The Brooke Residence ‘Addi- tion by Subtraction’ remodeling project was recognized with numerous regional and national awards and was selected for Fine Homebuilding’s Annual Issue on Houses. This 1920’s Craftsman Bungalow had been poorly modified in the 70’s in an attempt to address poor energy performance with a scabbed on solarium. The design solution removed the solarium and completely reimagined the floor plan: The kitchen was relocated to the rear; the stairway was relocated to enhance function, and a better connection to the family room was created.

VISION AND NEEDS: Our client came to us with a vision for their dream house for their growing family with three young children. This was their second attempt at getting the right design. The first time around, after working with an out-of-state online architect, they could not achieve the level of quality they wanted. McHugh delivered a home with higher quality design. MCHUGH SOLUTION: The Shingle/Dutch Colonial Design was our client's dream home style. Their priorities were to have a home office for both parents. Ample living space for kids and friends, along with outdoor space and a pool. Double sink bathroom for the kids and a master bedroom with bath for the parents. Despite being close a flood zone, clients could have a fully finished basement with 9ft ceilings and a full attic. Because of the higher water table, the first floor was considerably above grade. To soften the ascent of the front walkway, we designed planters around the stairs, leading up to the porch.

These Excelsior homeowners bought this property primarily for the lakeshore view. All was well until they realized that the floor plan didn’t leave adequate room for a larger kitchen remodel and a dining room. Their first attempt to design a large enough dining addition with another remodeler failed. So, they lived in frustration without the dining room view for years. Fortunately, for all of us, their next-door neighbors had just finished a deck/sauna remodel with Murphy Bros. and gladly made the referral to us. Now they have a 9 x 12 foot dining room addition, with an 8 x 12 foot deck extension off the dining room, all seamlessly integrated into their existing structure. To stay within budget, we re-used the decking to extend the deck off the new addition. We also designed a slanted pergola over the existing deck for added visual interest.

This Mequon master on-suite from the 80's was in serious need of a face lift! While it may be a large bathroom, it certainly was not up to date and did not meet the needs of the client. We designed a complete gut and re-build including the removal of a window that only looked over the solarium below! The result is a timeless design that allowed the homeowner to sell his home, after many failed attempts with the old bathroom, and meets the needs of the future buyers!

Seems like the ‘80s weren’t all that long ago. Reminiscing about music from the period harkens me back to all kinds of good feelings. The era’s kitchen and bath design, however, causes me to repress a bit of vomit. The lack of creativity, coupled with a love of beige and cheap brass, still makes my skin crawl. Some builder must have purchased entire container ships of that tile. Enter this bath. The homeowners did their best to add color, but nothing could hide the elements so popular in the day. In attempting to provide something outside the norm (the shower tower), yet warm and inviting, (curved half-wall behind the curved freestanding tub; compressed ceilings above smaller items), and safe (large, curbless shower with door wide enough for future wheelchair), I endeavored to create a bath that would stand time’s test. It didn’t hurt that the clients, second-timers (see Modern Walnut Kitchen and Great Room) and a delight to work with, had strong opinions. The photos will be retaken soon (we didn’t stage the shoot), but they give an idea of the space.

View of remodeled kitchen (looking back towards dining room). French doors were added to maintain the concept of the dining room being a formal space. The cabinetry design attempted to blend new comfortably with old by including a classic panel design, leaded glass divided lites, subway tile and a lightly glazed finish.

Nathan Strauch Photographer for HotShotPros.com
Example of a large classic enclosed carpeted home theater design in Denver with beige walls

