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Our client wanted to update many rooms including the kitchen, family room and den. We focused on reducing cost by utilizing the existing cabinets and refacing them with white painted shaker cabinet doors. We also extended the cabinets by filling in the void (aka Dust Trap) between the top cabinets and the ceiling. This lengthens the cabinets and gives them a built in custom cabinet look. The added crown trim, mill work panels and glossy paint looks great and avoids the "what do I put in the void above the cabinet" question. We added glass subway tile for back splash and honed Carrera marble counter tops.
Photos by Rebecca Anne Photography

Dimension: 42" W / 15" D / 84" H
Care: Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid the use of chemicals and household cleaners as they may damage the finish.
Assembly as part of our White Glove Service, this piece will be brought into your home, placed in the room of your choice, fully assembled and all packaging will be removed.

Backyard in Summit, New Jersey completely revamped to include a custom pool with fire and water features, fringe turf surrounding the pool to avoid dirty feet and keep a clean cut feel, small putting green, patio with seating, and a spa with a retractable awning for shade and sun.
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Lighting in a kitchen is not only about form but also function as this room functions as both a popular gathering spot and a work space as well. LED lights are now available in a variety of styles and brightness options to suit everything from traditional to modern. If your ceilings are 9 feet or higher, consider choosing a brighter recessed LED light as your general lighting. Also, keep in mind that if you are over 40 years old, chances are your eyes may soon appreciate a little more brightness during work mode. When you have the option, positioning the LED recessed light cans directly over work areas, where shadows will not block light, will maximize the effectiveness of the light. Remember to choose a dimmable LED light and that will enable you to easily slide from work mode light levels to softer light levels with more ambiance. Adding under cabinet LED lighting is another great way to brighten up the counter workspace areas. Make sure to get dimmable under cabinet LED lights as they can also function as a beautiful way to leave a little light in the kitchen after you and your guests have moved the party to another room. The quality of the LED light you choose is more important in your kitchen than most other rooms. Choosing higher quality lights with a CRI (Color Rendering Index ) of 90+ will make your kitchen colors, and meals look colorful and accurate, thus avoiding that dreaded florescent "washed out" look. Your kitchen is a busy, creative and productive space for which you now can find both modern or traditional energy efficient LED lights to enhance both the form and function of the room.

Stacking cabinets take advantage of high ceilings. Note the presence of the stacking molding between the lower and upper wall cabinets; this molding avoids having an unattractive butt joint.

Angular geometry defines the spatial planning in this kitchen, with a central island constructed in thick-edge quartz serving both as a prep surface and informal dining zone. The fluted vertical paneling beneath the island’s seating overhang introduces a rhythmic detail that contrasts the otherwise smooth, slab-style finishes. Seating is arranged with four counter-height stools in camel-toned leather and matte black metal framing, offering a material counterpoint to the pale surfaces.
Cabinetry throughout the perimeter follows a full-overlay layout with continuous flat faces, avoiding visual breaks and reinforcing the room’s minimalist approach. Integrated underlighting runs below the upper units, creating clean separation from the stone backsplash and maintaining uniform task lighting. The floor is finished in large-format porcelain tile in a soft ecru tone, selected for consistency across adjoining zones. Ventilation, lighting, and climate controls are ceiling-integrated with square-edge registers and recessed fixtures spaced in a tight grid layout.

Master his
Inspiration for a large timeless gender-neutral marble floor walk-in closet remodel in Miami with raised-panel cabinets and gray cabinets
Inspiration for a large timeless gender-neutral marble floor walk-in closet remodel in Miami with raised-panel cabinets and gray cabinets

Installation by Ricci Construction Group
Design by Motif
Photo by Olson Photographic
Large elegant 3/4 multicolored tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile bathroom photo in Bridgeport with a vessel sink, furniture-like cabinets, dark wood cabinets, wood countertops, a one-piece toilet and gray walls
Large elegant 3/4 multicolored tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile bathroom photo in Bridgeport with a vessel sink, furniture-like cabinets, dark wood cabinets, wood countertops, a one-piece toilet and gray walls

