The layout of this colonial-style house lacked the open, coastal feel the homeowners wanted for their summer retreat. Siemasko + Verbridge worked with the homeowners to understand their goals and priorities: gourmet kitchen; open first floor with casual, connected lounging and entertaining spaces; an out-of-the-way area for laundry and a powder room; a home office; and overall, give the home a lighter and more “airy” feel. SV’s design team reprogrammed the first floor to successfully achieve these goals. SV relocated the kitchen to what had been an underutilized family room and moved the dining room to the location of the existing kitchen. This shift allowed for better alignment with the existing living spaces and improved flow through the rooms. The existing powder room and laundry closet, which opened directly into the dining room, were moved and are now tucked in a lower traffic area that connects the garage entrance to the kitchen. A new entry closet and home office were incorporated into the front of the house to define a well-proportioned entry space with a view of the new kitchen. By making use of the existing cathedral ceilings, adding windows in key locations, removing very few walls, and introducing a lighter color palette with contemporary materials, this summer cottage now exudes the light and airiness this home was meant to have. © Dan Cutrona Photography

The layout of this colonial-style house lacked the open, coastal feel the homeowners wanted for their summer retreat. Siemasko + Verbridge worked with the homeowners to understand their goals and priorities: gourmet kitchen; open first floor with casual, connected lounging and entertaining spaces; an out-of-the-way area for laundry and a powder room; a home office; and overall, give the home a lighter and more “airy” feel. SV’s design team reprogrammed the first floor to successfully achieve these goals. SV relocated the kitchen to what had been an underutilized family room and moved the dining room to the location of the existing kitchen. This shift allowed for better alignment with the existing living spaces and improved flow through the rooms. The existing powder room and laundry closet, which opened directly into the dining room, were moved and are now tucked in a lower traffic area that connects the garage entrance to the kitchen. A new entry closet and home office were incorporated into the front of the house to define a well-proportioned entry space with a view of the new kitchen. By making use of the existing cathedral ceilings, adding windows in key locations, removing very few walls, and introducing a lighter color palette with contemporary materials, this summer cottage now exudes the light and airiness this home was meant to have. © Dan Cutrona Photography

This project was such a joy to work on! The Georgian Colonial was home to a young family, whose transitional taste aligned well with their love of neutral palettes with pops of saturated color. See the beautiful transformation! Photography by David Bader

Living Room in Ridgerunner Drive | Room Type: Whole Home Remodel | Project Name: Ridgerunner | Key Feature: A full-home transformation that converted the property from a dated Tuscan style into a modern farmhouse design with a more contemporary edge. Challenge: The home’s original Tuscan style felt dated and did not align with the homeowners’ desired aesthetic. The challenge was to modernize the entire space while creating a design that remained practical and comfortable for a young family with a child. Solution: The home underwent a complete remodel that replaced the heavy Tuscan finishes with a lighter, more modern farmhouse palette. Updated materials, finishes, and design details created a fresh, contemporary look while maintaining a family-friendly environment. Timeline: Completed in 2019.

The Control/Shift House is perched on the high side of the site which takes advantage of the view to the southeast. A gradual descending path navigates the change in terrain from the street to the entry of the house. A series of low retaining walls/planter beds gather and release the earth upon the descent resulting in a fairly flat level for the house to sit on the top one third of the site. The entry axis is aligned with the celebrated stair volume and then re-centers on the actual entry axis once you approach the forecourt of the house. The initial desire was for an “H” scheme house with common entertaining spaces bridging the gap between the more private spaces. After an investigation considering the site, program, and view, a key move was made: unfold the east wing of the “H” scheme to open all rooms to the southeast view resulting in a “T” scheme. The new derivation allows for both a swim pool which is on axis with the entry and main gathering space and a lap pool which occurs on the cross axis extending along the lengthy edge of the master suite, providing direct access for morning exercise and a view of the water throughout the day. The Control/Shift House was derived from a clever way of following the “rules.” Strict HOA guidelines required very specific exterior massing restrictions which limits the lengths of unbroken elevations and promotes varying sizes of masses. The solution most often used in this neighborhood is one of addition - an aggregation of masses and program randomly attached to the inner core of the house which often results in a parasitic plan. The approach taken with the Control/Shift House was to push and pull program/massing to delineate and define the layout of the house. Massing is intentional and reiterated by the careful selection of materiality that tracks through the house. Voids and relief in the plan are a natural result of this method and allow for light and air to circulate throughout every space of the house, even into the most inner core. Photography: Charles Davis Smith

