Southwestern style family room with built-in media wall. Architect: Urban Design Associates Builder: R-Net Custom Homes Interiors: Billie Springer Photography: Thompson Photographic

Photo credits: Design Imaging Studios. Cozy living space with extra storage. This photo featured in Houzz decorating guides... Design Debate: Is It OK to Hang the TV Over the Fireplace? http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73630550

Control of the interior lighting allows one to set the ambience for listening to musical performances. Each instrument is connected to the Audio Distribution system so everyone may enjoy the performance; no mater where they are in the house. Audio controls allow precise volume adjustments of incoming and outgoing signals. Automatic shades protect the furnishings from sun damage and works with the Smart Thermostat to keep the environment at the right temperature all-year round. Freezing temperature sensors ensure the fireplace automatically ignites just in case the HVAC lost power or broke down. Contact sensors on the windows and door work with the home weather station to determine if windows/doors need to be closed when raining; not to mention the primary use with the security system to detect unwanted intruders.

photo credit: Jerry Voloski

Halkin/Mason Photography

These clients came to my office looking for an architect who could design their "empty nest" home that would be the focus of their soon to be extended family. A place where the kids and grand kids would want to hang out: with a pool, open family room/ kitchen, garden; but also one-story so there wouldn't be any unnecessary stairs to climb. They wanted the design to feel like "old Pasadena" with the coziness and attention to detail that the era embraced. My sensibilities led me to recall the wonderful classic mansions of San Marino, so I designed a manor house clad in trim Bluestone with a steep French slate roof and clean white entry, eave and dormer moldings that would blend organically with the future hardscape plan and thoughtfully landscaped grounds. The site was a deep, flat lot that had been half of the old Joan Crawford estate; the part that had an abandoned swimming pool and small cabana. I envisioned a pavilion filled with natural light set in a beautifully planted park with garden views from all sides. Having a one-story house allowed for tall and interesting shaped ceilings that carved into the sheer angles of the roof. The most private area of the house would be the central loggia with skylights ensconced in a deep woodwork lattice grid and would be reminiscent of the outdoor “Salas” found in early Californian homes. The family would soon gather there and enjoy warm afternoons and the wonderfully cool evening hours together. Working with interior designer Jeffrey Hitchcock, we designed an open family room/kitchen with high dark wood beamed ceilings, dormer windows for daylight, custom raised panel cabinetry, granite counters and a textured glass tile splash. Natural light and gentle breezes flow through the many French doors and windows located to accommodate not only the garden views, but the prevailing sun and wind as well. The graceful living room features a dramatic vaulted white painted wood ceiling and grand fireplace flanked by generous double hung French windows and elegant drapery. A deeply cased opening draws one into the wainscot paneled dining room that is highlighted by hand painted scenic wallpaper and a barrel vaulted ceiling. The walnut paneled library opens up to reveal the waterfall feature in the back garden. Equally picturesque and restful is the view from the rotunda in the master bedroom suite. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Design: Jeffrey Hitchcock Enterprises Contractor: Synergy General Contractors, Inc. Landscape Design: LZ Design Group, Inc. Photography: Laura Hull

A light filled paneled Family Room in a colonial house in Connecticut Photographer: Tria Giovan

Spacecrafting

This family/hearth room is just off the magnificent kitchen and is home to an updated look of its own. New hardwood flooring, lighting and mantle and the background for the custom furniture and window treatments. The family now spends most of its time here.

Awarded First Place in the ASID Excellence in Design Awards for Specialty Singular Space 2016 Photographer: Shelby Spencer

Brad + Jen Butcher

Ship-lap walls and sliding barn doors add a rustic flair to the kid-friendly recreational space.