Links ready! Game of Thrones s06e09 Battle of the Bastards On-line. Alright, the long wait has ended, and this is our nice chance anyway to start watching into the rest about Game of Thrones season 6, episode 9 online : Battle of the Bastards. Check this out then, the plot line expected, Ramsay surprises his audience. Jon retaliates. Dany is true to her word. "Battle of the Bastards" is the ninth episode of the sixth season of HBO's fantasy television series Game of Thrones, and the 59th overall. It was written by series co-creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and directed by Miguel Sapochnik. It is scheduled to air on June 19, 2016. Additional information looks fantastic, "Battle of the Bastards" was written by the series' creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. Some elements in the episode are based on the forthcoming sixth novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, The Winds of Winter, which author George R. R. Martin had hoped to have completed before the sixth season began airing. "Battle of the Bastards" was directed by Miguel Sapochnik. Sapochnik previously directed the fifth season episodes "The Gift" and "Hardhome". Game of Thrones (season 6) looks amazing, The sixth season of the fantasy drama television series Game of Thrones was ordered by HBO on April 8, 2014, together with the fifth season, and premiered on April 24, 2016. In contrast to the previous seasons, it largely consists of original content currently not found in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. Fantastic enough, Jaime Lannister returns to King's Landing with Myrcella Baratheon's corpse. Tensions escalate between Tommen Baratheon, Cersei Lannister, and the Faith Militant and the High Sparrow, as the latter refuses to let Tommen visit Margaery in prison or Cersei attend Myrcella's funeral. Jaime and the Tyrell army attempt to liberate Margaery and Loras, only to find Margaery has become a follower of the High Sparrow and Tommen has forged an alliance with the Faith Militant. Tommen relieves Jaime from the Kingsguard, sending him to Riverrun to assist House Frey in reclaiming it from the "Blackfish" Brynden Tully. Cersei is unconcerned about their separation, as she has named the reanimated Gregor Clegane to defend her in her trial by combat; however, Tommen decrees that trial by combat is to be abolished and replaced by trial by the Faith. At Riverrun, Jaime finds that the Blackfish is determined to not surrender the castle and is willing to wait out a siege. Brienne is allowed to enter Riverrun in order to persuade the Blackfish to surrender, but he refuses to abandon his ancestral home. Jaime forces Edmure Tully, held captive by the Freys, to order the Tully forces to surrender. Brienne and Podrick flee, while the Blackfish dies fighting the Lannisters. In the Riverlands, Sandor "The Hound" Clegane is revealed to have survived his wounds and assists a peaceful community in building a sept. After the villagers are slaughtered by outlaws affiliated with the Brotherhood Without Banners, the Hound pursues the Brotherhood. He kills some of the outlaws and encounters Ser Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr executing the others. 100% working here: http://tinyurl.com/hzkaudn http://tinyurl.com/htqfqms After Doran Martell receives word of Myrcella's death, Ellaria Sand kills him and seizes control of Dorne, with the Sand Snakes also killing his heir Trystane. Are you ready finally? Start watching for it then, Game of Thrones season 6, episode 9 : Battle of the Bastards online.

Example of a deck design in DC Metro

Originally built in 1938, this bungalow cottage had enduring character, but its traditional closed kitchen layout – typical of the era – didn’t align with the way the homeowners envisioned living in the space. Inspired by their travels through England’s Cotswolds, the French countryside, and Carmel’s whimsical Storybook Cottages by the Sea, the homeowners dreamed of a home that captured the romance of cottages and one that would seamlessly connect with their stunning English-style garden. After years of attempting to reimagine the kitchen in its original location the homeowners realized it would never truly suit the way they lived & wanted to entertain. The original kitchen was historical & was built when the kitchen was the last room you wanted guests to see. It was tucked into the front corner of the home off a hallway leading to the main level bedrooms and bath. To reach the dining room, you passed through a servery swing door, then continued into the living room. While the original door had charm, it disrupted the flow and connection between the kitchen and the main living areas. To bring the homeowners’ vision to life, the design called for a bold move—relocating the kitchen entirely. We designed a 560-square-foot addition off the living room – placing the kitchen at the heart of the home and connecting it to the gardens. The new space includes a sunlit breakfast nook, a charming butler’s pantry, a garden vestibule with its own entry porch, and a wraparound porch that encourages indoor-outdoor living. The main level remodel also redefined existing spaces: the old dining room was transformed into a cozy study library, while a former bedroom became an elegant dining room just off the new kitchen. Every design decision honored the home’s original 1938 architecture and character. Matching the home’s original 1.5-story proportions, the new kitchen wing was designed with intersecting gables that echo the scale and pitch of the existing roofline. A stone-wrapped chimney topped with a handcrafted copper cap is straight from the pages of a storybook. Decorative corbels, intricate window trim, and cedar shake in the gable ends further connect the new architecture to the home’s historic detailing. Finishes and fixtures were thoughtfully chosen to marry the home’s moodier, character-rich original rooms with the brighter, lighter new spaces. The result is a timeless transformation that feels as though it has always been part of the home – an enchanting blend of storybook charm, functional design, and garden-centered living. At the ground level, a Pennsylvania bluestone porch and stone skirting ground the addition in traditional materials. Inside, a tongue-and-groove ceiling with hand-hewn beams gives purpose and intimacy to the heightened kitchen ceiling. The home’s signature arched openings were meticulously replicated in the new kitchen, breakfast nook, and dining room, ensuring a seamless transition between old and new. Every element – inside and out – was chosen to honor the original home while enhancing the charm, character, and connection to the garden. Photos by MK Photography

