The restoration of an 1899 Queen Anne design, with columns and double gallery added ca. 1910 to update the house in the Colonial Revival style with sweeping front and side porches up and downstairs, and a new carriage house apartment. All the rooms and ceilings are wallpapered, original oak trim is stained, restoration of original light fixtures and replacement of missing ones, short, sheer curtains and roller shades at the windows. The project included a small kitchen addition and master bath, and the attic was converted to a guest bedroom and bath. © 2011, Copyright, Rick Patrick Photography

This salvaged kitchen sink was found awhile ago by the client who new she wanted to use it if ever she renovated. Integrated beautifully into the Danby marble countertop and backsplash with new fixtures it is a real joy to clean up. This kitchen was formerly a dark paneled, cluttered, divided space with little natural light. By eliminating partitions and creating an open floorplan, as well as adding modern windows with traditional detailing, providing lovingly detailed built-ins for the clients extensive collection of beautiful dishes, and lightening up the color palette we were able to create a rather miraculous transformation. Renovation/Addition. Rob Karosis Photography

Sheer ripple fold curtains installation in NYC. Construction project done by http://www.wellbuiltco.com/

The built-in bookcases in this living room help provide much needed storage in a small home while helping to bounce light into the room from the windows. At night the books are illuminated by the monopoint track fixtures. Renovation/Addition. Rob Karosis Photography

Click the link above for a video of Interior Designer, Rebecca Robeson designing a fabulous bedroom/Dorm room makeover for her college age daughter Sharrah. Watch the project unfold as Rebecca takes you behind the scenes of this "one of a kind" YouTube Interior Design Video where she reveals all of the steps along the way to create a custom bedroom design just for YOU! *Tell us your favorite thing about this project before you put it into your Ideabook. Photos by: Rebecca Robeson

The master bathroom includes a stand-alone tub and walk-in, tiled shower baseboards, chandelier, crown molding, curtains, drapes, floor pattern, freestanding tub, gray walls, high ceiling, tile floor, window treatments,

Round bay window dining area set in the existing bay window area of the house.

We met with our (glowing) clients quite early in their pregnancy. They were thrilled to share that they were pregnant with not one…but TWO babies! So, a home office, located directly across from the Master Bedroom, needed to be converted into a nursery. The location within the home as well as the large windows were perfect – but the challenge was maximizing the use of the small space to accommodate two cribs, a dresser/change table, bookshelf, glider and ottoman. A thoughful Furniture Layout Plan was crucial as we needed to make sure the space wouldn’t feel cluttered and was easy to navigate (especially at 4:00am). Working under the design premise of a soft and classic, gender-neutral aesthetic (the sex of the babies was yet to be determined), we went to work. Dust-trapping wall-to-wall carpeting was ripped out and replaced with solid Maple hardwood. Charcoal-colored walls were repainted in airy creams and soft blues, separated with a new trim-moulding dry-brushed for an antique look. A classic yet whimsical tree-patterned wallpaper was applied to the window wall – paying homage to the mountain-side forests surrounding the home. Two hand-carved birch mobiles of branches and swallows appear to extend out of the trees to adorn the cribs. The solid wood, antique buttercream furniture is a collection from Restoration Hardware. http://www.lipsettphotographygroup.com/

This bathroom was introduced into an 1853 Greek Revival row house. The home owners desired modern amenities like radiant floor heating, a steam shower, and a towel warmer. But they also wanted the space to match the period charm of their older home. A large glass-encased shower stall is the central player in the new bathroom. Lined with 3" x 6" white subway tile and fully enclosed by glass, the shower is bright and welcoming. And then the transom window at the top is closed, steam jets lining the shower create a relaxing spa. Although placed on an interior wall, the new bath is filled with abundant natural light, thanks to transom windows which welcome sunshine from the hallway. Photos by Shelly Harrison.

Master Bedroom custom curtains, headboard, chair and pillows. Photography: Andrew McKinney

Double shower in bay window. The bench is cantilevered out over the exterior wall below. Design, color scheme, lighting, and installation by Addhouse. Photo by Monkeyboy Productions

Rachael Smith

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

A vinyl window is inexpensive, durable and remarkably energy efficient as they are designed to minimize thermal transfer. Vinyl windows are made primarily from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This material numerous advantages, including being virtually maintenance-free. The material cannot be painted, but it is available in white and various neutral colors that complement many house colors. Since the color goes all the way through the material, scratches and dings are nearly impossible to see. Consequently, vinyl windows can look nearly new for many years to come.

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design | Troy Thies, Photography | Shannon Gale, Photo Styling

Custom Drapes by Basia Frossard Projects.

Designed as a prominent display of Architecture, Elk Ridge Lodge stands firmly upon a ridge high atop the Spanish Peaks Club in Big Sky, Montana. Designed around a number of principles; sense of presence, quality of detail, and durability, the monumental home serves as a Montana Legacy home for the family. Throughout the design process, the height of the home to its relationship on the ridge it sits, was recognized the as one of the design challenges. Techniques such as terracing roof lines, stretching horizontal stone patios out and strategically placed landscaping; all were used to help tuck the mass into its setting. Earthy colored and rustic exterior materials were chosen to offer a western lodge like architectural aesthetic. Dry stack parkitecture stone bases that gradually decrease in scale as they rise up portray a firm foundation for the home to sit on. Historic wood planking with sanded chink joints, horizontal siding with exposed vertical studs on the exterior, and metal accents comprise the remainder of the structures skin. Wood timbers, outriggers and cedar logs work together to create diversity and focal points throughout the exterior elevations. Windows and doors were discussed in depth about type, species and texture and ultimately all wood, wire brushed cedar windows were the final selection to enhance the "elegant ranch" feel. A number of exterior decks and patios increase the connectivity of the interior to the exterior and take full advantage of the views that virtually surround this home. Upon entering the home you are encased by massive stone piers and angled cedar columns on either side that support an overhead rail bridge spanning the width of the great room, all framing the spectacular view to the Spanish Peaks Mountain Range in the distance. The layout of the home is an open concept with the Kitchen, Great Room, Den, and key circulation paths, as well as certain elements of the upper level open to the spaces below. The kitchen was designed to serve as an extension of the great room, constantly connecting users of both spaces, while the Dining room is still adjacent, it was preferred as a more dedicated space for more formal family meals. There are numerous detailed elements throughout the interior of the home such as the "rail" bridge ornamented with heavy peened black steel, wire brushed wood to match the windows and doors, and cannon ball newel post caps. Crossing the bridge offers a unique perspective of the Great Room with the massive cedar log columns, the truss work overhead bound by steel straps, and the large windows facing towards the Spanish Peaks. As you experience the spaces you will recognize massive timbers crowning the ceilings with wood planking or plaster between, Roman groin vaults, massive stones and fireboxes creating distinct center pieces for certain rooms, and clerestory windows that aid with natural lighting and create exciting movement throughout the space with light and shadow.