Nestled within an established west-end enclave, this transformation is both contemporary yet traditional—in keeping with the surrounding neighbourhood's aesthetic. A family home is refreshed with a spacious master suite, large, bright kitchen suitable for both casual gatherings and entertaining, and a sizeable rear addition. The kitchen's crisp, clean palette is the perfect neutral foil for the handmade backsplash, and generous floor-to-ceiling windows provide a vista to the lush green yard and onto the Humber ravine. The rear 2-storey addition is blended seamlessly with the existing home, revealing a new master suite bedroom and sleek ensuite with bold blue tiling. Two additional additional bedrooms were refreshed to update juvenile kids' rooms to more mature finishes and furniture—appropriate for young adults.

Nestled within an established west-end enclave, this transformation is both contemporary yet traditional—in keeping with the surrounding neighbourhood's aesthetic. A family home is refreshed with a spacious master suite, large, bright kitchen suitable for both casual gatherings and entertaining, and a sizeable rear addition. The kitchen's crisp, clean palette is the perfect neutral foil for the handmade backsplash, and generous floor-to-ceiling windows provide a vista to the lush green yard and onto the Humber ravine. The rear 2-storey addition is blended seamlessly with the existing home, revealing a new master suite bedroom and sleek ensuite with bold blue tiling. Two additional additional bedrooms were refreshed to update juvenile kids' rooms to more mature finishes and furniture—appropriate for young adults.

Nestled within an established west-end enclave, this transformation is both contemporary yet traditional—in keeping with the surrounding neighbourhood's aesthetic. A family home is refreshed with a spacious master suite, large, bright kitchen suitable for both casual gatherings and entertaining, and a sizeable rear addition. The kitchen's crisp, clean palette is the perfect neutral foil for the handmade backsplash, and generous floor-to-ceiling windows provide a vista to the lush green yard and onto the Humber ravine. The rear 2-storey addition is blended seamlessly with the existing home, revealing a new master suite bedroom and sleek ensuite with bold blue tiling. Two additional additional bedrooms were refreshed to update juvenile kids' rooms to more mature finishes and furniture—appropriate for young adults.

Nestled within an established west-end enclave, this transformation is both contemporary yet traditional—in keeping with the surrounding neighbourhood's aesthetic. A family home is refreshed with a spacious master suite, large, bright kitchen suitable for both casual gatherings and entertaining, and a sizeable rear addition. The kitchen's crisp, clean palette is the perfect neutral foil for the handmade backsplash, and generous floor-to-ceiling windows provide a vista to the lush green yard and onto the Humber ravine. The rear 2-storey addition is blended seamlessly with the existing home, revealing a new master suite bedroom and sleek ensuite with bold blue tiling. Two additional additional bedrooms were refreshed to update juvenile kids' rooms to more mature finishes and furniture—appropriate for young adults.

Nestled within an established west-end enclave, this transformation is both contemporary yet traditional—in keeping with the surrounding neighbourhood's aesthetic. A family home is refreshed with a spacious master suite, large, bright kitchen suitable for both casual gatherings and entertaining, and a sizeable rear addition. The kitchen's crisp, clean palette is the perfect neutral foil for the handmade backsplash, and generous floor-to-ceiling windows provide a vista to the lush green yard and onto the Humber ravine. The rear 2-storey addition is blended seamlessly with the existing home, revealing a new master suite bedroom and sleek ensuite with bold blue tiling. Two additional additional bedrooms were refreshed to update juvenile kids' rooms to more mature finishes and furniture—appropriate for young adults.

Travertine floors, aluminum doors, and other details were also carefully selected to match the established vocabulary. Casey Dunn Photography
Example of a large trendy open concept ceramic tile and beige floor family room design in Houston with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Design Services Provided - Architect was asked to convert this 1950's Split Level Style home into a Traditional Style home with a 2-story height grand entry foyer. The new design includes modern amenities such as a large 'Open Plan' kitchen, a family room, a home office, an oversized garage, spacious bedrooms with large closets, a second floor laundry room and a private master bedroom suite for the owners that includes two walk-in closets and a grand master bathroom with a vaulted ceiling. The Architect presented the new design using Professional 3D Design Software. This approach allowed the Owners to clearly understand the proposed design and secondly, it was beneficial to the Contractors who prepared Preliminary Cost Estimates. The construction duration was nine months and the project was completed in September 2015. The client is thrilled with the end results! We established a wonderful working relationship and a lifetime friendship. I am truly thankful for this opportunity to design this home and work with this client!

