I am glad to present a new project, Powder room design in a modern style. This project is as simple as it is not ordinary with its solution. The powder room is the most typical, small. I used wallpaper for this project, changing the visual space - increasing it. The idea was to extend the semicircular corridor by creating additional vertical backlit niches. I also used everyone's long-loved living moss to decorate the wall so that the powder room did not look like a lifeless and dull corridor. The interior lines are clean. The interior is not overflowing with accents and flowers. Everything is concise and restrained: concrete and flowers, the latest technology and wildlife, wood and metal, yin-yang.

I am glad to present a new project, Powder room design in a modern style. This project is as simple as it is not ordinary with its solution. The powder room is the most typical, small. I used wallpaper for this project, changing the visual space - increasing it. The idea was to extend the semicircular corridor by creating additional vertical backlit niches. I also used everyone's long-loved living moss to decorate the wall so that the powder room did not look like a lifeless and dull corridor. The interior lines are clean. The interior is not overflowing with accents and flowers. Everything is concise and restrained: concrete and flowers, the latest technology and wildlife, wood and metal, yin-yang.

The owners of this kitchen had spent the money to upgrade the finishes in their kitchen upon building the home 12 years ago, but after living in the space for several years they realized how nonfunctional the layout really was. The (then) two preschool aged children had grown into busy, hungry teenagers with many friends who also liked to hang out at the house. So the family needed a more functional kitchen with better traffic flow, space for daily activities revolving around the kitchen at different times of day, and a kitchen that could accommodate cooking for and serving large groups. Furthermore, the dark, traditional finishes no longer reflected the homeowners’ style. They requested a brighter, more relaxed, coastal style that reflected their love of the seaside cities they like to visit. Originally, the kitchen was U-shaped with a narrow island in the middle. The island created narrow aisles that bottle-necked at the dishwasher, refrigerator, and cooktop areas. There was a pass-through from the foyer into the kitchen, but the owners never liked that the pass-through was also located so close to the powder room. The awkward proximity was unappealing and made guests feel uncomfortable. The kitchen’s storage was made up of lots of narrow cabinets, apothecary drawers, clipped corner units, and very few drawers. It lacked useful storage for the larger items the family used on a daily basis. And the kitchen’s only pantry was small closet that had only builder-grade, narrow shelving with no illumination to be able to see the contents inside. Overall, the kitchen’s lighting plan was poorly executed. Only six recessed cans illuminated the entire kitchen and nook areas. The under cabinet lighting was not evenly distributed either. In fact, the builder had mis-placed the under cabinet lighting around the decorative pilasters which made for choppy, dark cubbies. Further, the builder didn’t include any lighting over the sink or the bar area, which meant whoever was doing the dishes was always in their own shadow. That, coupled with the steep overhang of the game room above made the bar area feel like a dim, cavernous space that wasn’t inviting or task oriented. The kitchen looked out into the main living space, but the raised bar and a narrow wall (which held the only large cabinet in the kitchen) created more of a barrier than a relationship to the living room or breakfast nook. In fact, one couldn’t even see the breakfast nook from the cooktop or sink areas due to its orientation. The raised bar top was too narrow to comfortably sit to either dine at or chat from due to the lack of knee space. The the homeowners confided that the kitchen felt more like a dark, dirty prison than place where the family, or their guests, wanted to gather and commune. The clients' needs and desires were: ➢ to create a kitchen that would be a space the family loved to be in; to relate to the adjacent spaces all around, and to