contemporary kids' room in New York.

Design ideas for a small contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Other with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor, beige benchtop and a drop-in sink.

This is an example of a contemporary 3/4 bathroom in London with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, a curbless shower, gray tile, grey walls, an integrated sink, grey floor, an open shower and white benchtops.

This contemporary transitional great family living room has a cozy lived-in look, but still looks crisp with fine custom made contemporary furniture made of kiln-dried Alder wood from sustainably harvested forests and hard solid maple wood with premium finishes and upholstery treatments. Stone textured fireplace wall makes a bold sleek statement in the space.

Photos by Jeri Koegel Installation by: Altera Landscape
This is an example of a contemporary backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Orange County with tile.

Photography by Christi Nielsen
Contemporary bathroom in Dallas with a double shower, gray tile, white tile, mosaic tile floors, grey floor and a hinged shower door.

Erik Bishoff Photography
Inspiration for a small contemporary one-storey grey exterior in Other with wood siding, a shed roof and a metal roof.

Photo by Scott Norsworthy
Inspiration for a contemporary living room in Toronto.

Anna Batchelor
Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape for spring in London with a vegetable garden and natural stone pavers.

Design ideas for a contemporary backyard garden in Orange County with concrete pavers and with privacy feature.

Irvin Serrano
This is an example of a large contemporary one-storey brown house exterior in Portland Maine with wood siding.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary balcony in Los Angeles with a fire feature and a roof extension.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Detroit with a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, beige walls and light hardwood floors.