Dining Room in Ridgerunner Drive | Room Type: Whole Home Remodel | Project Name: Ridgerunner | Key Feature: A full-home transformation that converted the property from a dated Tuscan style into a modern farmhouse design with a more contemporary edge. Challenge: The home’s original Tuscan style felt dated and did not align with the homeowners’ desired aesthetic. The challenge was to modernize the entire space while creating a design that remained practical and comfortable for a young family with a child. Solution: The home underwent a complete remodel that replaced the heavy Tuscan finishes with a lighter, more modern farmhouse palette. Updated materials, finishes, and design details created a fresh, contemporary look while maintaining a family-friendly environment. Timeline: Completed in 2019.

On the shore of Lake Superior near Duluth, Minnesota, sat 16 acres of rugged, unbuilt land: A picturesque site for a new, custom cabin. The design of the cabin aimed to capitalize on the expansive view of Lake Superior and its rocky shoreline and dramatic waves. The key to accomplishing this was the organization of the living spaces (kitchen, dining, and living room). These three spaces are aligned linearly and step down towards Lake Superior giving both expansive views of the horizon and directed views of the rocky shoreline. The second floor contains three bedrooms and a “crow’s nest” loft overlooking the first floor living room and view of Lake Superior. The dark exterior color was chosen to blend into the surrounding dark trees and to highlight the dramatic limestone chimney. The interior’s smooth, polished surfaces and contrasting natural textures were designed to be a welcoming, refined counterpoint to the rugged landscape.

Our client greatly enjoyed their natural setting, and our master plan was built on preserving its character. We wanted to enhance the juxtaposition of rigid clarity of the rectilinear house with the highly organic, natural features of the site. Striking a balance between the man-made and the natural is always in our minds, as we seek subtle ways of stitching orthogonal lines into an otherwise organic setting. The Petanque court is the key element in transforming the untamed rear yard. The court is slightly cut into a slope and parallels the predominant site contours; softening grade change making the yard more useable, while lessening its impact on the topography. The moment where this really came together was when we decided to reuse the old-balcony wood to create a new boardwalk that runs the length of the court, and provides seating for players. A bend in its length brings it back into alignment with the house and ties into the path of concrete steps. It’s a perfect place to sit and watch a game. Photo credit: Vince Lupo

The Control/Shift House is perched on the high side of the site which takes advantage of the view to the southeast. A gradual descending path navigates the change in terrain from the street to the entry of the house. A series of low retaining walls/planter beds gather and release the earth upon the descent resulting in a fairly flat level for the house to sit on the top one third of the site. The entry axis is aligned with the celebrated stair volume and then re-centers on the actual entry axis once you approach the forecourt of the house. The initial desire was for an “H” scheme house with common entertaining spaces bridging the gap between the more private spaces. After an investigation considering the site, program, and view, a key move was made: unfold the east wing of the “H” scheme to open all rooms to the southeast view resulting in a “T” scheme. The new derivation allows for both a swim pool which is on axis with the entry and main gathering space and a lap pool which occurs on the cross axis extending along the lengthy edge of the master suite, providing direct access for morning exercise and a view of the water throughout the day. The Control/Shift House was derived from a clever way of following the “rules.” Strict HOA guidelines required very specific exterior massing restrictions which limits the lengths of unbroken elevations and promotes varying sizes of masses. The solution most often used in this neighborhood is one of addition - an aggregation of masses and program randomly attached to the inner core of the house which often results in a parasitic plan. The approach taken with the Control/Shift House was to push and pull program/massing to delineate and define the layout of the house. Massing is intentional and reiterated by the careful selection of materiality that tracks through the house. Voids and relief in the plan are a natural result of this method and allow for light and air to circulate throughout every space of the house, even into the most inner core. Photography: Charles Davis Smith

