Creating a space to entertain was the top priority in this Mukwonago kitchen remodel. The homeowners wanted seating and counter space for hosting parties and watching sports. By opening the dining room wall, we extended the kitchen area. We added an island and custom designed furniture-style bar cabinet with retractable pocket doors. A new awning window overlooks the backyard and brings in natural light. Many in-cabinet storage features keep this kitchen neat and organized. Bar Cabinet The furniture-style bar cabinet has retractable pocket doors and a drop-in quartz counter. The homeowners can entertain in style, leaving the doors open during parties. Guests can grab a glass of wine or make a cocktail right in the cabinet. Outlet Strips Outlet strips on the island and peninsula keeps the end panels of the island and peninsula clean. The outlet strips also gives them options for plugging in appliances during parties. Modern Farmhouse Design The design of this kitchen is modern farmhouse. The materials, patterns, color and texture define this space. We used shades of golds and grays in the cabinetry, backsplash and hardware. The chevron backsplash and shiplap island adds visual interest. Custom Cabinetry This kitchen features frameless custom cabinets with light rail molding. It’s designed to hide the under cabinet lighting and angled plug molding. Putting the outlets under the cabinets keeps the backsplash uninterrupted. Storage Features Efficient storage and organization was important to these homeowners. We opted for deep drawers to allow for easy access to stacks of dishes and bowls. Under the cooktop, we used custom drawer heights to meet the homeowners’ storage needs. A third drawer was added next to the spice drawer rollout. Narrow pullout cabinets on either side of the cooktop for spices and oils. The pantry rollout by the double oven rotates 90 degrees. Other Updates Staircase – We updated the staircase with a barn wood newel post and matte black balusters Fireplace – We whitewashed the fireplace and added a barn wood mantel and pilasters.

A distinctive box newel post.

Horizontal steel railing with wooden newel posts designed, fabricated and installed by Capozzoli Stairworks. Project location: Cherry Hill, NJ. Contact: 609-635-1265 Website: www.thecapo.us

Elegant wooden u-shaped staircase photo in Houston with painted risers

Large elegant carpeted straight wood railing staircase photo in Portland with carpeted risers

Mid-sized elegant carpeted l-shaped light wood floor staircase photo in Sacramento with beige walls and carpeted risers

This area really comes together by not drawing too much attention to one item. Mixing materials and colors really makes for a unique entrance into the home.

When Cummings Architects first met with the owners of this understated country farmhouse, the building’s layout and design was an incoherent jumble. The original bones of the building were almost unrecognizable. All of the original windows, doors, flooring, and trims – even the country kitchen – had been removed. Mathew and his team began a thorough design discovery process to find the design solution that would enable them to breathe life back into the old farmhouse in a way that acknowledged the building’s venerable history while also providing for a modern living by a growing family. The redesign included the addition of a new eat-in kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, wrap around porch, and stone fireplaces. To begin the transforming restoration, the team designed a generous, twenty-four square foot kitchen addition with custom, farmers-style cabinetry and timber framing. The team walked the homeowners through each detail the cabinetry layout, materials, and finishes. Salvaged materials were used and authentic craftsmanship lent a sense of place and history to the fabric of the space. The new master suite included a cathedral ceiling showcasing beautifully worn salvaged timbers. The team continued with the farm theme, using sliding barn doors to separate the custom-designed master bath and closet. The new second-floor hallway features a bold, red floor while new transoms in each bedroom let in plenty of light. A summer stair, detailed and crafted with authentic details, was added for additional access and charm. Finally, a welcoming farmer’s porch wraps around the side entry, connecting to the rear yard via a gracefully engineered grade. This large outdoor space provides seating for large groups of people to visit and dine next to the beautiful outdoor landscape and the new exterior stone fireplace. Though it had temporarily lost its identity, with the help of the team at Cummings Architects, this lovely farmhouse has regained not only its former charm but also a new life through beautifully integrated modern features designed for today’s family. Photo by Eric Roth

This beautiful Georgia home features four porches plus a widow's walk. Curved railing, a Western Spindle specialty, are prominent throughout. Note the use of 8" Raised Panel Newel Posts on the upper verandas, and the 12" Raised Panel Newel Posts as Column Pedestals on the lower porches.

When Cummings Architects first met with the owners of this understated country farmhouse, the building’s layout and design was an incoherent jumble. The original bones of the building were almost unrecognizable. All of the original windows, doors, flooring, and trims – even the country kitchen – had been removed. Mathew and his team began a thorough design discovery process to find the design solution that would enable them to breathe life back into the old farmhouse in a way that acknowledged the building’s venerable history while also providing for a modern living by a growing family. The redesign included the addition of a new eat-in kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, wrap around porch, and stone fireplaces. To begin the transforming restoration, the team designed a generous, twenty-four square foot kitchen addition with custom, farmers-style cabinetry and timber framing. The team walked the homeowners through each detail the cabinetry layout, materials, and finishes. Salvaged materials were used and authentic craftsmanship lent a sense of place and history to the fabric of the space. The new master suite included a cathedral ceiling showcasing beautifully worn salvaged timbers. The team continued with the farm theme, using sliding barn doors to separate the custom-designed master bath and closet. The new second-floor hallway features a bold, red floor while new transoms in each bedroom let in plenty of light. A summer stair, detailed and crafted with authentic details, was added for additional access and charm. Finally, a welcoming farmer’s porch wraps around the side entry, connecting to the rear yard via a gracefully engineered grade. This large outdoor space provides seating for large groups of people to visit and dine next to the beautiful outdoor landscape and the new exterior stone fireplace. Though it had temporarily lost its identity, with the help of the team at Cummings Architects, this lovely farmhouse has regained not only its former charm but also a new life through beautifully integrated modern features designed for today’s family. Photo by Eric Roth

Octagonal lighthouse newel post featuring marine colored paint and wooden top, hand turned.

julie pelletier
Beach style staircase photo in Boston

julie pelletier
Beach style staircase photo in Boston

Lighthouse newel post, electrified.
Staircase - traditional staircase idea in Boston

This photograph captures a refined, artisanal interior detail: a beautifully custom-carved wooden fox figurine serving as a newel post finial. The carving is incredibly detailed, with intricate fur texturing and an alert, watchful expression, making it the clear focal point. Mounted on a substantial, dark-stained wood newel post that matches the handrail and stair structure, it adds a unique touch of personality and natural charm. The receding staircase in the background, with its soft bokeh of pale grey-blue painted risers and filtered daylight, creates an inviting depth that integrates the piece perfectly into a sophisticated, curated home environment.

Orange armoire and newel posts designed and built by Rick Romano of Papi & Romano Builders, Portland, Maine. Photo: Rob Yagid for Fine Homebuilding.
Transitional wooden u-shaped staircase photo in Portland Maine with painted risers

Lake Front Country Estate Reclaimed Newel Post. Photography by Rachael Boling
Inspiration for a timeless light wood floor staircase remodel with white walls

The very old newel post is actually an antique wrought iron fence post that has been repurposed as a newel post using all new stair railing and spindles. Photo credit: Anita Joyce

Staircase was already there, we just created custom posts to match existing staircase and to meet code. Instead of just slapping in some standard posts, we customized these to really go well in the space.