Example of a mid-sized transitional freestanding desk dark wood floor and brown floor study room design in New York with beige walls and no fireplace

Hi Lindsay, I’m excited to share my vision for your office space. My goal was to create a moody, trendy, and classy space that aligns with your style and needs. The color palette in this design features a neutral base as the foundation, with black walls and accents of brown, cream, rust, and gold for depth and character. Key furniture pieces include the burlwood desk with a chunky base to help hide cords, and a modern black bookcase chosen for it’s style and functionality. Lighting will balance ambiance and practicality, with funky brass wall sconces and a small shelf lamp on the bookcase. To complete the look, I’ve selected chairs that are funky and modern and that can be shopped in person, as well as a gallery wall of portraits per your request. The layout and thoughtfully chosen furniture pieces ensure clear flow and maximized functionality in your small office space. I also wanted to acknowledge your comments about possibly adding decorative molding. Yes, peel and stick molding does exist however, will all the other pieces you requested, you can see that the room filled up fast and it doesn’t feel like anything is lacking. However, if you still want to see what molding will look like, I’d be happy to add that for you in the revision process!

A petite powder room is brought to life with a bright metallic and flocked wallpaper and accented with a turquoise chair rail. The door is painted a bright citron to further bring some punch to the room.

This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.

Apartment Courtyard
Small transitional gray two-story stucco gable roof photo in Los Angeles with a shingle roof

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

Built in 1768 for a Revolutionary War sea captain, this home’s storybook charm and history were preserved in 1991 when North Shore Boston interior designer Pat Finn-Marten’s brothers, Finn Brothers Construction were planning a subdivision in Beverly Farms, MA. At that time, the house stood right where they needed to build a road for their cul-de-sac development. So, they moved it up the hill about 300 feet. When Pat stopped by to see how things were progressing with the development she saw it as the perfect future home for her and Martens. They were married in a nearby church and had the wedding reception at their house. Over a period of time, Pat took on the task, which was really a labor of love, renovating the house and fitting it with modern day amenities including a gut renovation and new kitchen. Finn-Martens is a master interior designer at blending the old with the new and the home portrays unique details that give it a fresh, modern appeal while acknowledging its history and grace.

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

Built in 1768 for a Revolutionary War sea captain, this home’s storybook charm and history were preserved in 1991 when North Shore Boston interior designer Pat Finn-Marten’s brothers, Finn Brothers Construction were planning a subdivision in Beverly Farms, MA. At that time, the house stood right where they needed to build a road for their cul-de-sac development. So, they moved it up the hill about 300 feet. When Pat stopped by to see how things were progressing with the development she saw it as the perfect future home for her and Martens. They were married in a nearby church and had the wedding reception at their house. Over a period of time, Pat took on the task, which was really a labor of love, renovating the house and fitting it with modern day amenities including a gut renovation and new kitchen. Finn-Martens is a master interior designer at blending the old with the new and the home portrays unique details that give it a fresh, modern appeal while acknowledging its history and grace. Photo by Jamie Cobeldick

Saturday June 27, 2:30 to 4:00pm | Bluemont Piedmont Retreat by Jay Graham, FASLA of Graham Landscape Architecture, with Ralph Cunningham, FAIA Nestled at the base of the Shenandoah foothills in Virginia, this 178-acre site, once used for agriculture, has been transformed by the current owners into an attractive country retreat. The expansive landscape surrounding the residence incorporates Modernist design elements while acknowledging the site’s vibrant agricultural history. Visitors enter the property along an extended driveway, aligned to perfectly capture views of the nearby foothills before meandering through a wooded area featuring a beautiful array of stone walls and mature oak trees that terminate abruptly in a clearing, offering guests their first glimpse of the main residence. Pathways, and terraces, encircle the home where a wedge-shaped entry garden beckons, drawing visitors through the front door. Other spaces include the Tapestry and Master’s gardens, which were designed to introduce a diverse palette of plants to the property, direct views, and provide an additional splash of color and personality to the outdoor area. Adjacent to the home and bounded by natural boulders found on site, a turf platform provides flat ground for outdoor games. Beyond the lawn, a newly established meadow completes the design plan as it draws attention outward to more natural aspects of the environment, a pond, and restored woodlands. Photo copyright Maxwell Mackenzie

