This house was a very small mid-century bungalow with previous additions that resulted in a large but chaotic layout. The owners wanted to convert the house to a super-efficient, and charming Craftsman-style, 6 bedroom home for their large family and work at home. We achieved the space needs by moving a few walls for a more efficient, organized layout, setting up spaces for overlapping uses, and making a small upstairs addition. Every bit of square footage was optimized to meet the goals of the project without making the house huge or adding unnecessary cost. Much thought was given to the entry sequence near the front door. A large flow-through mudroom with storage for each family member, and adjacent laundry, make it easy for children to be taught to keep their things organized and to contribute to household chores. A mail station and central home admin area at the mudroom help keep clutter down at other areas and minimize home management tasks. A garage door near the kitchen gives quick access to bulk items. The existing house had too much view to the street from the living room through large corner windows, and too little entry transition, to the extent that the family did not feel comfortable using the living room much without shades drawn. We raised the window sills and brought the new windows in from the corner of the house, allowing plenty of light while protecting privacy and a sense of enclosure in the living room. We enlarged the front porch to create a more graceful transition from the public to private space. We located the front door so that the circulation from entry into the house would allow for furnishing the living room with a sitting circle that is not intruded upon by people walking through the room. Sight lines through the living spaces were an important consideration in the design. The owners wanted discreet spaces for living room, kitchen, dining and family room, but also wanted the living spaces to feel connected and to be able to easily watch their children. Being able to see the children playing in the yard while getting things done inside the house was also important. While largely working with the existing structure, we opened walls and rearranged the use of spaces to make a series of connected living spaces with long views through them. The character of the remodeled house is a contemporary Craftsman with classic materials and cool, consistent colors. A few arches echo through the house to frame spaces and soften the feeling of the rooms. Photography: Kurt Manley https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/bungalow-expansion/

This colorful Contemporary design / build project started as an Addition but included new cork flooring and painting throughout the home. The Kitchen also included the creation of a new pantry closet with wire shelving and the Family Room was converted into a beautiful Library with space for the whole family. The homeowner has a passion for picking paint colors and enjoyed selecting the colors for each room. The home is now a bright mix of modern trends such as the barn doors and chalkboard surfaces contrasted by classic LA touches such as the detail surrounding the Living Room fireplace. The Master Bedroom is now a Master Suite complete with high-ceilings making the room feel larger and airy. Perfect for warm Southern California weather! Speaking of the outdoors, the sliding doors to the green backyard ensure that this white room still feels as colorful as the rest of the home. The Master Bathroom features bamboo cabinetry with his and hers sinks. The light blue walls make the blue and white floor really pop. The shower offers the homeowners a bench and niche for comfort and sliding glass doors and subway tile for style. The Library / Family Room features custom built-in bookcases, barn door and a window seat; a readers dream! The Children’s Room and Dining Room both received new paint and flooring as part of their makeover. However the Children’s Bedroom also received a new closet and reading nook. The fireplace in the Living Room was made more stylish by painting it to match the walls – one of the only white spaces in the home! However the deep blue accent wall with floating shelves ensure that guests are prepared to see serious pops of color throughout the rest of the home. The home features art by Drica Lobo ( https://www.dricalobo.com/home)

Portland Metro's Design and Build Firm | Photo Credit: Shawn St. Peter
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Portland with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Project 3362-1 NE Minneapolis Traditional Kitchen Refresh - Castle Building & Remodeling, Inc. Twin Cities MN 55418 This project was a unique kitchen refresh project. The original Northeast Minneapolis home was built in 1920, and sometime in the 90’s an addition with a remodeled kitchen was completed. While the current homeowners appreciated the size and general layout of the kitchen, they wanted a more open floor plan to the dining room and to add some additional storage within the existing kitchen space. An old desk area was not useful for them, so that was removed and the fridge was moved to that area. New cabinets were added in the corner for some additional storage space for the homeowner’s baking goods and was set up as a coffee area. Where the old fridge once stood, the wall was opened up to create a new, wider opening to the dining room with a new peninsula for their kids and guests to sit. With some challenges in finding significant plumbing and HVAC in the wall being opened, the end result is a little different than originally planned – but that is the story of remodeling! All the original oak and new, matched oak cabinets were stained darker on the bottom, and painted white on the top. New Cambria countertops add a classic touch to the space, and the homeowners did a fantastic job of installing their own tile backsplash and Adura luxury vinyl flooring. They now have a more classic yet eclectic space to entertain their guests (and children) in for years to come. Designed by: Natalie Hanson See full details, including before photos at https://www.castlebri.com/kitchens/project-3362-1/

