OMG blue, gray and orange is for me! Vibrant color scheme, New Orleans charm and improved functionality was the perfect recipe for George and Linda’s colorful character kitchen remodel. Overall the kitchen had a good layout and only needed a few tweaks. What it didn’t have was clear sight lines, good lighting, adequate food storage and AJM style! For months we worked together to devise the perfect plan to bring the couple’s vision to reality. The brick bookcase and ceiling pot rack was removed to provide more counter space and improve visibility; an under-utilized bedroom closet was converted to a Jack and Jill pantry giving them food storage galore; properly spaced recess and pendant lighting provide much needed ambiance for cooking and gatherings; the use of reclaimed wood and iron shelf brackets mixes the old with the new; and to top it all off perfectly planned blue cabinetry paired with light gray and orange walls, solid white quartz counter tops, handmade blue cross and fire tiles and copper hardware set the tone for a kitchen that that is colorful, full of character, timeless and has a place for everything…even George’s guitars!

Set in the charming neighborhood of Wedgwood, this Cape Cod-style home needed a major update to satisfy our client's lifestyle needs. The living room, dining room, and kitchen were all separated, making it hard for our clients to carry out day-to-day life with small kids or adequately entertain. Our client also loved to cook for her family, so having a large open concept kitchen where she could cook, keep tabs on the kids, and entertain simultaneously was very important. To accommodate those needs, we bumped out the back and side of the house and eliminated all the walls in the home's communal areas. Adding on to the back of the house also created space in the basement where they could add a separate entrance and mudroom. We wanted to make sure to blend the character of this home with the client's love for color, modern flare, and updated finishes. So we decided to keep the original fireplace and give it a fresh look with tile, add new hardwood in a lighter stain to match the existing and bring in pops of color through the kitchen cabinets and furnishings. New windows, siding, and a fresh coat of paint were added to give this home the curbside appeal it deserved. In the second phase of this remodel, we transformed the basement bathroom and storage room into a primary suite. With the addition of baby number three, our clients wanted to create a retreat they could call their own. Bringing in soft, muted tones made their bedroom feel calm and collected, a relaxing place to land after a busy day. With our client’s love of patterned tile, we decided to go a little bolder in the bathroom with the flooring and vanity wall. Adding the marble in the shower and on the countertop helped balance the bold tile choices and keep both spaces feeling cohesive.

Our client desired a functional, tasteful, and improved environment to compliment their home. The overall goal was to create a landscape that was subtle and not overdone. The client was highly focused on their deck environment that would span across the rear of the house with an area for a Jacuzzi as well. A portion of the deck has a screened in porch due to the naturally buggy environment since the home is situated in the woods and a low area. A mosquito repellent injection system was incorporated into the irrigation system to help with the bug issue. We improved circulation of the driveway, increased the overall curb appeal of the entrance of the home, and created a scaled and proportional outdoor living environment for the clients to enjoy. The client has religious guidelines that needed to be adhered to with the overall function and design of the landscape, which included an arbor over the deck to support a Sukkah and a Green Egg smoker to cook Kosher foods. Two columns were added at the driveway entrance with lights to help define their driveway entrance since it's the end of a long pipe-stem. New light fixtures were also added to the rear of the house. Our client desired multiple amenities with a limited budget, so everything had to be value engineered through the design and construction process. There is heavy deer pressure on the site, a mosquito issue, low site elevations, flat topography, poor soil, and overall poor drainage of the site. The original driveway was not sized appropriately and the front porch had structural issues, as well as leaked water onto the landing below. The septic tank was also situated close to the rear of the house and had to be contemplated during the design process. Photography: Morgan Howarth. Landscape Architect: Howard Cohen, Surrounds Inc.

PiTTopper® is an attractive alternative to fire pit covers currently on the market made from nylon or fabric which can become worn and torn after time, losing the ability to adequately protect your fire pit from inclement weather. Protect your patio set's fire pit year round. PiTTopper's® design has allowed it to stay in place during severe weather with winds up to 55 mph. Flimsy fabric made from outdoor furniture covers can't say that! PiTTopper® eliminates the time and effort of removing wet ashes and wood before enjoying a fire. PiTTopper® also provides additional serving space on top of your fire pit during the cook out and dinner before the sun goes down and the fire pit is lit. Enjoy the new life PiTTopper® brings to your patio all year long!

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.

