Erhard Pfeiffer
Large traditional open plan dining in Los Angeles with green walls and dark hardwood floors.

These clients came to my office looking for an architect who could design their "empty nest" home that would be the focus of their soon to be extended family. A place where the kids and grand kids would want to hang out: with a pool, open family room/ kitchen, garden; but also one-story so there wouldn't be any unnecessary stairs to climb. They wanted the design to feel like "old Pasadena" with the coziness and attention to detail that the era embraced. My sensibilities led me to recall the wonderful classic mansions of San Marino, so I designed a manor house clad in trim Bluestone with a steep French slate roof and clean white entry, eave and dormer moldings that would blend organically with the future hardscape plan and thoughtfully landscaped grounds. The site was a deep, flat lot that had been half of the old Joan Crawford estate; the part that had an abandoned swimming pool and small cabana. I envisioned a pavilion filled with natural light set in a beautifully planted park with garden views from all sides. Having a one-story house allowed for tall and interesting shaped ceilings that carved into the sheer angles of the roof. The most private area of the house would be the central loggia with skylights ensconced in a deep woodwork lattice grid and would be reminiscent of the outdoor “Salas” found in early Californian homes. The family would soon gather there and enjoy warm afternoons and the wonderfully cool evening hours together. Working with interior designer Jeffrey Hitchcock, we designed an open family room/kitchen with high dark wood beamed ceilings, dormer windows for daylight, custom raised panel cabinetry, granite counters and a textured glass tile splash. Natural light and gentle breezes flow through the many French doors and windows located to accommodate not only the garden views, but the prevailing sun and wind as well. The graceful living room features a dramatic vaulted white painted wood ceiling and grand fireplace flanked by generous double hung French windows and elegant drapery. A deeply cased opening draws one into the wainscot paneled dining room that is highlighted by hand painted scenic wallpaper and a barrel vaulted ceiling. The walnut paneled library opens up to reveal the waterfall feature in the back garden. Equally picturesque and restful is the view from the rotunda in the master bedroom suite. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Design: Jeffrey Hitchcock Enterprises Contractor: Synergy General Contractors, Inc. Landscape Design: LZ Design Group, Inc. Photography: Laura Hull

Design ideas for a traditional separate dining room in Miami with green walls and no fireplace.

Karen Melvin Co-designer: Kristen Veenstra AKBD
Design ideas for a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Minneapolis with green walls and dark hardwood floors.

Rustic yet refined, this modern country retreat blends old and new in masterful ways, creating a fresh yet timeless experience. The structured, austere exterior gives way to an inviting interior. The palette of subdued greens, sunny yellows, and watery blues draws inspiration from nature. Whether in the upholstery or on the walls, trailing blooms lend a note of softness throughout. The dark teal kitchen receives an injection of light from a thoughtfully-appointed skylight; a dining room with vaulted ceilings and bead board walls add a rustic feel. The wall treatment continues through the main floor to the living room, highlighted by a large and inviting limestone fireplace that gives the relaxed room a note of grandeur. Turquoise subway tiles elevate the laundry room from utilitarian to charming. Flanked by large windows, the home is abound with natural vistas. Antlers, antique framed mirrors and plaid trim accentuates the high ceilings. Hand scraped wood flooring from Schotten & Hansen line the wide corridors and provide the ideal space for lounging.

Custom buffet and hutch for dining room in gray/green paint.
Mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with green walls and light hardwood floors.

The entire first floor is oriented toward an expansive row of windows overlooking Lake Champlain. Radiant heated polished concrete floors compliment the local stone work and oak detailing throughout.

This is an example of a large contemporary open plan dining in Moscow with dark hardwood floors, green walls and brown floor.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary separate dining room in Little Rock with green walls and no fireplace.

Photo of a large country kitchen/dining combo in Baltimore with green walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Vista dall'ingresso: in primo piano la zona pranzo con tavolo circolare in marmo, sedie tulip e lampadario Tom Dixon. Sullo sfondo camino a legna integrato e zona salotto. Parquet in rovere naturale con posa spina ungherese. Pareti bianche e verde grigio. Tende bianche filtranti e carta da parati raffigurante tronchi di betulla.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography
Mid-sized transitional separate dining room in DC Metro with green walls, medium hardwood floors and no fireplace.

http://211westerlyroad.com/ Introducing a distinctive residence in the coveted Weston Estate's neighborhood. A striking antique mirrored fireplace wall accents the majestic family room. The European elegance of the custom millwork in the entertainment sized dining room accents the recently renovated designer kitchen. Decorative French doors overlook the tiered granite and stone terrace leading to a resort-quality pool, outdoor fireplace, wading pool and hot tub. The library's rich wood paneling, an enchanting music room and first floor bedroom guest suite complete the main floor. The grande master suite has a palatial dressing room, private office and luxurious spa-like bathroom. The mud room is equipped with a dumbwaiter for your convenience. The walk-out entertainment level includes a state-of-the-art home theatre, wine cellar and billiards room that leads to a covered terrace. A semi-circular driveway and gated grounds complete the landscape for the ultimate definition of luxurious living. Eric Barry Photography

Durston Saylor
Photo of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in New York with green walls, medium hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Dining room after.
Design ideas for a large traditional separate dining room in Charlotte with green walls, medium hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Photo: Tim Tang
Transitional kitchen/dining combo in Indianapolis with green walls and dark hardwood floors.

This is an example of a large open plan dining in Bologna with green walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam and decorative wall panelling.

Mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Little Rock with green walls.