Humble and unassuming, this small cottage was built in 1960 for one of the children of the adjacent mansions. This well sited two bedroom cape is nestled into the landscape on a small brook. The owners a young couple with two little girls called us about expanding their screened porch to take advantage of this feature. The clients shifted their priorities when the existing roof began to leak and the area of the screened porch was deemed to require NJDEP review and approval. When asked to help with replacing the roof, we took a chance and sketched out the possibilities for expanding and reshaping the roof of the home while maintaining the existing ridge beam to create a master suite with private bathroom and walk in closet from the one large existing master bedroom and two additional bedrooms and a home office from the other bedroom. The design elements like deeper overhangs, the double brackets and the curving walls from the gable into the center shed roof help create an animated façade with shade and shadow. The house maintains its quiet presence on the block…it has a new sense of pride on the block as the AIA NJ NS Gold Medal Winner for design Excellence!

Melissa and Steve purchased our National Award Winning Green Certified Remodeled Home. They had moved to Colorado previously to expand Business opportunities, but found that they missed being near their extended family members and Melissa’s native city and state. They wanted a home in a quiet neighborhood that suited their needs and had been updated to current design trends and amenities. With 2 young children a single-story home appealed to them. Steve primarily worked from home, using the formal Living Room as his home office which was central to the Kitchen and main living areas. As their children grew, it became increasingly difficult to With 4 children, their daily activities were split between the 1st and second floors, making it difficult to coordinate activities amongst them. Also, with a large extended family close-by, get-togethers were cramped and uncomfortable. With the added 1st floor living space, they are now able to all comfortably gather together and spend more quality time with their family and friends. Design Features Seamless Transition into the adjoining Kitchen and Living Room, separating the two with a light and bright 15-Lite Double French Door. Light and bright natural hardwood flooring. A bright and open floor plan achieved by introducing a double 15-Lite French door in the Kitchen and generous amount of double-hung low-e windows. Window Well in the Roof to accommodate required foot-print placement. Avoidance of installing a Pull-Down Attic Access. No-VOC Paints and Finishes. Durable Exterior Construction No-Maintenance Composite and PVC Low-E Windows and Doors Cement Fiber Siding Cement Fiber and PVC Trim Life-time Architectural Shingles Metal Roof Flashing with Gutter Kick-Outs Superior Window Flashing and Water Intrusion Sealing measures Energy Efficient and Green Features 1st floor HVAC Compressor and Air Handler replaced with a more efficient 15 Seer unit. Floor penetrations and perimeter bottom plates caulked and air sealed. No-VOC Paints and Finishes. Durable Exterior Construction No-Maintenance Composite and PVC Low-E Windows Cement Fiber Siding Cement Fiber and PVC Trim Life-time Architectural Shingles Metal Roof Flashing with Gutter Kick-Outs Superior Window Flashing and Water Intrusion sealing measures

This colorful Contemporary design / build project started as an Addition but included new cork flooring and painting throughout the home. The Kitchen also included the creation of a new pantry closet with wire shelving and the Family Room was converted into a beautiful Library with space for the whole family. The homeowner has a passion for picking paint colors and enjoyed selecting the colors for each room. The home is now a bright mix of modern trends such as the barn doors and chalkboard surfaces contrasted by classic LA touches such as the detail surrounding the Living Room fireplace. The Master Bedroom is now a Master Suite complete with high-ceilings making the room feel larger and airy. Perfect for warm Southern California weather! Speaking of the outdoors, the sliding doors to the green backyard ensure that this white room still feels as colorful as the rest of the home. The Master Bathroom features bamboo cabinetry with his and hers sinks. The light blue walls make the blue and white floor really pop. The shower offers the homeowners a bench and niche for comfort and sliding glass doors and subway tile for style. The Library / Family Room features custom built-in bookcases, barn door and a window seat; a readers dream! The Children’s Room and Dining Room both received new paint and flooring as part of their makeover. However the Children’s Bedroom also received a new closet and reading nook. The fireplace in the Living Room was made more stylish by painting it to match the walls – one of the only white spaces in the home! However the deep blue accent wall with floating shelves ensure that guests are prepared to see serious pops of color throughout the rest of the home. The home features art by Drica Lobo ( https://www.dricalobo.com/home)