Design Services Provided - Architect was asked to convert this 1950's Split Level Style home into a Traditional Style home with a 2-story height grand entry foyer. The new design includes modern amenities such as a large 'Open Plan' kitchen, a family room, a home office, an oversized garage, spacious bedrooms with large closets, a second floor laundry room and a private master bedroom suite for the owners that includes two walk-in closets and a grand master bathroom with a vaulted ceiling. The Architect presented the new design using Professional 3D Design Software. This approach allowed the Owners to clearly understand the proposed design and secondly, it was beneficial to the Contractors who prepared Preliminary Cost Estimates. The construction duration was nine months and the project was completed in September 2015. The client is thrilled with the end results! We established a wonderful working relationship and a lifetime friendship. I am truly thankful for this opportunity to design this home and work with this client!

The project establishes a dialogue between the old home and the new addition; views are carefully framed from one to the other to create linkages between spaces.

Not evident from the street, the parti for this new home is a sweeping arc of glass which forms an expansive panorama of a wooded river valley beyond in the rear. The lot is located in an established and planned neighborhood, which is adjacent to a heavily forested metropark. The house is comprised of two levels; the primary living areas are located on the main level including the master bedroom suite. Additional living and entertaining areas are located below with access to the lower level outdoor living spaces. The large floor-to-ceiling curtain of glass and open floor plan allow all main living spaces access to views and light while affording privacy where required, primarily along the sides of the property. Kitchen and eating areas include a large floating island which allows for meal preparation while entertaining, and the many large retracting glass doors allow for easy flow to the outdoor spaces. The exterior materials were chosen for durability and minimal maintenance, including ultra- compact porcelain, stone, synthetic stucco, cement siding, stained fir roof underhangs and exterior ceilings. Lighting is downplayed with special fixtures where important areas are highlighted. The fireplace wall has a hidden door to the master suite veneered in concrete panels. The kitchen is sleek with hidden appliances behind full-height (responsibly harvested) rosewood veneer panels. Interiors include a soft muted palette with minimalist fixtures and details. Careful attention was given to the variable ceiling heights throughout, for example in the foyer and dining room. The foyer area is raised and expressed as the large porcelain clad element of the entrance, and becomes a defining part of the composition of the façade from the street.

'Skylands' oriental spruce, male cones. Photo by Jay Sifford.
Eclectic home design photo in Charlotte

Design Services Provided - Architect was asked to convert this 1950's Split Level Style home into a Traditional Style home with a 2-story height grand entry foyer. The new design includes modern amenities such as a large 'Open Plan' kitchen, a family room, a home office, an oversized garage, spacious bedrooms with large closets, a second floor laundry room and a private master bedroom suite for the owners that includes two walk-in closets and a grand master bathroom with a vaulted ceiling. The Architect presented the new design using Professional 3D Design Software. This approach allowed the Owners to clearly understand the proposed design and secondly, it was beneficial to the Contractors who prepared Preliminary Cost Estimates. The construction duration was nine months and the project was completed in September 2015. The client is thrilled with the end results! We established a wonderful working relationship and a lifetime friendship. I am truly thankful for this opportunity to design this home and work with this client!

blue palo verde tree Parkinsonia florida yellow flowers Southwest
Photo of a southwestern landscaping in Phoenix.

Design Services Provided - Architect was asked to convert this 1950's Split Level Style home into a Traditional Style home with a 2-story height grand entry foyer. The new design includes modern amenities such as a large 'Open Plan' kitchen, a family room, a home office, an oversized garage, spacious bedrooms with large closets, a second floor laundry room and a private master bedroom suite for the owners that includes two walk-in closets and a grand master bathroom with a vaulted ceiling. The Architect presented the new design using Professional 3D Design Software. This approach allowed the Owners to clearly understand the proposed design and secondly, it was beneficial to the Contractors who prepared Preliminary Cost Estimates. The construction duration was nine months and the project was completed in September 2015. The client is thrilled with the end results! We established a wonderful working relationship and a lifetime friendship. I am truly thankful for this opportunity to design this home and work with this client!

