Photo by: Tripp Smith
Double front door - traditional dark wood floor double front door idea in Charleston

An old stone mansion built in 1924 had seen a number of renovations over the decades and the time had finally come to address a growing list of issues. Rather than continue with a patchwork of fixes, the owners engaged us to conduct a full house renovation to bring this home back to its former glory and in line with its status as an international consulate residence where dignitaries are hosted on a regular basis. One of the biggest projects was remodeling the expansive 365 SF kitchen; the main kitchen needed to be both a workhorse for the weekly catered events as well as serve as the residents’ primary hub. We made adjustments to the kitchen layout to maximize countertop and storage space as well as enhance overall functionality, being mindful of the dual purposes this kitchen serves. To add visual interest to the large space we used two toned cabinets – classic white along the perimeter and a deep blue to distinguish the two islands and tall pantry. Brushed brass accents echo the original brass hardware and fixtures throughout the home. A kitchen this large needed a statement when it came to the countertops so we selected a stunning Nuvolato quartzite with distinctive veining that complements the blue cabinets. We restored and refinished the original Heart of Pine floors, letting the natural character of the wood shine through. A custom antique Heart of Pine wood top was commissioned for the fixed island – the warmth of wood was preferable to stone for the informal seating area. The second island serves as both prep area and staging space for dinners and events. This mobile island can be pushed flush with the stationary island to provide a generous area for the caterers to expedite service. Adjacent to the main kitchen, we added a second service kitchen for the live-in staff and their family. This room used to be a catch-all laundry/storage/mudroom so we had to get creative in order to incorporate all of those features while adding a fully functioning eat-in kitchen. Using smaller appliances allowed us to capture more space for cabinetry and by stacking the cabinets and washer/dryer (relocated to the rear service foyer) we managed to meet all the requirements. We installed salvaged Heart of Pine floors to match the originals in the adjacent kitchen and chose a neutral finish palette that will be easy to maintain. These kitchens weren’t the only projects we undertook in the historic stone mansion. Other renovations include 7 bathrooms, flooring throughout (hardwoods, custom carpets/runners/wall-to-wall), custom drapery and window treatments, new lighting/electric, as well as paint/trim and custom closet and cabinetry.

French Blue Photography
Inspiration for a timeless master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom remodel in Houston with white walls

NMA Architects
Bedroom - large traditional master medium tone wood floor bedroom idea in Santa Barbara with a ribbon fireplace, beige walls and a plaster fireplace

A former hallway pantry closet was converted into this stylish and useful beverage center. Refrigerated drawers below the espresso machine keep ingredients cool, and a Calacatta quartzite insert repeats the finishes and materials used in the neighboring kitchen.

Example of a classic master brown floor, double-sink and tray ceiling bathroom design in Raleigh with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, multicolored countertops and a built-in vanity

Large elegant enclosed dark wood floor home theater photo in San Francisco with brown walls and a projector screen

Photo Credit: Tiffany Ringwald GC: Ekren Construction
Corner shower - large traditional master white tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and beige floor corner shower idea in Charlotte with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops, a hinged shower door and gray countertops

Major renovation and addition to a 1980's colonial home creates a lakeside retreat that comfortably serves the evolving needs of a multi generational family.

Mudroom featuring custom industrial raw steel lockers with grilled door panels and wood bench surface. Custom designed & fabricated wood barn door with raw steel strap & rivet top panel. Decorative raw concrete floor tiles. View to kitchen & living rooms beyond.

Ryann Ford
Example of a classic sunroom design in Austin with a glass ceiling

Photo of a large traditional full sun side yard stone landscaping in Boston.

Rich, warm yet strikingly beautiful! This kitchen got a major overhaul with its oversized island housing a pre-sing, wine fridge, and tons of storage. Relocation of the refractor to make way for the gourmet range alongside the existing window framed sink. This kitchen is "L" shaped and has a hidden pantry built-in behind the fridge.

Mid-sized elegant open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room library photo in Chicago with beige walls and a wall-mounted tv

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional partial sun backyard formal garden in Other.

This Great room is where the family spends a majority of their time. A large navy blue velvet sectional is extra deep for hanging out or watching movies. We layered floral pillows, color blocked pillows, and a vintage rug fragment turned decorative pillow on the sectional. The sunny yellow chairs flank the fireplace and an oversized custom gray leather cocktail ottoman does double duty as a coffee table and extra seating. The large wood tray warms up the cool color palette. A trio of openwork brass chandeliers are scaled for the large space. We created a vertical element in the room with stacked gray stone and installed a reclaimed timber as a mantel.

Atherton living room Custom window covering Geometric light fixture Traditional furnishings Interior Design: RKI Interior Design Architect: Stewart & Associates Builder: Markay Johnson Photo: Bernard Andre

Large elegant attached one-car porte cochere photo in New York

This growing family of six was struggling with a dysfunctional kitchen design. The center island had been installed at an odd angle that limited accessibility and traffic flow. Additionally, storage space was limited by poor cabinet design. Finally, doorways in and out of the kitchen were narrow and poorly located, especially for children dashing in and out. Other design challenges included how to better use a 10’ x 12’ room for children’s jackets and toys and how to add a professional-quality gas range in a neighborhood were natural gas wasn’t available. The new design would address all of these issues. DESIGN SOLUTIONS The new kitchen design revolves around a more proportional island. Carefully placed in the center of the new space with seating for four, it includes a prep sink, a second dishwasher and a beverage center. The distressed ebony-stained island and hutch provides a brilliant contrast between the white color cabinetry. White Carrera marble countertops and backsplash top both island and perimeter cabinets. Tall, double stacked cabinetry lines two walls to maximize storage space. Across the room there was an unused wall that now contains a 36” tower fridge and freezer, both covered with matching panels, and a tall cabinet that contains a microwave, steam unit and warming drawer. A propane tank was buried in the back yard to provide gas to a new 60” professional range and cooktop. A custom-made wood mantel hood blends perfectly with the cabinet style. The old laundry room was reconfigured to have lots of locker space for all kids and added cabinetry for storage. A double entry door separated the new mudroom from the rest of the back hall. In the back hall the back windows were replaced with a set of French door and added decking to create a direct access to deck and backyard. The end result is an open floor plan, high-end appliances, great traffic flow and pleasing colors. The homeowner calls it the “kitchen of her dreams.”