have better flow for entertaining large groups ➢ to remove the walls between the breakfast nook and living area and to be able to utilize the natural light from the windows in both those areas ➢ to incorporate a functional chopping block for prepping fresh food for home cooked meals, an island with a large sink and drain board, 2 pull out trash cans, and seating for at least the 2 teens to eat or do homework ➢ to design a kitchen and breakfast nook with an airy, coastal, relaxed vibe that blended with the rest of the house's coastal theme ➢ to integrate a layered lighting plan which would include ample general illumination, specific task lighting, decorative lighting, and lots of illuminated storage ➢ to design a kitchen with not only more storage for all the husband’s kitchen gadgets and collection of oils and spices, but smart storage, including a coffee/breakfast bar and a place to store and conceal the toaster oven and microwave ➢ to find a way to utilize the large open space between the kitchen, pantry area, and breakfast nook Twelve Stones Designs achieved the owner's goals by: ➢ removing the walls between the kitchen and living room to allow the natural light to filter in from the adjacent rooms and to create a connection between the kitchen, nook, and living spaces for a sense of unity and communion ➢ removing the existing pantry and designing 3 large pantry style cabinets with LED tape lights and rollout drawers to house lots of kitchen appliances, gadgets, and tons of groceries. We also took the cabinets all the way up to the 9’ ceiling for additional storage for seasonal items and bulk storage. ➢ designing 2 islands - 1 with a gorgeous black walnut chopping block that houses a drawer for chopping and carving knives and a custom double pull out trash unit for point of use utilization - and 1 that houses the dishwasher, a large Blanco Gourmet sink with integrated drain board, woven baskets for fresh root vegetables and kitchen towels, plenty of drawer storage for kitchen items, and bar seating for up to 4 diners. ➢ closing off the space between the kitchen and the powder room to create a beautiful new private alcove for the powder room as well as adding some decorative storage. This also gave us space to include more tall storage near the new range for precision placement of the husband’s extensive oil and spice collection as well as a location for a combo-steam oven the wife wanted for baking and cooking healthy meals. The project is enhanced functionally by: ➢ incorporated USB and standard receptacles for the kids’ laptops and phone charging in the large island ➢ designing the small island to include additional open shelving for items used on a daily basis such as a variety of bowls, plates, and colanders. This set up also works well for the husband who prefers to “plate” his dinners in restaurant-style fashion before presenting them to the table. ➢ the integration of specific storage units, such as double stacked cutlery drawers, a custom spice pull-out, a Kuerig coffee and tea pod drawer, and custom double stacked utensil drawers ➢ moving the refrigerator to the old oven location - this eliminated the bottle neck as well as created a better relationship to the eating table. It also utilizes the floor space between the pantry, nook, and kitchen ➢ creating a banquet style breakfast nook - this banquette seating not only doubles the amount of seating for large gatherings but it better utilizes the odd space between the kitchen and the previous nook area. It also helps to create a distinct pathway from the mudroom room through the pantry area, kitchen, nook, and living room. ➢ the coffee/breakfast bar area which includes the perfect location for the concealed microwave and toaster oven, convenient storage for the coffee pods and tea accoutrements. Roll-out drawers below also house the smoothie maker, hot water kettle, and a plethora of smoothie-making ingredients such as protein powders, smoothie additives, etc. Furthermore, the drawers below the Keurig house measuring utensil, cutlery, baking supplies and tupperware storage. ➢ incorporating lots of wide drawers and pullouts to accommodate large cookware. ➢ utilizing as much vertical space as possible by building storage to the ceiling which accommodates the family’s abundant amount of serving platters, baking sheets, bakeware, casserole