Enjoy lovely amounts of sunshine while getting ready in the morning. The large shower provides enough room for maneuvering around and a handy bench.
Freestanding bathtub - large transitional master white tile porcelain tile freestanding bathtub idea in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops and gray walls

A minimal insertion into a densely wooded landscape, the Collector’s Pavilion provides the owners with an 8,000 sf private fitness space and vintage automobile gallery. On a gently sloping site in amongst a grove of trees, the pavilion slides into the topography - mimicking and contrasting the surrounding landscape with a folded roof plane that hovers over a board formed concrete base. The clients’ requirement for a nearby room to display a growing car collection as well as provide a remote area for personal fitness carries with it a series of challenges related to privacy and security. The pavilion nestles into the wooded site - finding a home in a small clearing - and merges with the sloping landscape. The building has dual personalities, serving as a private and secure bunker from the exterior, while transforming into a warm and inviting space on the interior. The use of indirect light and the need to obscure direct views from the public right away provides the client with adequate day light for day-to-day use while ensuring that strict privacy is maintained. This shifting personality is also dramatically affected by the seasons - contrasting and merging with the surrounding environment depending on the time of year. The Collector’s Pavilion employs meticulous detailing of its concrete to steel to wood connections, exploring the grounded nature of poured concrete in conjunction with a delicate wood roof system that floats above a grid of steel. Above all, the Pavilion harmonizes with it’s natural surroundings through it’s materiality, formal language, and siting. Overview Chenequa, WI Size 8,000 sf Completion Date May 2013 Services Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design

This recently retired client of ours wanted a complete backyard renovation to create a space she could enjoy in her retirement. A decorative sand-finish concrete patio was designed to provide adequate space for dining and relaxing. A fire pit area was created for her to enjoy evening gatherings under the stars. A 36″ Lunar firepit by Elementi was chosen as the focal point of the space. An 18″ high segmental Strassen block seat wall by Borgert Products was created to surround the firepit. Discrete low-voltage landscape lighting by Unique Lighting was installed under the capstones of the seat wall to enhance the space’s warm nighttime ambiance. An 11” octagonal patio umbrella by Shademaker was installed to provide shade for hot summer days. Our client’s AC condenser unit was relocated and screened to create a quieter yard. Downspouts were converted into underground drains. The planting selection for the project included a Russian Hawthorn tree, ‘Bowl of Beauty’ Peony, Red Hot Poker, ‘Arctic Fire’ Dogwood, ‘Panchito’ Manzanita, Dwarf Burning Bush, Variegated Iris, and ‘Stella d’Oro’ Daylily.

This recently retired client of ours wanted a complete backyard renovation to create a space she could enjoy in her retirement. A decorative sand-finish concrete patio was designed to provide adequate space for dining and relaxing. A fire pit area was created for her to enjoy evening gatherings under the stars. A 36″ Lunar firepit by Elementi was chosen as the focal point of the space. An 18″ high segmental Strassen block seat wall by Borgert Products was created to surround the firepit. Discrete low-voltage landscape lighting by Unique Lighting was installed under the capstones of the seat wall to enhance the space’s warm nighttime ambiance. An 11” octagonal patio umbrella by Shademaker was installed to provide shade for hot summer days. Our client’s AC condenser unit was relocated and screened to create a quieter yard. Downspouts were converted into underground drains. The planting selection for the project included a Russian Hawthorn tree, ‘Bowl of Beauty’ Peony, Red Hot Poker, ‘Arctic Fire’ Dogwood, ‘Panchito’ Manzanita, Dwarf Burning Bush, Variegated Iris, and ‘Stella d’Oro’ Daylily.

This dining room turned playroom was designed for an energetic 2 year old. Our top priorities were maximizing a small space, providing adequate storage for toys and books and developing a design aesthetic that would be both inviting to a two year old and also flow beautifully from the adjacent living room and kitchen. We chose a warm, neutral wall color and accented it with pops of orangey red and vivid blues. Textures and patterns were incorporated to create playful visual interest. A sensory wall was added to offer stimulating play and beloved artwork was installed to add a touch of grown up sophisticated. An IKEA cabinet was painted a bold red and offers plenty of organized hidden storage. New knobs by Anthropologie were added to give the cabinet a custom feel. Large pillows in John Robshaw fabric offer a soft place to rest and the modern eiffel table and clear panton chairs become the epicenter for art, puzzles and snacks. This room is bursting with bright, bold color and a center for fun childhood experience. It was a joy to design for a very special Seattle family!

