There were several limitations and challenges in this kitchen being that it is located in such a narrow space. We had to re-space plan the kitchen footprint and this allowed us to create comfortable thoroughfares in the kitchen when major appliances were in use alleviating current congestion. Preview First

These engaging homeowners are fortuitous enough to reside in a three level townhouse on a quiet street in downtown Minneapolis. This couple loves to entertain and host family holidays. Spaces are tight in most urban areas. This townhome is no exception. There was nothing horribly wrong with the way the home was laid out, it just did not serve the needs of the family. The kitchen was tucked up front and forced into a small space, making it difficult for multiple people to be in the space at the same time. The homeowners also wished to upgrade to professional appliances. Due to size and mechanical code restrictions, this was just not possible in the existing space. The back of the townhome had a large living room and good sized dining room. Off this space is a shaded deck and swimming pool, which are used all the time. Traffic always ran from the outdoor entertaining space directly to the kitchen in the front. Not only was this inconvenient, a mess was dragged in from wet swimmers. To alleviate these challenges, we moved the kitchen from the smaller space at the front of the home to the larger space the under utilized living room furniture occupied. This allowed us to curate a large kitchen that fits all their needs, wants, and aesthetic desires. Now there is plenty of room to cook, relax, and bustle about. We also added a wet bar next to the patio door in the dining room. Right by the door is a beverage cooler from which guests may grab beverages and snacks without dragging the outside in with them. Being the homeowners and designer are all members of the creative community in the Twin Cities, it was important to incorporate the work of local artists. This kitchen is fully curated with all Minnesota products (with the exception of the appliances, which are manufactured in Wisconsin). The cabinets and countertops are from larger local companies, while all the other features are hand made by near by artists. These artisan products include a custom stainless steel range hood, black powder coated table base and fireplace mantel, hand made tile for the backsplash and fireplace surround, wood elevated island table, and wood panel backsplash at the bar. Hand made tiles had previously been installed in the existing kitchen. The color of these tiles is no longer available. It was the home- owners desire to preserve these tiles somehow. We cut the tile off the walls and soaked the drywall from them. We then installed them in the powder room as a feature behind the vanity and mirror.

"Please help us! No one knows how to make our kitchen functional with all these angles!" Well the designers at Sycamore Kitchens & More took this as a personal challenge and the clients couldn't be happier with their new kitchen. Plenty of storage was created with the new design featuring 48" tall wall cabinets allowing for an extra shelf throughout the kitchen, angled cabinets in the corners instead of fillers, and a separate wine/ coffee bar area alleviating countertop clutter. Functional elements in the base cabinets such as roll out trays, spice racks, tray cabinets and deep pot and pan drawers replaced plain shelves. Lastly, the countertop was relocated from the island creating a more comfortable island for everyday use and entertaining. Architectural elements were incorporated to soften the sharp angles of the space including a majestic sweeping chimney hood, arched toe kicks, and custom stacked crown molding to the ceiling. "We couldn't be happier- you checked all the boxes and we absolutely LOVE our new kitchen"

Our clients immediately recognized the potential of the home located in a highly sought-after section of Allentown. The dated kitchen needed significant rethinking but our clients knew it could be turned into something beautiful and inspiring. And, indeed, they were right. Busy professionals with an active social life, our clients wanted an inviting space to host both intimate dinner parties and large social gatherings. With this in mind, we worked to reimagine the flow of traffic from one room to another. Extraneous walls and a desk inconveniently positioned in the middle of the main kitchen thoroughfare needed to be removed and tight workspace aisles and narrow passageways demanded widening to help alleviate the problem. In addition to the kitchen’s flow concerns, the dark and dated space needed brightening. The wall between the kitchen and family room was opened up to unite the two spaces allowing more light into both rooms. Windows were also added at the sink wall so the room could be flooded with bright morning sun, while also offering a beautiful view of the park below. All-white cabinetry was selected to help reflect the additional light. An unfortunate challenge of expanding the windows meant there were fewer wall cabinets to store dishes. We turned to the island where we installed large dish drawers featuring wood pegged interiors. We also relied on wall-to-counter cabinets for additional storage to help keep the room clutter-free as appliances were neatly tucked behind doors. A new, built-in pantry was also added. The finished kitchen unites traditional with today and elegance with comfort to ensure perfection. We are thrilled for our clients who have an abundance of good taste, an eye for what is possible and a drive to see it accomplished. Jacqueline Powell Photography

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.