Saturday June 27, 2:30 to 4:00pm | Bluemont Piedmont Retreat by Jay Graham, FASLA of Graham Landscape Architecture, with Ralph Cunningham, FAIA Nestled at the base of the Shenandoah foothills in Virginia, this 178-acre site, once used for agriculture, has been transformed by the current owners into an attractive country retreat. The expansive landscape surrounding the residence incorporates Modernist design elements while acknowledging the site’s vibrant agricultural history. Visitors enter the property along an extended driveway, aligned to perfectly capture views of the nearby foothills before meandering through a wooded area featuring a beautiful array of stone walls and mature oak trees that terminate abruptly in a clearing, offering guests their first glimpse of the main residence. Pathways, and terraces, encircle the home where a wedge-shaped entry garden beckons, drawing visitors through the front door. Other spaces include the Tapestry and Master’s gardens, which were designed to introduce a diverse palette of plants to the property, direct views, and provide an additional splash of color and personality to the outdoor area. Adjacent to the home and bounded by natural boulders found on site, a turf platform provides flat ground for outdoor games. Beyond the lawn, a newly established meadow completes the design plan as it draws attention outward to more natural aspects of the environment, a pond, and restored woodlands. Photo copyright Maxwell Mackenzie

Built in 1768 for a Revolutionary War sea captain, this home’s storybook charm and history were preserved in 1991 when North Shore Boston interior designer Pat Finn-Marten’s brothers, Finn Brothers Construction were planning a subdivision in Beverly Farms, MA. At that time, the house stood right where they needed to build a road for their cul-de-sac development. So, they moved it up the hill about 300 feet. When Pat stopped by to see how things were progressing with the development she saw it as the perfect future home for her and Martens. They were married in a nearby church and had the wedding reception at their house. Over a period of time, Pat took on the task, which was really a labor of love, renovating the house and fitting it with modern day amenities including a gut renovation and new kitchen. Finn-Martens is a master interior designer at blending the old with the new and the home portrays unique details that give it a fresh, modern appeal while acknowledging its history and grace.

Saturday June 27, 2:30 to 4:00pm | Bluemont Piedmont Retreat by Jay Graham, FASLA of Graham Landscape Architecture, with Ralph Cunningham, FAIA Nestled at the base of the Shenandoah foothills in Virginia, this 178-acre site, once used for agriculture, has been transformed by the current owners into an attractive country retreat. The expansive landscape surrounding the residence incorporates Modernist design elements while acknowledging the site’s vibrant agricultural history. Visitors enter the property along an extended driveway, aligned to perfectly capture views of the nearby foothills before meandering through a wooded area featuring a beautiful array of stone walls and mature oak trees that terminate abruptly in a clearing, offering guests their first glimpse of the main residence. Pathways, and terraces, encircle the home where a wedge-shaped entry garden beckons, drawing visitors through the front door. Other spaces include the Tapestry and Master’s gardens, which were designed to introduce a diverse palette of plants to the property, direct views, and provide an additional splash of color and personality to the outdoor area. Adjacent to the home and bounded by natural boulders found on site, a turf platform provides flat ground for outdoor games. Beyond the lawn, a newly established meadow completes the design plan as it draws attention outward to more natural aspects of the environment, a pond, and restored woodlands. Photo copyright Maxwell Mackenzie

Saturday June 27, 2:30 to 4:00pm | Bluemont Piedmont Retreat by Jay Graham, FASLA of Graham Landscape Architecture, with Ralph Cunningham, FAIA Nestled at the base of the Shenandoah foothills in Virginia, this 178-acre site, once used for agriculture, has been transformed by the current owners into an attractive country retreat. The expansive landscape surrounding the residence incorporates Modernist design elements while acknowledging the site’s vibrant agricultural history. Visitors enter the property along an extended driveway, aligned to perfectly capture views of the nearby foothills before meandering through a wooded area featuring a beautiful array of stone walls and mature oak trees that terminate abruptly in a clearing, offering guests their first glimpse of the main residence. Pathways, and terraces, encircle the home where a wedge-shaped entry garden beckons, drawing visitors through the front door. Other spaces include the Tapestry and Master’s gardens, which were designed to introduce a diverse palette of plants to the property, direct views, and provide an additional splash of color and personality to the outdoor area. Adjacent to the home and bounded by natural boulders found on site, a turf platform provides flat ground for outdoor games. Beyond the lawn, a newly established meadow completes the design plan as it draws attention outward to more natural aspects of the environment, a pond, and restored woodlands. Photo copyright Maxwell Mackenzie

Contemporary/ Modern Floor Lamp - Buenos Aires Floor Lamp - Lighting by Iris Design Studio Ltd, The Buenos Aires lamp shade series resembles the city itself – combining the old with the new, the archaic with the modern. This series is a metaphor for the first days of light and the first days of shade intermingled, inspired by the capital city, where the effects of the industrial renaissance can be seen alongside the colonial architecture, but with a new interpretation – a new light designed to acknowledge what we know and recognize. The city of Buenos Aires, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, combines the old and the new, the traditional with the contemporary, this lamp shade series adheres to that magnificent model. Manufactured by: Iris Design Studio Ltd Merchant SKU: 5060307120431 Size in mm: 50 W 46 L 174 H Size in ft: 19 1/2" x 18" x 68 1/2" Bulbs: 60W 12W E26 LED Certifications:CE, and UL Certified