Designed by Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Southern Pines, NC, this shaker white kitchen remodeling project features Green Forest Cabinetry in the Park Place door style with White finish. Kitchen countertops are granite in the color Luna Pearl. Said the client, “I was seven months pregnant and on a huge time limit. Nancy was speedy, understanding and helpful to get the project done as quickly as possible. I really like how the design opened up my kitchen from the dining room to the rest of the house. My favorite parts of the kitchen are the soft close doors and drawers, and the little cabinet next to the sink which is great for cooking pans and cutting boards.” Added Nancy, “The existing plan had wall cabinetry above the peninsula and the clients planned to simply replace with new cabinetry. We had a real “oh no” moment when installation began. The original cabinetry had not been adequately supported above the finished ceiling. The plan was quickly modified and the installation moved forward! It is rare but great when “oh no” moments delay only hours and not weeks!” Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

When buying the house, the homeowners loved the location, but needed to make the space more open and functional for their family. Having three young children, they wanted to make sure adequate sight lines were included between the kitchen and great room since they knew that’s where they would spend most of their time. The homeowners also wanted to update the space to match their modern design tastes. The home was a traditional design, but coming from New York City, these homeowners sought to bring a city vibe to their home while making it more functional for their needs. The opening between the great room and kitchen was enlarged by adding a 13’ beam to the home. The kitchen design was modified to get rid of an awkward and small pantry along with eliminating a window to allow for more cabinetry. The custom island includes a microwave, sink and dishwasher. Outlets were hidden under the upper cabinets to give the backsplash a clean look and feel. The home had two home offices, one of them was converted to a workout space. Custom millwork was completed to modernize the two-way fireplace. Additional hardwood flooring was added to the first floor, and all was refinished to match. New lighting was installed throughout the first floor as well. The small laundry room was reconfigured to allow more storage including adding a pocket door to save on real estate. Removing the kitchen pantry, gave the laundry more storage space for hanging laundry and storing supplies. All these remodeling decisions took place from afar while the homeowners still lived in NYC.

When buying the house, the homeowners loved the location, but needed to make the space more open and functional for their family. Having three young children, they wanted to make sure adequate sight lines were included between the kitchen and great room since they knew that’s where they would spend most of their time. The homeowners also wanted to update the space to match their modern design tastes. The home was a traditional design, but coming from New York City, these homeowners sought to bring a city vibe to their home while making it more functional for their needs. The opening between the great room and kitchen was enlarged by adding a 13’ beam to the home. The kitchen design was modified to get rid of an awkward and small pantry along with eliminating a window to allow for more cabinetry. The custom island includes a microwave, sink and dishwasher. Outlets were hidden under the upper cabinets to give the backsplash a clean look and feel. The home had two home offices, one of them was converted to a workout space. Custom millwork was completed to modernize the two-way fireplace. Additional hardwood flooring was added to the first floor, and all was refinished to match. New lighting was installed throughout the first floor as well. The small laundry room was reconfigured to allow more storage including adding a pocket door to save on real estate. Removing the kitchen pantry, gave the laundry more storage space for hanging laundry and storing supplies. All these remodeling decisions took place from afar while the homeowners still lived in NYC.

This recently retired client of ours wanted a complete backyard renovation to create a space she could enjoy in her retirement. A decorative sand-finish concrete patio was designed to provide adequate space for dining and relaxing. A fire pit area was created for her to enjoy evening gatherings under the stars. A 36″ Lunar firepit by Elementi was chosen as the focal point of the space. An 18″ high segmental Strassen block seat wall by Borgert Products was created to surround the firepit. Discrete low-voltage landscape lighting by Unique Lighting was installed under the capstones of the seat wall to enhance the space’s warm nighttime ambiance. An 11” octagonal patio umbrella by Shademaker was installed to provide shade for hot summer days. Our client’s AC condenser unit was relocated and screened to create a quieter yard. Downspouts were converted into underground drains. The planting selection for the project included a Russian Hawthorn tree, ‘Bowl of Beauty’ Peony, Red Hot Poker, ‘Arctic Fire’ Dogwood, ‘Panchito’ Manzanita, Dwarf Burning Bush, Variegated Iris, and ‘Stella d’Oro’ Daylily.