A Young couple appartment in Trakai became black and white loft. The greatest attention we paid to functional multipurpose spaces and architectural context. After new apartment planning was made, second level and roof windows were built. We attempted to create a cozy, artistic and romantic atmosphere including industrial design accents. It was left a lot of free space for clients future needs and self realization. Photos: www.andstep.com

Karla and Rick Lopez have not always been modern furniture buyers, but one visit to Cantoni Dallas changed everything. After purchasing a beautiful 4 bedroom, 5 bathroom Mediterranean style home on Eagle Mountain Lake (and then having to remodel the whole house due to flooding) the couple decided to explore a different design route. After countless attempts to find a store that offered both high quality modern furniture and great service, Karla and Rick’s search ended when they entered the Dallas showroom. David DeLeon

After two attempts with two contractors this is what they wanted. I photographed this very comfortable bathroom. John Gerson
Bathroom - large modern master multicolored tile and ceramic tile travertine floor bathroom idea in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, a drop-in sink and quartzite countertops

These lovely homeowners, in their late 60s and seasoned by life and travel, wanted a home that truly worked for their lifestyle. Their wish list was simple: comfort, functionality, and a space that felt welcoming for guests. When Small Annoyances Become Big Dealbreakers The main floor was no longer working. The kitchen was cramped, the wall between it and the dining room disrupted the flow, and two unused bedrooms wasted valuable space. Even the powder room was tucked away at the back. Upstairs, one shared bathroom, basement laundry, and a primary bedroom that overheated in the afternoon made daily life frustrating. Facing Renovation Worries The homeowners were excited but cautious. A previous renovation attempt with another company had fallen through, so trust was key. They also wanted to make sure their vision was achievable without stretching the budget. The Transformation Relocating the stairs completely opened up the main floor. The kitchen, dining, and living areas now flow together beautifully, creating a bright, open, and welcoming space. Smart Details for Everyday Living The new kitchen features a large island, ample storage, and a raised dishwasher at standing height for easy loading and unloading. We also moved the powder room to the front and added a coffee and bar station near the dining area, perfect for morning routines or entertaining guests. Comfort and Flow Upstairs Upstairs, the primary bedroom was moved to the cooler side of the house and now connects to a spacious walk-in closet and new ensuite. Compact laundry machines were installed upstairs, and the former primary bedroom was converted into a private guest suite with its own en-suite and walk-in closet. Finishes That Feel Like Home Beautiful, low-maintenance materials complete the space: custom cabinetry, leather-finish quartz countertops, engineered hardwood on the main floor, and refinished hardwood upstairs. Porcelain tiles, a new gas fireplace, and oak stairs tie everything together. The Final Takeaway Life at home has completely transformed. Cooking, entertaining, and everyday living are now effortless and enjoyable. Every space flows, every detail feels intentional, and the home finally fits their lifestyle. Ready to Love Your Home Again? If your house no longer suits your lifestyle, we can help. Let’s explore how a thoughtful renovation can make your home work for you. Contact us today to get started.