2013 NARI CAPITAL COTY, MERIT AWARD WINNER, RESIDENTIAL ADDITION UNDER $100,000/2013 CHRYSALIS AWARD SOUTH REGION WINNER, ADDITION UNDER $100,000 A couple with two young children lived in this 1970-vintage rambler in Arlington. As their kids grew and they added a live-in nanny, they all needed more space, a bigger kitchen and a nicer backyard space where the kids could play. The home’s existing kitchen was 10’x10’ and adjacent to dining room of about the same size. Old cabinets, vinyl floor and olive green appliances no longer made this kitchen a happy place to which to come home. A narrow hallway leading to the bedrooms was one of their major concerns and tough to get through. As the traffic path to get to the kitchen was poorly done. Design solutions provided by Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes included bumping out the back wall and moving the kitchen into the addition. The old hallway wall has come down and gotten wider and a new path from the front of the home to the open floor plan kitchen and dining room was created. The new kitchen has tall cabinets with a beautiful cherry finish and a large bay window over the sink area. A new island with seating provides added work space and more storage. The wood floors were refinished to unify the space. Finally, a new, larger wooden deck was installed where the family could enjoy time together.

This 1990s brick home had decent square footage and a massive front yard, but no way to enjoy it. Each room needed an update, so the entire house was renovated and remodeled, and an addition was put on over the existing garage to create a symmetrical front. The old brown brick was painted a distressed white. The 500sf 2nd floor addition includes 2 new bedrooms for their teen children, and the 12'x30' front porch lanai with standing seam metal roof is a nod to the homeowners' love for the Islands. Each room is beautifully appointed with large windows, wood floors, white walls, white bead board ceilings, glass doors and knobs, and interior wood details reminiscent of Hawaiian plantation architecture. The kitchen was remodeled to increase width and flow, and a new laundry / mudroom was added in the back of the existing garage. The master bath was completely remodeled. Every room is filled with books, and shelves, many made by the homeowner. Project photography by Kmiecik Imagery.

2012 NARI CAPITAL COTY, MERIT AWARD WINNER, RESIDENTIAL ADDITION UNDER $100,000 The owners of this split-foyer home have lived in Mclean for more than 15 years. As their children have grown, so has their need for added space. And even though they remodeled their kitchen about 10 years ago, the 12’ x 10’ room doesn’t meet their current needs. This latest addition again increases the size of the kitchen and adds a large barbeque deck and screened-in porch as well. Highlights of the new kitchen include a large center island for food preparation and seating, as well as new stainless steel appliances. Its open design leads to a casual dining area with a cathedral ceiling and palladium window. French doors on either side lead either to the barbeque deck or the screened in porch. Using maintenance-free decking and accessories, both spaces provide immediate access to a beautiful stone porch and manicured back yard. Now having a large group of family and/or friends is the least of the homeowners’ concerns. Inside or outside, they’ve got the space to entertain.

This colorful Contemporary design / build project started as an Addition but included new cork flooring and painting throughout the home. The Kitchen also included the creation of a new pantry closet with wire shelving and the Family Room was converted into a beautiful Library with space for the whole family. The homeowner has a passion for picking paint colors and enjoyed selecting the colors for each room. The home is now a bright mix of modern trends such as the barn doors and chalkboard surfaces contrasted by classic LA touches such as the detail surrounding the Living Room fireplace. The Master Bedroom is now a Master Suite complete with high-ceilings making the room feel larger and airy. Perfect for warm Southern California weather! Speaking of the outdoors, the sliding doors to the green backyard ensure that this white room still feels as colorful as the rest of the home. The Master Bathroom features bamboo cabinetry with his and hers sinks. The light blue walls make the blue and white floor really pop. The shower offers the homeowners a bench and niche for comfort and sliding glass doors and subway tile for style. The Library / Family Room features custom built-in bookcases, barn door and a window seat; a readers dream! The Children’s Room and Dining Room both received new paint and flooring as part of their makeover. However the Children’s Bedroom also received a new closet and reading nook. The fireplace in the Living Room was made more stylish by painting it to match the walls – one of the only white spaces in the home! However the deep blue accent wall with floating shelves ensure that guests are prepared to see serious pops of color throughout the rest of the home. The home features art by Drica Lobo ( https://www.dricalobo.com/home)

