Photo by Kimberly Gavin

The destination : the great Room with white washed barn wood planks on the ceiling and rough hewn cross ties. Photo: Fred Golden

Lake Forest Showhouse 2013, designed by Summer Thornton Design, Inc

Medium hardwood floors set the tone in this welcoming family room.

Interiors by SFA Design Photography by Meghan Beierle-O'Brien

Amy Smucker Photography

Ponciano Design collaborated with Aaron Chirstensen at Embellishments.

Dining/Living Room Bliss Model at Pioneer Ridge. Throughout the open great room, stained ceiling details tie into the darker tones of the natural hickory floors. Copyright Moss Photography 2012

Formal Living Room with custom refined sisal area rug, antique French wall sconces, furnishings in a mix of textures within a neutral palate.

Jennifer Arnett, Starloft Photography

Charles Smith

Donna Dotan Photography Inc.

This eclectic modern monochromatic Living Room with pops of color visually opens up the space to make the room appear much larger then it is. The tailored "ripplefold " window treatments that hangs from the ceiling with the tall lamps also makes the ceiling height appear to be much taller then it is as well. Featured in Modenus "Designer Spotlight Series" Awarded Top 20 in Architectural Digest Magazine "Viewers Choice Awards" and Finalist in Innovation in Design Awards.

Excerpted from Steven Gambrel: Time & Place (Abrams, 2012). Photography by Eric Piasecki.

Copyright Michael J. Lee Photography LLC 2012