The existing kitchen in this turn-of-the-century (c. 1901) home in Newton, MA was in dire need of updating when the owners acquired it for their family of four. They wanted to both enlarge it and open it up to an existing adjacent dining space that they planned to transform into a family sitting area. In the spirit of the home’s original classical columns and detailing, we introduced short Doric columns on half-walls to shape a new opening between the former dining space, now family room, and the kitchen. The white inset kitchen-cabinetry and white marble counter were chosen for both their vintage appeal and clean, contemporary palette. To further improve function a half-bath was tucked in off the family room and a 12’ x 12’ mud room was added to the back of the kitchen. Katie Hutchison Studio collaborated with designer Tara Albright Robinson of Newton, Mass. (tara282@gmail.com) on this project. Cabinetry by Kingswood Kitchens of Danbury, Conn. photo by Katie Hutchison

Originally built in 1970, this later-model Eichler—designed by architect Claude Oakland—features a distinctive “Model 14” roofline with a clipped gable, a subtle nod to the charm of English thatch-roof cottages. Acquired from the original owner, the home remained in untouched, original condition—offering a rare opportunity for restoration, but also presenting an urgent need for updates. Our approach was grounded in respect for Oakland’s original design intent, while thoughtfully incorporating essential upgrades to meet modern building codes and today’s lifestyle expectations. Eichler homes were originally built using modest, cost-effective materials to make modern architecture accessible to the growing mid-century middle class. While iconic, elements like laminate countertops, particle board cabinetry, and vinyl composition tile flooring haven’t stood the test of time. We carefully replaced these with more durable, high-quality alternatives—granite countertops, maple-ply cabinets, and luxury vinyl tile—ensuring the home remains true to its spirit while standing strong for decades to come. All images © Ken Gutmaker

This remodeling project acquired a new face and interpretation of the spaces by liberating the floor plan. Walls were removed to allow natural light to come into the space. This old split level home was transformed from the inside to the outside.

Whether you are building a new home or remodeling one, DesBuild Construction is your best bet for a job well done. With years of making folks happy in the DC Metro area we have acquired a long list of well satisfied clients.

We recently acquired 9 sets of drawers that were used by National Cash Register. One drawer out of the set carried the National Cash Register label dated 1949. The drawer units had electric locks where they could be locked or unlocked with the push of a button. The drawers do not lock any longer. We faced each drawer with hickory wood from the tree that was cut down on baseball legend, Ted Williams, baseball camp called Splendid Splinters in Lakeville, MA. The bun feet were hand turned by Stephen Staples and the top is made from reclaimed antique pine. Measurements: 30.5" W x 17.5" D x 20.75" H

This home was built in the 70's and as you can imagine has acquired a few "ailments" over the past 40 years, one of the more serious being the deterioration of the front entrance. The brick started to loosen over the years and eventually started to break apart completely, it got to the point that the family could not use the front entrance at all due to the safety hazard it represented. After interviewing with several contractors the home owners contacted David Sharp with DSLD Land Management and he was able to ease the tension and offer a solution that not only resulted in a beautifully restored front entrance but that also fit comfortably into their budget. The project took less than a week to complete and as you can imagine the home owners are thrilled with the final product!

A modern transformation was in store for this abused split-level Rockville, MD home. A previous "renovation" created some non-functional spaces and odd transitions. At the center of the design was an antique chandelier that the homeowners acquired from an estate sale early in their marriage, so that challenge was integrating old and new into the shared space. So many walls came down and one wall went up. This family now has not only an open and functional space, but it is dripping with luxury details like the custom cabinets in a glorious emerald green color from Benjamin Moore called "Gondola Ride", gold tone hardware and wall sconces, and a stunning Borghini Gold quartz counter from Emerstone that carries up to the backsplash. Outlets hidden under the cabinets provide plenty of power for small appliances. The cabinetry is loaded with smart features like a trash and recycling center, deep pot storage, gigantic storage pantries flanking the refrigerator and a generous island that provides seating for 4 and hidden storage. Valence boxes create a home for the 3 gold scones that tie the kitchen and the dining buffer together. Dimmable led surface lights throughout provide ample illumination without detracting from the statement lighting in the room. The newly refinished hardwood floors complete the look.

