Custom house number and gate made from repurposed iron and reclaimed lumber
Example of a tuscan entryway design in Los Angeles

Photo: David Tosti

What an awesome project!! Our client wanted us to design and build a complete custom backyard that had to match up with the existing rock on the house. They wanted warm natural cedar accents throughout as well that carried from the mantle on the massive outdoor fireplace over to the outdoor kitchen and privacy screens & gates. We finished with stainless steel cabinets, Dacor inset grill, 40" firebox, as well as fridge. Our client also wanted us to overlay rock onto the parging at the rear of the house to tie it all in. The project was capped off with natural rock accent boulders and an address rock as well as custom aluminum fencing and large trees for privacy. We added concrete edge and exposed aggregate patio to create an extremely cozy area for socializing and relaxing that has great curb appeal!!

This home was built in the 1930s with few upgrades done over the years: some required updates were visible, but it was clear that some nuances that could affect the remodel might not be visible until the demo. Unique vintage features such as ceiling finishes & moldings needed to be addressed with the planned removal of walls which was needed in order to open up the space. It was decided to match the existing vintage molding throughout the open space; the ceiling was upgraded to contemporary standards and tall, shallow pantry cabinets on one side of the kitchen provided a more open visual space with ample storage! To address the kitchen seating concerns, an entrance into the kitchen from the back stairway was closed off; and a new entrance into the dining/kitchen was created, which provided the space needed for a 2-seat island with storage.

LIST YOUR HOME FOR SALE TODAY IN METAIRIE AND NEW ORLEANS Please email us your information so we can start! Simple include your name, email and the address of the property. WE CAN HAVE IT LISTED TODAY !!! RyanRogers@kw.com Services Provided Real Estate Agent Areas Served Elmwood, Gretna, Harahan, Harvey, Jefferson, Kenner, Metairie, Metairie Terrace, New Orleans, River Ridge, Timberlane, Westwego, Woodmere, Imperial Woods,Algiers Point,Lake Vista,Lake-View,Lake Shore

Inspiration for a timeless exterior home remodel in Chicago

Natan Jacobs | Vestis Group
Mid-century modern exterior home idea in Phoenix

The transformation of this ranch-style home in Carlsbad, CA, exemplifies a perfect blend of preserving the charm of its 1940s origins while infusing modern elements to create a unique and inviting space. By incorporating the clients' love for pottery and natural woods, the redesign pays homage to these preferences while enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal and functionality of the home. From building new decks and railings, surf showers, a reface of the home, custom light up address signs from GR Designs Line, and more custom elements to make this charming home pop. The redesign carefully retains the distinctive characteristics of the 1940s style, such as architectural elements, layout, and overall ambiance. This preservation ensures that the home maintains its historical charm and authenticity while undergoing a modern transformation. To infuse a contemporary flair into the design, modern elements are strategically introduced. These modern twists add freshness and relevance to the space while complementing the existing architectural features. This balanced approach creates a harmonious blend of old and new, offering a timeless appeal. The design concept revolves around the clients' passion for pottery and natural woods. These elements serve as focal points throughout the home, lending a sense of warmth, texture, and earthiness to the interior spaces. By integrating pottery-inspired accents and showcasing the beauty of natural wood grains, the design celebrates the clients' interests and preferences. A key highlight of the redesign is the use of custom-made tile from Japan, reminiscent of beautifully glazed pottery. This bespoke tile adds a touch of artistry and craftsmanship to the home, elevating its visual appeal and creating a unique focal point. Additionally, fabrics that evoke the elements of the ocean further enhance the connection with the surrounding natural environment, fostering a serene and tranquil atmosphere indoors. The overall design concept aims to evoke a warm, lived-in feeling, inviting occupants and guests to relax and unwind. By incorporating elements that resonate with the clients' personal tastes and preferences, the home becomes more than just a living space—it becomes a reflection of their lifestyle, interests, and identity. In summary, the redesign of this ranch-style home in Carlsbad, CA, successfully merges the charm of its 1940s origins with modern elements, creating a space that is both timeless and distinctive. Through careful attention to detail, thoughtful selection of materials, rebuilding of elements outside to add character, and a focus on personalization, the home embodies a warm, inviting atmosphere that celebrates the clients' passions and enhances their everyday living experience. This project is on the same property as the Carlsbad Cottage and is a great journey of new and old. Redesign of the kitchen, bedrooms, and common spaces, custom made tile, appliances from GE Monogram Cafe, bedroom window treatments custom from GR Designs Line, Lighting and Custom Address Signs from GR Designs Line, Custom Surf Shower, and more.

