Cottage home design photo in Boston

The homeowner is a retired professional and a passionate home chef who desired to have the finest in luxury appliances. They interviewed several large design build firms that just didnt listen to them. After approaching our company they discovered we were a perfect fit as we listened to their specific remodeling needs and were not concerned about making the sale. This couple entertains large crowds of people and their kitchen was tiny and outdated for their needs. We opened up the wall between the kitchen and dining room, removed an awkward drop ceiling, added square footage to the kitchen and dining room spaces. Finally adding exterior sliding door with a La Cantina Bi-Fold door. We moved and installed a new sink window at the wall between the kitchen and dining room. The new configuration allowed for more working area as well as much needed additional kitchen storage. An integrated flush Subzero Refrigerator and Freezer are the perfect for this home owners entertaining needs. The island features a Miele Range with and island sink, the second sink is a necessity for this Chef. The details are not overlooked in the cabinetry with the beveled door by Ovation Cabinetry available exclusively at Signature Designs Kitchen Bath in San Diego.

This is an example of a large modern screened-in back porch design in Other with decking and a roof extension.

Our Clients, a retired couple with a dog, were first time renovators. They approached Sosna to renovate their outdated Shared Bathroom because they were embarrassed for guests to use it. The cluttered layout was difficult to navigate, and it lacked useful storage space. As well, there was no fan for proper ventilation. They were concerned about a renovation being messy, and disrupting their everyday lives, as they would be living in their home during construction. They also had a tight deadline that needed to be met. We completed this project on time, with great care taken so the family would be comfortable during the duration of construction. The Bathroom was given a fresh update with clean, modern tiles on the floor and shower walls, which were complimented with herringbone accent tiles. A glass shower door provided a more open and airy feel to the space. A stylish navy blue navy blue prefabricated vanity adorned with elegant gold hardware and a brushed nickel faucet, as well as a white freestanding cabinet, and wall mounted cabinet provided plenty of useful storage space. The Shared Bathroom was tied together with a blend of gold and brushed nickel hardware used throughout. As a result of the renovation, the couple now enjoys a fresh and modern Shared Bathroom that they take pride in showing to their guests. The addition of extra storage space has eliminated clutter, and everything has its place. The installation of a timer fan ensures proper ventilation. These updates have significantly improved the functionality of the Bathroom, creating a more comfortable and useful space for the family.

Eagerly awaiting retirement, a New England-based client acquired a property in a former office building in central Lisbon. Artfully refurbished by Frederico Valsassina Arquitectos, the façade is composed of geometric strata of medium-gray panels alternating with weathered vertical staves. Our studio’s brief was to furnish and equip the interior of the vacation home to converse with the architecture, so family and friends visiting Lisbon would stay in an elegant, private setting, filled with locally-made and designer items. Upon entering, a small shelf and mirror function as a welcome valet. The corridor opens to a cozy living room with lambent afternoon light let in by large sliding doors. Just outside, the balcony sports a café table and chairs set for an aperitivo. An enveloping sofa, produced in Portugal, and an organic recliner, create an intimate lounge area facing a classic, modular media cabinet. An artisan-made wool ottoman adds a beat of color; the lights speak in plump opaline glass and thin black metal rods. The glass top of the dining table fades into the space, leaving its sculptural, marine blue base; in a play of textures, the upholstery of the dining chairs coordinates elegantly with the smoked glass. Tile, oak, and stainless steel come together in a custom kitchen island, with additional counter space and convenient storage. As the interior is replete with oiled oak in the floors, baseboards, doors, and cabinetry, matching wood furniture warms the bedrooms. The vertical spindles of the beds recall the pattern of the exterior façade. Laptop work is accommodated by a small console desk with a chair clothed in burgundy. Acorn-shaped pendants, inviting bed linens and rugs, and undulating curtains, all in the warm white of the walls, form a nest for relaxation.

This thoughtfully-designed, newly-constructed, 1,600 square foot cottage blends timeless Modern Craftsman aesthetics with practical functionality, offering a spacious, light-filled retreat perfect for both day-to-day retirement living and entertaining friends and family. The home features an open-concept layout with a seamless flow between the great room, dining area, and kitchen, creating a welcoming and connected atmosphere. At the heart of the design is a large, covered screened room with a cozy stone fireplace, providing a comfortable indoor-outdoor living space year-round. Adjacent to the screened room is a generous waterside deck, ideal for outdoor entertaining. The deck is complete with a stone-surround outdoor fireplace and ample space for guests, making it the perfect spot to gather while enjoying breathtaking sunsets over the water. The layout includes a private primary bedroom and a second bedroom, both located on the main level for ease of living. The large, functional laundry and mudroom is conveniently situated with exterior access, helping to keep the home organized. It features a walk-in closet adjacent to the oversized two-car garage, providing additional storage and utility. This Modern Craftsman bungalow is designed to blend craftsmanship, comfort, and contemporary living, offering a beautiful and functional space for a modern lifestyle in a serene, natural setting.

