Mid-sized elegant galley limestone floor eat-in kitchen photo in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, glass-front cabinets, beige cabinets, granite countertops, an island, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash and white appliances

Living wall panels . . Photo Rob Karosis
This is an example of a contemporary landscaping in Portland Maine.

Spacious white kitchen with (2) islands and breakfast table. Stacked cabinets above wall cabinets and tall cabinets for additional storage / display. Tip out storage bins with mesh grill fronts on first island. Appliances consist of 48" range, 60" custom metal hood in pewter finish, (2) dishwashers, coffee maker, microwave, and (2) refrigerator / freezers. Refrigerator / freezer units are built-in with decorative mirrored panels and have a pantry squeezed in between. A frame is built around the built-in area to complete the look.

The family wanted a rustic/Italian feel that still had an updated/modern look to it. They also wanted to keep with the traditional style of their home and décor. Tumbled travertine backsplash added a rustic feel to the kitchen, but we kept the design pretty clean and simple for a more timeless look. We added some Sonoma tantrum glass detail behind the cooktop and behind the built-ins for a pop of color that played off the granite. For the cabinetry, we used Dura Supreme. A black distressed island, and an ivory paint w/ espresso glaze on the perimeter. The creamy St. Cecilia countertops added warmth and pulled the white and black cabinetry together, and added plenty of extra seating. The charming oil rubbed bronze hardware and lighting fixtures really play nicely off the black island. The new medium toned oak hardwood flooring throughout the entire house gives it a very warm and inviting feel. The new layout provides them plenty of space for multiple cooks so they’re family can all relax and be together in the space.

This kitchen was awarded first place in the 2014 NKBA Northern New England design awards (large kitchen remodel category). The design incorporated the homeowner's love of Mackenzie-Childs pottery. Cabinets by Pennville Custom Cabinetry. Pendant lighting by Mackenzie-Childs. Photo by Joseph St. Pierre.

Home owners Ken & Bonnie never used their dining room. What they really wanted was a traditional library room to house their large collection of prized books! During their first floor facelift and kitchen renovation, Advance Design also created an elegant library room filled with beautiful architectural details that flowed effortlessly with the rest of the home’s stately design and thoughtful details. “Advance Design’s master carpenter was a very patient perfectionist, cutting each and every little piece of trim until it came together with these intricate wood architectural details that we absolutely love!” reports Bonnie. “Our dining room was just a wasted room that we never used. We needed a place to store and display our extensive book collection, and now we have this amazing room that is an unexpected “wow” factor when guests walk in our front door”. Advance Design placed hidden lighting inconspicuously to break to monotony of the books in a decorative shelf area where the family posts photos of children and family at special life events. The room looks out over the beautifully manicured front garden near the home’s entry, and is a most peaceful place to pull up a chair, drink some tea, and enjoy a good read. Photographer: Joe Nowak

Apologies in advance but I forgot to take the usual before photograph of this Victorian tiled hallway in Twickenham that I worked on recently. It’s a shame really as it was certainly in need of a good clean and re-seal after years of inadequate maintenance and I’m sure a photo would have helped. Victorian tiles are porous and do need a sealer to stop dirt becoming ingrained, as once that happens they can be difficult to clean and a Hallway is an especially high traffic area that will see a lot of dirt being tramped in. That activity also wears down the sealer over time so it’s important to keep it topped up. On these tiles, we used a 50:50 combination of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean mixed with Tile Doctor Remove and Go. This combination of products works very well to break down old sealers and also to clean the general soil away from the tile. As usual it was left to soak into the tiles for ten minutes before using a heavy duty scrubbing machine to scrub the floor clean. This achieved a good result and the soil and products were then flushed away using our special flushing tool which fires a jet of water onto the tile whilst vacuuming at the same time (no mess!) to an external tank. After allowing the tiles to dry off overnight with some heating on, the floor was ready to accept a new seal the next day. Our customer decided to have a sheen finish so we opted to apply Tile Doctor Seal and Go. These tiles are very porous and so need seven coats to be applied to the floor before it was completely sealed. Apologies again for not taking a before photo so you can compare the difference however hopefully you can see how health the floor looks following the deep cleaning and application of a fresh sealer which will ensure future maintenance is a lot easier for the customer. Jonathan Oldham South Middlesex Tile Doctor