This collection of four residential remodel and addition projects across the City of Boulder reflects Nicole’s thoughtful, detail-driven approach to transforming existing homes. Each project balances the constraints of working within established neighborhoods and strict local regulations with the opportunity to reimagine spaces for modern living. From interior reconfigurations to carefully integrated additions, these homes were redesigned to improve flow, bring in natural light, and create a stronger connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Nicole guided each project through feasibility, design, and the complexities of City of Boulder Planning and Development Services, helping homeowners navigate permitting, zoning, and review processes with clarity and confidence. The result is a set of highly tailored homes that feel both refreshed and enduring—designed to support the evolving needs of each family while respecting the character of their surrounding context.

Lacking street presence and an inability to enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape, this 1940’s hipped roof bungalow sat unassumingly on its site in the prairie west of Junction City. ​ The vision of this renovation was to transform and bring new life into the bungalow, keeping within regional vernacular styles, by establishing a more prominent street presence, building a three-story addition to the original house, and bringing in more light to allow for expansive views of the surrounding prairie. ​ The renovation of the existing bungalow required removing overbuilt layers of gypsum board and plaster and lath to reveal the original dimensional 2x4 wall studs. The basement was structurally reinforced to adequately support load bearing walls. The house became more functional by resizing two bedrooms with a relocated Jack and Jill expanded bathroom and expanding and reconfiguring the living room and kitchen to create an open floor plan. A storm shelter was added underneath a new front porch to give protection and peace of mind during Kansas severe weather. The street presence was dramatically improved with new windows, updated siding, and a new gabled roof extending over a front porch. ​ A three story addition to the rear of the house improves function on the first floor with the addition of a dining room directly off the kitchen with large wrap around windows to the south and east. A second full bathroom and adjacent laundry room was added to the first floor. A second floor master suite and full bathroom includes a balcony and expansive windows to the south and east. The stair tower connecting all levels of the house culminates in a 360° viewing room on the third floor allowing for unobstructed views of the natural landscape and passing thunderstorms.

Lacking street presence and an inability to enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape, this 1940’s hipped roof bungalow sat unassumingly on its site in the prairie west of Junction City. ​ The vision of this renovation was to transform and bring new life into the bungalow, keeping within regional vernacular styles, by establishing a more prominent street presence, building a three-story addition to the original house, and bringing in more light to allow for expansive views of the surrounding prairie. ​ The renovation of the existing bungalow required removing overbuilt layers of gypsum board and plaster and lath to reveal the original dimensional 2x4 wall studs. The basement was structurally reinforced to adequately support load bearing walls. The house became more functional by resizing two bedrooms with a relocated Jack and Jill expanded bathroom and expanding and reconfiguring the living room and kitchen to create an open floor plan. A storm shelter was added underneath a new front porch to give protection and peace of mind during Kansas severe weather. The street presence was dramatically improved with new windows, updated siding, and a new gabled roof extending over a front porch. ​ A three story addition to the rear of the house improves function on the first floor with the addition of a dining room directly off the kitchen with large wrap around windows to the south and east. A second full bathroom and adjacent laundry room was added to the first floor. A second floor master suite and full bathroom includes a balcony and expansive windows to the south and east. The stair tower connecting all levels of the house culminates in a 360° viewing room on the third floor allowing for unobstructed views of the natural landscape and passing thunderstorms.

Lacking street presence and an inability to enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape, this 1940’s hipped roof bungalow sat unassumingly on its site in the prairie west of Junction City. ​ The vision of this renovation was to transform and bring new life into the bungalow, keeping within regional vernacular styles, by establishing a more prominent street presence, building a three-story addition to the original house, and bringing in more light to allow for expansive views of the surrounding prairie. ​ The renovation of the existing bungalow required removing overbuilt layers of gypsum board and plaster and lath to reveal the original dimensional 2x4 wall studs. The basement was structurally reinforced to adequately support load bearing walls. The house became more functional by resizing two bedrooms with a relocated Jack and Jill expanded bathroom and expanding and reconfiguring the living room and kitchen to create an open floor plan. A storm shelter was added underneath a new front porch to give protection and peace of mind during Kansas severe weather. The street presence was dramatically improved with new windows, updated siding, and a new gabled roof extending over a front porch. ​ A three story addition to the rear of the house improves function on the first floor with the addition of a dining room directly off the kitchen with large wrap around windows to the south and east. A second full bathroom and adjacent laundry room was added to the first floor. A second floor master suite and full bathroom includes a balcony and expansive windows to the south and east. The stair tower connecting all levels of the house culminates in a 360° viewing room on the third floor allowing for unobstructed views of the natural landscape and passing thunderstorms.