For the master suite, we created an elegant and chic heaven with a sense of style that is conductive to rest and relaxation. We selected a specific color combination to create the perfect ambiance for this room. We mixed the quietness of a soothing neutral pallet with the sophistication and elegance of silver. We added drops of blue, which is considered beneficial to the mind and body. It slows human metabolism and produces a calming effect. We incorporated green, the color of life, renewal, nature, and energy. Natural silk glimmer curtains, wave reflecting silver wall paper, a hand woven silk and wool rug from India, an original oil painting acquired in Paris 40 year ago, two elegant designer reupholstered chairs, were elements that spoke by themselves in this classic contemporary master bedroom. The sitting room invites you to linger and enjoy the breathtaking vista of the Golf of Mexico. Sinking into the sofa allows you carve out restorative moments, to unwind, unplug and recharge.

We acquired an old Victorian home in need of complete rehab and set out to be respectful of the historical nature and aesthetic of the home while nudging it forward in a modern, somewhat eclectic, way. Since nearly all of the original details except the floors and a beautiful stair were removed by previous owners, we felt free to use materials and finishes that spoke to the homes history but are decidedly current. The result, a light-filled and colorful home with interesting details in every room, speaks to our aesthetic and design direction.

This home was built in the 70's and as you can imagine has acquired a few "ailments" over the past 40 years, one of the more serious being the deterioration of the front entrance. The brick started to loosen over the years and eventually started to break apart completely, it got to the point that the family could not use the front entrance at all due to the safety hazard it represented. After interviewing with several contractors the home owners contacted David Sharp with DSLD Land Management and he was able to ease the tension and offer a solution that not only resulted in a beautifully restored front entrance but that also fit comfortably into their budget. The project took less than a week to complete and as you can imagine the home owners are thrilled with the final product!

This home is a replica of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The homeowners have acquired many french antiques in their travels. The Homeowners’ Exquisite handmade rugs are the inspiration for the color schemes in each room.