Designed by Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Southern Pines, NC, this shaker white kitchen remodeling project features Green Forest Cabinetry in the Park Place door style with White finish. Kitchen countertops are granite in the color Luna Pearl. Said the client, “I was seven months pregnant and on a huge time limit. Nancy was speedy, understanding and helpful to get the project done as quickly as possible. I really like how the design opened up my kitchen from the dining room to the rest of the house. My favorite parts of the kitchen are the soft close doors and drawers, and the little cabinet next to the sink which is great for cooking pans and cutting boards.” Added Nancy, “The existing plan had wall cabinetry above the peninsula and the clients planned to simply replace with new cabinetry. We had a real “oh no” moment when installation began. The original cabinetry had not been adequately supported above the finished ceiling. The plan was quickly modified and the installation moved forward! It is rare but great when “oh no” moments delay only hours and not weeks!” Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

This recently retired client of ours wanted a complete backyard renovation to create a space she could enjoy in her retirement. A decorative sand-finish concrete patio was designed to provide adequate space for dining and relaxing. A fire pit area was created for her to enjoy evening gatherings under the stars. A 36″ Lunar firepit by Elementi was chosen as the focal point of the space. An 18″ high segmental Strassen block seat wall by Borgert Products was created to surround the firepit. Discrete low-voltage landscape lighting by Unique Lighting was installed under the capstones of the seat wall to enhance the space’s warm nighttime ambiance. An 11” octagonal patio umbrella by Shademaker was installed to provide shade for hot summer days. Our client’s AC condenser unit was relocated and screened to create a quieter yard. Downspouts were converted into underground drains. The planting selection for the project included a Russian Hawthorn tree, ‘Bowl of Beauty’ Peony, Red Hot Poker, ‘Arctic Fire’ Dogwood, ‘Panchito’ Manzanita, Dwarf Burning Bush, Variegated Iris, and ‘Stella d’Oro’ Daylily.

This recently retired client of ours wanted a complete backyard renovation to create a space she could enjoy in her retirement. A decorative sand-finish concrete patio was designed to provide adequate space for dining and relaxing. A fire pit area was created for her to enjoy evening gatherings under the stars. A 36″ Lunar firepit by Elementi was chosen as the focal point of the space. An 18″ high segmental Strassen block seat wall by Borgert Products was created to surround the firepit. Discrete low-voltage landscape lighting by Unique Lighting was installed under the capstones of the seat wall to enhance the space’s warm nighttime ambiance. An 11” octagonal patio umbrella by Shademaker was installed to provide shade for hot summer days. Our client’s AC condenser unit was relocated and screened to create a quieter yard. Downspouts were converted into underground drains. The planting selection for the project included a Russian Hawthorn tree, ‘Bowl of Beauty’ Peony, Red Hot Poker, ‘Arctic Fire’ Dogwood, ‘Panchito’ Manzanita, Dwarf Burning Bush, Variegated Iris, and ‘Stella d’Oro’ Daylily.

Designed by Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Southern Pines, NC, this shaker white kitchen remodeling project features Green Forest Cabinetry in the Park Place door style with White finish. Kitchen countertops are granite in the color Luna Pearl. Said the client, “I was seven months pregnant and on a huge time limit. Nancy was speedy, understanding and helpful to get the project done as quickly as possible. I really like how the design opened up my kitchen from the dining room to the rest of the house. My favorite parts of the kitchen are the soft close doors and drawers, and the little cabinet next to the sink which is great for cooking pans and cutting boards.” Added Nancy, “The existing plan had wall cabinetry above the peninsula and the clients planned to simply replace with new cabinetry. We had a real “oh no” moment when installation began. The original cabinetry had not been adequately supported above the finished ceiling. The plan was quickly modified and the installation moved forward! It is rare but great when “oh no” moments delay only hours and not weeks!” Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

Set in the charming neighborhood of Wedgwood, this Cape Cod-style home needed a major update to satisfy our client's lifestyle needs. The living room, dining room, and kitchen were all separated, making it hard for our clients to carry out day-to-day life with small kids or adequately entertain. Our client also loved to cook for her family, so having a large open concept kitchen where she could cook, keep tabs on the kids, and entertain simultaneously was very important. To accommodate those needs, we bumped out the back and side of the house and eliminated all the walls in the home's communal areas. Adding on to the back of the house also created space in the basement where they could add a separate entrance and mudroom. We wanted to make sure to blend the character of this home with the client's love for color, modern flare, and updated finishes. So we decided to keep the original fireplace and give it a fresh look with tile, add new hardwood in a lighter stain to match the existing and bring in pops of color through the kitchen cabinets and furnishings. New windows, siding, and a fresh coat of paint were added to give this home the curbside appeal it deserved. In the second phase of this remodel, we transformed the basement bathroom and storage room into a primary suite. With the addition of baby number three, our clients wanted to create a retreat they could call their own. Bringing in soft, muted tones made their bedroom feel calm and collected, a relaxing place to land after a busy day. With our client’s love of patterned tile, we decided to go a little bolder in the bathroom with the flooring and vanity wall. Adding the marble in the shower and on the countertop helped balance the bold tile choices and keep both spaces feeling cohesive.