Nicole Franzen
Staircase - contemporary wooden l-shaped open and glass railing staircase idea in Los Angeles

Fully integrated Signature Estate featuring Creston controls and Crestron panelized lighting, and Crestron motorized shades and draperies, whole-house audio and video, HVAC, voice and video communication atboth both the front door and gate. Modern, warm, and clean-line design, with total custom details and finishes. The front includes a serene and impressive atrium foyer with two-story floor to ceiling glass walls and multi-level fire/water fountains on either side of the grand bronze aluminum pivot entry door. Elegant extra-large 47'' imported white porcelain tile runs seamlessly to the rear exterior pool deck, and a dark stained oak wood is found on the stairway treads and second floor. The great room has an incredible Neolith onyx wall and see-through linear gas fireplace and is appointed perfectly for views of the zero edge pool and waterway. The center spine stainless steel staircase has a smoked glass railing and wood handrail.

Builder: John Kraemer & Sons | Photography: Landmark Photography
Staircase - small modern metal spiral open staircase idea in Minneapolis

We were excited to take on this full home remodel with our Arvada clients! They have been living in their home for years, and were ready to delve into some major construction to make their home a perfect fit. This home had a lot of its original 1970s features, and we were able to work together to make updates throughout their home to make it fit their more modern tastes. We started by lowering their raised living room to make it level with the rest of their first floor; this not only removed a major tripping hazard, but also gave them a lot more flexibility when it came to placing furniture. To make their newly leveled first floor feel more cohesive we also replaced their mixed flooring with a gorgeous engineered wood flooring throughout the whole first floor. But the second floor wasn’t left out, we also updated their carpet with a subtle patterned grey beauty that tied in with the colors we utilized on the first floor. New taller baseboards throughout their entire home also helped to unify the spaces and brought the update full circle. One of the most dramatic changes we made was to take down all of the original wood railings and replace them custom steel railings. Our goal was to design a staircase that felt lighter and created less of a visual barrier between spaces. We painted the existing stringer a crisp white, and to balance out the cool steel finish, we opted for a wooden handrail. We also replaced the original carpet wrapped steps with dark wooden steps that coordinate with the finish of the handrail. Lighting has a major impact on how we feel about the space we’re in, and we took on this home’s lighting problems head on. By adding recessed lighting to the family room, and replacing all of the light fixtures on the first floor we were able to create more even lighting throughout their home as well as add in a few fun accents in the dining room and stairwell. To update the fireplace in the family room we replaced the original mantel with a dark solid wood beam to clean up the lines of the fireplace. We also replaced the original mirrored gold doors with a more contemporary dark steel finished to help them blend in better. The clients also wanted to tackle their powder room, and already had a beautiful new vanity selected, so we were able to design the rest of the space around it. Our favorite touch was the new accent tile installed from floor to ceiling behind the vanity adding a touch of texture and a clear focal point to the space. Little changes like replacing all of their door hardware, removing the popcorn ceiling, painting the walls, and updating the wet bar by painting the cabinets and installing a new quartz counter went a long way towards making this home a perfect fit for our clients

The slab marble risers are so stunning and give the beautiful entry stairway added luxury. Photos by: Rod Foster
Staircase - large transitional wooden curved metal railing staircase idea in Orange County with marble risers

Modern loft. Surfaces built into the new railing atop the stair create a functional work area with a fantastic view and clear shot to the play space below. A wall separating the master bedroom from the double height living space was replaced with a folding glass door to open the bedroom to the living space while still allowing for both visual and acoustical privacy. Photos by Eric Roth. Construction by Ralph S. Osmond Company. Green architecture by ZeroEnergy Design. http://www.zeroenergy.com

Bedroom - small coastal master medium tone wood floor bedroom idea in Columbus with gray walls and no fireplace

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard deck remodel in New York with no cover

Photo: Corynne Pless © 2013 Houzz
Dining room - farmhouse dining room idea in New York

this stair arrangement makes efficient and creative use of space at the front of the home preserving upper level views to the rear. Photo by Reed Brown