Inspired by historic homes in America’s grand old neighborhoods, the Wainsborough combines the rich character and architectural craftsmanship of the past with contemporary conveniences. Perfect for today’s busy lifestyles, the home is the perfect blend of past and present. Touches of the ever-popular Shingle Style – from the cedar lap siding to the pitched roof – imbue the home with all-American charm without sacrificing modern convenience. Exterior highlights include stone detailing, multiple entries, transom windows and arched doorways. Inside, the home features a livable open floor plan as well as 10-foot ceilings. The kitchen, dining room and family room flow together, with a large fireplace and an inviting nearby deck. A children’s wing over the garage, a luxurious master suite and adaptable design elements give the floor plan the flexibility to adapt as a family’s needs change. “Right-size” rooms live large, but feel cozy. While the floor plan reflects a casual, family-friendly lifestyle, craftsmanship throughout includes interesting nooks and window seats, all hallmarks of the past. The main level includes a kitchen with a timeless character and architectural flair. Designed to function as a modern gathering room reflecting the trend toward the kitchen serving as the heart of the home, it features raised panel, hand-finished cabinetry and hidden, state-of-the-art appliances. Form is as important as function, with a central square-shaped island serving as a both entertaining and workspace. Custom-designed features include a pull-out bookshelf for cookbooks as well as a pull-out table for extra seating. Other first-floor highlights include a dining area with a bay window, a welcoming hearth room with fireplace, a convenient office and a handy family mud room near the side entrance. A music room off the great room adds an elegant touch to this otherwise comfortable, casual home. Upstairs, a large master suite and master bath ensures privacy. Three additional children’s bedrooms are located in a separate wing over the garage. The lower level features a large family room and adjacent home theater, a guest room and bath and a convenient wine and wet bar.

In this major renovation, the designer, architect, builder and clients worked as a team to create an updated functional home for a family with growing children, pets, family and friends. In the foyer, a bedroom on the upper level was removed to open the stairs and create a loft space for home work and pre bed time reading. The existing mirrored wall was removed and the lower stair case exposed. The powder room was made smaller to open the space into the family room. The formal dining room was opened to the kitchen and turned into a cozy hearth room with a corner fireplace. A large open family room was turned into 2 rooms, a media room for the children and an office with coffered ceilings and built in book shelves. The living room which was opened to the family room was closed in by creating a grand hall and closing the door to the family room creating an intimate space for adult entertaining. The heavy stone fireplace was replaces with a lighter tiled version and the stones retired to the back yard landscape. The clients blended, new family furniture was re purposed with the addition of new pieces.

In this major renovation, the designer, architect, builder and clients worked as a team to create an updated functional home for a family with growing children, pets, family and friends. In the foyer, a bedroom on the upper level was removed to open the stairs and create a loft space for home work and pre bed time reading. The existing mirrored wall was removed and the lower stair case exposed. The powder room was made smaller to open the space into the family room. The formal dining room was opened to the kitchen and turned into a cozy hearth room with a corner fireplace. A large open family room was turned into 2 rooms, a media room for the children and an office with coffered ceilings and built in book shelves. The living room which was opened to the family room was closed in by creating a grand hall and closing the door to the family room creating an intimate space for adult entertaining. The heavy stone fireplace was replaces with a lighter tiled version and the stones retired to the back yard landscape. The clients blended, new family furniture was re purposed with the addition of new pieces.

