Photo: Marcel Erminy
Mid-sized modern loft-style family room in Austin with a game room, white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and grey floor.

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.

A beautiful modern home is warmed with organic touches, caramel leather chairs, a reclaimed wood table, hide rug and creamy white sofas.
Large modern open concept family room in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and black floor.

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.

Wildman Chalmers Design
Mid-sized modern open concept family room in Other with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

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.

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

Large and Comfortable Family Space Custom TV/Bookcase Entertainment Unit
Expansive modern open concept family room in New York with a library, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Natural Ledgestone in the colour Ivory was used to create this interior skirt. The homeowner uniquely placed the fireplace within the skirt, this design element opened up the room and provided more opportunities to mix and match colours and textures.

Large modern open concept family room in Orange County with grey walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

This dream home wouldn't be complete without a custom stone fireplace and matching storage cabinets. Our clients love this room in the house. Once our clients friends and family have enjoyed all the benefits from the kitchen, the clients love to entertain by the fireplace.

Inspiration for a large modern open concept family room in Houston with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Further expanding the popular line of Valor linear gas fireplaces, we are pleased to introduce the L3 Series. At 66 ¼ inches the L3 is noticeably wider than the L2, and features the popular Decorative Murano Glass & Driftwood fuel bed options. Due to its highly efficient design the L3 utilizes standard 6 ⅝" venting systems which make the L3 installation friendly. The L3 is also ready to take the new HeatShift System™, we recommend this option especially for installations where cooler walls immediately above the fireplace are desirable. A highly effective radiant and convective heater, the L3 combines luxury design with impressive zone heating.

David Burroughs
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern open concept family room in Miami with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a concealed tv and brown floor.

Photo of a large modern open concept family room in Houston with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

We designed the niches around the owners three beautiful glass sculptures. We used various forms of LED lights (Tape & puck) to show off the beauty of these pieces. "Moonlight Reflections" Artist Peter Lik Photo courtesy of Fred Lassman

The family room opens to the edible garden with a large, moving glass wall. This is the perfect house for the famous vegan chef and her husband to cook, entertain and film their television series.