The original ensuite bathroom in this condominium required renovations to replace problematic Kitec plumbing. The layout in the space remained the same, but improvements were made to address certain design challenges with lighting, automation, and space. The aim was to create a modern bathroom design with textured wood features, and the feel of metallic black accents. A number of prominent changes were made to improve the use of space. The original entry, a left-handed door swinging into the bathroom, was replaced. It interfered with the vanity clear floor space. It also made the use of the bathroom difficult when two users were present. It was changed to a soft closing pocket door. To avoid losing space it was installed by creating a wall cavity on the outside of the bathroom. This door also included frosted glass panels to allow natural light into the space. Double sliding glass shower doors were also installed to address access issues to the shower valve. Storage improvements included the installation of dual inset medicine cabinets, and pull out drawers within the wall hung vanity. The depth of the medicine cabinets were extended outwards, and this nice detail was finished with a textured wood finish. The addition of the wall hung vanity also created the feeling of more space beneath the units and allowed for under cabinet lighting. Lighting and automation improvements included the addition of HUE LED lighting. This was done by installing two shower pot lights, a 6” main potlight, and under cabinet lighting. These are all controlled by the Philips Hue App that programs routines, scenes, and other settings. Some of the other highlights of this modern bathroom include dark grout, which contrasts nicely with the elongated white tile, a thermostatic shower system, herringbone textured porcelain floor tile, and a Schluter Kerdi waterproofing shower system. This bathroom is made most unique though with the choice of wallpaper, which can be described as modern luxury, a graphic take on agate stone patterns with metallic embellishments.

These clients reached out to Hillcrest Construction when their family began out-growing their Phoenixville-area home. Through a comprehensive design phase, opportunities to add square footage were identified along with a reorganization of the typical traffic flow throughout the house. All household traffic into the hastily-designed, existing family room bump-out addition was funneled through a 3’ berth within the kitchen making meal prep and other kitchen activities somewhat similar to a shift at a PA turnpike toll booth. In the existing bump-out addition, the family room was relatively tight and the dining room barely fit the 6-person dining table. Access to the backyard was somewhat obstructed by the necessary furniture and the kitchen alone didn’t satisfy storage needs beyond a quick trip to the grocery store. The home’s existing front door was the only front entrance, and without a foyer or mudroom, the front formal room often doubled as a drop-zone for groceries, bookbags, and other on-the-go items. Hillcrest Construction designed a remedy to both address the function and flow issues along with adding square footage via a 150 sq ft addition to the family room and converting the garage into a mudroom entry and walk-through pantry. - The project’s addition was not especially large but was able to facilitate a new pathway to the home’s rear family room. The existing brick wall at the bottom of the second-floor staircase was opened up and created a new, natural flow from the second-floor bedrooms to the front formal room, and into the rear family hang-out space- all without having to cut through the often busy kitchen. The dining room area was relocated to remove it from the pathway to the door to the backyard. Additionally, free and clear access to the rear yard was established for both two-legged and four-legged friends. The existing chunky slider door was removed and in its place was fabricated and installed a custom centerpiece that included a new gas fireplace insert with custom brick surround, two side towers for display items and choice vinyl, and two base cabinets with metal-grated doors to house a subwoofer, wifi equipment, and other stow-away items. The black walnut countertops and mantle pop from the white cabinetry, and the wall-mounted TV with soundbar complete the central A/V hub. The custom cabs and tops were designed and built at Hillcrest’s custom shop. The farmhouse appeal was completed with distressed engineered hardwood floors and craftsman-style window and door trim throughout. - Another major component of the project was the conversion of the garage into a pantry+mudroom+everyday entry. The clients had used their smallish garage for storage of outdoor yard and recreational equipment. With those storage needs being addressed at the exterior, the space was transformed into a custom pantry and mudroom. The floor level within the space was raised to meet the rest of the house and insulated appropriately. A newly installed pocket door divided the dining room area from the designed-to-spec pantry/beverage center. The pantry was designed to house dry storage, cleaning supplies, and dry bar supplies when the cleaning and shopping are complete. A window seat with doggie supply storage below was worked into the design to accommodate the existing elevation of the original garage window. A coat closet and a small set of steps divide the pantry from the mudroom entry. The mudroom entry is marked with a striking combo of the herringbone thin-brick flooring and a custom hutch. Kids returning home from school have a designated spot to hang their coats and bookbags with two deep drawers for shoes. A custom cherry bench top adds a punctuation of warmth. The entry door and window replaced the old overhead garage doors to create the daily-used informal entry off the driveway. With the house being such a favorable area, and the clients not looking to pull up roots, Hillcrest Construction facilitated a collaborative experience and comprehensive plan to change the house for the better and make it a home to grow within.

