Our client, with whom we had worked on a number of projects over the years, enlisted our help in transforming her family’s beloved but deteriorating rustic summer retreat, built by her grandparents in the mid-1920’s, into a house that would be livable year-‘round. It had served the family well but needed to be renewed for the decades to come without losing the flavor and patina they were attached to. The house was designed by Ruth Adams, a rare female architect of the day, who also designed in a similar vein a nearby summer colony of Vassar faculty and alumnae. To make Treetop habitable throughout the year, the whole house had to be gutted and insulated. The raw homosote interior wall finishes were replaced with plaster, but all the wood trim was retained and reused, as were all old doors and hardware. The old single-glazed casement windows were restored, and removable storm panels fitted into the existing in-swinging screen frames. New windows were made to match the old ones where new windows were added. This approach was inherently sustainable, making the house energy-efficient while preserving most of the original fabric. Changes to the original design were as seamless as possible, compatible with and enhancing the old character. Some plan modifications were made, and some windows moved around. The existing cave-like recessed entry porch was enclosed as a new book-lined entry hall and a new entry porch added, using posts made from an oak tree on the site. The kitchen and bathrooms are entirely new but in the spirit of the place. All the bookshelves are new. A thoroughly ramshackle garage couldn’t be saved, and we replaced it with a new one built in a compatible style, with a studio above for our client, who is a writer.

GA was hired to renovate this outdated apartment. We reorganized the kitchen into a more efficient layout and opened up the space as much as possible to the living room. We put in new dark wood flooring through out, and contrasted that with light gray walls. New recessed lighting throughout helps to define the different spaces. © Devon Banks

Inspiration for a timeless wooden u-shaped wood railing staircase remodel in Minneapolis with painted risers

Photographer: Tom Crane
Open concept kitchen - traditional l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Philadelphia with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, marble countertops, an undermount sink, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Upon entering the penthouse the light and dark contrast continues. The exposed ceiling structure is stained to mimic the 1st floor's "tarred" ceiling. The reclaimed fir plank floor is painted a light vanilla cream. And, the hand plastered concrete fireplace is the visual anchor that all the rooms radiate off of. Tucked behind the fireplace is an intimate library space. Photo by Lincoln Barber

A nautical collage adorns the wall as you emerge into the light and airy loft space. Family photos and heirlooms were combined with traditional nautical elements to create a collage with emotional connection. Behind the white flowing curtains are built in beds each adorned with a nautical reading light and built-in hideaway niches. The space is light and airy with painted gray floors, all white walls, old rustic beams and headers, wood paneling, tongue and groove ceilings, dormers, vintage rattan furniture, mid-century painted pieces, and a cool hangout spot for the kids. Wall Color: Super White - Benjamin Moore Floor: Painted 2.5" porch-grade, tongue-in-groove wood. Floor Color: Sterling 1591 - Benjamin Moore Yellow Vanity: Vintage vanity desk with vintage crystal knobs Mirror: Target Collection of gathered art and "finds" on the walls: Vintage, Target, Home Goods (some embellished with natural sisal rope)

Luxurious modern take on a traditional white Italian villa. An entry with a silver domed ceiling, painted moldings in patterns on the walls and mosaic marble flooring create a luxe foyer. Into the formal living room, cool polished Crema Marfil marble tiles contrast with honed carved limestone fireplaces throughout the home, including the outdoor loggia. Ceilings are coffered with white painted crown moldings and beams, or planked, and the dining room has a mirrored ceiling. Bathrooms are white marble tiles and counters, with dark rich wood stains or white painted. The hallway leading into the master bedroom is designed with barrel vaulted ceilings and arched paneled wood stained doors. The master bath and vestibule floor is covered with a carpet of patterned mosaic marbles, and the interior doors to the large walk in master closets are made with leaded glass to let in the light. The master bedroom has dark walnut planked flooring, and a white painted fireplace surround with a white marble hearth. The kitchen features white marbles and white ceramic tile backsplash, white painted cabinetry and a dark stained island with carved molding legs. Next to the kitchen, the bar in the family room has terra cotta colored marble on the backsplash and counter over dark walnut cabinets. Wrought iron staircase leading to the more modern media/family room upstairs. Project Location: North Ranch, Westlake, California. Remodel designed by Maraya Interior Design. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Malibu, Westlake and Calabasas, across the tri-county areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills- north through Solvang and more. Eclectic Living Room with Asian antiques from the owners' own travels. Deep purple, copper and white chenille fabrics and a handknotted wool rug. Modern art painting by Maraya, Home built by Timothy J. Droney

David Tsay for HGTV Magazine
Dining room - small coastal painted wood floor dining room idea in Los Angeles with multicolored walls

Basement reconfigure and remodel
Example of a trendy gray floor living room design in DC Metro with white walls and no fireplace

photographed by: Blackstone Edge
Inspiration for a large timeless dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo remodel in Portland with blue walls

Kitchen Size: 14 Ft. x 15 1/2 Ft. Island Size: 98" x 44" Wood Floor: Stang-Lund Forde 5” walnut hard wax oil finish Tile Backsplash: Here is a link to the exact tile and color: http://encoreceramics.com/product/silver-crackle-glaze/ •2014 MN ASID Awards: First Place Kitchens •2013 Minnesota NKBA Awards: First Place Medium Kitchens •Photography by Andrea Rugg

Example of a huge classic l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Baltimore with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Natural Stone Floor, Wood Counter Tops
Example of a cottage slate floor kitchen design in Philadelphia with flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances and wood countertops

White Carrera Marble on Cream cabinets create a soft modern vibe to this kitchen. Dark ebony wood floors and Navy walls create a sense of infinate space.

Cold Spring Farm Kitchen. Photo by Angle Eye Photography.
Eat-in kitchen - large rustic l-shaped light wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Philadelphia with stainless steel appliances, raised-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash, an island, a farmhouse sink, granite countertops and brown countertops

Photography by Richard Mandelkorn
Kitchen - traditional kitchen idea in Boston with a farmhouse sink, marble countertops, white cabinets, beaded inset cabinets, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash

Design by Carol Luke. Breakdown of the room: Benjamin Moore HC 105 is on both the ceiling & walls. The darker color on the ceiling works b/c of the 10 ft height coupled w/the west facing window, lighting & white trim. Trim Color: Benj Moore Decorator White. Vanity is Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry: Wood-Mode Essex Recessed Door Style, Black Forest finish on cherry Countertop/Backsplash - Franco’s Marble Shop: Calacutta Gold marble Undermount Sink - Kohler “Devonshire” Tile- Mosaic Tile: baseboards - polished Arabescato base moulding, Arabescato Black Dot basketweave Crystal Ceiling light- Elk Lighting “Renaissance’ Sconces - Bellacor: “Normandie”, polished Nickel Faucet - Kallista: “Tuxedo”, polished nickel Mirror - Afina: “Radiance Venetian” Toilet - Barclay: “Victoria High Tank”, white w/satin nickel trim & pull chain Photo by Morgan Howarth.

Gorgeous master bedroom with intricate detailing.
Example of a large beach style master medium tone wood floor bedroom design in Miami with blue walls

Home bar - traditional brown floor home bar idea in Boston with glass-front cabinets, black cabinets, granite countertops and white countertops