This project was a complete renovation. It was the first project a newlywed couple did together. In one of the first meetings we all agreed we loved the Osborne and Little striped polka dot fabric (pillow on the chairs and sofa). The room grew from there. A main objective was to enhance the view of Central Park all the way to the Palisades. We kept the walls light and the upholstery monochromatic, except for a dash of off white in the Hugues Chevalier (Ying Armchair). The area rug is large and almost square we had it made by Royce wool carpets. Joanne and Bill Riley custom designed it. The background was kept the blue of the upholstery further grounding the space yet keeping it quiet enough with only red and gold accents (there are actually 9 colors in the rug, but they are the same hues as the 3 main colors) The wood of the dining area adds a solid feel. (Table and chairs by Stanley furniture) Along the long wall is a 20' built-in with a Costa Smerelda granite counter top, as. storage space is at a premium in NYC. There is enough room for a small bar area on the left, dining area storage in the middle and to the far right. Also, in the middle is a 50" TV that comes up out of the granite and audio equipment. Above the built-in are wall to wall mirrors with glass shelves hanging from them. This keeps an open and spacious feel. The accessories keep it welcoming. The wall sconces (also on the mirrors) are by Currey and Co. The large crown molding and the high gloss ceiling add to the subtle drama. The small custom wood cabinet is made of Claro Walnut with ebonized Ash legs and handles by Hubel Handcrafted. It sits between the window and the door keeping you centered in the space. All in all an easy space to enjoy!

This unique city-home is designed with a center entry, flanked by formal living and dining rooms on either side. An expansive gourmet kitchen / great room spans the rear of the main floor, opening onto a terraced outdoor space comprised of more than 700SF. The home also boasts an open, four-story staircase flooded with natural, southern light, as well as a lower level family room, four bedrooms (including two en-suite) on the second floor, and an additional two bedrooms and study on the third floor. A spacious, 500SF roof deck is accessible from the top of the staircase, providing additional outdoor space for play and entertainment. Due to the location and shape of the site, there is a 2-car, heated garage under the house, providing direct entry from the garage into the lower level mudroom. Two additional off-street parking spots are also provided in the covered driveway leading to the garage. Designed with family living in mind, the home has also been designed for entertaining and to embrace life's creature comforts. Pre-wired with HD Video, Audio and comprehensive low-voltage services, the home is able to accommodate and distribute any low voltage services requested by the homeowner. This home was pre-sold during construction. Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

The clients believed the peninsula footprint was required due to the unique entry points from the hallway leading to the dining room and the foyer. The new island increases storage, counters and a more pleasant flow of traffic from all directions. The biggest challenge was trying to make the structural beam that ran perpendicular to the space work in a new design; it was off center and difficult to balance the cabinetry and functional spaces to work with it. In the end it was decided to increase the budget and invest in moving the header in the ceiling to achieve the best design, esthetically and funcationlly. Specific storage designed to meet the clients requests include: - pocket doors at counter tops for everyday appliances - deep drawers for pots, pans and Tupperware - island includes designated zone for baking supplies - tall and shallow pantry/food storage for easy access near island - pull out spice near cooking - tray dividers for assorted baking pans/sheets, cutting boards and numerous other serving trays - cutlery and knife inserts and built in trash/recycle bins to keep things organized and convenient to use, out of sight - custom design hutch to hold various, yet special dishes and silverware Elements of design chosen to meet the clients wishes include: - painted cabinetry to lighten up the room that lacks windows and give relief/contrast to the expansive wood floors - monochromatic colors throughout give peaceful yet elegant atmosphere o stained island provides interest and warmth with wood, but still unique in having a different stain than the wood floors – this is repeated in the tile mosaic backsplash behind the rangetop - punch of fun color used on hutch for a unique, furniture feel - carefully chosen detailed embellishments like the tile mosaic, valance toe boards, furniture base board around island, and island pendants are traditional details to not only the architecture of the home, but also the client’s furniture and décor. - Paneled refrigerator minimizes the large appliance, help keeping an elegant feel Superior cooking equipment includes a combi-steam oven, convection wall ovens paired with a built-in refrigerator with interior air filtration to better preserve fresh foods. Photography by Gregg Willett

Living room - contemporary medium tone wood floor living room idea in Chicago with brown walls

This home is built by Robert Thomas Homes located in Minnesota. Our showcase models are professionally staged. Please contact Ambiance at Home for information on furniture - 952.440.6757

Interior design: SLC Interiors Photographer: Shelly Harrison
Elegant eat-in kitchen photo in Boston with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, limestone backsplash and brown countertops

Installation of new kitchen marble countertops; reconditioned exposed ceiling joists; locally custom-fabricated steel floor-to-ceiling bay window. Photographer: Jeffrey Totaro

To round out this guest room, the designer brought out the coral accent color for the chair and ottoman. A pharmacy lamp lights the chair so that guests have a quiet space to read. Double beds are centered on the left wall to maximize guest sleeping The custom designed and crafted drapery installation behind the beds conceal two off center windows that conflicted with the furniture placement. The two windows on the far wall provide ample natural light for the room.

new construction / builder - cmd corp.
Large traditional beige two-story stone house exterior idea in Boston with a shingle roof

This salvaged kitchen sink was found awhile ago by the client who new she wanted to use it if ever she renovated. Integrated beautifully into the Danby marble countertop and backsplash with new fixtures it is a real joy to clean up. This kitchen was formerly a dark paneled, cluttered, divided space with little natural light. By eliminating partitions and creating an open floorplan, as well as adding modern windows with traditional detailing, providing lovingly detailed built-ins for the clients extensive collection of beautiful dishes, and lightening up the color palette we were able to create a rather miraculous transformation. Renovation/Addition. Rob Karosis Photography

Center-pivoting window detail. Interior window allows light to flow through the long deep townhouse. Park Slope, Brooklyn brownstone renovation by Ben Herzog, Architect. Photos by Marco Valencia-- Construction by Creative Renovations

A master bedroom with an ocean inspired, upscale hotel atmosphere. The soft blues, creams and dark woods give the impression of luxury and calm. Soft sheers on a rustic iron rod hang over woven grass shades and gently filter light into the room. Rich painted wood panel molding helps to anchor the space. A reading area adorns the bay window and the antique tray table offers a worn nautical motif. Brass fixtures and the rough hewn dresser remind one of the sea. Artwork and accessories also lend a coastal feeling.

Bedroom - transitional bedroom idea in Atlanta

Rob Karosis, Photographer
Elegant carpeted dining room photo in New York with green walls and a standard fireplace

An industrial modern design + build project placed among the trees at the top of a hill. More projects at www.IversonSignatureHomes.com 2012 KaDa Photography

Sun Room. Exteiror Sunroom -Photographer: Rob Karosis
Elegant two-story wood exterior home photo in New York

Whitney Kamman Photography | Centre Sky Architecture
Mountain style medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Other with white walls

This is an elegant, finely-appointed room with aged, hand-hewn beams, dormered clerestory windows, and radiant-heated limestone floors. But the real power of the space derives less from these handsome details and more from the wide opening centered on the pool.