area rug, arts and crafts, cabin, cathedral ceiling, large window, overstuffed, paprika, red sofa, rustic, stone coffee table, stone fireplace, tv over fireplace, wood ceiling,

Simon Maxwell

Design inspiration: The kitchen was to be designed as an open plan lifestyle space that also included a full workstation that could be concealed when not in use. What Searle & Taylor created: The kitchen was part of an extension to a detached house that was built during the 1990’s. The extension was designed as an open plan lifestyle space that incorporated a kitchen and separate dining area, a ‘snug’ seating area and importantly, a workstation that could be hidden from view when socialising and entertaining. Floor to ceiling cabinets were designed against the back wall with a large linear island in front. To soften the look of the room, the corner units were curved at equal angles on either side and includes a tall walk-in larder with internal shelving at separate heights. Also integrated is an extra wide 90cm Liebherr fridge freezer with ice maker and a bank of built-in cooking appliances, as specified by the client. The large central island with granite worksurface houses nine drawers with shell handles and is designed with a dual purpose: for food preparation and cooking on one side and for relaxed seating with a cantilevered solid oak breakfast bar on the other. The cooking area houses a centrally positioned full surface induction hob, which is directly beneath a flush mounted ceiling hood. As requested, to the right hand side of the cabinets, a work station was created that could accommodate files, folders and a large screen PC. In order to be as functional as possible, a set of pocket doors were developed on a bi-fold system that return into side pockets to leave the workstation clear and open. Complementing the rest of the cabinetry, the doors feature carved semi-circles within clean lines together with semi-circular handles that reveal a mandala-inspired design when closed.

Forget just one room with a view—Lochley has almost an entire house dedicated to capturing nature’s best views and vistas. Make the most of a waterside or lakefront lot in this economical yet elegant floor plan, which was tailored to fit a narrow lot and has more than 1,600 square feet of main floor living space as well as almost as much on its upper and lower levels. A dovecote over the garage, multiple peaks and interesting roof lines greet guests at the street side, where a pergola over the front door provides a warm welcome and fitting intro to the interesting design. Other exterior features include trusses and transoms over multiple windows, siding, shutters and stone accents throughout the home’s three stories. The water side includes a lower-level walkout, a lower patio, an upper enclosed porch and walls of windows, all designed to take full advantage of the sun-filled site. The floor plan is all about relaxation – the kitchen includes an oversized island designed for gathering family and friends, a u-shaped butler’s pantry with a convenient second sink, while the nearby great room has built-ins and a central natural fireplace. Distinctive details include decorative wood beams in the living and kitchen areas, a dining area with sloped ceiling and decorative trusses and built-in window seat, and another window seat with built-in storage in the den, perfect for relaxing or using as a home office. A first-floor laundry and space for future elevator make it as convenient as attractive. Upstairs, an additional 1,200 square feet of living space include a master bedroom suite with a sloped 13-foot ceiling with decorative trusses and a corner natural fireplace, a master bath with two sinks and a large walk-in closet with built-in bench near the window. Also included is are two additional bedrooms and access to a third-floor loft, which could functions as a third bedroom if needed. Two more bedrooms with walk-in closets and a bath are found in the 1,300-square foot lower level, which also includes a secondary kitchen with bar, a fitness room overlooking the lake, a recreation/family room with built-in TV and a wine bar perfect for toasting the beautiful view beyond.

This 40 year old original Lindal Cedar Home has been completely renovated and transformed, well maintaining the flavour of the original design. A wide cedar staircase with landing and custom wrought iron railings, welcome you to the front door. Engineered hardwood flooring, tiles and carpet compliment every room in home. New roof, gutters, vinyl deck and stonework on front of home, front landscaping includes retaining walls & pavers on driveway and concrete exterior siding. New plumbing & electrical throughout, as well as energy efficient casement windows, skylights & insulated steel doors. Two new energy efficient direct vent gas fireplaces, with new facade & hearth. High efficient furnace, Heat pump & on demand hot water heating; Energy efficient appliances complement the beautiful kitchen, which includes custom cabinetry & granite counter tops.