This coastal kitchen was designed with modern simplicity in mind to compliment my clients Baja lifestyle. The goal was to make the kitchen space feel larger for their daily use and entertaining purposes. Therefore, we designed the refrigerator to be positioned in the corner of the L shape custom cabinetry plan. Doing so opened the space up for even better interior access into the fridge as the French doors can now open fully. Within the custom cabinet plan, we specifically added a pair of hidden storage garage cubbies on both sides of the refrigerator compartment which gives my clients the ability to capture additional would-be wasted space perfect for hiding items typically left on the counters such as their toaster, coffee maker, bottles of vitamins, etc.. The duel material island with waterfall edges has even more character by adding a solid alder wood counter surface that marries into the quartz utility area surface. The island also has tons of hidden storage space on the front side hidden behind touch release cabinet doors to store items not used as often. Hanging above the island are a pair of glazed clay planters found locally that were transformed into really interesting light pendants through the assistance of our sister company, iron | clay | wood, for all things custom! Adding a bank of custom floating shelves in the same alder wood as the island also gave continuity and balance to the space perfect for displaying my clients collection of everyday dishes and stemware found in Rosarito.

Phil and Rocio, little did you know how perfect your timing was when you came to us and asked for a “small but perfect home”. Fertile ground indeed as we thought about working on something like a precious gem, or what we’re calling a NEW Jewel. So many of our clients now are building smaller homes because they simply don’t need a bigger one. Seems smart for many reasons: less vacuuming, less heating and cooling, less taxes. And for many, less strain on the finances as we get to the point where retirement shines bright and hopeful. For the jewel of a home we wanted to start with 1,000 square feet. Enough room for a pleasant common area, a couple of away rooms for bed and work, a couple of bathrooms and yes to a mudroom and pantry. (For Phil and Rocio’s, we ended up with 1,140 square feet.) The Jewel would not compromise on design intent, envelope or craft intensity. This is the big benefit of the smaller footprint, of course. By using a pure and simple form for the house volume, a true jewel would have enough money in the budget for the highest quality materials, net-zero levels of insulation, triple pane windows, and a high-efficiency heat pump. Additionally, the doors would be handcrafted, the cabinets solid wood, the finishes exquisite, and craftsmanship shudderingly excellent. Our many thanks to Phil and Rocio for including us in their dream home project. It is truly a Jewel! From the homeowners (read their full note here): “It is quite difficult to express the deep sense of gratitude we feel towards everyone that contributed to the Jewel…many of which I don’t have the ability to send this to, or even be able to name. The artistic, creative flair combined with real-life practicality is a major component of our place we will love for many years to come. Please pass on our thanks to everyone that was involved. We look forward to visits from any and all as time goes by." –Phil and Rocio Read more about the first steps for this Jewel on our blog. Reclaimed Wood, Kitchen Cabinetry, Bedroom Door: Pioneer Millworks Entry door: NEWwoodworks Professional Photos: Loren Nelson Photography

Reclaimed wormy chestnut steals the show in this kitchen remodel. The hand-planed, hand-pegged cabinetry and pantry door provide a warm, authentic backdrop. Our clients, a retired couple who enjoy hosting family gatherings with their grandchildren, longed for a space that would welcome a crowd. They desired an open plan to incorporate their bright sunroom that serves as their family room. The light from the sun room would change the existing dark kitchen dramatically. It was important to the couple that the kitchen work zones be tucked away for uninterrupted meal prep and clean up. Their wish list also included the addition of a wet bar area for more storage, home office needs, and entertaining. The white, transitional wet bar cabinetry compliments the chocolate brown chestnut beautifully. The homeowners have a flair for color and were inspired by pieces they collected in their travels leading them to choose red as an accent color along with Tuscan style seating for finishing touches. Matt Villano Photography

We built the original, multi-sided Deltec home for this client in 2009. After a few years, they asked us to add on a traditionally-constructed expansion of two stories, plus 3 third-story tower. Over time, we've constructed a pottery/art studio, a kiln house, storage building, and most recently, a 1,200 sq. ft. Deltec shop to house tools for the owner’s hobby—welding. The secluded compound is far, far off the beaten path, at the end of a one-lane mountain road. Their retirement lifestyle and decorating tastes are traditional casual.

