Hammer & Hand and architect Mitch Snyder transformed a hot, cramped, non-code-compliant attic space into a bright and functional master suite. The existing upstairs attic space had two small and hard-to-access bedrooms and a dangerous staircase. The team added a new dormer on the west side of the house which added an additional 195 square feet to the home. The new space includes a master bedroom, master bathroom with vanity and shower, separate water closet, laundry, walk-in master closet, and option to add a small bedroom (the space is currently being used as an open office area). Additional improvements to the home include an upgraded building envelope, insulation, high efficiency water heater, and minisplit heat pump. Photos by Mitchell Snyder Architecture.

This 1914 family farmhouse was passed down from the original owners to their grandson and his young family. The original goal was to restore the old home to its former glory. However, when we started planning the remodel, we discovered the foundation needed to be replaced, the roof framing didn’t meet code, all the electrical, plumbing and mechanical would have to be removed, siding replaced, and much more. We quickly realized that instead of restoring the home, it would be more cost effective to deconstruct the home, recycle the materials, and build a replica of the old house using as much of the salvaged materials as we could. The design of the new construction is greatly influenced by the old home with traditional craftsman design interiors. We worked with a deconstruction specialist to salvage the old-growth timber and reused or re-purposed many of the original materials. We moved the house back on the property, connecting it to the existing garage, and lowered the elevation of the home which made it more accessible to the existing grades. The new home includes 5-panel doors, columned archways, tall baseboards, reused wood for architectural highlights in the kitchen, a food-preservation room, exercise room, playful wallpaper in the guest bath and fun era-specific fixtures throughout.

Completed in 2019, this is a home we completed for client who initially engaged us to remodeled their 100 year old classic craftsman bungalow on Seattle’s Queen Anne Hill. During our initial conversation, it became readily apparent that their program was much larger than a remodel could accomplish and the conversation quickly turned toward the design of a new structure that could accommodate a growing family, a live-in Nanny, a variety of entertainment options and an enclosed garage – all squeezed onto a compact urban corner lot. Project entitlement took almost a year as the house size dictated that we take advantage of several exceptions in Seattle’s complex zoning code. After several meetings with city planning officials, we finally prevailed in our arguments and ultimately designed a 4 story, 3800 sf house on a 2700 sf lot. The finished product is light and airy with a large, open plan and exposed beams on the main level, 5 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, 2 powder rooms, 2 fireplaces, 4 climate zones, a huge basement with a home theatre, guest suite, climbing gym, and an underground tavern/wine cellar/man cave. The kitchen has a large island, a walk-in pantry, a small breakfast area and access to a large deck. All of this program is capped by a rooftop deck with expansive views of Seattle’s urban landscape and Lake Union. Unfortunately for our clients, a job relocation to Southern California forced a sale of their dream home a little more than a year after they settled in after a year project. The good news is that in Seattle’s tight housing market, in less than a week they received several full price offers with escalator clauses which allowed them to turn a nice profit on the deal.

The overarching design intent for this 1,455-square-foot West Vine Street condominium was to make the spaces contemporary and functional. The renovation began with an unexpected structural deficiency in the form of a post located in the middle of the living room that was causing a three-inch dip in the floor. It was removed and replaced with steel columns running down through the walls and into a footing pad with a three-foot depth. The main living spaces underwent significant changes; the kitchen was reconfigured to open up a formerly cramped space, and the removal of a wall made room for a cascading island with Cesarstone countertops—a crowning feature. Additionally, an electrical panel was relocated to be able to wrap the refrigerator with a wood veneer frame. Notable materials include eight-inch-wide ‘Esplanade’ French oak plank floors chosen to complement the reclaimed wood-wrapped ceiling beams, which feature a combination of LED downlighting and uplighting. A sleek gas fireplace with horizontal slate surround and paneled wall backing replaced an old wood-burning stove—furthering the design program. Pacheco-Robb Architects dismantled an existing spiral stair and replaced it with a cable-rail system—a nautical nod—which is noteworthy for the way it meets code; by running a contiguous oak banister for the entire length of the stair, they were able to avoid having to add a second railing, which would shrink the already narrow stairwell. Upstairs, a tight bedroom with gabled ceilings was addressed by adding a solar-operated skylight with built-in shade, plus minimalistic furnishings. Structural changes in the master bedroom included eliminating a closest to widen the room, and reconfiguring a bathroom to fit a small walk-in closet in lieu of a long, thin hallway. The formerly unfinished rooftop deck is now accessed via a six-foot door that opens more than 90 degrees. Azek decking was laid over the rubber roof, and two-inch stanchions were located around the rail’s outer edge. By opening the floor plan and streamlining the aesthetic, the place now breathes.

Looking at living room from old kitchen location and at new stair circulation to lower level and all new lighting throughout. This was a major remodel to an existing 1970 building. It was approximately 2300 sq. ft. but it was dated in style and function. The access was by a wood stair up to the street, with no garage and tight small rooms. The remodel and addition created a two car garage with storage and a dramatic entry with grand stair descending down to the existing living room area. Spaces where moved and changed to create a open plan living environment with a new kitchen, master suite, guest suite, and remodeling and adding to the lower level bedrooms with new baths on suite. The mechanical system was replaced and air conditioning was added as well as air treatment.