Saturday June 27, 2:30 to 4:00pm | Bluemont Piedmont Retreat by Jay Graham, FASLA of Graham Landscape Architecture, with Ralph Cunningham, FAIA Nestled at the base of the Shenandoah foothills in Virginia, this 178-acre site, once used for agriculture, has been transformed by the current owners into an attractive country retreat. The expansive landscape surrounding the residence incorporates Modernist design elements while acknowledging the site’s vibrant agricultural history. Visitors enter the property along an extended driveway, aligned to perfectly capture views of the nearby foothills before meandering through a wooded area featuring a beautiful array of stone walls and mature oak trees that terminate abruptly in a clearing, offering guests their first glimpse of the main residence. Pathways, and terraces, encircle the home where a wedge-shaped entry garden beckons, drawing visitors through the front door. Other spaces include the Tapestry and Master’s gardens, which were designed to introduce a diverse palette of plants to the property, direct views, and provide an additional splash of color and personality to the outdoor area. Adjacent to the home and bounded by natural boulders found on site, a turf platform provides flat ground for outdoor games. Beyond the lawn, a newly established meadow completes the design plan as it draws attention outward to more natural aspects of the environment, a pond, and restored woodlands. Photo copyright Allen Russ

Built in 1768 for a Revolutionary War sea captain, this home’s storybook charm and history were preserved in 1991 when North Shore Boston interior designer Pat Finn-Marten’s brothers, Finn Brothers Construction were planning a subdivision in Beverly Farms, MA. At that time, the house stood right where they needed to build a road for their cul-de-sac development. So, they moved it up the hill about 300 feet. When Pat stopped by to see how things were progressing with the development she saw it as the perfect future home for her and Martens. They were married in a nearby church and had the wedding reception at their house. Over a period of time, Pat took on the task, which was really a labor of love, renovating the house and fitting it with modern day amenities including a gut renovation and new kitchen. Finn-Martens is a master interior designer at blending the old with the new and the home portrays unique details that give it a fresh, modern appeal while acknowledging its history and grace. Photo by Jamie Cobeldick

Saturday June 27, 2:30 to 4:00pm | Bluemont Piedmont Retreat by Jay Graham, FASLA of Graham Landscape Architecture, with Ralph Cunningham, FAIA Nestled at the base of the Shenandoah foothills in Virginia, this 178-acre site, once used for agriculture, has been transformed by the current owners into an attractive country retreat. The expansive landscape surrounding the residence incorporates Modernist design elements while acknowledging the site’s vibrant agricultural history. Visitors enter the property along an extended driveway, aligned to perfectly capture views of the nearby foothills before meandering through a wooded area featuring a beautiful array of stone walls and mature oak trees that terminate abruptly in a clearing, offering guests their first glimpse of the main residence. Pathways, and terraces, encircle the home where a wedge-shaped entry garden beckons, drawing visitors through the front door. Other spaces include the Tapestry and Master’s gardens, which were designed to introduce a diverse palette of plants to the property, direct views, and provide an additional splash of color and personality to the outdoor area. Adjacent to the home and bounded by natural boulders found on site, a turf platform provides flat ground for outdoor games. Beyond the lawn, a newly established meadow completes the design plan as it draws attention outward to more natural aspects of the environment, a pond, and restored woodlands. Photo copyright Allen Russ

Saturday June 27, 2:30 to 4:00pm | Bluemont Piedmont Retreat by Jay Graham, FASLA of Graham Landscape Architecture, with Ralph Cunningham, FAIA Nestled at the base of the Shenandoah foothills in Virginia, this 178-acre site, once used for agriculture, has been transformed by the current owners into an attractive country retreat. The expansive landscape surrounding the residence incorporates Modernist design elements while acknowledging the site’s vibrant agricultural history. Visitors enter the property along an extended driveway, aligned to perfectly capture views of the nearby foothills before meandering through a wooded area featuring a beautiful array of stone walls and mature oak trees that terminate abruptly in a clearing, offering guests their first glimpse of the main residence. Pathways, and terraces, encircle the home where a wedge-shaped entry garden beckons, drawing visitors through the front door. Other spaces include the Tapestry and Master’s gardens, which were designed to introduce a diverse palette of plants to the property, direct views, and provide an additional splash of color and personality to the outdoor area. Adjacent to the home and bounded by natural boulders found on site, a turf platform provides flat ground for outdoor games. Beyond the lawn, a newly established meadow completes the design plan as it draws attention outward to more natural aspects of the environment, a pond, and restored woodlands. Photo copyright Maxwell Mackenzie