Reclaimed wormy chestnut steals the show in this kitchen remodel. The hand-planed, hand-pegged cabinetry and pantry door provide a warm, authentic backdrop. Our clients, a retired couple who enjoy hosting family gatherings with their grandchildren, longed for a space that would welcome a crown. They desired an open plan to incorporate their bright sunroom that serves as their family room. The light from the sun room would change the existing dark kitchen dramatically. It was important to the couple that the kitchen work zones be tucked away for uninterrupted meal prep and clean up. Their wish list also included the addition of a wet bar area for more storage, home office needs, and entertaining. The white, transitional wet bar cabinetry compliments the chocolate brown chestnut beautifully. The homeowners have a flair for color and were inspired by pieces they collected in their travels leading them to choose red as an accent color along with Tuscan style seating for finishing touches. Matt Villano Photography

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.

The homeowner is a retired professional and a passionate home chef who desired to have the finest in luxury appliances. They interviewed several large design build firms that just didnt listen to them. After approaching our company they discovered we were a perfect fit as we listened to their specific remodeling needs and were not concerned about making the sale. This couple entertains large crowds of people and their kitchen was tiny and outdated for their needs. We opened up the wall between the kitchen and dining room, removed an awkward drop ceiling, added square footage to the kitchen and dining room spaces. Finally adding exterior sliding door with a La Cantina Bi-Fold door. We moved and installed a new sink window at the wall between the kitchen and dining room. The new configuration allowed for more working area as well as much needed additional kitchen storage. An integrated flush Subzero Refrigerator and Freezer are the perfect for this home owners entertaining needs. The island features a Miele Range with and island sink, the second sink is a necessity for this Chef. The details are not overlooked in the cabinetry with the beveled door by Ovation Cabinetry available exclusively at Signature Designs Kitchen Bath in San Diego.

ABOUT THIS PROJECT: On a tight timeline from the sale of their beachfront home, the Owner's purchased this premium 4000 sqft penthouse condo on the ocean at Jacksonville Beach with the need to update quickly. FINISH WORK: The couple appreciated the pre-construction planning, drawings and construction which ended on time as promised for their move in date. Good projects are well thought out and reflected in the finished results. THE UPDATE: The flooring is a mix of blond oak engineered planks and Italian travertine in the hallways along with new millwork/baseboards and trims. . As avid readers, new custom cabinetry entertainment/ media and bookcases were added and a full house paint-out was made with specialty finishes to the vestibule foyer. They valued their old home's pantry system, so we made a custom version to fit their new space and added lighting, a wine "cellar" with a eurocave and added an exercise room with additional soundproofing for those in residence below. CONTRACTOR'S Note: This couple - a healthcare CEO and his wife, a retired teacher and college admissions director for Bolles- were such a delight to work with and know. You can't help but be refreshed and uplifted by their bright and joyful taste. - Matthew Winchenbach, CGC

Eagerly awaiting retirement, a New England-based client acquired a property in a former office building in central Lisbon. Artfully refurbished by Frederico Valsassina Arquitectos, the façade is composed of geometric strata of medium-gray panels alternating with weathered vertical staves. Our studio’s brief was to furnish and equip the interior of the vacation home to converse with the architecture, so family and friends visiting Lisbon would stay in an elegant, private setting, filled with locally-made and designer items. Upon entering, a small shelf and mirror function as a welcome valet. The corridor opens to a cozy living room with lambent afternoon light let in by large sliding doors. Just outside, the balcony sports a café table and chairs set for an aperitivo. An enveloping sofa, produced in Portugal, and an organic recliner, create an intimate lounge area facing a classic, modular media cabinet. An artisan-made wool ottoman adds a beat of color; the lights speak in plump opaline glass and thin black metal rods. The glass top of the dining table fades into the space, leaving its sculptural, marine blue base; in a play of textures, the upholstery of the dining chairs coordinates elegantly with the smoked glass. Tile, oak, and stainless steel come together in a custom kitchen island, with additional counter space and convenient storage. As the interior is replete with oiled oak in the floors, baseboards, doors, and cabinetry, matching wood furniture warms the bedrooms. The vertical spindles of the beds recall the pattern of the exterior façade. Laptop work is accommodated by a small console desk with a chair clothed in burgundy. Acorn-shaped pendants, inviting bed linens and rugs, and undulating curtains, all in the warm white of the walls, form a nest for relaxation.