Miele Ranges at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center 26767 Agoura Road, Calabasas, CA 91302 Phone 818.880.0011 Fax 818.880.0411 12050 Ventura Blvd.,Studio City, CA 91604 Phone 818.755.1111 Fax 818.755.9111 www.uakc.com Miele focuses on delivering precise, reliable, gourmet cooking results – compromise is simply not an option when it comes to performance. Miele ranges offering different size configurations (30", 36" and 48") and power configurations (dual fuel, gas, electric and induction). All aligning perfectly with Miele Generation 6000 built-in appliances in terms of design, function and user interface. Key Features of Miele ranges: M Touch Miele's new M Touch controls are both easy-to-operate and navigate. An intuitive swipe of the screen will quickly lead you to your desired selection. Whether choosing an automatic Chicken program or calling up one of your Favorites, the screen with provide a pleasing visual with easy to read touch controls. M Pro Dual Stacked Burner System The M Pro Dual Stacked Burner System enables each of the burners on a Miele Range or Rangetop to both simmer and sear. Regular burners reaching up to 19,000 BTUs and the True Simmer burner reaching a maximum of 12,000 BTU, offers a wide range of precision temperatures for any recipe. Moisture Plus Increasing the humidity in the oven optimizes the cooking of a variety of foods: soft bread with a shiny, appetizing crust; dinner rolls and croissants as if from the local baker; succulent, tender meat with a nicely browned crust, perfect casseroles, delicious pastries and so much more. MasterChef and MasterChef Plus Both found in the Gourmet Center, MasterChef allows you to choose from over 100 easy-to-use programs for items such as baked goods, pizza, turkey and much more making preparation a breeze. Miele will deliver menu options that guide you step by step to the desired oven mode and temperature to create the perfect dish. MasterChef Plus Programs feature 15 Automatic bread programs bake as if from a bakery, guiding you to the correct mode, temperature, time and integration of Moisture Plus to create the perfect bread. Wireless Roast Probe Enjoy individualized and accurate roasting of meat, fish and poultry with the wireless roast probe, which measures the core temperature and displays the time remaining. No need to monitor the cooking process. Easy to use - and great for poultry, fish and roasts.

Living Room in Ridgerunner Drive | Room Type: Whole Home Remodel | Project Name: Ridgerunner | Key Feature: A full-home transformation that converted the property from a dated Tuscan style into a modern farmhouse design with a more contemporary edge. Challenge: The home’s original Tuscan style felt dated and did not align with the homeowners’ desired aesthetic. The challenge was to modernize the entire space while creating a design that remained practical and comfortable for a young family with a child. Solution: The home underwent a complete remodel that replaced the heavy Tuscan finishes with a lighter, more modern farmhouse palette. Updated materials, finishes, and design details created a fresh, contemporary look while maintaining a family-friendly environment. Timeline: Completed in 2019.

Our client greatly enjoyed their natural setting, and our master plan was built on preserving its character. We wanted to enhance the juxtaposition of rigid clarity of the rectilinear house with the highly organic, natural features of the site. Striking a balance between the man-made and the natural is always in our minds, as we seek subtle ways of stitching orthogonal lines into an otherwise organic setting. The Petanque court is the key element in transforming the untamed rear yard. The court is slightly cut into a slope and parallels the predominant site contours; softening grade change making the yard more useable, while lessening its impact on the topography. The moment where this really came together was when we decided to reuse the old-balcony wood to create a new boardwalk that runs the length of the court, and provides seating for players. A bend in its length brings it back into alignment with the house and ties into the path of concrete steps. It’s a perfect place to sit and watch a game. Photo credit: Vince Lupo

Bathroom in Ridgerunner Drive | Room Type: Whole Home Remodel | Project Name: Ridgerunner | Key Feature: A full-home transformation that converted the property from a dated Tuscan style into a modern farmhouse design with a more contemporary edge. Challenge: The home’s original Tuscan style felt dated and did not align with the homeowners’ desired aesthetic. The challenge was to modernize the entire space while creating a design that remained practical and comfortable for a young family with a child. Solution: The home underwent a complete remodel that replaced the heavy Tuscan finishes with a lighter, more modern farmhouse palette. Updated materials, finishes, and design details created a fresh, contemporary look while maintaining a family-friendly environment. Timeline: Completed in 2019.

