It’s always a blessing when your clients become friends - and that’s exactly what blossomed out of this two-phase remodel (along with three transformed spaces!). These clients were such a joy to work with and made what, at times, was a challenging job feel seamless. This project consisted of two phases, the first being a reconfiguration and update of their master bathroom, guest bathroom, and hallway closets, and the second a kitchen remodel. In keeping with the style of the home, we decided to run with what we called “traditional with farmhouse charm” – warm wood tones, cement tile, traditional patterns, and you can’t forget the pops of color! The master bathroom airs on the masculine side with a mostly black, white, and wood color palette, while the powder room is very feminine with pastel colors. When the bathroom projects were wrapped, it didn’t take long before we moved on to the kitchen. The kitchen already had a nice flow, so we didn’t need to move any plumbing or appliances. Instead, we just gave it the facelift it deserved! We wanted to continue the farmhouse charm and landed on a gorgeous terracotta and ceramic hand-painted tile for the backsplash, concrete look-alike quartz countertops, and two-toned cabinets while keeping the existing hardwood floors. We also removed some upper cabinets that blocked the view from the kitchen into the dining and living room area, resulting in a coveted open concept floor plan. Our clients have always loved to entertain, but now with the remodel complete, they are hosting more than ever, enjoying every second they have in their home.

View of new bar and kitchen in old music room location. This was a major remodel to an existing 1970 building. It was approximately 2300 sq. ft. but it was dated in style and function. The access was by a wood stair up to the street, with no garage and tight small rooms. The remodel and addition created a two car garage with storage and a dramatic entry with grand stair descending down to the existing living room area. Spaces where moved and changed to create a open plan living environment with a new kitchen, master suite, guest suite, and remodeling and adding to the lower level bedrooms with new baths on suite. The mechanical system was replaced and air conditioning was added as well as air treatment.

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Mid-century details like turned tapered legs and beveled edges lend an air of refinement to our Grove desk. Open design makes cord management a breeze. Handcrafted by Pennsylvania woodworkers, the Grove desk features a natural oil-and-wax finish that showcases the beautiful grain of its solid wood construction. Copenhagen lateral file credenzas offer functional and stylish office storage.

This contemporary farmhouse is located on a scenic acreage in Greendale, BC. It features an open floor plan with room for hosting a large crowd, a large kitchen with double wall ovens, tons of counter space, a custom range hood and was designed to maximize natural light. Shed dormers with windows up high flood the living areas with daylight. The stairwells feature more windows to give them an open, airy feel, and custom black iron railings designed and crafted by a talented local blacksmith. The home is very energy efficient, featuring R32 ICF construction throughout, R60 spray foam in the roof, window coatings that minimize solar heat gain, an HRV system to ensure good air quality, and LED lighting throughout. A large covered patio with a wood burning fireplace provides warmth and shelter in the shoulder seasons. Carsten Arnold Photography

Exterior of a modern screened-in porch design in Northwest Washington, D.C. It features skylights, an Infratech infrared heater, a Minka-Aire ceiling fan, low-maintenance Zuri deck boards and stainless steel cable handrails. Photographer: Michael Ventura.

Example of a large 1960s u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Vancouver with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartz countertops, black backsplash, marble backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

In this bathroom, a Medallion Gold Providence Vanity with Classic Paint Irish Crème was installed with Zodiaq Portfolio London Sky Corian on the countertop and on top of the window seat. A regular rectangular undermount sink with Vesi widespread lavatory faucet in brushed nickel. A Cardinal shower with partition in clear glass with brushed nickel hardware. Mansfield Pro-fit Air Massage bath and Brizo Transitional Hydrati shower with h2Okinetic technology in brushed nickel. Kohler Cimarron comfort height toilet in white.

Addison Hill Photography
Farmhouse family room photo in Atlanta

This traditional artist's atelier is eclectic in style, utilizing an oversize antique table as a spacious desk and worktable. The blue rug with a symmetrical, Art Deco style pattern adds a punch of color to the otherwise white walls. The custom storage unit is transitional in style, with a light wood tone finish that offers a pleasing contrast to the old hardwood floors of the garrett. Modern track lighting fills both a practical and aesthetic role by providing even lighting in this attic space with heavy angles and sloped ceilings. Photo by Cathy Rabeler

Photography by Christi Nielsen
Example of a large trendy u-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen design in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash, metal backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

...a Study Nook deep in shadows. (Photography by Beton Brut).
Trendy living room photo in Singapore

Twist Art
Example of a farmhouse living room design in Austin

Trent Bell Photography
Mudroom - coastal light wood floor mudroom idea in Portland Maine with gray walls and a blue front door

Mid-century modern home office photo in Denver

Shown in the open position, the outer sections of the architectural photograph slide apart to reveal shelving concealed within the custom storage wall. When closed, the three sections form one continuous panoramic image; when open, the artwork frames frequently used books, files and office supplies. This flexible design allows the wall to shift between a clean visual focal point and accessible working storage.

Jacob Williamson Photography
Open concept kitchen - contemporary l-shaped open concept kitchen idea with flat-panel cabinets, quartz countertops and ceramic backsplash

A large farm style table, previously located in the kitchen, was repurposed as a desk/worktable for the artist's studio and positioned in front of the windows. The table is conveniently located across from the custom built-in storage that holds canvases, paints, brushes, pastels and all the tools of the trade. Photo by Cathy Rabeler