Nestled in the hills of Orinda, California, this 1951 residence is one of only seven extant homes, now known as “The Magnificent Seven”, designed by architect Olof Dahlstrand, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright. With its low-slung rooflines, natural materials, and deep integration with the sloping landscape, the home is a pristine example of mid-century modern design inspired by Wright’s organic principles. Over the years, prior homeowners have emphasized preservation, ensuring that the house remained relatively untouched. Each owner has respected the original architecture and stayed true to Dahlstrand’s intent. When a family of five—two college-aged sons and a middle school-aged daughter—acquired the property, they were captivated by its history, legacy of care, and architectural significance. While they appreciated Dahlstrand’s original vision, they also recognized the need to adapt the home for contemporary living while preserving its design integrity. The remodel was conceived as a thoughtful response to the past—an effort to bring the house into the 21st century without compromising its soul. The primary mandate was to maintain architectural continuity while improving the functionality, comfort, and livability for a modern family. The design team—architects and contractor alike—worked with a shared reverence for the original architecture, allowing that mindset to guide even the most technical or pragmatic decisions. A key objective was to increase natural light in the kitchen—a departure from Wrightian principles of enclosed, intimate cooking spaces—while maintaining the home’s architectural language. The kitchen was reconfigured to foster a stronger connection to adjacent living spaces while retaining the underlying concept of spatial separation. One of the most transformative architectural changes was the removal of a ridge beam that was originally planned to remain visible through the kitchen. During construction, the team collaborated on a better solution: a wide-flanged steel beam concealed within the roof envelope. This subtle move preserved the clean lines and ceiling continuity, a modern update carried out with utmost respect for the existing framework. The home’s original powder room, previously accessible only through the kitchen, was relocated for better flow and privacy. A new powder room was carved out of former kitchen cabinetry—a narrow, interior space that could have felt dark and enclosed. To avoid this, the design extended the line of original transom windows into the new powder room and added a skylight above the vanity. The result is a bright and airy space that feels consistent with the rest of the home. Other updates included the installation of new solid-core interior doors with veneers carefully matched to the original mahogany, enhancing the continuity of the interiors. Even smaller decisions, such as placing the door knobs at 42 inches high, mirrored the original proportions. Every choice reflected a shared belief between the architect, contractor, and client: that new work should serve the integrity of the old. The home’s extensive interior redwood millwork and paneling was meticulously restored. Where new materials were introduced—such as the replacement redwood soffit paneling—the contractor took pains to find finish nails that matched the original, rather than using modern equivalents. This level of craftsmanship and collaboration defined the project. It extended even to the detailing of a blind door to the new powder room, which had to disappear into the existing redwood board-and-batten wall. It was a team effort: the owner found a suitable handle, the architects devised the custom in-swing mechanism, and the contractor executed it so the door aligned precisely with the battens. Throughout, the homeowners were deeply engaged in the design process. One, a meticulous design enthusiast, focused on aesthetic integrity and historic detail. The other brought a practical and function-driven perspective, ensuring that new fixtures and materials would be durable and require minimal maintenance. While the home’s location posed no major site challenges, sustainability was a key concern. The team upgraded the roof insulation, installed solar panels with battery storage, and added ductless mini-split cooling systems. Lighting was another area where modern technology was woven into a historic framework: new square LED fixtures echo the original custom perimeter soffit lights, maintaining the design language while offering advanced performance. A planned expansion of a bedroom into suite with a bathroom had to be shelved due to budget constraints and the high cost of below-grade foundation work. Still, the team focused their efforts on making the most of the existing footprint, resolving constraints through design ingenuity rather than adding square footage. This renovation represents a collaborative achievement in preserving and evolving a historically significant home. Every decision was shaped by a shared ethos among clients, architects, and contractor: to maintain the home’s architectural soul while updating it for contemporary life. The result is a timeless modernist residence that continues Olof Dahlstrand’s legacy, remaining grounded in nature, craftsmanship, and human-scale design. Klopf Architecture Team: John Klopf, AIA, Klara Kevane, Fernanda Bernardes
Interior Architectural Design: Klopf Architecture
Structural Engineer: Daniel Bastiao
Contractor: Don Larwood, Larwood Construction Photography: Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2022

IMPRESSION — Acrylic, Latex, Metallic and Tempera Paints / Paper Mache, Sand and Modeling Paste / Clear Gloss Glaze / Acrylic, India and Iridescent Inks on Canvas. 48” x 60” E-Mail For Quote Photo by SWK Digital Imagery.

Inspiration for a timeless home design remodel in Orange County

Old architecture combined with new fresh contemporary art and upholstery, Patti Allen created a great space for her long time friend’s second home. She brought fresh contemporary furniture coupled with current edgy colors to call this Asheville retreat their home. Her clients wanted to work around their love for art and special pieces they have acquired. The rooms had a great feel because of all the light coming into the room that naturally spotlighted their art to make it the focal point. They also had a lot of natural textures with the brick walls so they brought in several pieces of metal to compliment the industrial feel. The tufted sofa gave comfort and clean lines. The Vanguard chairs gave another option for upholstery in the room but keeping it in a smaller scale to fit in the room with the other pieces. The pops of yellow and turquoise highlighted the clients desire for color. They used Elite barstools with stainless steel metal that gave simplicity to show off their beautiful granite. The dining room table was by Stanley furniture and she used Century upholstered chairs to compliment the living room. The art deco chair is by Dwell Studios. The Stanton geometric rug helped ground your eye and give definition to the seating areas. The Master bedroom was by Precedent and the fabric flowed nicely with the wall coverings by Lee Jofa. The nightstands were by Vanguard and she spotlighted fuchsia with the chaise. The guest room had a wall that worked great with the American Leather sleeper sofa against the brick wall. Their art went great with it. This was a fun project for Patti because she truly enjoys working with lighter pallets, textured fabric and clean architectural lines with pops of color.