Eric Harker
Example of a trendy exterior home design in Salt Lake City

The transformation of this ranch-style home in Carlsbad, CA, exemplifies a perfect blend of preserving the charm of its 1940s origins while infusing modern elements to create a unique and inviting space. By incorporating the clients' love for pottery and natural woods, the redesign pays homage to these preferences while enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal and functionality of the home. From building new decks and railings, surf showers, a reface of the home, custom light up address signs from GR Designs Line, and more custom elements to make this charming home pop. The redesign carefully retains the distinctive characteristics of the 1940s style, such as architectural elements, layout, and overall ambiance. This preservation ensures that the home maintains its historical charm and authenticity while undergoing a modern transformation. To infuse a contemporary flair into the design, modern elements are strategically introduced. These modern twists add freshness and relevance to the space while complementing the existing architectural features. This balanced approach creates a harmonious blend of old and new, offering a timeless appeal. The design concept revolves around the clients' passion for pottery and natural woods. These elements serve as focal points throughout the home, lending a sense of warmth, texture, and earthiness to the interior spaces. By integrating pottery-inspired accents and showcasing the beauty of natural wood grains, the design celebrates the clients' interests and preferences. A key highlight of the redesign is the use of custom-made tile from Japan, reminiscent of beautifully glazed pottery. This bespoke tile adds a touch of artistry and craftsmanship to the home, elevating its visual appeal and creating a unique focal point. Additionally, fabrics that evoke the elements of the ocean further enhance the connection with the surrounding natural environment, fostering a serene and tranquil atmosphere indoors. The overall design concept aims to evoke a warm, lived-in feeling, inviting occupants and guests to relax and unwind. By incorporating elements that resonate with the clients' personal tastes and preferences, the home becomes more than just a living space—it becomes a reflection of their lifestyle, interests, and identity. In summary, the redesign of this ranch-style home in Carlsbad, CA, successfully merges the charm of its 1940s origins with modern elements, creating a space that is both timeless and distinctive. Through careful attention to detail, thoughtful selection of materials, rebuilding of elements outside to add character, and a focus on personalization, the home embodies a warm, inviting atmosphere that celebrates the clients' passions and enhances their everyday living experience. This project is on the same property as the Carlsbad Cottage and is a great journey of new and old. Redesign of the kitchen, bedrooms, and common spaces, custom-made tile, appliances from GE Monogram Cafe, bedroom window treatments custom from GR Designs Line, Lighting and Custom Address Signs from GR Designs Line, Custom Surf Shower, and more.

Photography by Ken Wyner 2101 Connecticut Avenue (c.1928), an 8-story brick and limestone Beaux Arts style building with spacious apartments, is said to have been “the finest apartment house to appear in Washington between the two World Wars.” (James M. Goode, Best Addresses, 1988.) As advertised for rent in 1928, the apartments were designed “to incorporate many details that would aid the residents in establishing a home atmosphere, one possessing charm and dignity usually found only in a private house… the character and tenancy (being) assured through careful selection of guests.” Home to Senators, Ambassadors, a Vice President and a Supreme Court Justice as well as numerous Washington socialites, the building still stands as one of the undisputed “best addresses” in Washington, DC.) So well laid-out was this gracious 3,000 sf apartment that the basic floor plan remains unchanged from the original architect’s 1927 design. The organizing feature was, and continues to be, the grand “gallery” space in the center of the unit. Every room in the apartment can be accessed via the gallery, thus preserving it as the centerpiece of the “charm and dignity” which the original design intended. Programmatic modifications consisted of the addition of a small powder room off of the foyer, and the conversion of a corner “sun room” into a room for meditation and study. The apartment received a thorough updating of all systems, services and finishes, including a new kitchen and new bathrooms, several new built-in cabinetry units, and the consolidation of numerous small closets and passageways into more accessible and efficient storage spaces.