Will Calhoun - House VI is an intimate residence. I was asked to renovate this home in 1989 after earlier construction techniques had failed to protect the integrity of the curtain wall and roof systems. The renovation was extremely comprehensive will many new structural members, new insulation, roof system, windows + doors, FineStone exterior stucco, skim coat plaster interior, floors, glass insets in the floors, cabinets, tile, etc. etc. For many years the house was worry free. Ultimately, the closely packed horizontal skylights with 'lower than spec' curbs on the roof succumbed to New England winters and pin hole leaks began to appear. That was alleviated in 2010 when many of the skylights were eliminated and a low pitched EPDM roof system was installed. In late winter 2014 the temperature plunged in the house and the low temperature sensor failed to alert anyone until 14 hidden pipe breaks and a great deal of water damage necessitated a new, smaller renovation to penetrate the finishes - both interior and exterior - to mend the pipes and restore the house to it's original aesthetic.

"Please help us! No one knows how to make our kitchen functional with all these angles!" Well the designers at Sycamore Kitchens & More took this as a personal challenge and the clients couldn't be happier with their new kitchen. Plenty of storage was created with the new design featuring 48" tall wall cabinets allowing for an extra shelf throughout the kitchen, angled cabinets in the corners instead of fillers, and a separate wine/ coffee bar area alleviating countertop clutter. Functional elements in the base cabinets such as roll out trays, spice racks, tray cabinets and deep pot and pan drawers replaced plain shelves. Lastly, the countertop was relocated from the island creating a more comfortable island for everyday use and entertaining. Architectural elements were incorporated to soften the sharp angles of the space including a majestic sweeping chimney hood, arched toe kicks, and custom stacked crown molding to the ceiling. "We couldn't be happier- you checked all the boxes and we absolutely LOVE our new kitchen"

A comfort-height toilet alleviates discomfort.
Small transitional mosaic tile floor, multicolored floor and wallpaper powder room photo in Boston with a one-piece toilet

Check out this killer outdoor space! This project was a challenge – the property pitch was causing drainage issues, with no usable space because of the constant flooding. We excavated and put in retaining walls with built-in drainage away from the house to alleviate the problem, making the space beautiful and usable. The space features an Equinox louvered roof, custom kitchen with two grills (one charcoal, one gas), and a see-through fireplace that was used to leverage seating areas on both sides. The homeowners are thrilled with their new space! Want yours? Contact Deck Remodelers, the most awarded outdoor builder in all of North America: 973.729.2125. Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest: https://www.instagram.com/deckremodelers/

These engaging homeowners are fortuitous enough to reside in a three level townhouse on a quiet street in downtown Minneapolis. This couple loves to entertain and host family holidays. Spaces are tight in most urban areas. This townhome is no exception. There was nothing horribly wrong with the way the home was laid out, it just did not serve the needs of the family. The kitchen was tucked up front and forced into a small space, making it difficult for multiple people to be in the space at the same time. The homeowners also wished to upgrade to professional appliances. Due to size and mechanical code restrictions, this was just not possible in the existing space. The back of the townhome had a large living room and good sized dining room. Off this space is a shaded deck and swimming pool, which are used all the time. Traffic always ran from the outdoor entertaining space directly to the kitchen in the front. Not only was this inconvenient, a mess was dragged in from wet swimmers. To alleviate these challenges, we moved the kitchen from the smaller space at the front of the home to the larger space the under utilized living room furniture occupied. This allowed us to curate a large kitchen that fits all their needs, wants, and aesthetic desires. Now there is plenty of room to cook, relax, and bustle about. We also added a wet bar next to the patio door in the dining room. Right by the door is a beverage cooler from which guests may grab beverages and snacks without dragging the outside in with them. Being the homeowners and designer are all members of the creative community in the Twin Cities, it was important to incorporate the work of local artists. This kitchen is fully curated with all Minnesota products (with the exception of the appliances, which are manufactured in Wisconsin). The cabinets and countertops are from larger local companies, while all the other features are hand made by near by artists. These artisan products include a custom stainless steel range hood, black powder coated table base and fireplace mantel, hand made tile for the backsplash and fireplace surround, wood elevated island table, and wood panel backsplash at the bar. Hand made tiles had previously been installed in the existing kitchen. The color of these tiles is no longer available. It was the home- owners desire to preserve these tiles somehow. We cut the tile off the walls and soaked the drywall from them. We then installed them in the powder room as a feature behind the vanity and mirror.