Photography by Caryn B. Davis Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Home owners Ken & Bonnie never used their dining room. What they really wanted was a traditional library room to house their large collection of prized books! During their first floor facelift and kitchen renovation, Advance Design also created an elegant library room filled with beautiful architectural details that flowed effortlessly with the rest of the home’s stately design and thoughtful details. “Advance Design’s master carpenter was a very patient perfectionist, cutting each and every little piece of trim until it came together with these intricate wood architectural details that we absolutely love!” reports Bonnie. “Our dining room was just a wasted room that we never used. We needed a place to store and display our extensive book collection, and now we have this amazing room that is an unexpected “wow” factor when guests walk in our front door”. Advance Design placed hidden lighting inconspicuously to break to monotony of the books in a decorative shelf area where the family posts photos of children and family at special life events. The room looks out over the beautifully manicured front garden near the home’s entry, and is a most peaceful place to pull up a chair, drink some tea, and enjoy a good read. Photographer: Joe Nowak

- KI CHAIR 01. In the Japanese culture, the ''ki'' represents the energy found in every element. It is the inspiration for the challenging formal research that Mario Bellini solved with refined and modern taste. The result is a sinuous, lightweight seat, partly due to its polyurethane foam inside. The back, embellished with an embossed decoration reminiscent of the diamond pattern of stitched fabric upholstery, is the formal feature for a chair that combines simplicity, elegance and ergonomics. After their original version in embossed white and black lacquer, the KI chairs have been presented in an open pore ash lacquer finish since 2013. 17''W x 20''7/8D x 32''5/8H. Seat height: 17’’3/4. http://ow.ly/3yzTxc - J-TABLE DESK. J-Table features a leg playing with asymmetric orthogonal lines that can be used as a bookcase. Full of personality despite its formal rigor, this table can be included in multiple space configurations, including those of home or working environments. 55''1/8W x 31''1/2D x 29''1/2H. Other widths: 70''7/8, 98’’3/8. http://ow.ly/3yzTB7 - HCB COAT HANGER. The joint pattern is the hallmark of HCB, an elegant solid beech hanger. The overall design, basic and linear, is composed of three orthogonal pairs of elements: three columns and the same number of short cylinders, arranged in a nearly horizontal position, because the slight incline ensures the mutual interweaving and balance of the parts. 17''3/4W x 17''3/4D x 67’’H. http://ow.ly/3yzSdi - RIDDLED FRONT SIDEBOARD. Riddled front is the result of an advanced technological process, patented by Horm. What makes this piece truly unique is its innovative, thin wooden door, which holds the container sides thus allowing hinge-free operation. In addition, the laser-cut fretwork alets the internal light through, projecting a myriad of lights and shadows around the container. 75''5/8W x 19''5/8D x 26’’H. Other height:38’’5/8. http://ow.ly/3yzTEC - ’93-’08 BOOKCASE. The '93-'08 bookcase features a solid wood structure that never breaks the MDF shelves flow nor resorts to backs. The result is a composition of great visual lightness and excellent stability. Each shelf presents a different shoulder and height to create an orthogonal, ever-present, visual rhythm. Is a versatile bookcase system that allows you to build many combinations. 80''3/4W x 13''5/8D x 85''7/8H. Other widths: 89''3/8 - 107''- 122,83. http://ow.ly/3yzTGT