New larger granite patio connecting to multiple access doors to home allows for lounging, dining, outdoor kitchen and connects to new pool. Modern touches with gravel patio joints, plantings along edge of patio, retaining walls and pool perimeter provide softening of the hardscape. Wetland permitting and enhancement plantings were required since within the wetland upland review area. Pool code compliant fencing surrounds the entire back yard space.

Spiral Stair Kit - Traditional style, 5'-1" diameter, code compliant, Southern Yellow Pine gives access from second to third floor lofts.
Staircase - wooden spiral staircase idea in Other with wooden risers

Please note: Doors are unfinished (the pictures may depict a finished door) Request a Free Corner Sample to See the ETO Quality Difference Enhance the entrance of your home or office with the Camden Exterior White Oak Door, featuring a sleek horizontal plank design and solid-core construction for superior strength and style. Crafted for front entryways, back doors, patio access, and garage side entrances, this door offers both modern appeal and long-term durability. Constructed with a 3mm thick clear face veneer over a solid core, it resists warping, cracking, and splitting, ensuring a secure and reliable exterior solution. The integral panel structure eliminates separation issues common in stile and rail doors, providing lasting performance in any climate. Designed for residential and commercial use, this horizontal plank white oak exterior door delivers refined aesthetics, enhanced security, and premium craftsmanship, making it an excellent choice for any modern architectural setting. Free Samples: Request a Free White Oak Exterior Horizontal Plank Door Corner Sample to See the ETO Quality Difference. PRO Discounts: Pro discount program trade pricing available for contractors, architects, and designers on all our exterior white oak doors. Lowest Prices Nationwide: At ETO Doors, we leverage our mass production to manufacture these high-quality exterior white oak doors at the lowest prices in the country, passing significant savings directly to you. Versatile Usage: Our white oak doors are perfect for residential and commercial settings, including new construction and remodeling projects. Our horizontal plank interior doors are installed in places with high traffic volumes such as multifamily homes, office buildings, and hotels. Customization Available: We understand that every project is unique. Our wood horizontal plank doors can be customized to fit your specific size and design requirements, ensuring a perfect fit and look for any application. Optional Features (at an additional cost) 20-Minute Fire Rating for Wood Doors Available: Exterior horizontal plank white oak doors fire rated to withstand fire for 20 minutes, certified by UL or Warnock Hersey. Exterior Pre-hanging: Our solid core white oak exterior doors can be pre-hung with matching engineered white oak jambs or exterior white primed jambs as pre-hung single doors or pre-hung double doors units. Impact Hurricane Certification: Our Exterior White Oak doors are available with a Miami Dade hurricane impact wood door approval in both in-swing and out-swing configurations. Our wood Exterior White Oak storm doors certifications are equivalent to a "Miami-Dade NOA" which has the highest hurricane approval standard for wood doors in the country. Each of our horizontal plank white oak exterior doors can be assembled with the appropriate components to be Florida Building Code Compliant.

This tiny bathroom wanted accessibility for living in a forever home. French Noir styling perfectly fit this 1930's home with modern touches like curved corners on the mirrored medicine cabinet, black grid framing on the shower glass, and an adjustable hand shower on the same bar as the rain shower head. The biggest challenges were finding a sink with some countertop space that would meet code clearance requirements to the corner of the closet in the adjacent room.

Elegant and energy efficient. This bathroom was part of a Net Zero Ready home that we recently built. Net Zero homes produce as much energy as they consume and are 80% more efficient than current homes built to code. To help reduce energy consumption in this bathroom, we installed low flow fixtures, LED lights in the mirrors and an ERV (energy recovery ventilator). Because less energy is required to lower the temperature of dry air compared to moist air, an ERV can reduce the work your air conditioner needs to do and save you money. It also brings in fresh air flow and help with humidity levels, improving overall health and air quality. Another great feature of this bathroom is the shower which has a large clear glass window. This allows for direct sunlight from the window to access the shower, while the patterned glass on the bathroom/vanity side still provides a level of privacy for the user. We’re certain that these clients will be enjoying many sunny mornings in this oasis.