dishes, and additional cutting boards. The project is enhanced aesthetically by: ➢ new 5-piece Versailles pattern porcelain tile that now seamlessly joins the entire down stairs area together creating a bright, cohesiveness feeling instead of choppy separated spaces - it also adds a coastal feeling ➢ designing a cabinet to conceal the microwave and toaster oven ➢ the coastal influenced light fixtures over the nook table and island ➢ the sandy colors of the Langdon Cambria countertops. The swirling pattern and sparkling quartz pieces remind the homeowner of black-and-tan sandy beaches ➢ the striped banquet seating whose creamy white background and blue-green stripes were the inspiration for the cabinet and wall colors. ➢ All the interior doors were painted black to coordinate with the blacks and grays in the backsplash tile and countertop. This also adds a hint of tailored formality to an otherwise casual space. ➢ the use of WAC's Oculux small aperture LED units for the overhead lighting complimented with Diode LED strips for task lighting under the cabinets and inside the pantry and glass wall cabinets. All of the lighting applications are on separate dimmer switches. Innovative uses of materials or construction methods by Realty Restoration LLC: ➢ Each 1-1/2” x 3” block of reclaimed end-grain black walnut that makes up the center island chopping block was hand milled and built in the shop. It was designed to look substantial and proportional to the surrounding elements, executed by creating the 4 inch tall top with a solid wood chamfered edge band. ➢ The metal doors on either side of the vent hood were also custom designed for this project and built in the Realty Restoration LLC shop. They are made 1x2, 11-gauge mild steel with ribbed glass. Weighing 60 lbs a piece, heavy duty cabinet hinges were added to support the weight of the door and keep them from sagging. ➢ Under-cabinet receptacles were added along the range wall in order to have a clean, uninterrupted backsplash. Design obstacles to overcome: ➢ Because we were removing the demising walls between the kitchen and living room, we had to find a way to plumb and vent the new island. We did this by tunneling through the slab (the slab had post tension cables which prevented us from just trenching) to run a new wet vent through a nearby structural wall. We pulled the existing hot and cold lines between upper floor joists and ran them down the structural wall as well and up through a conduit in the tunnel. ➢ Since we were converting from wall overs to a gas range it allowed us to utilize the 220 feed for the wall ovens to provide a new sub panel for all the new kitchen circuits ➢ Due to framing deficiencies inherited from the original build there was a 1-1/2” differential in the floor-to-ceiling height over a 20 foot span; by utilizing the process of cutting and furring coupled with the crown moulding details on the cabinet elevations we were able to mask the problem and provide seamless transitions between the cabinet components. Evidence of superior craftsmanship: ➢ uniquely designed, one-of-a-kind metal “X” end panels on the large island. The end panels were custom made in the Realty Restoration LLC shop and fitted to the exact dimensions of the island. The welding seams are completely indistinguishable - the posts look like they are cut from a single sheet of metal ➢ square metal posts on the small island were also custom made and designed to compliment and carry through the metal element s throughout the kitchen ➢ the beautiful, oversized end panels on the pantry cabinets which give the breakfast nook a tailored look ➢ integrating a large format 5 piece Versailles tile pattern to seamlessly flow from the existing spaces into the new kitchen space ➢ By constructing a custom cabinet that jogged around a corner we could not remodel (housing the entry way coat closet) we were able to camouflage the adjacent wall offset within the upper and lower cabinets. By designing around the existing jog in the structural walls we accomplished a few things: we were able to find the space to house, and hide, the microwave and toaster oven yet still have a clean cohesive appearance from the kitchen side. Additionally, the owners were able to keep their much needed coat closet and we didn’t have to increase the budget with unnecessary structural work.

