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.

Earthshade Safeshade Roller; Single Shade; Happy Screen Privacy: Savannah Snow; Outside Mount; Regular Roll; Privacy: 9** Shading: 80% Insulating: r2.60 Light control: 40%*** Grass, Cellulosic Fiber, Min Poly No Chlorine, Unfinished, Compostable EURO Clutch; 1 Left, 1 Right; Color: White (W); our new Euro Clutch system balances stunning visual design in an efficient and compact package.

Earthshade Safeshade Roller; Single Shade; Happy Screen Privacy: Dharma Sun; Outside Mount; Regular Roll; Privacy: 9** Shading: 81% Insulating: r2.60 Light control: 42%*** Grass, Cellulosic Fiber, Min Poly No Chlorine, Unfinished, Compostable EURO Clutch; 2 Left, 2 Right; Color: Stainless Steel (STS)

The Huron Bluff Cabin renovation involved the conversion of an existing uninsulated summer cabin to a 4-season luxury family getaway overlooking Lake Huron on a 150’ bluff. While the footprint of the cabin remained unchanged, the roof line was altered to open up a double height living space with a loft and a balcony. The existing wall cavities were insulated and rigid insulation was added to the exterior of the walls and roof. All exterior finishes and windows were replaced and upgraded to exceed energy efficiency standards. Living City Architecture provided complete design services fort his renovation, which was completed in 2017.

Earthshade Happyshade Roman; Sanctuary; Standard Roman Fold; Outside Mount; (Natural w/ white*) Privacy: 10** Shading: 95% Insulating: r2.95 Light control: 75 – 90%*** Material: Unfinished, compostable wood reeds Cordless Touch Lift: Operating cords are replaced with a Spring Transmission Lift system. Lift cords remain on back contained by a safety shroud.

Increasing property value and adding security to your home are two great reasons to buy a new garage door.
Inspiration for a contemporary shed remodel in Chicago

A bright white modern farmhouse with a farmers porch and an open concept layout inside. Photo by Tessa Manning
Example of a mid-sized farmhouse white two-story vinyl gable roof design in Portland Maine with a shingle roof

This was a unique build in that it was once a meetinghouse in New Haven. We moved the main structure from its original location and set it on a new foundation. We designed and built an addition to give this grand home even more living space. Completely gutted, we overhauled this former meetinghouse which including new heating, electrical, plumbing and insulation. A wall of windows was then added to the back wall to take advantage of spectacular views as was a covered screened in porch and majestic deck. As this building was falling into disrepair, it was satisfying to give this grand structure a new purpose and a new life.

2013 CHRYSALIS AWARD SOUTH REGION WINNER, RESIDENTIAL EXTERIOR This 1970’s split-level single-family home in an upscale Arlington neighborhood had been neglected for years. With his surrounding neighbors all doing major exterior and interior remodeling, however, the owner decided it was time to renovate his property as well. After several consultation meetings with the design team at Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, he settled on an exterior layout to create an Art & Craft design for the home. It all got started by excavating the front and left side of the house and attaching a wrap-around stone porch. Key design attributes include a black metal roof, large tapered columns, blue and grey random style flag stone, beaded stain ceiling paneling and an octagonal seating area on the left side of this porch. The front porch has a wide stairway and another set of stairs leads to the back yard. All exterior walls of homes were modified with new headers to allow much larger custom-made windows, new front doors garage doors, and French side and back doors. A custom-designed mahogany front door with leaded glass provides more light and offers a wider entrance into the home’s living area. Design challenges included removing the entire face of the home and then adding new insulation, Tyvek and Hardiplank siding. The use of high-efficiency low-e windows makes the home air tight. The Arts & Crafts design touches include the front gable over the front porch, the prairie-style grill pattern on the windows and doors, the use of tapered columns sitting over stone columns and the leaded glass front door. Decorative exterior lighting provides the finishing touches to this look.

Kitchen renovation in penthouse suite, raised the floors with steel beams to accommodate the relocated plumbing lines. Insulated ceiling to add recessed lighting. Added ceiling fans for better circulation. Automatic shades, Fire place, new PTAC units with remote thermostat. Herringbone ceramic floors. Island with wine refrigerator, microwave and seating for 4. Great NYC views.

When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950’s. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the décor with a painting from my client’s father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Grey from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.

