Antonio e Roberto Tartaglione

A glass and metal stairway sets the tone of a contemporary entrance. Tiled entry way flooring and lined stairway carpeting add interest. Design: Su Casa Design Photographer: Revival Arts

With views out to sea, ocean breezes, and an east-facing aspect, our challenge was to create 2 light-filled homes which will be comfortable through the year. The form of the design has been carefully considered to compliment the surroundings in shape, scale and form, with an understated contemporary appearance. Skillion roofs and raked ceilings, along with large expanses of northern glass and light-well stairs draw light into each unit and encourage cross ventilation. Each home embraces the views from upper floor living areas and decks, with feature green roof gardens adding colour and texture to the street frontage as well as providing privacy and shade. Family living areas open onto lush and shaded garden courtyards at ground level for easy-care family beach living. Materials selection for longevity and beauty include weatherboard, corten steel and hardwood, creating a timeless 'beach-vibe'.

Star White Polished Marble tile flooring and bespoke staircase (30mm thick treads with full bullnose edges) with a bespoke Nero Marquina Marble border on the flooring. Materials supplied by Natural Angle including Marble, Limestone, Granite, Sandstone, Wood Flooring and Block Paving.

Ben Wrigley

This Boulder, Colorado remodel by fuentesdesign demonstrates the possibility of renewal in American suburbs, and Passive House design principles. Once an inefficient single story 1,000 square-foot ranch house with a forced air furnace, has been transformed into a two-story, solar powered 2500 square-foot three bedroom home ready for the next generation. The new design for the home is modern with a sustainable theme, incorporating a palette of natural materials including; reclaimed wood finishes, FSC-certified pine Zola windows and doors, and natural earth and lime plasters that soften the interior and crisp contemporary exterior with a flavor of the west. A Ninety-percent efficient energy recovery fresh air ventilation system provides constant filtered fresh air to every room. The existing interior brick was removed and replaced with insulation. The remaining heating and cooling loads are easily met with the highest degree of comfort via a mini-split heat pump, the peak heat load has been cut by a factor of 4, despite the house doubling in size. During the coldest part of the Colorado winter, a wood stove for ambiance and low carbon back up heat creates a special place in both the living and kitchen area, and upstairs loft. This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. These windows also provide a seamless indoor/outdoor connection, with 9′ wide folding doors from the dining area and a matching 9′ wide custom countertop folding window that opens the kitchen up to a grassy court where mature trees provide shade and extend the living space during the summer months. With air-tight construction, this home meets the Passive House Retrofit (EnerPHit) air-tightness standard of

A close up photo showing the picture molding that was added throughout the entry. We used a gloss paint on the molding and walls to provide a cohesive sleek look. The geometric stair runner adds to the contemporary feel. Each stair tread was covered with carpet separately to align the pattern. Photo Credit:Tracey Brown-Paper Camera Additional photos at www.trishalbanointeriors.com

Headed by Anita Kassel, Kassel Interiors is a full service interior design firm active in the greater New York metro area; but the real story is that we put the design cliches aside and get down to what really matters: your goals and aspirations for your space.

This dramatic open (door-less) entry to this finished basement works beautifully . Though removing the "typical" basement door is unusual, it nevertheless works and adds another dimension to the home. The dramatic paneled wall along the staircase creates visual excitement and helps introduce the mill work that's in the rest of this dramatic and unusual space. This home was featured in Philadelphia Magazine August 2014 issue RUDLOFF Custom Builders, is a residential construction company that connects with clients early in the design phase to ensure every detail of your project is captured just as you imagined. RUDLOFF Custom Builders will create the project of your dreams that is executed by on-site project managers and skilled craftsman, while creating lifetime client relationships that are build on trust and integrity. We are a full service, certified remodeling company that covers all of the Philadelphia suburban area including West Chester, Gladwynne, Malvern, Wayne, Haverford and more. As a 6 time Best of Houzz winner, we look forward to working with you on your next project.

This home is constructed in the world famous neighborhood of Lido Shores in Sarasota, Fl. The home features a flipped layout with a front court pool and a rear loading garage. The floor plan is flipped as well with the main living area on the second floor. This home has a HERS index of 16 and is registered LEED Platinum with the USGBC. Ryan Gamma Photography

Brad Smith Photography