Kitchen - large contemporary ceramic tile and gray floor kitchen idea in Austin with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

A truly restorative bedroom is designed around comfort, support, and the moments that make home feel like home. This welcoming space features the Doctor's Choice® Elite Soft Mattress from Denver Mattress, crafted for sleepers who prefer a softer feel while still benefiting from advanced support and pressure-relieving comfort. As part of the premium Doctor's Choice® Collection, the Elite Soft is engineered to cushion key pressure points while helping maintain healthy spinal alignment throughout the night. Its combination of plush comfort and supportive design creates a sleep surface that helps reduce tossing and turning, promoting deeper, more restorative rest. Surrounded by rich wood furnishings, calming colors, soft textures, and personal touches, this bedroom demonstrates how thoughtful design can support both relaxation and well-being. Whether enjoying a quiet morning, unwinding after a busy day, or sharing time with loved ones, the space is designed to help you feel comfortable, supported, and at ease.

Decorate your living space with the ideal area rug, a key element in enhancing your home's style and comfort. Whether you’re updating your bedroom decor or outfitting your living room, selecting the right rug can transform any area, adding warmth, texture, and a distinctive touch to your space. For those looking to upgrade their bedroom or living room, area rugs come in a range of styles and materials to suit various tastes and needs. Hand-tufted and hand-knotted rugs offer timeless elegance with their intricate designs and luxurious textures. These handcrafted options are perfect for adding a sophisticated element to your bedroom decor or living room. Hand-loomed rugs, with their artisanal craftsmanship, bring a unique, personalized touch to any room, making them ideal for those who appreciate detailed, bespoke designs. If you prefer a modern aesthetic, machine-woven rugs provide a practical yet stylish solution. These rugs are available in a variety of patterns and colors and are designed to withstand high foot traffic, making them a durable choice for busy areas. For a more contemporary feel, flat-woven rugs, such as kilims, offer a reversible design that fits seamlessly with both modern and traditional decor themes. For added comfort and style, consider shag or flokati rugs. Their plush, long fibers create a cozy atmosphere and are perfect for a living room where comfort is key. These rugs are especially suited for spaces where you want to relax and enjoy a soft, inviting texture underfoot. When it comes to functionality, choosing a rug that is machine washable, stain-resistant, and water-resistant ensures longevity and ease of maintenance. These practical features are essential for busy households and high-traffic areas, helping to keep your rug looking fresh and clean. Non-slip and adhesive backings are also crucial, especially on hardwood floors, to prevent slips and ensure the rug remains securely in place. For those looking to make a statement, large rugs for the living room or oversized area rugs, such as 8x10 options, can define and elevate your space. Large carpets provide substantial coverage and can anchor a room, adding a sense of scale and sophistication. Whether you opt for a big rug for the living room or a huge carpet to cover a larger area, these choices offer versatility and style. In addition to large living room rugs, consider rug sets or personalized options to further enhance your decor. Custom rugs with features like fringe or organic textures can add a distinctive element to your space, reflecting your personal style and complementing your existing decor. To ensure your rug enhances the overall look of your room, consider how it aligns with your decor theme. Contemporary and modern designs offer sleek, clean lines and bold patterns, while traditional and mid-century modern styles provide a more classic or retro look. Transitional rugs blend elements from both traditional and modern styles, offering flexibility and a timeless appeal. In summary, selecting the right area rug involves balancing aesthetics with practicality. From luxurious hand-tufted and hand-knotted designs to functional machine-woven and flat-woven options, the perfect rug can elevate your living room, bedroom, or kitchen into a stylish and comfortable haven. Explore the vast array of choices available, including large living room rugs and personalized designs, to find the ideal rug that meets both your decorative and functional needs.

