We designed the Birmingham Showhouse family room to include the characteristics of the Arts and Crafts style through the use of organic materials, with a hand-made quality. There is also slight Japanese aesthetic running through the design. It was designed to be a warm, comfortable place for the entire family to spend time in. For example, we designed the bookcases with integral, pull-out desks, allowing the room to serve many functions. The color palate is warm neutrals, with interest being added by using many textures and punches of geometric pattern. Of note, is the fireplace surround clad in patinated steel plate with rivets, the custom cow-hide herringbone rug, the drapery hardware made from copper plumbing pipe, and the antique Thai teak log trestle table. The custom ceiling light anchors the space, while the wall light swings to the desk area as needed.

TruLine .5 2.5W 24VDC Plaster-In LED System creates a clean line of glare free general illumination within drywall. The linear LED system features a shallow .5 inch deep plaster in aluminum extrusion no thicker than drywall and houses one 2.5 watt row of commercial grade white LED Soft Strip. The .5 inch wide diffuser lens projects a clean line of light without LED dots. System mounts directly to studs without joist modification. TruLine is sold in 1 foot increments up to 40 feet at 2.5 watts per foot, 95+ CRI, in 2700K Very Warm White or 3000K Warm White color temperature, delivering 116 lumens per foot. 50,000 hour average lamp life. TruLine extrusion may be field cut. LED Soft Strip may be cut every 2.4 inches. System includes TruLine .5 channels, end caps, LED Soft Strip, TL.5 special junction box and all mounting hardware. Power supply options include a Class 2 24 volt 96 or 192 watt dimmable with a Lightolier Sunrise SR1200ZTUNV; Leviton IP710-DL; Lutron Radio Ra2 with Grafik Eye, RRD-10ND and GRX-TVI; Grafik Eye QS with Grafik Eye, QSGRJ-XP and GRX-TVI; Diva with Grafik Eye, DVTV and PP20; Nova T with Grafik Eye, NTFTV-WH and PP20, sold separately. Fixture includes a 5 year warranty. Made in USA.

The Eagle Harbor Cabin is located on a wooded waterfront property on Lake Superior, at the northerly edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, about 300 miles northeast of Minneapolis. The wooded 3-acre site features the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior, a lake that sometimes behaves like the ocean. The 2,000 SF cabin cantilevers out toward the water, with a 40-ft. long glass wall facing the spectacular beauty of the lake. The cabin is composed of two simple volumes: a large open living/dining/kitchen space with an open timber ceiling structure and a 2-story “bedroom tower,” with the kids’ bedroom on the ground floor and the parents’ bedroom stacked above. The interior spaces are wood paneled, with exposed framing in the ceiling. The cabinets use PLYBOO, a FSC-certified bamboo product, with mahogany end panels. The use of mahogany is repeated in the custom mahogany/steel curvilinear dining table and in the custom mahogany coffee table. The cabin has a simple, elemental quality that is enhanced by custom touches such as the curvilinear maple entry screen and the custom furniture pieces. The cabin utilizes native Michigan hardwoods such as maple and birch. The exterior of the cabin is clad in corrugated metal siding, offset by the tall fireplace mass of Montana ledgestone at the east end. The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2x8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and snow protection; and metal siding for maximum durability. Sustainable interior finish materials include bamboo/plywood cabinets, linoleum floors, locally-grown maple flooring and birch paneling, and low-VOC paints.

Jim Bartsch

This ceiling was designed and detailed by dSPACE Studio. We created a custom plaster mold that was fabricated by a Chicago plaster company and installed and finished on-site.

GP Martin Photography, This bathroom was a design for a client of mine and was her inspiration for the materials and colors of this wonderful bathroom. Her ideas and choice of materials only enhanced the already beautiful and airy design of the Master Bathroom. Celeste Randolph is an interior designer for Ambiance Interiors in Palo Alto, Ca.

Louis G. Weiner Photography - This powder room started as a design disaster before receiving a stunning transformation. It was green, dark, and dreary and stuck in an outdated Southwestern theme (complete with gecko lizard décor.) We knew they needed help fast. Our clients wish was to have a modern, sophisticated bathroom with a little pizzazz. The design required a full demo and included removing the heavy soffit in order to lift the room. To bring in the bling, we chose a unique concave and convex tile to be installed from floor to ceiling. The elegant floating vanity is finished with white quartz countertops and a large vessel sink. The mercury glass pendants in the corner lend a soft glow to the room. Simple and stylish new hardware, commode and porcelain tile flooring play a supporting role in the overall impact. The stars of this powder room are the geometric foil wallpaper and the playful moose trophy head; which pays homage to the clients’ Canadian heritage.

The tropical dining room is grounded with a stunning custom basket pendant that hangs above the live edge monkey pod dining table. The floors are gray porcelain tile, and the walls and vaulted ceilings are white nickle gap paneling that flows up from the walls into the ceiling.

black leather ottoman, tufted leather, upholstered bench, black bench, light wood floor, horizontal fireplace, gas fireplace, marble fireplace surround, cream walls, recessed lighting, recessed wall niche, white ceiling, sheer curtains, white drapes, sheer window treatment, white floor length curtains, silver floor lamp, large window, clean, tray ceiling,

Masterbath

The spacious great room in this home, completed in 2017, is open to the kitchen and features a linear fireplace on a floating honed limestone hearth, supported by hidden steel brackets, extending the full width between the two floor to ceiling windows. The custom oak shelving forms a display case with individual lights for each section allowing the homeowners to showcase favorite art objects. The ceiling features a step and hidden LED cove lighting to provide a visual separation for this area from the adjacent kitchen and informal dining areas. The rug and furniture were selected by the homeowners for everyday comfort as this is the main TV watching and hangout room in the home. A casual dining area provides seating for 6 or more and can also function as a game table. In the background is the 3 seasons room accessed by a floor-to-ceiling sliding door that opens 2/3 to provide easy flow for entertaining.

The original kitchen was designed and built by the original homeowner, needless to say neither design nor building was his profession. Further, the entire house has hydronic tubing in gypcrete for heat which means to utilities (water, ventilation or power) could be brought up through the floor or down from the ceiling except on the the exterior walls. The current homeowners love to cook and have a seasonal garden that generates a lot of lovely fruits and vegetables for both immediate consumption and preserving, hence, kitchen counter space, two sinks, the induction cooktop and the steam oven were all 'must haves' for both the husband and the wife. The beautiful wood plank porcelain tile floors ensures a slip resistant floor that is sturdy enough to stand up to their three four-legged children. Utilizing the three existing j-boxes in the ceiling, the cable and rail system combined with the under cabinet light illuminates every corner of this formerly dark kitchen. The rustic knotty alder cabinetry, wood plank tile floor and the bronze finish hardware/lighting all help to achieve the rustic casual look the homeowners craved. Photo by A Kitchen That Works LLC

Classical millwork details are present throughout the home. In the family dining area you can see it present in the curved built-in bench, windows, and wood paneled walls and ceiling.

A custom home builder in Chicago's western suburbs, Summit Signature Homes, ushers in a new era of residential construction. With an eye on superb design and value, industry-leading practices and superior customer service, Summit stands alone. Custom-built homes in Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Western Springs, and other western suburbs.

A custom bookcase for cookbook collection was built from recycled wood. Maker was found at a local home show in Portland. All furniture pieces were made or found and selected/designed maximizing height to accentuate tall ceilings. The vestibule in the background shows tiny space added by new nib walls as entry way to existing bathroom. Designer hand-painted stripes on the wall when an appropriate wallpaper could not be located. Photo by Lincoln Barbour