Example of a large trendy master gray tile gray floor and concrete floor double shower design in Other with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, a vessel sink, a hinged shower door, black countertops and concrete countertops

Kitchen - mid-sized contemporary l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in New York with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, white countertops, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops and stone slab backsplash

Example of a large arts and crafts backyard patio kitchen design in Seattle with decking and a roof extension

Inspiration for a country backyard rectangular pool house remodel in New York

Example of an eclectic formal dark wood floor living room design in DC Metro with white walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Paul Dyer Photo
Mountain style gray floor bathroom photo in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, beige walls, an integrated sink and beige countertops

Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Mid-sized farmhouse white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor and white floor alcove shower photo in Richmond with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, blue walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door, white countertops and marble countertops

Transitional galley light wood floor and beige floor kitchen pantry photo in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash and white countertops

Toulmin Cabinetry & Design Clem Burch 205 Photography
Transitional white two-story brick exterior home photo in Birmingham with a shingle roof

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.

The entire garden
This is an example of a traditional landscaping in Chicago.

Pebble Beach Powder Room. Photographer: John Merkl
Inspiration for a small coastal beige floor and travertine floor powder room remodel in San Luis Obispo with distressed cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink, open cabinets and white countertops

This bright urban oasis is perfectly appointed with O'Brien Harris Cabinetry in Chicago's bespoke Chatham White Oak cabinetry. The scope of the project included a kitchen that is open to the great room and a bar. The open-concept design is perfect for entertaining. Countertops are Carrara marble, and the backsplash is a white subway tile, which keeps the palette light and bright. The kitchen is accented with polished nickel hardware. Niches were created for open shelving on the oven wall. A custom hood fabricated by O’Brien Harris with stainless banding creates a focal point in the space. Windows take up the entire back wall, which posed a storage challenge. The solution? Our kitchen designers extended the kitchen cabinetry into the great room to accommodate the family’s storage requirements. obrienharris.com

agajphoto
Example of a mid-sized minimalist l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Photo: Meghan Bob Photo
Inspiration for a large farmhouse backyard concrete paver patio remodel in Los Angeles with a roof extension

Custom iron stair rail in a geometric pattern is showcased against custom white floor to ceiling wainscoting along the stairwell. A custom brass table greets you as you enter. Photo: Stephen Allen

Example of a mid-sized trendy open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room design in Other with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Design by Aline Designs
Kitchen pantry - farmhouse black floor kitchen pantry idea in Oklahoma City with shaker cabinets, white cabinets and gray countertops