This old farmhouse (ca. late 18th century) has undergone many renovations over the years. Spring Creek Design added its stamp in 2008, with a small mudroom addition and a complete interior renovation. The addition encompasses a 1st floor mudroom with extensive cabinetry and closetry. Upon entering the space from the driveway, cabinet and countertop space is provided to accommodate incoming grocery bags. Next in line are a series of “lockers” and cubbies - just right for coats, hats and book bags. Further inside is a wrap-around window seat with cedar shoe racks beneath. A stainless steel dog feeding station rounds out the amenities - all built atop a natural Vermont slate floor. On the lower level, the addition features a full bathroom and a “Dude Pod” - a compact work and play space for the resident code monkey. Outfitted with a stand-up desk and an electronic drum kit, one needs only emerge for Mountain Dew refills and familial visits. Within the existing space, we added an ensuite bathroom for the third floor bedroom. The second floor bathroom and first floor powder room were also gutted and remodeled. The master bedroom was extensively remodeled - given a vaulted ceiling and a wall of floor-to-roof built-ins accessed with a rolling ladder. An extensive, multi-level deck and screen house was added to provide outdoor living space, with secure, dry storage below. Design Criteria: - Update house with a high sustainability standard. - Provide bathroom for daughters’ third floor bedroom. - Update remaining bathrooms - Update cramped, low ceilinged master bedroom - Provide mudroom/entryway solutions. - Provide a window seating space with good visibility of back and side yards – to keep an eye on the kids at play. - Replace old deck with a updated deck/screen porch combination. - Update sitting room with a wood stove and mantle. Special Features: - Insulated Concrete Forms used for Dude Pod foundation. - Soy-based spray foam insulation used in the addition and master bedroom. - Paperstone countertops in mudroom. - Zero-VOC paints and finishes used throughout the project. - All decking and trim for the deck/screen porch is made from 100% recycled HDPE (milk jugs, soda, water bottles) - High efficiency combination washer/dryer.

Cedar accents wrap the porch pillars, adding warmth and natural aesthetics, contributing to the inviting exterior atmosphere.
Large minimalist concrete paver front porch photo in Cleveland with a roof extension

This basement room was raised three feet.An acoustic drop ceiling was installed over insulation. and Large windows were added to make better use of daylight. A layered lighting design was implemented to accentuate art objects and provide both ambient and task lighting. In this rec room, Traditional shelving was placed above a media center to add interest, texture and color. The brick fire place was painted to blend in with the walls and a custom mantle and a gas insert was installed and surrounded with Travertine tiles. Luxurious carpeting was added for comfort and beauty. The hearth is Travertine with a rough 2" edge. Eben Waggoner

Location: Bethesda, MD, USA This total revamp turned out better than anticipated leaving the clients thrilled with the outcome. Finecraft Contractors, Inc. Interior Designer: Anna Cave Susie Soleimani Photography Blog: http://graciousinteriors.blogspot.com/2016/07/from-cellar-to-stellar-lower-level.html

We removed the siding, replaced a lot of rotten OSB, added 2" of exterior insulation with the seams sealed with Dow Weathermate and/or Zip System tape, replaced all windows with high performance Strassburger uPVC windows featuring molded in trim with an integral J-channel, and Azek cellular PVC corner trim with an integral J-channel for clean lines. Then we resided with 8" horizontal lap vinyl siding. The finishing touch was a galvalume metal roof for the porch.

My client has Hunter Douglas Silhouettes in her guest bedroom. She wanted to increase the feeling of warmth by adding lined and interlined draperies and box pleat valances. She chose a fabulous off white linen blend fabric with taupe and gold embroidery, which picks up all of the colors in the room. The tailored box pleat valances provide just enough decor to further warm up the room.

Klopf Architecture completely remodeled this once dark Eichler house in Palo Alto creating a more open, bright and functional family home. The reconfigured great room with new full height windows and sliding glass doors blends the indoors with the newly landscaped patio and seating areas outside. The former galley kitchen was relocated and was opened up to have clear sight lines through the great room and out to the patios and yard, including a large island and a beautiful walnut bar countertop with seating. An integrated small front addition was added allowing for a more spacious master bath and hall bath layouts. With the removal of the old brick fireplace, larger sliding glass doors and multiple skylights now flood the home with natural light. The goals were to work within the Eichler style while creating a more open, indoor-outdoor flow and functional spaces, as well as a more efficient building envelope including a well insulated roof, providing solutions that many Eichler homeowners appreciate. The original entryway lacked unique details; the clients desired a more gracious front approach. The historic Eichler color palette was used to create a modern updated front facade. Durable grey porcelain floor tiles unify the entire home, creating a continuous flow. They, along with white walls, provide a backdrop for the unique elements and materials to stand on their own, such as the brightly colored mosaic tiles, the walnut bar and furniture, and stained ceiling boards. A secondary living space was extended out to the patio with the addition of a bench and additional seating. This Single family Eichler 4 bedroom 2 bath remodel is located in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, Klara Kevane, and Ethan Taylor Contractor: Coast to Coast Construction Landscape Contractor: Discelli Structural Engineer: Brian Dotson Consulting Engineer Photography ©2018 Mariko Reed Location: Palo Alto, CA Year completed: 2017