This project transformed a basic builder-grade deck and unlandscaped yard into a beautifully designed outdoor living space. The renovation included elevating the architectural finish of the deck with low-maintenance fascia, trim, and wrapped columns as well as the addition of a pergola for shade and style. A new fireplace was added to create a cozy seating arrangement, adding both privacy and visual interest. The landscaping was enhanced with a patio and a gas fire pit seating area, perfect for relaxation and gatherings. Additionally, a dining area was incorporated to facilitate hosting and entertaining. To address the yard’s excessive slope, a retaining wall was constructed, leveling the terrain and providing a more functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor space.

To accommodate the new living/TV area at the back of the main floor, the kitchen moved over into the former family room. This move not only allowed for a contemporary update to the U-shaped kitchen but also addressed the challenge of an awkward space with multiple entrances and travel paths.

This basement renovation was specifically designed to provide additional and more functional entertaining space. We addressed the previous layout, where the old bar somewhat divided the area, by installing a new bar that seamlessly opens up the floor plan, creating a much more inviting space for gatherings. We also relocated the main gathering area to the larger open section of the basement. This allowed us to incorporate the big screened TV, making it a focal point for entertainment. The custom-designed built-in shelving unit serves multiple purposes. It cleverly integrates a necessary support beam into the design while also subtly defining the game table area. Furthermore, this piece offers a stylish wine display and includes concealed shelving for convenient storage.

Mid-sized minimalist garage workshop photo in Cleveland

This basement renovation was specifically designed to provide additional and more functional entertaining space. We addressed the previous layout, where the old bar somewhat divided the area, by installing a new bar that seamlessly opens up the floor plan, creating a much more inviting space for gatherings. We also relocated the main gathering area to the larger open section of the basement. This allowed us to incorporate the big screened TV, making it a focal point for entertainment. The custom-designed built-in shelving unit serves multiple purposes. It cleverly integrates a necessary support beam into the design while also subtly defining the game table area. Furthermore, this piece offers a stylish wine display and includes concealed shelving for convenient storage.

This basement renovation was specifically designed to provide additional and more functional entertaining space. We addressed the previous layout, where the old bar somewhat divided the area, by installing a new bar that seamlessly opens up the floor plan, creating a much more inviting space for gatherings. We also relocated the main gathering area to the larger open section of the basement. This allowed us to incorporate the big screened TV, making it a focal point for entertainment. The custom-designed built-in shelving unit serves multiple purposes. It cleverly integrates a necessary support beam into the design while also subtly defining the game table area. Furthermore, this piece offers a stylish wine display and includes concealed shelving for convenient storage.

As a central focus of the project, the Kitchen remodel addresses both the challenging flow of the rooms and outlines a seamless connection to the existing interior character. The original Kitchen entrance from the back hall featured a central set of stairs that divided the room. The new design removes these stairs opening up the Breakfast Banquette, Kitchen, and Butler’s Pantry into one expansive, flowing space. The Kitchen is now equipped with multiple seating areas and additional surfaces for food prep and service to support both casual gatherings and catered events. The new Kitchen design incorporated traditional finishes such as natural stone and neutral color tones, complemented by white cabinetry and millwork.

Trendy living room photo in New York

This modern home, near Cedar Lake, built in 1900, was originally a corner store. A massive conversion transformed the home into a spacious, multi-level residence in the 1990’s. However, the home’s lot was unusually steep and overgrown with vegetation. In addition, there were concerns about soil erosion and water intrusion to the house. The homeowners wanted to resolve these issues and create a much more useable outdoor area for family and pets. Castle, in conjunction with Field Outdoor Spaces, designed and built a large deck area in the back yard of the home, which includes a detached screen porch and a bar & grill area under a cedar pergola. The previous, small deck was demolished and the sliding door replaced with a window. A new glass sliding door was inserted along a perpendicular wall to connect the home’s interior kitchen to the backyard oasis. The screen house doors are made from six custom screen panels, attached to a top mount, soft-close track. Inside the screen porch, a patio heater allows the family to enjoy this space much of the year. Concrete was the material chosen for the outdoor countertops, to ensure it lasts several years in Minnesota’s always-changing climate. Trex decking was used throughout, along with red cedar porch, pergola and privacy lattice detailing. The front entry of the home was also updated to include a large, open porch with access to the newly landscaped yard. Cable railings from Loftus Iron add to the contemporary style of the home, including a gate feature at the top of the front steps to contain the family pets when they’re let out into the yard. Tour this project in person, September 28 – 29, during the 2019 Castle Home Tour!