This 1990s brick home had decent square footage and a massive front yard, but no way to enjoy it. Each room needed an update, so the entire house was renovated and remodeled, and an addition was put on over the existing garage to create a symmetrical front. The old brown brick was painted a distressed white. The 500sf 2nd floor addition includes 2 new bedrooms for their teen children, and the 12'x30' front porch lanai with standing seam metal roof is a nod to the homeowners' love for the Islands. Each room is beautifully appointed with large windows, wood floors, white walls, white bead board ceilings, glass doors and knobs, and interior wood details reminiscent of Hawaiian plantation architecture. The kitchen was remodeled to increase width and flow, and a new laundry / mudroom was added in the back of the existing garage. The master bath was completely remodeled. Every room is filled with books, and shelves, many made by the homeowner. Project photography by Kmiecik Imagery.

A family moved from the city to this home just north of Boston. The house was built in the early 2000s and needed some updating - a new kitchen, mudroom, and a laundry room that had to be relocated to the second floor. In addition to the renovations, the couple needed to furnish their home. This included furniture, decor, accessories, wallpaper, window treatments, paint colors etc. Every room was transformed to meet the family's needs and was a reflection of their personality. The end result was a bright, fun and livable home for the couple and their three small children. Max Holiver Photography

Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA The space was dated - now it has a fresh new look! To "lighten" up the room and create a sense of space, the console table was placed where the bookcase had been and the woven rug found a new home over the sofa. Painting one wall in a terra cotta gives an entirely new energy to the space and makes the furniture pop. The dining room was updated with a new cornice and lighting. In addition, a narrow 12" deep cabinet (made for kitchen upper cabinets) was effectively used - with a faux granite laminate top. The cabinets help with much needed storage and as a server. Their children's art was framed and proudly hangs for all to enjoy. The upholstery, plant and the cornice are the only additions to the room. Everything else was previously in the room - just rearranged! Designed by Sandy Schargel Interiors

Project 3362-1 NE Minneapolis Traditional Kitchen Refresh - Castle Building & Remodeling, Inc. Twin Cities MN 55418 This project was a unique kitchen refresh project. The original Northeast Minneapolis home was built in 1920, and sometime in the 90’s an addition with a remodeled kitchen was completed. While the current homeowners appreciated the size and general layout of the kitchen, they wanted a more open floor plan to the dining room and to add some additional storage within the existing kitchen space. An old desk area was not useful for them, so that was removed and the fridge was moved to that area. New cabinets were added in the corner for some additional storage space for the homeowner’s baking goods and was set up as a coffee area. Where the old fridge once stood, the wall was opened up to create a new, wider opening to the dining room with a new peninsula for their kids and guests to sit. With some challenges in finding significant plumbing and HVAC in the wall being opened, the end result is a little different than originally planned – but that is the story of remodeling! All the original oak and new, matched oak cabinets were stained darker on the bottom, and painted white on the top. New Cambria countertops add a classic touch to the space, and the homeowners did a fantastic job of installing their own tile backsplash and Adura luxury vinyl flooring. They now have a more classic yet eclectic space to entertain their guests (and children) in for years to come. Designed by: Natalie Hanson See full details, including before photos at https://www.castlebri.com/kitchens/project-3362-1/

Project 3362-1 NE Minneapolis Traditional Kitchen Refresh - Castle Building & Remodeling, Inc. Twin Cities MN 55418 This project was a unique kitchen refresh project. The original Northeast Minneapolis home was built in 1920, and sometime in the 90’s an addition with a remodeled kitchen was completed. While the current homeowners appreciated the size and general layout of the kitchen, they wanted a more open floor plan to the dining room and to add some additional storage within the existing kitchen space. An old desk area was not useful for them, so that was removed and the fridge was moved to that area. New cabinets were added in the corner for some additional storage space for the homeowner’s baking goods and was set up as a coffee area. Where the old fridge once stood, the wall was opened up to create a new, wider opening to the dining room with a new peninsula for their kids and guests to sit. With some challenges in finding significant plumbing and HVAC in the wall being opened, the end result is a little different than originally planned – but that is the story of remodeling! All the original oak and new, matched oak cabinets were stained darker on the bottom, and painted white on the top. New Cambria countertops add a classic touch to the space, and the homeowners did a fantastic job of installing their own tile backsplash and Adura luxury vinyl flooring. They now have a more classic yet eclectic space to entertain their guests (and children) in for years to come. Designed by: Natalie Hanson See full details, including before photos at https://www.castlebri.com/kitchens/project-3362-1/