Stuart Wade, Envision Virtual Tours The second-largest and most developed of Georgia's barrier islands, St. Simons is approximately twelve miles long and nearly three miles wide at its widest stretch (roughly the size of Manhattan Island in New York). The island is located in Glynn County on Georgia's coast and lies east of Brunswick (the seat of Glynn County), south of Little St. Simons Island and the Hampton River, and north of Jekyll Island. The resort community of Sea Island is separated from St. Simons on the east by the Black Banks River. Known for its oak tree canopies and historic landmarks, St. Simons is both a tourist destination and, according to the 2010 U.S. census, home to 12,743 residents. Early History The earliest St. Simons Island Village record of human habitation on the island dates to the Late Archaic Period, about 5,000 to 3,000 years ago. Remnants of shell rings left behind by Native Americans from this era survive on many of the barrier islands, including St. Simons. Centuries later, during the period known by historians as the chiefdom era, the Guale Indians established a chiefdom centered on St. Catherines Island and used St. Simons as their hunting and fishing grounds. By 1500 the Guale had established a permanent village of about 200 people on St. Simons, which they called Guadalquini. Beginning in 1568, the Spanish attempted to create missions along the Georgia coast. Catholic missions were the primary means by which Georgia's indigenous Native American chiefdoms were assimilated into the Spanish colonial system along the northern frontier of greater Spanish Florida. In the 1600s St. Simons became home to two Spanish missions: San Buenaventura de Guadalquini, on the southern tip of the island, and Santo Domingo de Asao (or Asajo), on the northern tip. Located on the inland side of the island were the pagan refugee villages of San Simón, the island's namesake, and Ocotonico. In 1684 pirate raids left the missions and villages largely abandoned. Colonial History As Fort Frederica early as 1670, with Great Britain's establishment of the colony of Carolina and its expansion into Georgia territory, Spanish rule was threatened by the English. The Georgia coast was considered "debatable land" by England and Spain, even though Spain had fully retreated from St. Simons by 1702. Thirty-one years later General James Edward Oglethorpe founded the English settlement of Savannah. In 1736 he established Fort Frederica, named after the heir to the British throne, Frederick Louis, prince of Wales, on the west side of St. Simons Island to protect Savannah and the Carolinas from the Spanish threat. Between 1736 and 1749 Fort Frederica was the hub of British military operations along the Georgia frontier. A town of the same name grew up around the fort and was of great importance to the new colony. By 1740 Frederica's population was 1,000. In 1736 the congregation of what would become Christ Church was organized within Fort Frederica as a mission of the Church of England. Charles Wesley led the first services. In 1742 Britain's decisive victory over Spain in the Battle of Bloody Marsh, during the War of Jenkins' Ear, ended the Spanish threat to the Georgia coast. When the British regimen disbanded in 1749, most of the townspeople relocated to the mainland. Fort Frederica went into decline and, except for a short time of prosperity during the 1760s and 1770s under the leadership of merchant James Spalding, never fully recovered. Today the historic citadel's tabby ruins are maintained by the National Park Service. Plantation Era By the start of the American Revolution (1775-83), Fort Frederica was obsolete, and St. Simons was left largely uninhabited as most of its residents joined the patriot army. Besides hosting a small Georgia naval victory on the Fort Frederica River, providing guns from its famous fort for use at Fort Morris in Sunbury, and serving as an arena for pillaging by privateers and British soldiers, the island played almost no role in the war. Following the war, many of the townspeople, their businesses destroyed, turned to agriculture. The island was transformed into fourteen cotton plantations after acres of live oak trees were cleared for farm land and used for building American warships, including the famous USS Constitution, or "Old Ironsides." Although rice was the predominant crop along the neighboring Altamaha River, St. Simons was known for its production of long-staple cotton, which soon came to be known as Sea Island cotton. Between Ebos Landing the 1780s and the outbreak of the Civil War (1861-65), St. Simons's plantation culture flourished. The saline atmosphere and the availability of cheap slave labor proved an ideal combination for the cultivation of Sea Island cotton. In 1803 a group of Ebo slaves who survived the Middle Passage and arrived on the west side of St. Simons staged a rebellion and drowned themselves. The sacred site is known today as Ebos Landing. One of the largest owners of land and slaves on St. Simons was Pierce Butler, master of Hampton Point Plantation, located on the northern end of the island. By 1793 Butler owned more than 500 slaves, who cultivated 800 acres of cotton on St. Simons and 300 acres of rice on Butler's Island in the Altamaha River delta. Butler's grandson, Pierce Mease Butler, who at the age of sixteen inherited a share of his grandfather's estate in 1826, was responsible for the largest sale of human beings in the history of the United States: in 1859, to restore his squandered fortune, he sold 429 slaves in Savannah for more than $300,000. The British actress and writer Fanny Kemble, whose tumultuous marriage to Pierce ended in divorce in 1849, published an eyewitness account of the evils of slavery on St. Simons in her book Journal of a Residence on a Georgian Plantation in 1838-1839 (1863). Another Retreat Plantation large owner of land and slaves on St. Simons was Major William Page, a friend and employee of Pierce Butler Sr. Before purchasing Retreat Plantation on the southwestern tip of the island in 1804, Page managed the Hampton plantation and Butler's Island. Upon Page's death in 1827, Thomas Butler King inherited the land together with his wife, Page's daughter, Anna Matilda Page King. King expanded his father-in-law's planting empire on St. Simons as well as on the mainland, and by 1835 Retreat Plantation alone was home to as many as 355 slaves. The center of life during the island's plantation era was Christ Church, Frederica. Organized in 1807 by a group of island planters, the Episcopal church is the second oldest in the Diocese of