After recently retiring and spending more time at home, Mercer Island resident, our client was ready to say goodbye to her home’s country kitchen and outdated rooms of 15 years. She was ready to enjoy a reinvigorated kitchen update! We replaced the island with a custom-built island to match the perimeter cabinets’ style and we added a new beverage center near the kitchen’s entryway. The new, stunning, maple countertop on the island immediately grabs your attention and the new, quartz countertop and a subway tile backsplash of the surrounding cabinets provides the perfect complement. In addition, there is now herringbone accent tiling located over the range and new plumbing with stainless steel sinks and matching faucets nearby. After some reconfiguration, the existing cabinets received a fresh coat of paint and new hardware to complete the kitchen upgrade.

A retired couple desired a valiant master suite in their “forever home”. After living in their mid-century house for many years, they approached our design team with a concept to add a 3rd story suite with sweeping views of Puget sound. Our team stood atop the home’s rooftop with the clients admiring the view that this structural lift would create in enjoyment and value. The only concern was how they and their dear-old dog, would get from their ground floor garage entrance in the daylight basement to this new suite in the sky? Our CAPS design team specified universal design elements throughout the home, to allow the couple and their 120lb. Pit Bull Terrier to age in place. A new residential elevator added to the westside of the home. Placing the elevator shaft on the exterior of the home minimized the need for interior structural changes. A shed roof for the addition followed the slope of the site, creating tall walls on the east side of the master suite to allow ample daylight into rooms without sacrificing useable wall space in the closet or bathroom. This kept the western walls low to reduce the amount of direct sunlight from the late afternoon sun, while maximizing the view of the Puget Sound and distant Olympic mountain range. The master suite is the crowning glory of the redesigned home. The bedroom puts the bed up close to the wide picture window. While soothing violet-colored walls and a plush upholstered headboard have created a bedroom that encourages lounging, including a plush dog bed. A private balcony provides yet another excuse for never leaving the bedroom suite, and clerestory windows between the bedroom and adjacent master bathroom help flood the entire space with natural light. The master bathroom includes an easy-access shower, his-and-her vanities with motion-sensor toe kick lights, and pops of beachy blue in the tile work and on the ceiling for a spa-like feel. Some other universal design features in this master suite include wider doorways, accessible balcony, wall mounted vanities, tile and vinyl floor surfaces to reduce transition and pocket doors for easy use. A large walk-through closet links the bedroom and bathroom, with clerestory windows at the high ceilings The third floor is finished off with a vestibule area with an indoor sauna, and an adjacent entertainment deck with an outdoor kitchen & bar.

This private residence, located in a planned community along Fort Loudoun Lake in Knoxville, Tennessee, is intended to be a forever home for the client couple and their family as the couple nears retirement. Designed with family gatherings and lake views in mind, those entering the stone-clad cottage are greeted with immediate views of the water. Passing through an entry corridor and then through an oversized archway, the grand, vaulted living and dining areas flank the path to large sliding doors opening onto a covered veranda that overlooks the pool and lake beyond. The interior architecture is open and light, with two en suite master bedrooms on the main level and three guest suites tucked into the eaves over the garage. The home’s furnishings are an eclectic mix of the homeowner’s unique collections, a blend of comfortable and curated. The exterior is monochromatic in color with shake siding and trim at the gable ends painted to complement the light tan and grays of the stone cladding, creating a French country feel. Custom-painted wood shutters and rich wood entry doors add additional character to the exterior.

The homeowner is a retired professional and a passionate home chef who desired to have the finest in luxury appliances. They interviewed several large design build firms that just didnt listen to them. After approaching our company they discovered we were a perfect fit as we listened to their specific remodeling needs and were not concerned about making the sale. This couple entertains large crowds of people and their kitchen was tiny and outdated for their needs. We opened up the wall between the kitchen and dining room, removed an awkward drop ceiling, added square footage to the kitchen and dining room spaces. Finally adding exterior sliding door with a La Cantina Bi-Fold door. We moved and installed a new sink window at the wall between the kitchen and dining room. The new configuration allowed for more working area as well as much needed additional kitchen storage. An integrated flush Subzero Refrigerator and Freezer are the perfect for this home owners entertaining needs. The island features a Miele Range with and island sink, the second sink is a necessity for this Chef. The details are not overlooked in the cabinetry with the beveled door by Ovation Cabinetry available exclusively at Signature Designs Kitchen Bath in San Diego.