The goal of this project was to provide a lush and vast garden for the new owners of this recently remodeled brick Georgian. Located in Wheaton this acre plus property is surrounded by beautiful Oaks. Preserving the Oaks became a particular challenge with the ample front walk and generous entertaining spaces the client desired. Under most of the Oaks the turf was in very poor condition, and most of the property was covered with undesirable overgrown underbrush such as Garlic Mustard weed and Buckthorn. With a recently completed addition, the garages were pushed farther from the front door leaving a large distance between the drive and entry to the home. This prompted the addition of a secondary door off the kitchen. A meandering walk curves past the secondary entry and leads guests through the front garden to the main entry. Off the secondary door a “kitchen patio” complete with a custom gate and Green Mountain Boxwood hedge give the clients a quaint space to enjoy a morning cup of joe. Stepping stone pathways lead around the home and weave through multiple pocket gardens within the vast backyard. The paths extend deep into the property leading to individual and unique gardens with a variety of plantings that are tied together with rustic stonewalls and sinuous turf areas. Closer to the home a large paver patio opens up to the backyard gardens. New stoops were constructed and existing stoops were covered in bluestone and mortared stonewalls were added, complimenting the classic Georgian architecture. The completed project accomplished all the goals of creating a lush and vast garden that fit the remodeled home and lifestyle of its new owners. Through careful planning, all mature Oaks were preserved, undesirables removed and numerous new plantings along with detailed stonework helped to define the new landscape.

Doors conceal both the linen and laundry closet
Small elegant single-wall carpeted home design photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, limestone countertops, beige walls and a stacked washer/dryer

Bob Greenspan
Bedroom - mid-sized transitional master dark wood floor bedroom idea in Kansas City with gray walls

Mountain style dark wood floor great room photo with a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

The Abraham Knowlton House (c. 1725) was nearly demolished to make room for the expansion of a nearby commercial building. Thankfully, this historic home was saved from that fate after surviving a long, drawn out battle. When we began the project, the building was in a lamentable state of disrepair due to long-term neglect. Before we could begin on the restoration and renovation of the house proper, we needed to raise the entire structure in order to repair and fortify the foundation. The design project was substantial, involving the transformation of this historic house into beautiful and yet highly functional condominiums. The final design brought this home back to its original, stately appearance while giving it a new lease on life as a home for multiple families. Winner, 2003 Mary P. Conley Award for historic home restoration and preservation Photo Credit: Cynthia August

At 35+ years, this Ft Worth lake-home is wearing it’s age very well. To freshen up the surrounding landscaping and supporting elements, our clients dreamed of an avant garde look for both the front and backyard outdoor living space that tied together. One Specialty designed a re-imagined driveway, address monument, welcoming area and Xeriscape landscaping for the front. We constructed a multi-level deck made with Trex, complete with an outdoor kitchen and outdoor bar in the backyard, resulting in multiple vignettes for entertaining which are fully wheelchair accessible. To see before photos and more information on this project: http://www.onespecialty.com/lake-retreat/

This project transformed a basic builder-grade deck and unlandscaped yard into a beautifully designed outdoor living space. The renovation included elevating the architectural finish of the deck with low-maintenance fascia, trim, and wrapped columns as well as the addition of a pergola for shade and style. A new fireplace was added to create a cozy seating arrangement, adding both privacy and visual interest. The landscaping was enhanced with a patio and a gas fire pit seating area, perfect for relaxation and gatherings. Additionally, a dining area was incorporated to facilitate hosting and entertaining. To address the yard’s excessive slope, a retaining wall was constructed, leveling the terrain and providing a more functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor space.

This project transformed a basic builder-grade deck and unlandscaped yard into a beautifully designed outdoor living space. The renovation included elevating the architectural finish of the deck with low-maintenance fascia, trim, and wrapped columns as well as the addition of a pergola for shade and style. A new fireplace was added to create a cozy seating arrangement, adding both privacy and visual interest. The landscaping was enhanced with a patio and a gas fire pit seating area, perfect for relaxation and gatherings. Additionally, a dining area was incorporated to facilitate hosting and entertaining. To address the yard’s excessive slope, a retaining wall was constructed, leveling the terrain and providing a more functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor space.

This project transformed a basic builder-grade deck and unlandscaped yard into a beautifully designed outdoor living space. The renovation included elevating the architectural finish of the deck with low-maintenance fascia, trim, and wrapped columns as well as the addition of a pergola for shade and style. A new fireplace was added to create a cozy seating arrangement, adding both privacy and visual interest. The landscaping was enhanced with a patio and a gas fire pit seating area, perfect for relaxation and gatherings. Additionally, a dining area was incorporated to facilitate hosting and entertaining. To address the yard’s excessive slope, a retaining wall was constructed, leveling the terrain and providing a more functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor space.

This project transformed a basic builder-grade deck and unlandscaped yard into a beautifully designed outdoor living space. The renovation included elevating the architectural finish of the deck with low-maintenance fascia, trim, and wrapped columns as well as the addition of a pergola for shade and style. A new fireplace was added to create a cozy seating arrangement, adding both privacy and visual interest. The landscaping was enhanced with a patio and a gas fire pit seating area, perfect for relaxation and gatherings. Additionally, a dining area was incorporated to facilitate hosting and entertaining. To address the yard’s excessive slope, a retaining wall was constructed, leveling the terrain and providing a more functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor space.