THE SETUP This project was a natural extension of a nearby kitchen remodel, emphasizing seamless integration and enhanced functionality. By removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room, we transformed a previously underutilized space into a central hub for both daily living and vibrant social gatherings. This transformation capitalized on the dining room’s potential, turning it from a cluttered storage area to a key entertaining space. Design Objectives: Foster an open-air design that harmonizes with the adjacent kitchen, enhancing the flow of both spaces. Infuse the dining room with design elements that reflect the client’s dynamic personality and make it ideal for large gatherings. Integrate a multifunctional wet bar to elevate the room’s utility and entertainment capacity. Design Challenges: Rerouting necessary HVAC ductwork due to the removal of the wall shared with the kitchen. Relocating essential appliances such as a fridge/freezer and double oven without compromising the room’s aesthetic. Incorporating bar-specific appliances in a way that avoids a commercial appearance. Retaining the client’s large, marble dining table while maintaining a cohesive design that aligns with the new kitchen aesthetics. Introducing plumbing into a space previously devoid of such infrastructure. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: Added a secondary HVAC unit on the upper floor and adjusted the ductwork to accommodate the open layout. Strategically relocated the fridge/freezer to a more functional location in the kitchen and substituted the double oven with an oven/steam oven combination, placed near the kitchen for accessibility yet distanced from heavy traffic areas. Employed wood paneling extensively along the new bar/appliance wall, concealing most appliances while tastefully displaying essential ones. The wall now features a sophisticated ensemble of a wine dispenser, wine fridge, ice maker, refrigerator drawers, and the new oven duo. Meticulously designed the bar/appliance wall to parallel the large marble dining table, ensuring it complemented the table’s grandeur while enhancing functionality. The wall is not only aesthetically aligned with the kitchen’s new look but also offers ample counter space to support dining and social activities at the table. Installed new plumbing lines to support the wet bar and sink installation, ensuring all new fixtures were fully operational and aesthetically integrated into the design without disrupting the room’s overall style. The new dining room/wet bar has quickly become the centerpiece of the home, captivating guests upon entry and drawing them into its stylish and inviting ambiance. Designed for versatility, it excels in hosting both intimate dinners and large-scale gatherings. The client is thrilled with this transformation, which not only meets but surpasses her expectations for a space that combines everyday functionality with exceptional hosting capabilities.

Homeowner Services of Michigan recently completed a comprehensive exterior restoration project for a professional building owned by a commercial property client. The client selected us for our ability to meet their specific needs and adhere to their timeline. A key requirement was to complete the project without disrupting the tenants of the complex. We began by carefully removing the old, outdated siding. Our team ensured minimal disturbance to the tenants by scheduling work during off-peak hours and utilizing sound-dampening techniques. Once the old siding was removed, we prepared the building’s inner sheath and applied advanced weather-sealing techniques to protect against moisture and improve insulation. Next, we installed high-quality HardieBoard cement composite siding in a deep slate blue color. This choice provided a modern and professional appearance. Our team ensured precise alignment and secure fastening for maximum durability. To complete the look, we installed contrasting regal gold trim, gutters, and downspouts. The regal gold trim highlighted the building’s architectural features, while the matching gutters and downspouts ensured efficient water drainage and added to the building's aesthetic appeal. The project was completed on time and within budget, with no disruption to the building’s tenants. The new exterior not only enhanced the building's curb appeal but also provided improved weather resistance and energy efficiency. The combination of deep slate blue HardieBoard siding and regal gold trim created a striking, professional look that perfectly aligned with the client’s vision.

Homeowner Services of Michigan recently completed a comprehensive exterior restoration project for a professional building owned by a commercial property client. The client selected us for our ability to meet their specific needs and adhere to their timeline. A key requirement was to complete the project without disrupting the tenants of the complex. We began by carefully removing the old, outdated siding. Our team ensured minimal disturbance to the tenants by scheduling work during off-peak hours and utilizing sound-dampening techniques. Once the old siding was removed, we prepared the building’s inner sheath and applied advanced weather-sealing techniques to protect against moisture and improve insulation. Next, we installed high-quality HardieBoard cement composite siding in a deep slate blue color. This choice provided a modern and professional appearance. Our team ensured precise alignment and secure fastening for maximum durability. To complete the look, we installed contrasting regal gold trim, gutters, and downspouts. The regal gold trim highlighted the building’s architectural features, while the matching gutters and downspouts ensured efficient water drainage and added to the building's aesthetic appeal. The project was completed on time and within budget, with no disruption to the building’s tenants. The new exterior not only enhanced the building's curb appeal but also provided improved weather resistance and energy efficiency. The combination of deep slate blue HardieBoard siding and regal gold trim created a striking, professional look that perfectly aligned with the client’s vision.