This classic Portland bungalow in the highly desirable Irvington neighborhood was in desperate need of a kitchen update. Aside from tired finishes and cabinets that have seen a full life, the original layout left the family living in a small portion of the kitchen and not taking advantage of the full square footage.
The family desired a design that married both the original architectural details of their bungalow with their preference for clean and modern European design. To accomplish this request, APD brought in sleek flat panel custom frameless cabinets filled with smart and strategic accessories to make the most out of every cabinet box, including full height pantry pull-out, spice and utensil pull-outs flanking the cooking zone, a blind corner pull-0ut to avoid loosing items in the hard-to-reach space, trash & recycling pull-0ut disguised to blend with the adjacent three drawers, and a wall cabinet pull-out sized to fit under the support beam spanning the width of the room. For the traditional - we kept the classic moldings around the windows and doors, continued the homes hardwood floors into the new space, incorporated classic school house light fixtures, and swapped out the slider to the back patio in favor for one with divided lights adding to the architectural detail. Matte black granite countertops with handmade black ceramic tile backsplash bridge the gap between the modern and the traditional thanks to their clean lines, high contrast color palette, and textural and artistic details.
Opting for a few adjustments to the layout created a space plan that took advantage of the full square footage of the room! In the original layout, the refrigerator was squeezed onto the same wall as the cooking, leaving very little counterspace around the hard working cooking zone along with a significant portion of the room (a previous addition) under-utilized. Relocating the refrigerator increased counterspace and storage while creating a “flow” through the entire room.
Luxury Miele and Subzero appliances make this kitchen a chef’s dream! To add to the clean modern look, we opted for an induction cooktop with wall oven directly below … a great alternative to the often used range! Paneling the built-in refrigerator and dishwasher help to calm the overall visual noise of the space, hiding the two hardworking appliances away!
This new family kitchen is at once hardworking, sleek, and timeless!

The residence is situated at the top of a hill in a building built in 1929. The client wanted to modernize the space by removing the walls that divided the kitchen, dining room and living room. The kitchen, combined with the other living areas, allowed the space to be completely transformable. The bathroom was made larger by lengthening it into the existing hallway to allow room for a second sink. In order to create an illusion of depth, the side walls were tiled in a light colored marble, while the floor and the back wall of the shower/tub were finished in dark gray stone and glass tile. To continue the theme of expansiveness, the floor was finished in a single slab of stone to avoid the division created by seams.
Photographed by: Maegan Walton

This beautiful red dining room offers natural light from the wall of windows that are framed in custom drapes and valance. The antique Duncan Phife table and chairs are a family heirloom and updated with a new Duncan stripe. The Botanical print collection are from 1910 and placed in custom finished frames. As a collection, they provide the perfect sized art for this wall without being overwhelming. The chandelier with parchment silk shades add a warm glow to compliment any festive gathering.

Company we were competing against suggest path lights to define tricky curved driveway to avoid drive-offs.
Due to snowplowing I knew they would get beat up in a short time so we cored lights strategically placed to define driveway but without giving run-way feel

Like many projects, this began with a discussion about reconfiguring the island and refinishing the cabinets. Then the clients asked if I could change their sink (undermounted below granite), add a second dishwasher, and replace her double oven. When they realized the extent of those requests, they decided they might as well replace the cabinets and get the quality, storage, and finishes they wanted. They desired traditional styling with a French motif, and luxurious, yet durable finishes that would complement her eggplant/gold/green fabrics.
To avoid more expense, we kept the existing windows and retained the existing placement of major appliances (except the cooktop which we moved slightly for better function). I relocated the microwave to the island so that we could install a built-in, larger refrigerator.
I reconfigured the layout to better accommodate the needs of this large family – they have six children and three dogs. Everyone has breakfast, takes lunches, has dinner at home daily, and even the dog food is cooked from scratch. There are great organizational accessories in the cabinets. The full-extension quiet-close dovetail drawers minimize noise and feel like fine furniture. The cabinet and countertop finishes are extremely durable. Even the Iroko wood eating counter is easily maintained using an oil-wax that repels stains.
The island shape provides seating for three as well as room for the cooktop, warming drawer, microwave drawer, and generous storage. The sprawling countertop works well for their volume of food preparation. The desk area now functions with proper phone and electrical outlets, file drawers, and enough counter.
The choice of flooring was critical – the kitchen is part of a great room that flows into a large entry hall. The existing travertine, tile, and carpet did not wear well. I selected durable porcelain tiles that resemble limestone and wood and created a European-inspired woven design in the entry. A simpler version of the same materials in the kitchen and an inset real wood into the seating area create flow between the rooms.
To create more visual interest, I removed non-critical soffits. The remaining soffits were clad with wood so it appears that all is part of the cabinet design. The mixture of glazed cherry and black rubbed-through-paint on cherry finishes are enhanced by the dramatic black and gold veins in the creamy granite counter. We retained the straw and plaster walls that create an old-world feeling.
The custom mahogany and iron pantry door balanced the design and completed this truly unique space. Pewter cabinet hardware and patterned glass accentuate the motif. Many of the cabinet accountrements are made from a compo material and recreate historical French mouldings. The remaining adornments are hand-carved wood.
On top of beauty and function, the cabinet boxes are made from environmentally-friendly, no formaldehyde-added agriboard. So we have traditional design, ornate mouldings, multi-step finishes, and are still nice to the earth and my clients!
My scope of work encompassed the complete design process: from design concepts, through working drawings, materials specifications, purchasing, and project administration.
Ed Gohlich - photographer

