We were asked by a house builder to build a steel staircase as the centrepiece for their new show home in Auckland. Although they had already decided on the central mono-stringer style staircase (also known as a floating staircase), with solid oak treads and glass balustrades, when we met with them we also made some suggestions. This was in order to help nest the stairs in their desired location, which included having to change the layout to avoid clashing with the existing structure. The stairs lead from a reception area up to a bedroom, so one of our first suggestions, was to have the glass balustrade on the side of the staircase finishing, and finish at the underside of the ground-floor ceiling, and then building an independent balustrade in the bedroom. The intention behind this was to give some separation between the living and sleeping areas, whilst maximising the full width of the opening for the stairs. Additionally, this also helps hide the staircase from inside the bedroom, as you don’t see the balustrade coming up from the floor below. We also recommended the glass on the first floor was face fixed directly to the boundary beam, and the fixings covered with a painted fascia panel. This was in order to avoid using a large floor fixed glazing channel or reduce the opening width with stand-off pin fixings.

Matthew J. Cunningham
Example of a trendy home design design in Boston

Detail of our custom craftsman-style paneling. 100% wood.
Arts and crafts home design photo in Atlanta

After completing their son’s room, we decided to continue the designing in my client’s master bathroom in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Not only were the finishes completely overhauled, but the space plan was reconfigured too. They no longer wanted their soaking tub and requested a larger shower with a rain head and more counter top space and cabinetry. The couple wanted something that was not too trendy and desired a space that would look classic and stand the test of time. What better way to give them that than with marble, white cabinets and a chandelier to boot? This newly renovated master bath now features Cambria quartz counters, custom white cabinetry, marble flooring in a diamond pattern with mini-mosaic accents, a classic subway marble shower surround, frameless glass, new recessed and accent lighting, chrome fixtures, a coat of fresh grey paint on the walls and a few accessories to make the space feel complete.

grasses with interesting texture varieties and colors contrast a concrete patio
Photo of a large modern backyard landscaping in Seattle for fall.

Small elegant underground cork floor and brown floor home design photo with beige walls and no fireplace

View of Master Bathroom open tub and glass enclosed shower. Photo by Katie Basil Photography
Mid-sized elegant master beige tile and stone tile limestone floor and beige floor drop-in bathtub photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, limestone countertops, a two-piece toilet, beige walls and a hinged shower door

New wood, metal and acrylic wine racks that give the elegance and warmth of wood but divided in a light and transparent configuration. No clutter, just wine displayed in various forms to provide a unique ambiance to dining area as well as a key focal point for folks entering the home and even visible from outside. Ducted unit used to avoid unnecessary noise. Brass hardware for glass to coincide with other elements in the house. Also added a custom wine bar area with the same materials and finishes to serve wine and hold glasses.

This beautiful heritage renovated home hosts 2 spectacular islands. This kitchen hosts a 'center stage' gas range which has a quiet high efficiency range fan to avoid noise-distraction. The islands provide large food preparation areas which easily accommodates day to day family life, multiple cooks, and large groups. These islands have an abundance of storage behind invisible touch-latch doors. One island hosts two dish washers and a clever raised counter to hide any kitchen mess from people walking in the front door. This kitchen also incorporates a double wall oven in white, a bar fridge, and a tucked away pantry.

Robert Ca
Inspiration for a contemporary medium tone wood floor and brown floor hallway remodel in Austin

Trendy Blinds Inc.: Wall to Wall Sheer using our Modern Wave system allows for ceiling mount and smooth sliding open and an close.
Living room - contemporary living room idea in Toronto

THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.

The transformation from a registered landslide hillside to a stunning garden oasis, is truly breathtaking. The pool was updated and the Corten steel arbor cleverly cantilevered on this 5 acre property. Using a crib wall system (Slope Block) allowed us to create lush terraces from toe to top - garden pathways lined with boulders create the illusion they were always there. The Slope Block was acid stained and planted so they eye can see just a hint of the bones through the lush California and Australian native plants and trees.

A home built on one of Canada's most beautiful lakes posed a design challenge. The home had originally been built almost directly in opposition to natural light and views to the lake. While most opinions were to tear the existing home down, BLDG Workshop worked closely with the client to recreate the home in a way that opened it up and became more fitting to the site.

These Columbia SC homeowners chose TimberTech composite decking for their porch floor, and for the new landing and stairs. Archadeck of Central SC installed the screened porch flooring in a chevron pattern with a center parting board. This offers visual interest and avoids perpendicular end-to-end seams between long lengths of decking boards.

When it came to the design of the kitchen, we knew that we wanted something timeless and bright. Classic moldings, white cabinets, and brass fixtures all helped to achieve that effect. While we brought in some existing pieces i.e. the loveseat, window treatments and pillows we splurged when it came to the fixtures. One of the first decisions we made were the Gabby barstools! To avoid having too “sterile” of a space we brought in warmth and texture through our accessories (i.e. vintage pickle jars, woven demijohns and heirloom silver).

Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman backyard deck remodel