Situated on a large, picturesque lot surrounded by lush, mature trees, this project in Ann Arbor, MI, aimed to create a multi-generational home designed for family members of all ages to live harmoniously under one roof. Primary and secondary spaces were carefully planned and added to support the evolving needs of the household, creating separate wings in response to the different ages and lifestyles; Aging in place on the 1st floor, children and private office spaces on the 2nd floor to respond to the clients working from home. Key modifications to the first-floor layout were made to alleviate congestion, support the concept of “aging in place” and improve circulation in high-traffic areas, ensuring comfort and ease of movement throughout the home. The project included enlarging the existing garage, adding a new family room on the first floor, adding a new formal entry and mudroom, enlarging the living room, renovating the current 1st-floor en-suite for Aging in place, and adding a modern stair tower to the newly added 2nd-floor. The 2nd floor has 3 bedrooms, a home office and a fully new en-suite that accentuates the views from the backyard. An abundance of expansive windows helps to blur the line between the natural and built environments, pulling in lots of natural light through the house. To help with the transformation from a traditional ranch to a modern 2-story, the roof line was designed as an abstraction of the original roof elements/slopes. The clients’ “new” home embodies both function and beauty, offering flexibility for future growth while creating a visually stunning composition of spaces.

Situated on a large, picturesque lot surrounded by lush, mature trees, this project in Ann Arbor, MI, aimed to create a multi-generational home designed for family members of all ages to live harmoniously under one roof. Primary and secondary spaces were carefully planned and added to support the evolving needs of the household, creating separate wings in response to the different ages and lifestyles; Aging in place on the 1st floor, children and private office spaces on the 2nd floor to respond to the clients working from home. Key modifications to the first-floor layout were made to alleviate congestion, support the concept of “aging in place” and improve circulation in high-traffic areas, ensuring comfort and ease of movement throughout the home. The project included enlarging the existing garage, adding a new family room on the first floor, adding a new formal entry and mudroom, enlarging the living room, renovating the current 1st-floor en-suite for Aging in place, and adding a modern stair tower to the newly added 2nd-floor. The 2nd floor has 3 bedrooms, a home office and a fully new en-suite that accentuates the views from the backyard. An abundance of expansive windows helps to blur the line between the natural and built environments, pulling in lots of natural light through the house. To help with the transformation from a traditional ranch to a modern 2-story, the roof line was designed as an abstraction of the original roof elements/slopes. The clients’ “new” home embodies both function and beauty, offering flexibility for future growth while creating a visually stunning composition of spaces.

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 charming family home in Charlotte had remained largely unchanged since its original construction 25 years prior. The kitchen, though functional, was somewhat cramped due to an inconveniently placed island that obstructed the work triangle. To alleviate this, we gracefully removed the island and opened up the work area, allowing for comfortable and efficient cooking for two. A delightful pass-through window with a bar top was then added, not only visually connecting the kitchen to the dining area, but also providing a warm and inviting atmosphere for entertaining guests. The bar top serves as an ideal spot for additional seating or as a buffet station during gatherings. The added benefit of this renovation was the increased natural light filtering in from the sunny side of the house, further illuminating the kitchen. To complete the transformation, we installed a beverage refrigerator, a stylish matching pantry door with a frosted glass lite, and added a fresh coat of paint. All of these updates were completed in just 7 days, from start to finish.

Metal roofs continue to be a popular option with Twin Cities area homeowners. In the summer months, they lower energy bills because they reflect heat. In the winter months, they shed snow, alleviating the concern of ice dams. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at a project our craftsmen completed for our client, Sara.