PROGRAM: RESIDENTIAL LOCATION: LA BALISE MARINA, MAURITIUS SIZE: 450m² Located on the beautiful island of Mauritius. The architecture pushes the boundaries of the of the Marina's design code. The double volume spaces with internal vegetation bringing the outdoors in. The expansive glass and fold away doors open the house up the the incredible views of the marina. The house is one of a few that allows access to a private jetty and boat mooring. www.labalisemarina.com

Completed in 2019, this is a home we completed for client who initially engaged us to remodeled their 100 year old classic craftsman bungalow on Seattle’s Queen Anne Hill. During our initial conversation, it became readily apparent that their program was much larger than a remodel could accomplish and the conversation quickly turned toward the design of a new structure that could accommodate a growing family, a live-in Nanny, a variety of entertainment options and an enclosed garage – all squeezed onto a compact urban corner lot. Project entitlement took almost a year as the house size dictated that we take advantage of several exceptions in Seattle’s complex zoning code. After several meetings with city planning officials, we finally prevailed in our arguments and ultimately designed a 4 story, 3800 sf house on a 2700 sf lot. The finished product is light and airy with a large, open plan and exposed beams on the main level, 5 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, 2 powder rooms, 2 fireplaces, 4 climate zones, a huge basement with a home theatre, guest suite, climbing gym, and an underground tavern/wine cellar/man cave. The kitchen has a large island, a walk-in pantry, a small breakfast area and access to a large deck. All of this program is capped by a rooftop deck with expansive views of Seattle’s urban landscape and Lake Union. Unfortunately for our clients, a job relocation to Southern California forced a sale of their dream home a little more than a year after they settled in after a year project. The good news is that in Seattle’s tight housing market, in less than a week they received several full price offers with escalator clauses which allowed them to turn a nice profit on the deal.

Bridge Separating Public and Private Areas
Trendy light wood floor hallway photo in Charlotte

Hammer & Hand and architect Mitch Snyder transformed a hot, cramped, non-code-compliant attic space into a bright and functional master suite. The existing upstairs attic space had two small and hard-to-access bedrooms and a dangerous staircase. The team added a new dormer on the west side of the house which added an additional 195 square feet to the home. The new space includes a master bedroom, master bathroom with vanity and shower, separate water closet, laundry, walk-in master closet, and option to add a small bedroom (the space is currently being used as an open office area). Additional improvements to the home include an upgraded building envelope, insulation, high efficiency water heater, and minisplit heat pump. Photos by Mitchell Snyder Architecture.

Hammer & Hand and architect Mitch Snyder transformed a hot, cramped, non-code-compliant attic space into a bright and functional master suite. The existing upstairs attic space had two small and hard-to-access bedrooms and a dangerous staircase. The team added a new dormer on the west side of the house which added an additional 195 square feet to the home. The new space includes a master bedroom, master bathroom with vanity and shower, separate water closet, laundry, walk-in master closet, and option to add a small bedroom (the space is currently being used as an open office area). Additional improvements to the home include an upgraded building envelope, insulation, high efficiency water heater, and minisplit heat pump. Photography by Mitchell Snyder Architecture.

This 1914 family farmhouse was passed down from the original owners to their grandson and his young family. The original goal was to restore the old home to its former glory. However, when we started planning the remodel, we discovered the foundation needed to be replaced, the roof framing didn’t meet code, all the electrical, plumbing and mechanical would have to be removed, siding replaced, and much more. We quickly realized that instead of restoring the home, it would be more cost effective to deconstruct the home, recycle the materials, and build a replica of the old house using as much of the salvaged materials as we could. The design of the new construction is greatly influenced by the old home with traditional craftsman design interiors. We worked with a deconstruction specialist to salvage the old-growth timber and reused or re-purposed many of the original materials. We moved the house back on the property, connecting it to the existing garage, and lowered the elevation of the home which made it more accessible to the existing grades. The new home includes 5-panel doors, columned archways, tall baseboards, reused wood for architectural highlights in the kitchen, a food-preservation room, exercise room, playful wallpaper in the guest bath and fun era-specific fixtures throughout.

Front Exterior from Street
Trendy multicolored split-level stucco and board and batten exterior home photo in Charlotte with a green roof and a white roof

Hammer & Hand and architect Mitch Snyder transformed a hot, cramped, non-code-compliant attic space into a bright and functional master suite. The existing upstairs attic space had two small and hard-to-access bedrooms and a dangerous staircase. The team added a new dormer on the west side of the house which added an additional 195 square feet to the home. The new space includes a master bedroom, master bathroom with vanity and shower, separate water closet, laundry, walk-in master closet, and option to add a small bedroom (the space is currently being used as an open office area). Additional improvements to the home include an upgraded building envelope, insulation, high efficiency water heater, and minisplit heat pump. Photos by Mitchell Snyder Architecture.

Elegant and energy efficient. This bathroom was part of a Net Zero Ready home that we recently built. Net Zero homes produce as much energy as they consume and are 80% more efficient than current homes built to code. To help reduce energy consumption in this bathroom, we installed low flow fixtures, LED lights in the mirrors and an ERV (energy recovery ventilator). Because less energy is required to lower the temperature of dry air compared to moist air, an ERV can reduce the work your air conditioner needs to do and save you money. It also brings in fresh air flow and help with humidity levels, improving overall health and air quality. Another great feature of this bathroom is the shower which has a large clear glass window. This allows for direct sunlight from the window to access the shower, while the patterned glass on the bathroom/vanity side still provides a level of privacy for the user. We’re certain that these clients will be enjoying many sunny mornings in this oasis.