Fibrocon proudly presents Lineadecor Kitchens. Kitchens are manufactured by the production facility of Lineadecor with the experience and knowledge it has acquired in the wooden sector. Lineadecor has played a leading role in the development of modular kitchen sector through constantly improving its technology-based and human-oriented investments. Making significant investments in its infrastructure to achieve its predetermined objectives, Lineadecor renewed its entire manufacturing facility with high-level technologies upon putting its production facilities in operation in 2006. Today, Lineadecor kitchens are manufactured with a modern understanding by the production facility located over an area of 30,000 m2. Following technological developments in the world closely in line with its objective of being a global brand, Lineadecor has established an electronic infrastructure allowing for monitoring any stage from manufacturing to distribution. Annual manufacturing capacity has reached 25,000 kitchens as a result of the excellence achieved through the cutting-edge technology used and ERP system applied.

Fibrocon proudly presents Lineadecor Kitchens. Kitchens are manufactured by the production facility of Lineadecor with the experience and knowledge it has acquired in the wooden sector. Lineadecor has played a leading role in the development of modular kitchen sector through constantly improving its technology-based and human-oriented investments. Making significant investments in its infrastructure to achieve its predetermined objectives, Lineadecor renewed its entire manufacturing facility with high-level technologies upon putting its production facilities in operation in 2006. Today, Lineadecor kitchens are manufactured with a modern understanding by the production facility located over an area of 30,000 m2. Following technological developments in the world closely in line with its objective of being a global brand, Lineadecor has established an electronic infrastructure allowing for monitoring any stage from manufacturing to distribution. Annual manufacturing capacity has reached 25,000 kitchens as a result of the excellence achieved through the cutting-edge technology used and ERP system applied.

This mid-century river walkout was an absolute joy to transform for a young dynamic professional couple. They acquired a Rideau River property with a million dollar view and wanted to take advantage of this extraordinary feature. The existing older galley kitchen had seen better days and was an interior space with no view or natural light. Our recommendation? Take advantage of the cathedral ceiling sunroom and open up the kitchen to create a large, open-concept entertaining zone, with a chef’s kitchen. This new, ready-for-anything space would act as the heart of the home with an impactful sense of arrival. Working with an economical budget we provided guidance on space planning, kitchen functionality and total aesthetic. Knowing our clients worked from home a generous amount of time we integrated storage and power solutions dedicated to keeping technology accessible yet out of sight, which resulted in a dramatic floating walnut island as a grounding element. The overall result with a budget-minded approach was a fully customized high-end transitional kitchen that was youthful, bright and cheerful with touches of industrial chic and a good dose of drama to achieve that ‘wow’ factor. The statement that this view deserved. Also find this project featured in the Ottawa Citizen!

Fibrocon proudly presents Lineadecor Kitchens. Kitchens are manufactured by the production facility of Lineadecor with the experience and knowledge it has acquired in the wooden sector. Lineadecor has played a leading role in the development of modular kitchen sector through constantly improving its technology-based and human-oriented investments. Making significant investments in its infrastructure to achieve its predetermined objectives, Lineadecor renewed its entire manufacturing facility with high-level technologies upon putting its production facilities in operation in 2006. Today, Lineadecor kitchens are manufactured with a modern understanding by the production facility located over an area of 30,000 m2. Following technological developments in the world closely in line with its objective of being a global brand, Lineadecor has established an electronic infrastructure allowing for monitoring any stage from manufacturing to distribution. Annual manufacturing capacity has reached 25,000 kitchens as a result of the excellence achieved through the cutting-edge technology used and ERP system applied.