Here’s a really interesting commercial job for you, which I recently completed in the town of Hinckley, Leicestershire. I was asked to take a look at a Victorian Geometric and Encaustic tiled floor in the historic Queen’s Head pub. This floor is over a century old and although in good condition for its age had suffered significant wear over the years, along with some cracked tiles and slight inherent moisture issues. What the pub landlord requested was a restorative clean to alleviate the aesthetically damaging effect of the wear, and to enhance the natural colours of the stone. I was also asked to seal the floor following the clean to achieve a semi-gloss finish. The first step in the cleaning process was to mix a strong solution of one part Tile Doctor Pro-Clean to four parts clean water. Pro-Clean is a high alkaline cleaner which also contains stripping properties, allowing it to break down old sealer and tackle heavy soil build-up. The solution was applied to the floor and left to dwell for 15 minutes, giving it times to seep into the stone, get underneath the dirt and lift it to the surface. I addressed several paint spots and areas suffering from glue contamination by using Tile Doctor Remove & Go, which is specially formulated to break down paint and adhesives on unpolished natural stone floors, amongst others. The entire floor was then scrubbed using a special floor cleaning pad, and the resulting slurry was vacuumed away using a wet-vac machine. The final issue to deal with was the inherent efflorescence staining. This was treated using Tile Doctor Grout Clean-Up, an acid-based product which removes not just efflorescence but also grout haze, mineral deposits, and rust stains. The solution here was one part Grout Clean-Up diluted with four parts water. After completing the clean, I thoroughly rinsed the floor with clean water to remove any trace of cleaning product and dried the floor as much as possible with a wet vacuum, then before leaving for the day i installed a couple of air movers to assist with drying overnight. Upon my return the following day, I checked the floor for any excess moisture before sealing it with our topical, semi-gloss finish sealer, known as Seal & Go Extra which due to its formula is ideal for external or old internal floors where there is unlikely to be damp from membrane. This unique product provides excellent protection, and allows the tiles to breath where floors are suffering from inherent moisture issues. It is suitable for both internal and external use, on Victorian floor tiles, Sandstone, Flagstones, Terracotta, and rough Slate. As you can see from the photo, I was able to fulfil my client’s request to a high standard, bringing the pub’s old yet characterful Victorian tiled floor back to life again. Kay Sylvester Leicestershire Tile Doctor

This maple stair with open rise carpet treads brings a warm and impressive feel to this home. The self-supported design alleviates the need for support posts under the landings leaving the view through the windows uncluttered. Grouped blanked spindles and mission posts add a simple linear texture to the staircase. The many posts tied together with angular lines showcase detail and craftsmanship. Ryan Patrick Kelly Photographs

A small and elegant condominium rises out of a 90’s era building. Turning a dated studio apartment into a luxury short-term rental property alleviates the stress that tourists experience when booking accommodations in Vancouver. Rivaling any 5-star downtown hotel this gem, across from the Seabreeze Walkway, was renovated to attract tourists from all over the world. The floor plan was kept intact and given a much-needed facelift. The dated flooring was removed and durable vinyl-plank flooring was put in its place. The custom cabinetry in the kitchen has a fresh feel with ivory flush doors juxtaposed with walnut cubbies and accents. Quartz, Stratuarietto counters with an elegant waterfall peninsula partition the kitchen from the living room. The peninsula island was deepened to accommodate seating. “It’s important to use the same materials throughout a small space, notes the designer, as you don’t want to overstimulate the senses”. The same walnut millwork and quartz are seen again in the bathroom. The tub was removed to make way for a walk-in shower, tiled in a floral and herringbone pattern. Plumbing fixtures and accessories are in brass or flat black finishes giving this space the perfect balance of femininity and masculinity. Complete with a washer and dryer and storage room, a small space designed right, can feel grandiose.

This maple stair with open rise carpet treads brings a warm and impressive feel to this home. The self-supported design alleviates the need for support posts under the landings leaving the view through the windows uncluttered. Grouped blanked spindles and mission posts add a simple linear texture to the staircase. The many posts tied together with angular lines showcase detail and craftsmanship. Ryan Patrick Kelly Photographs