This custom Arts & Crafts Crown Point Cabinetry kitchen and bar area features, Quartersawn White Oak with a Washington Cherry stained finish. The Island and custom Range Hood both feature, Bee’s Wax over Eco Brown stain and Burnished over Maple. The kitchen and bar area cabinetry have a Craftsman style door with Black Walnut pegs, while the island presents an Old Cupboard door style that blends seamlessly. Additionally, the doors and drawers also feature a soft close element. Photo by Crown Point Cabinetry

Since it was built in 1910 by Alfred and Grace Hare this home has been lovingly cared for by it’s past and present owners, and for that care it was declared a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument. The home’s charm is everywhere: stone porch, shingles, original wood wainscoting and trims, glass buffet, but our clients’ young family had desperately outgrown the tiny kitchen. With thought, care, and quality workmanship an addition at the rear afforded them a new kitchen and main bedroom suite. Hive Home designed the kitchen to marry modern function with the home’s historic whimsy, creating a fresh space that feels right at home. The main bath is a soothing respite with a custom colored historic tile floor and a generous shower space. So many subtle details were decided on (keep an eye out for the hares), and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the result. We hope our clients love their new space for many happy years to come!

The Pond House is an architect designed mid-century modern ranch home originally built in the 1964. One of the home’s many distinctive features is a porch that wraps the full length of the rear of the house, overlooking a beautiful pond. The current owners want to extend the enjoyment of this view year round, and asked us to present solutions for enclosing a portion of this porch. We proposed a small addition, carefully designed to complement this amazing house, which is built around a hexagonal floorplan with distinctive “flying gable” rooflines. The result is a stunning glass walled addition. The project also encompassed several complimentary upgrades to other parts of the house. Design Criteria: - Provide 4-season breakfast room with view of the pond. - Tightly integrate the new structure into the existing design. - Use sustainable, energy efficient building practices and materials. Special Features: - Dramatic, 1.5-story, glass walled breakfast room. - Custom fabricated steel and glass exterior stairway. - Soy-based spray foam insulation - Standing seam galvalume “Cool Roof”. - Pella Designer series windows

Our Goal with this project was to update this space to make it more Modern. We opened it up, brightened up this space with new lighting, white cabinets, open shelving. It is now a modern, bright, functional, and comfortable space to live and entertain. https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/82192712/video/my-houzz-mila-kunis-surprises-her-parents-with-a-condo-makeover

The Ackerman-Dater House was built in 1745 and is the recipient of the prestigious State of New Jersey Historic Preservation Award. Ensuing years had taken their toll on the house and major intervention was needed when the owners engaged Morpurgo Architects to restore their home. Our collaboration has protected and preserved this house, perpetuating its continued use. Today, the Ackerman-Dater House is a historic residence that incorporates various contextual building periods, each in harmony with the original, producing a cohesive whole. With the sensitively-placed addition of a new wing, compatible with the style of the existing architecture, we enhanced the Ackerman-Dater House and ensured that it would meet the functional needs of a family living in current times. Preservation of the Ackerman-Dater House maintains the character and history of our mutual past, benefiting the entire community. For our exceptional restoration, client, contractor and Morpurgo Architects were presented with the NJ State and the Bergen County Historic Preservation Awards.

The Pond House is an architect designed mid-century modern ranch home originally built in the 1964. One of the home’s many distinctive features is a porch that wraps the full length of the rear of the house, overlooking a beautiful pond. The current owners want to extend the enjoyment of this view year round, and asked us to present solutions for enclosing a portion of this porch. We proposed a small addition, carefully designed to complement this amazing house, which is built around a hexagonal floorplan with distinctive “flying gable” rooflines. The result is a stunning glass walled addition. The project also encompassed several complimentary upgrades to other parts of the house. Design Criteria: - Provide 4-season breakfast room with view of the pond. - Tightly integrate the new structure into the existing design. - Use sustainable, energy efficient building practices and materials. Special Features: - Dramatic, 1.5-story, glass walled breakfast room. - Custom fabricated steel and glass exterior stairway. - Soy-based spray foam insulation - Standing seam galvalume “Cool Roof”. - Pella Designer series windows

I am glad to present a new project, Powder room design in a modern style. This project is as simple as it is not ordinary with its solution. The powder room is the most typical, small. I used wallpaper for this project, changing the visual space - increasing it. The idea was to extend the semicircular corridor by creating additional vertical backlit niches. I also used everyone's long-loved living moss to decorate the wall so that the powder room did not look like a lifeless and dull corridor. The interior lines are clean. The interior is not overflowing with accents and flowers. Everything is concise and restrained: concrete and flowers, the latest technology and wildlife, wood and metal, yin-yang.