Georgia. Embargoes imposed by the War of 1812 (1812-15) prevented the parishioners from building a church structure, so they worshiped in the home of John Beck, which stood on the site of Oglethorpe's only St. Simons residence, Orange Hall. The first Christ Church building, finished on the present site in 1820, was ruined by occupying Union troops during the Civil War. In 1884 the Reverend Anson Dodge Jr. rebuilt the church as a memorial to his first wife, Ellen. The cruciform building with a trussed gothic roof and stained-glass windows remains active today as Christ Church. Civil War and Beyond The St. Simons Island Lighthouse outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 put a sudden end to St. Simons's lucrative plantation era. In January of that year, Confederate troops were stationed at the south end of the island to guard the entrance to Brunswick Harbor. Slaves from Retreat Plantation, owned by Thomas Butler King, built earthworks and batteries. Plantation residents were scattered—the men joined the Confederate army and their families moved to the mainland. Cannon fire was heard on the island in December 1861, and Confederate troops retreated in February 1862, after dynamiting the lighthouse to keep its beacon from aiding Union troops. Soon thereafter, Union troops occupied the island, which was used as a camp for freed slaves. By August 1862 more than 500 former slaves lived on St. Simons, including Susie King Taylor, who organized a school for freed slave children. But in November the ex-slaves were taken to Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Fernandina, Florida, leaving the island abandoned. After the Civil War the island never returned to its status as an agricultural community. The plantations lay dormant because there were no slaves to work the fields. After Union general William T. Sherman's January 1865 Special Field Order No. 15 —a demand that former plantations be divided and distributed to former slaves—was overturned by U.S. president Andrew Johnson less than a year later, freedmen and women were forced to work as sharecroppers on the small farms that dotted the land previously occupied by the sprawling plantations. By St. Simons Lumber Mills 1870 real economic recovery began with the reestablishment of the timber industry. Norman Dodge and Titus G. Meigs of New York set up lumber mill operations at Gascoigne Bluff, formerly Hamilton Plantation. The lumber mills provided welcome employment for both blacks and whites and also provided mail and passenger boats to the mainland. Such water traffic, together with the construction of a new lighthouse in 1872, designed by architect Charles B. Cluskey, marked the beginning of St. Simons's tourism industry. The keeper of the lighthouse created a small amusement park, which drew many visitors, as did the seemingly miraculous light that traveled from the top of the lighthouse tower to the bottom. The island became a summer retreat for families from the mainland, particularly from Baxley, Brunswick, and Waycross. The island's resort industry was thriving by the 1880s. Beachfront structures, such as a new pier and grand hotel, were built on the southeastern end of the island and could be accessed by ferry. Around this time wealthy northerners began vacationing on the island. Twentieth Century The St. Simons Island Pier and Village opening in 1924 of the Brunswick–St. Simons Highway, today known as the Torras Causeway, was a milestone in the development of resorts in the area. St. Simons's beaches were now easily accessible to locals and tourists alike. More than 5,000 automobiles took the short drive from Brunswick to St. Simons via the causeway on its opening day, paving the way for convenient residential and resort development. In 1926 automotive pioneer Howard Coffin of Detroit, Michigan, bought large tracts of land on St. Simons, including the former Retreat Plantation, and constructed a golf course, yacht club, paved roads, and a residential subdivision. Although the causeway had brought large numbers of summer people to the island, St. Simons remained a small community with only a few hundred permanent residents until the 1940s. The St. Simons Island outbreak of World War II (1941-45) brought more visitors and residents to St. Simons. Troops stationed at Jacksonville, Florida; Savannah; and nearby Camp Stewart took weekend vacations on the island, and a new naval air base and radar school became home to even more officers and soldiers. The increased wartime population brought the island its first public school. With a major shipyard for the production of Liberty ships in nearby Brunswick, the waters of St. Simons became active with German U-boats. In April 1942, just off the coast, the Texas Company oil tanker S. S. Oklahoma and the S. S. Esso Baton Rouge were torpedoed by the Germans, bringing the war very close to home for island residents. Due in large part to the military's improvement of the island's infrastructure during the war, development on the island boomed in the 1950s and 1960s. More permanent homes and subdivisions were built, and the island was no longer just a summer resort but also a thriving community. In 1950 the Methodist conference and retreat center Epworth by the Sea opened on Gascoigne Bluff. In 1961 novelist Eugenia Price visited St. Simons and began work on her first works of fiction, known as the St. Simons Trilogy. Inspired by real events on the island, Price's trilogy renewed interest in the history of Georgia's coast, and the novelist herself relocated to the island in 1965 and lived there for thirty-one years. St. Simons is also home to contemporary Georgia writer Tina McElroy Ansa. Since Epworth by the Sea 1980 St. Simons's population has doubled. The island's continued status as a vacation destination and its ongoing development boom have put historic landmarks and natural areas at risk. While such landmarks as the Fort Frederica ruins and the Battle of Bloody Marsh site are preserved and maintained by the National Park Service, and while the historic lighthouse is maintained by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, historic Ebos Landing has been taken over by a sewage treatment plant. Several coastal organizations have formed in recent years to save natural areas on the island. The St. Simons Land Trust, for example, has received donations of large tracts of land and plans to protect property in the island's three traditional African American neighborhoods. Despite its rapid growth and development, St. Simons remains one of the most beautiful and important islands on the Georgia coast.

