Don't just throw LED strip lights everywhere. Stick them in LEDdrop channels for beautiful lighting ambiance. LEDdrop aluminum channels: the perfect companion to LED strip light installations.

A sunny family room overlooking beautifully landscaped pool area.
Inspiration for a large modern open concept family room in Miami with grey walls, porcelain floors, no fireplace and a freestanding tv.

Photo of a large modern open concept family room in Los Angeles with white walls, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and brick walls.

MAIN LEVEL FAMILY ROOM
Modern open concept family room in Charlotte with laminate floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Adding a level of organic nature to his work, C.P. Drewett used wood to calm the architecture down on this contemporary house and make it more elegant. A wood ceiling and custom furnishings with walnut bases and tapered legs suit the muted tones of the living room. Project Details // Straight Edge Phoenix, Arizona Architecture: Drewett Works Builder: Sonora West Development Interior design: Laura Kehoe Landscape architecture: Sonoran Landesign Photographer: Laura Moss https://www.drewettworks.com/straight-edge/

Family Room
This is an example of a mid-sized modern open concept family room in Phoenix with white walls, porcelain floors, a built-in media wall and grey floor.

A custom built-in media console accommodates books, indoor plants and other ephemera on open shelves above the TV, while hiding a video-game console, a/v components and other unsightly items in the closed storage below. The multi-functional family space serves as an extension of the adjacent bedroom shared by twin boys.

Mid-sized modern open concept family room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Inspiration for a modern open concept family room in Omaha with porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and wallpaper.

Photo of a mid-sized modern enclosed family room in Seattle with grey walls, carpet, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Design ideas for a modern open concept family room in Indianapolis with black walls, laminate floors, a corner fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

We gave this family room a new look with all new furnishings and accessories. We kept things streamlined and timeless using neutral fabrics and furniture with clean lines. Dash and Albert rug,, Bernhardt swivels in grey velvet, Room and Board sofas in light grey linen, organic side tables in wood and concrete from Four Hands and West Elm. Lighting by Restoration Hardware and Crate and Barrel. Barstools by Ballard in Schumacher performace linen.

Photo of a mid-sized modern enclosed family room in Other with beige walls, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, beige floor and carpet.

Builder: John Kraemer & Sons | Photography: Landmark Photography
Photo of a small modern open concept family room in Minneapolis with beige walls, concrete floors, no fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Ellis Creek Photography
Photo of a mid-sized modern open concept family room in Charleston with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Fireplace make over. We removed the mantel and old tile surround. We installed custom cut Equator marble for the hearth extension. We used matching white subway tiles to complete the surround. Then re installed the mantel and added Stoll glass doors

What an inviting great room. This kitchen/family room combo flows perfectly. The kitchen makes a statement with the flat panel medium wood cabinetry, huge center island/bar, and gorgeous multi colored glass tile backsplash. The contemporary light fixtures add another touch of the modern flare to this neutral palate, with white walls and very neutral multicolored ceramic tile.

Voila! The transformation is complete. We addressed the fireplace by covering the existing facade with a modern stacked stone and a custom reclaimed burl wood mantle. We brought the ceiling into play by hanging a fabulous Currey and Co. iron chandelier. It is artistic and interesting. The yellow leather tufted chair and orange chests draw the eye to the far corners of the room. The sofa and chair are upholstered in a soft performance velvet so young children can use the space without concerns. The computer/desk work area adds another level of functionality to this space for a growing family. David Keith Photography