What an awesome project!! Our client wanted us to design and build a complete custom backyard that had to match up with the existing rock on the house. They wanted warm natural cedar accents throughout as well that carried from the mantle on the massive outdoor fireplace over to the outdoor kitchen and privacy screens & gates. We finished with stainless steel cabinets, Dacor inset grill, 40" firebox, as well as fridge. Our client also wanted us to overlay rock onto the parging at the rear of the house to tie it all in. The project was capped off with natural rock accent boulders and an address rock as well as custom aluminum fencing and large trees for privacy. We added concrete edge and exposed aggregate patio to create an extremely cozy area for socializing and relaxing that has great curb appeal!!

This kitchen included an odd-sized double-oven with shattered glass and appliance interference, wasted soffit space, inadequate lighting, and more. The client also faced issues with the laundry closet, storage, and countertops. We addressed these concerns by adjusting the layout. Featured changes include an integrated micro-convection double-oven, a counter-depth refrigerator, the removal of soffits, an expanded cabinetry footprint, a built-in laundry, relocating the electrical panel, and adding solid-surface countertops. Design elements include cabinet-mounted remote switches, a built-in wine refrigerator, two-tone cabinetry, all LED lighting, a pull-down swivel faucet, fully functional storage, and virtually seamless countertops. These changes addressed all of the clients’ pain points and improved the kitchen’s functionality, efficiency, and aesthetic.

There are a small number of cities in the world where luxury and lifestyle enthusiasts would aim to live. One of them is Dubai, a realm of high end living, glamour and complexity. Possessing a luxury address in this culturally rich city is for sure a exceptional treat. For those of you who can actually afford one, this penthouse which is Signature Stagers’ end of the year work of art is a very engaging proposal. This penthouse we staged at the start of November 2015 has been lingering on the market for about 2 years prior to our meeting the owner. It is located in the exclusive Dubai Marina district among a few other select buildings and is currently for sale with Verzun on a POA (Price on application) basis due to its unique stature and lifestyle element which removes it from the “square foot” mentality and elevates it from its competition within the same building. The penthouse was renovated prior to staging, and the apartment itself displays a fresh and modern look whilst keeping its classic and initial fit out and design. Although a few key elements of the penthouse’s original architecture were retained, this neo-classical approach we decided on contributed to the dwellings select and sophisticated appeal numerous novel and sharply modern features which are also present around the residence, thus safeguarding its uniqueness and extremely fascinating form. Swaggering 14,000 square feet this splendid home is apposite to a family as much as it is for the traveling executive who desires an exclusive and ultra-private address in Dubai. Enjoying 5 bedrooms all en-suite including a master bedroom with a sunset that decorates the floor to ceiling windows with a purple-orange and that by itself is a deal closer! Photo credit: Mo Younes

Some photos of the project once complete and grown in for 2 seasons. Looks darn amazing!!!
Photo of a large desert front yard decomposed granite landscaping in Calgary.

In this project, our clients purchased an existing restaurant fraught with stormwater management issues on the property. Runoff from an adjacent state highway and parking lot regularly flooded the kitchen. Additionally, a man-made pond on the property had become a problematic breeding ground for mosquitos that virtually prohibited outdoor dining during the summer. Both challenges restricted the restaurant from operating at its fullest potential. Our design/build team’s goals were to address the water runoff and mosquito issues using environmentally and financially sustainable practices. Lowering the grades around the building and parking, we were able to direct the runoff into a dry streambed enriched with water-worn cobbles and river stones and planted banks. We addressed the mosquito problem by increasing the pond’s depth, adding an aeration system, and planting the banks with wildflowers. By raising the outdoor dining, guests now overlook the pond and pleasing landscape. Natural breezes at this higher level help alleviate mosquitosl.

This was the last house on the block to get landscaped and had absolutely no access. We had to hire a crane to both bring in machines and pallets of materials as well as bring back out our machines on the final day. Crazy but worked perfectly!!! Natural Rundle rock retaining walls and steps along with concrete edging and landscape lighting with some well thought out plantings made this a truly fun job that was quite unique!