Home owners Ken & Bonnie never used their dining room. What they really wanted was a traditional library room to house their large collection of prized books! During their first floor facelift and kitchen renovation, Advance Design also created an elegant library room filled with beautiful architectural details that flowed effortlessly with the rest of the home’s stately design and thoughtful details. “Advance Design’s master carpenter was a very patient perfectionist, cutting each and every little piece of trim until it came together with these intricate wood architectural details that we absolutely love!” reports Bonnie. “Our dining room was just a wasted room that we never used. We needed a place to store and display our extensive book collection, and now we have this amazing room that is an unexpected “wow” factor when guests walk in our front door”. Advance Design placed hidden lighting inconspicuously to break to monotony of the books in a decorative shelf area where the family posts photos of children and family at special life events. The room looks out over the beautifully manicured front garden near the home’s entry, and is a most peaceful place to pull up a chair, drink some tea, and enjoy a good read. Photographer: Joe Nowak

Photography by Caryn B. Davis Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Custom, powder coated aluminum vegetable beds decrease in height as they follow a stone spiral through the heart of this edible back garden. The illusion of movement creates a dynamic, fun outdoor space. Small planters filled with herbs and perennials break up the expanses of roadbase, a permeable surface.

Removing the wall where the peninsula now resides made all the difference in this kitchen, allowing light to pour in from the family room and creating an open flow between the main entertaining area, the kitchen, and the eating area on the other side. Building in the refrigerator sandwiched neatly between the pantry and oven area made for a handsome wall, and eliminating a cluttered desk for a beautiful buffet made for one happy homeowner. A tiny bar around the corner also got a face-lift to match the smart new kitchen. Preparing food for the family is now a snap in this smart new kitchen that didn't break the bank.

Photography by Caryn B. Davis Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Traditional exterior home idea in Chicago

A homeowner in rural Waller County asked us to remove all of the old and breaking vinyl siding on his ranch style house and replace it will all new Hardie materials. And since we love a challenge, we gladly jumped at the chance. This house gave us the opportunity to show off the differences between vinyl and Hardie products, including siding, soffit, fascia, window and door trim, and their extra large ceilings on their large front porch. As you can see, the old vinyl siding was warping, cracking, and falling off of the walls; the vinyl soffits and ceilings were stretched and sagging. This old vinyl siding was the OLD style with only the flat blue foam sheathing underneath it, which is always a concern because that foam has a very low perm rating, which means it is like wrapping your studs in Saran Wrap so moisture inside your walls cannot get out. In this case, we had to tear off multiple layers of stuff, including the old siding, the blue foam sheathing, the layer of original siding that was still on the wall, and all of the underlayers behind the siding. Often houses that have had vinyl siding for long periods end up discovering that their structural wood has absorbed water and parts of it have begun to rot. So wherever we find rotting or damaged load-bearing wood, we fix it. When all the studs are repaired, only then do we begin to apply to Hardie materials.

Designed by Gina Rachelle Design Photography by Max Maloney
Example of a transitional kitchen design in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white countertops, a farmhouse sink and blue backsplash

A homeowner in rural Waller County asked us to remove all of the old and breaking vinyl siding on his ranch style house and replace it will all new Hardie materials. And since we love a challenge, we gladly jumped at the chance. This house gave us the opportunity to show off the differences between vinyl and Hardie products, including siding, soffit, fascia, window and door trim, and their extra large ceilings on their large front porch. As you can see, the old vinyl siding was warping, cracking, and falling off of the walls; the vinyl soffits and ceilings were stretched and sagging. This old vinyl siding was the OLD style with only the flat blue foam sheathing underneath it, which is always a concern because that foam has a very low perm rating, which means it is like wrapping your studs in Saran Wrap so moisture inside your walls cannot get out. In this case, we had to tear off multiple layers of stuff, including the old siding, the blue foam sheathing, the layer of original siding that was still on the wall, and all of the underlayers behind the siding. Often houses that have had vinyl siding for long periods end up discovering that their structural wood has absorbed water and parts of it have begun to rot. So wherever we find rotting or damaged load-bearing wood, we fix it. When all the studs are repaired, only then do we begin to apply to Hardie materials.