Traditional design blends well with 21st century accessibility standards. Designed by architect Jeremiah Battles of Acacia Architects and built by Ben Quie & Sons, this beautiful new home features details found a century ago, combined with a creative use of space and technology to meet the owner’s mobility needs. Even the elevator is detailed with quarter-sawn oak paneling. Feeling as though it has been here for generations, this home combines architectural salvage with creative design. The owner brought in vintage lighting fixtures, a Tudor fireplace surround, and beveled glass for windows and doors. The kitchen pendants and sconces were custom made to match a 1912 Sheffield fixture she had found. Quarter-sawn oak in the living room, dining room, and kitchen, and flat-sawn oak in the pantry, den, and powder room accent the traditional feel of this brand-new home. Design by Acacia Architects/Jeremiah Battles Construction by Ben Quie and Sons Photography by: Troy Thies

Photography: Nat Rea
Staircase - victorian wooden u-shaped staircase idea in Providence

Mid-sized elegant backyard deck photo in New York with no cover

Example of a mid-sized transitional wooden l-shaped staircase design in New York with painted risers

Patio - transitional patio idea in Orange County with a fire pit

When a client tells us they’re a mid-century collector and long for a kitchen design unlike any other we are only too happy to oblige. This kitchen is saturated in mid-century charm and its custom features make it difficult to pin-point our favorite aspect! Cabinetry We had the pleasure of partnering with one of our favorite Denver cabinet shops to make our walnut dreams come true! We were able to include a multitude of custom features in this kitchen including frosted glass doors in the island, open cubbies, a hidden cutting board, and great interior cabinet storage. But what really catapults these kitchen cabinets to the next level is the eye-popping angled wall cabinets with sliding doors, a true throwback to the magic of the mid-century kitchen. Streamline brushed brass cabinetry pulls provided the perfect lux accent against the handsome walnut finish of the slab cabinetry doors. Tile Amidst all the warm clean lines of this mid-century kitchen we wanted to add a splash of color and pattern, and a funky backsplash tile did the trick! We utilized a handmade yellow picket tile with a high variation to give us a bit of depth; and incorporated randomly placed white accent tiles for added interest and to compliment the white sliding doors of the angled cabinets, helping to bring all the materials together. Counter We utilized a quartz along the counter tops that merged lighter tones with the warm tones of the cabinetry. The custom integrated drain board (in a starburst pattern of course) means they won’t have to clutter their island with a large drying rack. As an added bonus, the cooktop is recessed into the counter, to create an installation flush with the counter surface. Stair Rail Not wanting to miss an opportunity to add a touch of geometric fun to this home, we designed a custom steel handrail. The zig-zag design plays well with the angles of the picket tiles and the black finish ties in beautifully with the black metal accents in the kitchen. Lighting We removed the original florescent light box from this kitchen and replaced it with clean recessed lights with accents of recessed undercabinet lighting and a terrifically vintage fixture over the island that pulls together the black and brushed brass metal finishes throughout the space. This kitchen has transformed into a strikingly unique space creating the perfect home for our client’s mid-century treasures.

Aware of the financial investment clients put into their homes, I combine my business and design expertise while working with each client to understand their taste, enhance their style and create spaces they will enjoy for years to come. It’s been said that I have a “good” eye. I won’t discount that statement and I’d add I have an affinity to people, places and things that tell a story. My clients benefit from my passion and ability to turn their homes into finely curated spaces through the use of beautiful textiles, amazing lighting and furniture pieces that are as timeless as they are wonderfully unique. I enjoy the creative process and work with people who are building their dream homes, remodeling existing homes or desire a fresh take on a well lived-in space. I see the client–designer relationship as a partnership with a desire to deliver an end result that exceeds my client’s expectations. I approach each project with professionalism, unparalleled excitement and a commitment for designing homes that are as livable as they are beautiful.

Our designer, Hannah Tindall, worked with the homeowners to create a contemporary kitchen, living room, master & guest bathrooms and gorgeous hallway that truly highlights their beautiful and extensive art collection. The entire home was outfitted with sleek, walnut hardwood flooring, with a custom Frank Lloyd Wright inspired entryway stairwell. The living room's standout pieces are two gorgeous velvet teal sofas and the black stone fireplace. The kitchen has dark wood cabinetry with frosted glass and a glass mosaic tile backsplash. The master bathrooms uses the same dark cabinetry, double vanity, and a custom tile backsplash in the walk-in shower. The first floor guest bathroom keeps things eclectic with bright purple walls and colorful modern artwork.

Example of a large tuscan wooden curved staircase design in Tampa with tile risers