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Your front yard is the first thing guests, neighbors, and passersby see — make it unforgettable after dark! Professional landscape lighting adds instant curb appeal and turns your home's exterior into a showstopper, day or night.
? Spotlight your architecture, columns & entryway
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? Deter intruders with well-lit exteriors
? Pro Tip: Use uplighting on your home's facade and trees to create height and drama, then add soft path lighting along walkways to guide guests to your door. Avoid harsh, direct glare — the goal is a warm, inviting glow that makes your home stand out on the block, not a floodlit stage.
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Holly Von Lanken Photography
Custom designed end tables. Used remnant from exotic granite on island to create tops. Homeowner loved the "wine stains" naturally found in stone so highlighted in the wine lounge area. Granite tooled from 3 cm to 1 cm to avoid tipping hazard for tables

Stone retaining wall added to appearance at pool area with stairs
Photo of a mid-sized rustic full sun backyard gravel retaining wall landscape in Providence.
Photo of a mid-sized rustic full sun backyard gravel retaining wall landscape in Providence.

Believe it or not, this award-winning home began as a speculative project. Typically speculative projects involve a rather generic design that would appeal to many in a style that might be loved by the masses. But the project’s developer loved modern architecture and his personal residence was the first project designed by architect C.P. Drewett when Drewett Works launched in 2001. Together, the architect and developer envisioned a fictitious art collector who would one day purchase this stunning piece of desert modern architecture to showcase their magnificent collection.
The primary views from the site were southwest. Therefore, protecting the interior spaces from the southwest sun while making the primary views available was the greatest challenge. The views were very calculated and carefully managed. Every room needed to not only capture the vistas of the surrounding desert, but also provide viewing spaces for the potential collection to be housed within its walls.
The core of the material palette is utilitarian including exposed masonry and locally quarried cantera stone. An organic nature was added to the project through millwork selections including walnut and red gum veneers.
The eventual owners saw immediately that this could indeed become a home for them as well as their magnificent collection, of which pieces are loaned out to museums around the world. Their decision to purchase the home was based on the dimensions of one particular wall in the dining room which was EXACTLY large enough for one particular painting not yet displayed due to its size. The owners and this home were, as the saying goes, a perfect match!
Project Details | Desert Modern for the Magnificent Collection, Estancia, Scottsdale, AZ
Architecture: C.P. Drewett, Jr., AIA, NCARB | Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ
Builder: Shannon Construction | Phoenix, AZ
Interior Selections: Janet Bilotti, NCIDQ, ASID | Naples, FL
Custom Millwork: Linear Fine Woodworking | Scottsdale, AZ
Photography: Dino Tonn | Scottsdale, AZ
Awards: 2014 Gold Nugget Award of Merit
Feature Article: Luxe. Interiors and Design. Winter 2015, “Lofty Exposure”

Project Overview:
The owner of this project is a financial analyst turned realtor turned landlord, and the goal was to increase rental income on one of his properties as effectively as possible. The design was developed to minimize construction costs, minimize City of Portland building compliance costs and restrictions, and to avoid a county tax assessment increase based on site improvements.
The owner started with a large backyard at one of his properties, had a custom tiny home built as “personal property”, then added two ancillary sheds each under a 200SF compliance threshold to increase the habitable floor plan. Compliant navigation of laws and code ended up with an out-of-the-box design that only needed mechanical permitting and inspections by the city, but no building permits that would trigger a county value re-assessment. The owner’s final construction costs were $50k less than a standard ADU, rental income almost doubled for the property, and there was no resultant tax increase.
Product: Gendai 1×6 select grade shiplap
Prefinish: Unoiled
Application: Residential – Exterior
SF: 900SF
Designer:
Builder:
Date: March 2019
Location: Portland, OR

Waterstone Wheel faucet, The Galley bar workstation, quartzite full splash and mitered floating shelf.
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.
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