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

A fresh updated foyer is the highlight of this home. In Birmingham, Michigan and completed in April 2025, we focused on the staircase and foyer as the very first step. The renovation began with the installation of new wood floors, both herringbone and straight install, and two completely new staircases. With its lighter, fresher white oak floor as the foundation, new balustrades and railings were installed, new stair treads with white painted risers were chosen, and the look is both modern and clean. The newel post ties in with the modern craftsman style of the home while being sleek and transitional in its style. We placed new modern sconces on both flights of stairs, and paired it with a modern glass chandelier. For the finishing touch, a mauve and lavender Missoni floor covering is used for entry rugs and stair runners. A bespoke modern bench echoes this pattern in its white chevron print. The result is a clean and crisp home to welcome this executive back at end of a busy day.

Example of a country great room design in Chicago

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

A distinctive box newel post.
Staircase photo in Milwaukee

We updated the home by applying a grey wash to the Oak floors to soften them. We faux finished the newel post and handrail in a taupe color with a rubbed through look at wear points. The baby Grand is nestled in the space under the stairs with a round ottoman that just fits in its beautiful curve. The color chosen for the stairway wall was a perfect choice and makes one feel as if they are climbing the stairs into the clouds. Steve Buchanan Photography

Architect - Kent Dukham / Photograph - Sam Gray
Mid-sized ornate wooden u-shaped wood railing staircase photo in Boston with painted risers

Reclaimed red and white oak flooring, posts, and beam wraps by Longleaf Lumber for a private residence in Maine. John Cole architecture and Brian Vanden Brink photography.

The newel post on the remodeled staircase in this Cape Cod beach home is reminiscent of a lighthouse. Photography: OnSite Studios
Beach style staircase photo in Boston

Inspiration for a staircase remodel in Tampa

Custom electrified lighthouse newel posts add a touch of nautical style to this beach house.
Staircase - mid-sized coastal wooden straight staircase idea in Boston with painted risers

This custom-built staircase connects the new family room to the existing kitchen and is offset by a square newel post. The red oak floor is covered with a carpet tread. What started as an addition project turned into a full house remodel in this Modern Craftsman home in Narberth, PA. The addition included the creation of a sitting room, family room, mudroom and third floor. As we moved to the rest of the home, we designed and built a custom staircase to connect the family room to the existing kitchen. We laid red oak flooring with a mahogany inlay throughout house. Another central feature of this is home is all the built-in storage. We used or created every nook for seating and storage throughout the house, as you can see in the family room, dining area, staircase landing, bedroom and bathrooms. Custom wainscoting and trim are everywhere you look, and gives a clean, polished look to this warm house. Rudloff Custom Builders has won Best of Houzz for Customer Service in 2014, 2015 2016, 2017 and 2019. We also were voted Best of Design in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 which only 2% of professionals receive. Rudloff Custom Builders has been featured on Houzz in their Kitchen of the Week, What to Know About Using Reclaimed Wood in the Kitchen as well as included in their Bathroom WorkBook article. We are a full service, certified remodeling company that covers all of the Philadelphia suburban area. This business, like most others, developed from a friendship of young entrepreneurs who wanted to make a difference in their clients’ lives, one household at a time. This relationship between partners is much more than a friendship. Edward and Stephen Rudloff are brothers who have renovated and built custom homes together paying close attention to detail. They are carpenters by trade and understand concept and execution. Rudloff Custom Builders will provide services for you with the highest level of professionalism, quality, detail, punctuality and craftsmanship, every step of the way along our journey together. Specializing in residential construction allows us to connect with our clients early in the design phase to ensure that every detail is captured as you imagined. One stop shopping is essentially what you will receive with Rudloff Custom Builders from design of your project to the construction of your dreams, executed by on-site project managers and skilled craftsmen. Our concept: envision our client’s ideas and make them a reality. Our mission: CREATING LIFETIME RELATIONSHIPS BUILT ON TRUST AND INTEGRITY. Photo Credit: Linda McManus Images

Custom craftsman quartersawn white oak handrail, square balusters and pyramid cap/flat panel newel post.
Staircase - craftsman staircase idea in Other

K4011 Large turned newel posts 7" red oak
Staircase - staircase idea in Other

K4011 Large turned newel posts 7" red oak
Staircase - staircase idea in Other

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

White Oak flooring - rift and quartersawn - select grade - custom milled by Hull Forest Products, www.hullforest.com. 1-800-928-9602. Floors are available unfinished or prefinished and ship nationwide direct from our mill - we also deliver throughout the Northeast. Design by Krajewski Architect. Photo by Mikiko Kikuyama. As featured in Dwell Magazine.

K3214 Large turned newel posts 5-1/4"
Staircase photo in Other

K4013 Large turned newel posts 7" beech
Staircase - staircase idea in Other