This yard in Calgary's Northwest was designed to make the many elevation changes that initially presented plenty of construction accessibility issues seem as though the house always was planned to sit on the lot high above the street at the front of the home. Additionally, it was imperative that the yard remained easy to maintain without sacrificing any aesthetic appeal for the avid gardener who was also the homeowner. Impressive large dimension stone retaining walls terrace both the front and backyard of this home. In the back, a large multi-level deck provide a simple, clean and natural transition to the backyard, Extensive concrete walkways and stairs provide a stable and structural entry and exit to this stunning west coast inspired home. Photo Credit: Jamen Rhodes

The cooking side of the kitchen features matching white panel cabinets with brushed nickel hardware. Light grey 2 ½ inch X 10 I nch ceramic subway tile with white grout was used to complete the backsplash and wall, from the countertops all the way up to the crown moldings. Stunning dark-honed Granite countertops flank the perimeter and offer a perfect way to blend in the Thermador six-burner gas range, which features a lighted control panel. Two Thermador ovens are located on either side of the range, presenting the ideal “hot” food preparation workspace.

The home began life as an unassuming ranch on a large lot in Palos Heights, a southern suburb of Chicago. And then, several years ago, this quiet little home was purchased for the large property that it sat on by two people that love to garden and envisioned a dream. Along with the yard, the quiet home was also in for a complete new life with it’s new people. Lifestyles today require homes to function differently than 50 years ago so the clients went about building-in new and repurposing original space. When all the dust settled from the large construction revisions the clients looked at their existing kitchen and decided it was now time to move this room to another level. LaMantia kitchen designer, James Campbell, CKD, saw many opportunities to open the flow and enlarge the existing kitchen footprint. But, mostly, the drawings Campbell presented to the clients, played mainly into marrying the glorious outdoor space into the interior of the home. The original furnace room, sitting just behind the kitchen and abandoned during a previous construction, offered the possibility of additional kitchen square footage. Enlarging both the Family and Living Room entries into the kitchen played a significant part of the open flow Campbell was looking to achieve;widening these opening allowed clear views of both the front and back outside expanses of the home.

Side-by-side before-and-after rendering of a coastal single-story home transformation. The before image shows a simple older stucco house with modest windows, a basic patio, and sparse landscaping. The after image presents a refined luxury tropical modern design with white stucco walls, a dark metal roof, large black-framed glass openings, covered outdoor living space, and updated landscaping, while maintaining the same overall house identity and perspective.

Large minimalist backyard concrete paver full sun patio photo in Chicago

The cooking side of the kitchen features matching white panel cabinets with brushed nickel hardware. Light grey 2 ½ inch X 10 I nch ceramic subway tile with white grout was used to complete the backsplash and wall, from the countertops all the way up to the crown moldings. Stunning dark-honed Granite countertops flank the perimeter and offer a perfect way to blend in the Thermador six-burner gas range, which features a lighted control panel. Two Thermador ovens are located on either side of the range, presenting the ideal “hot” food preparation workspace.

The cooking side of the kitchen features matching white panel cabinets with brushed nickel hardware. Light grey 2 ½ inch X 10 I nch ceramic subway tile with white grout was used to complete the backsplash and wall, from the countertops all the way up to the crown moldings. Stunning dark-honed Granite countertops flank the perimeter and offer a perfect way to blend in the Thermador six-burner gas range, which features a lighted control panel. Two Thermador ovens are located on either side of the range, presenting the ideal “hot” food preparation workspace.

The wine cellar capacity is 1,230 bottles, using elegant Sapele Mahogany, finished with a walnut stain and furniture grade satin finish to protect the wood and provide a beautiful look and feel. The cellar is refrigerated by a fully ducted CellarPro 4200VSi self-contained cooling unit that is located in the attic. By ducting the cooling unit, the cellar gained additional racking capacity, and benefited from a cleaner aesthetic inside the cellar. Photo by Charles Lauersdorf

This custom Arts & Crafts Crown Point Cabinetry kitchen and bar area features, Quartersawn White Oak with a Washington Cherry stained finish. The Island and custom Range Hood both feature, Bee’s Wax over Eco Brown stain and Burnished over Maple. The kitchen and bar area cabinetry have a Craftsman style door with Black Walnut pegs, while the island presents an Old Cupboard door style that blends seamlessly. Additionally, the doors and drawers also feature a soft close element. Photo by Crown Point Cabinetry