Designed to make the most of a steep site, this private home in Sydney’s south has created great spaces to enjoy the view of the water. The design features a covered main pavilion with a fully equipped kitchen including a sink, fridge and wood fire pizza oven. Designed for entertainment it also includes a large dining area, sunken spa and wall mounted TV. O the same level of the pavilion is a sunken fire pit area nestled underneath a large existing Frangipani. Travel down a set of steel stairs and you come to an inviting blue pool with wet edge spill over out to the bay. The curves of the pool and lower lawn area designed to add interest when viewing from above. A generous lounge and nearby pool pavilion provides plenty of places to relax by the pool and the cantilevered section of the pavilion, with feature timber panelling, ensures that there is shade poolside and look fantastic next to another mature Frangipani. The overall look and feel of the project is sleek and contemporary, with plants chosen to emphasise the shapes of the design and to add contrasting colours. This project is definitely a great place entertain and relax whilst enjoying the view of the water. Rolling Stone Landscapes

Stephen Sullivan Inc.

Designed for a family who is relocating back to California, this contemporary residence sits atop a severely steep site in the community of Las Ventanas. Working with the topography led to some creative design solutions, structurally and aesthetically, to accommodate all of the family’s programatic needs. The 4127 s.f. home fits into the relatively small building footprint while an infinity edge pool cantilevers 22′ above grade. With spectacular views of the Arroyo Grande foothills and farms, this main pool deck becomes a major feature of the home. All living spaces, including the great room and kitchen open up to this deck, ideal for relaxation and entertainment. Given that the owners have five golden retrievers, this outdoor space also serves as an area for the dogs. The design includes multiple water features and even a dog pond. To further emphasize the views, a third story mitered glass reading room gives one the impression of sitting above the treetops. The use of warm IPE hardwood siding and stone cladding blend the structure into the surrounding landscape while still offering a clean and contemporary aesthetic.

This Palo Alto home’s traditional Spanish styling incorporates multi-level roofing, with red terra cotta tiles and signature design elements, including a dramatic arched entryway and decorative grille work. Finely crafted materials take center stage in the two-story entrance salon, which features a cascading staircase rising over glowing hardwood flooring. The home’s period-appropriate architecture is punctuated by loft ceilings, plaster walls, and an open, flowing floor plan. The spacious basement recreation room is the ideal gathering spot, with a snack bar, billiards, and foosball tables. A customized home theater completes the picture, with plush recliners, ambient lighting, and a professional-quality digital movie projector. Architect: Stoecker and Northway Architects

NOT a cookie cutter house: brick and stone construction, large wrap-around front porch, curved walls, curved roof lines all on an oversize corner lot. Luxury living.

An eclectic mix of Traditional design & Modern details. A beautiful antique Persian Carpet drives the colour scheme and the bold wall colours pull it all together. A design that is interesting and liveable. Credit: Hush Homes Inc. , Dale Wilcox Photography, Scollard Carpet Inc.

Open shelving at the end of this large island helps lighten the visual weight of the piece, as well as providing easy access to cookbooks and other commonly used kitchen pieces. Learn more about the Normandy Remodeling Designer, Stephanie Bryant, who created this kitchen: http://www.normandyremodeling.com/stephaniebryant/

The client, who lives out of the Country most of the time, desired a regal haven for their quaint and quiet resort style living to enjoy the fresh ocean breeze and dramatic sunsets views. One of the desires of the client was to provide a balance between the Formality and Sensibility. Our design included a formal and dramatic raised infinity Pool, which is connected by way of a terraced water runnel, to an infinity Spa located just off the French doors of the master bedroom. The infinity Pool being raised allows for a wonderful connection of water bodies between the Ocean. and the Pool. Other amenities of the design includes a solid roof extension creating a quaint outdoor dining room to enjoy the stately nearby cook center. Additional elements to highlight this vacation retreat include multiple water features, warm limestone paving, refined pottery accents, with multiple patios and seating areas to enjoy for almost any function or purpose. All these fantastic features are wrapped together in a colorful palette of eclectic Mediterranean plantings, which elegantly provides that balance of classical function and lush aesthetics.

Dining Room by Marshall Morgan Erb Design Inc.

In a Santa Fe historic neighborhood this small kitchen was designed with natural lighting, herb garden window, reclaimed barn wood shelving with workable space and a soft color palette. Photo by: Laurie Allegretti

Interior Design + Architectural Photographer Barry Grossman Photography

A custom Hybrid-Timber frame home, designed to take advantage of the beautiful mountain views on each side of the property. The roof line was designed to organically match the slope of the property. http://www.lipsettphotographygroup.com/

URRUTIA DESIGN Photography by Sherry Heck