Transitional l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in San Francisco with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and a farmhouse sink

Inspiration for a cottage kitchen remodel in New York

Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea in Los Angeles

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

Nestled into sloping topography, the design of this home allows privacy from the street while providing unique vistas throughout the house and to the surrounding hill country and downtown skyline. Layering rooms with each other as well as circulation galleries, insures seclusion while allowing stunning downtown views. The owners' goals of creating a home with a contemporary flow and finish while providing a warm setting for daily life was accomplished through mixing warm natural finishes such as stained wood with gray tones in concrete and local limestone. The home's program also hinged around using both passive and active green features. Sustainable elements include geothermal heating/cooling, rainwater harvesting, spray foam insulation, high efficiency glazing, recessing lower spaces into the hillside on the west side, and roof/overhang design to provide passive solar coverage of walls and windows. The resulting design is a sustainably balanced, visually pleasing home which reflects the lifestyle and needs of the clients. Photography by Andrew Pogue

GC: Ekren Construction Photography: Tiffany Ringwald
Small transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor dry bar photo in Charlotte with no sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite countertops, black backsplash, wood backsplash and black countertops

Transitional Laundry Room
Trendy laundry room photo in Boston

Roberto Farren Photography
Kitchen - traditional kitchen idea in Boston with glass-front cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and green backsplash

Powder room - transitional beige floor powder room idea in Salt Lake City with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, multicolored walls, a vessel sink and beige countertops

ibi Designs Inc.
Transitional home office photo in Miami

Powder room - mid-sized contemporary light wood floor and beige floor powder room idea in Philadelphia with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, gray walls and a vessel sink

Staircase - mid-sized rustic wooden u-shaped open and mixed material railing staircase idea in Minneapolis

Benjamin Moore Cadet Grey painted cabinets and Super White granite counters Stainless steel pendant lights hang over island.
Inspiration for a timeless medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in DC Metro with an undermount sink, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops and glass tile backsplash

Inspiration for a large cottage u-shaped brick floor and red floor kitchen remodel in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and beige backsplash

The homeowner felt closed-in with a small entry to the kitchen which blocked off all visual and audio connections to the rest of the first floor. The small and unimportant entry to the kitchen created a bottleneck of circulation between rooms. Our goal was to create an open connection between 1st floor rooms, make the kitchen a focal point and improve general circulation. We removed the major wall between the kitchen & dining room to open up the site lines and expose the full extent of the first floor. We created a new cased opening that framed the kitchen and made the rear Palladian style windows a focal point. White cabinetry was used to keep the kitchen bright and a sharp contrast against the wood floors and exposed brick. We painted the exposed wood beams white to highlight the hand-hewn character. The open kitchen has created a social connection throughout the entire first floor. The communal effect brings this family of four closer together for all occasions. The island table has become the hearth where the family begins and ends there day. It's the perfect room for breaking bread in the most casual and communal way.

Glenn Layton Homes, Jacksonville Beach, Florida. HGTV Smart Home 2013
Large island style wooden u-shaped cable railing staircase photo in Jacksonville with tile risers

INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNER. 2018 NKBA Design Competition Best Overall Kitchen. 2018 TIDA International USA Kitchen of the Year. 2018 Best Traditional Kitchen - Westchester Home Magazine design awards. The designer's own kitchen was gutted and renovated in 2017, with a focus on classic materials and thoughtful storage. The 1920s craftsman home has been in the family since 1940, and every effort was made to keep finishes and details true to the original construction. For sources, please see the website at www.studiodearborn.com. Photography, Adam Kane Macchia

Clark Dugger
Family room library - mid-sized transitional enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor family room library idea in Los Angeles with blue walls

Noriata limestone tile flooring Roma Imperiale quartz slabs backsplash Mother of Pearl quartzite countertop
Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped limestone floor and white floor open concept kitchen remodel in Miami with glass-front cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, brown backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and quartzite countertops