As you can tell from the before pictures, this client was attempting to organize their growing family as best they could using this laundry room and surrounding areas for many purposes. For every problem, John Rogers Renovations designed a beautiful solution!

This space was special indeed! When the family moved into their home the daughter of the house immediately laid claim to this room - which included a half-height storage space, full of possibilities! For the main space we chose a bright, fresh green to keep the space uplifting all through the year. I used a blue stripe to mimic the feel of a canopy and to make a feature of the sloped section of the ceiling rather than attempt to hide it. The room is filled with storage to accommodate a growing wardrobe and features upcycled furniture to ensure the space is completely bespoke. Hidden behind a poster is a secret library, painted a dark, moody blue and styled to give hints of Hogwarts. The ceiling is adorned with a navy, celestial print wallpaper and there are cosy touches dotted around to make this the perfect spot to curl up and while away hours with a good book. Floating candles lend a touch of fun and much needed light to the space.

This space was special indeed! When the family moved into their home the daughter of the house immediately laid claim to this room - which included a half-height storage space, full of possibilities! For the main space we chose a bright, fresh green to keep the space uplifting all through the year. I used a blue stripe to mimic the feel of a canopy and to make a feature of the sloped section of the ceiling rather than attempt to hide it. The room is filled with storage to accommodate a growing wardrobe and features upcycled furniture to ensure the space is completely bespoke. Hidden behind a poster is a secret library, painted a dark, moody blue and styled to give hints of Hogwarts. The ceiling is adorned with a navy, celestial print wallpaper and there are cosy touches dotted around to make this the perfect spot to curl up and while away hours with a good book. Floating candles lend a touch of fun and much needed light to the space.