Large contemporary open concept living room in Grand Rapids with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and exposed beam.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Miami with white walls, porcelain floors, no fireplace and no tv.

Photo of a mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in Dallas with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

Mountain modern living room with high vaulted ceilings.
This is an example of a country open concept living room in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Inspiration for a contemporary living room in San Diego with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Eric Roth Photo

The Clients contacted Cecil Baker + Partners to reconfigure and remodel the top floor of a prominent Philadelphia high-rise into an urban pied-a-terre. The forty-five story apartment building, overlooking Washington Square Park and its surrounding neighborhoods, provided a modern shell for this truly contemporary renovation. Originally configured as three penthouse units, the 8,700 sf interior, as well as 2,500 square feet of terrace space, was to become a single residence with sweeping views of the city in all directions. The Client’s mission was to create a city home for collecting and displaying contemporary glass crafts. Their stated desire was to cast an urban home that was, in itself, a gallery. While they enjoy a very vital family life, this home was targeted to their urban activities - entertainment being a central element. The living areas are designed to be open and to flow into each other, with pockets of secondary functions. At large social events, guests feel free to access all areas of the penthouse, including the master bedroom suite. A main gallery was created in order to house unique, travelling art shows. Stemming from their desire to entertain, the penthouse was built around the need for elaborate food preparation. Cooking would be visible from several entertainment areas with a “show” kitchen, provided for their renowned chef. Secondary preparation and cleaning facilities were tucked away. The architects crafted a distinctive residence that is framed around the gallery experience, while also incorporating softer residential moments. Cecil Baker + Partners embraced every element of the new penthouse design beyond those normally associated with an architect’s sphere, from all material selections, furniture selections, furniture design, and art placement. Barry Halkin and Todd Mason Photography

Peter Landers Photography www.peterlanders.net
Photo of a mid-sized scandinavian living room in London with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

A welcoming living room off the front foyer is anchored by a stone fireplace in a custom blend for the home owner. A limestone mantle and hearth provide great perching spaces for the homeowners and accessories. All furniture was custom designed by Lenox House Design for the Home Owners.

Trent Bell Photography
Design ideas for an expansive contemporary open concept living room in Las Vegas with white walls.

Michael Lowry Photography
Photo of a transitional formal living room in Orlando with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and dark hardwood floors.

View of Great Room/Living Room and Entertainment Center: 41 West Coastal Retreat Series reveals creative, fresh ideas, for a new look to define the casual beach lifestyle of Naples. More than a dozen custom variations and sizes are available to be built on your lot. From this spacious 3,000 square foot, 3 bedroom model, to larger 4 and 5 bedroom versions ranging from 3,500 - 10,000 square feet, including guest house options.

Tricia Shay Photography
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Milwaukee with a metal fireplace surround, white walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Woodvalley Residence Fireplace | Dry stacked gray blue limestone w/ cast concrete hearth Floor | White Oak Flat Sawn, with a white finish that was sanded off called natural its a 7% gloss. Total was 4 layers. white finish, sanded, refinished. Installed and supplies around $20/sq.ft. The intention was to finish like natural driftwood with no gloss. You can contact the Builder Procon Projects for more detailed information. http://proconprojects.com/ 2011 © GAILE GUEVARA | PHOTOGRAPHY™ All rights reserved. :: DESIGN TEAM :: Interior Designer: Gaile Guevara Interior Design Team: Layers & Layers Renovation & House Extension by Procon Projects Limited Architecture & Design by Mason Kent Design Landscaping provided by Arcon Water Designs Finishes The flooring was engineered 7"W wide plankl, white oak, site finished in both a white & gray wash

Step into tranquility with our recently completed laid-back living room project, crafted by our adept interior designers with a keen eye for minimalist elegance. A harmonious blend of simplicity and sophistication defines this space, where every element has been carefully curated to evoke a sense of calm and relaxation. The color palette, predominantly composed of soothing neutrals such as soft whites, warm grays, and gentle earth tones, creates a serene atmosphere that invites you to unwind. Clean lines and uncluttered surfaces accentuate the minimalist aesthetic, allowing each piece of furniture and decor to stand out in its understated beauty. Plush, comfortable seating arrangements beckon you to sink in and unwind, while natural textures such as linen, wood, and rattan add warmth and tactile appeal to the room. Thoughtfully placed accents, from potted greenery to artisanal ceramics, infuse the space with subtle visual interest without overwhelming the senses. Soft, diffused lighting enhances the tranquil ambiance, casting a gentle glow that encourages relaxation and contemplation. Large windows invite ample natural light, blurring the boundaries between indoors and out, and offering glimpses of serene outdoor scenery. In this laid-back living room oasis, less is truly more, and every element has been thoughtfully selected to create a space where one can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and embrace a slower, more mindful way of living.

Inspiration for a transitional living room in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and vaulted.

Design ideas for a large traditional open concept living room in Oklahoma City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, exposed beam and wallpaper.

Embrace the essence of cottage living with a bespoke wall unit and bookshelf tailored to your unique space. Handcrafted with care and attention to detail, this renovation project infuses a modern cottage living room with rustic charm and timeless appeal. The custom-built unit offers both practical storage solutions and a focal point for displaying cherished possessions. This thoughtfully designed addition enhances the warmth and character of the space.

Contemporary open concept living room in Indianapolis with white walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.