Inspiration for a large coastal l-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Jacksonville with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Design: Jules Duffy Design; This kitchen was gutted to the studs and renovated TWICE after 2 burst pipe events! It's finally complete! With windows and doors on 3 sides, the kitchen is flooded with amazing light and beautiful breezes. The finishes were selected from a driftwood palate as a nod to the beach one block away, The limestone floor (beyond practical) dares all to find the sand traveling in on kids' feet. Tons of storage and seating make this kitchen a hub for entertaining. Photography: Laura Moss

Spacecrafting
Inspiration for a large transitional carpeted home bar remodel in Minneapolis

Effective 02/01/2020 we no longer offer custom cabinetry, countertops or cabinetry installation.
Example of a classic kitchen design in Tampa

Large master blue tile green floor wet room photo in San Diego with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, a vessel sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

A pause in the craziness of life led our homeowner to consider a change in her kitchen. She wanted a place to display collections and heirlooms, provide ample storage for pantry items and gadgets, and give her a view to her breathtaking backyard. We expanded the footprint, pushing the house line back six feet, installed a picture window with a spectacular copper range and hood centered beneath, and planned her collections display areas for maximum effect.

Photo: Jason Snyder © 2014 Houzz Design: Luca Construction and Design
Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in Other

Custom-made Koa wood stools surround the quartzite counters and lend natural warmth to the kitchen’s muted color palette.
Eat-in kitchen - large contemporary u-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

This smart kitchen renovation in Silver Spring, Maryland, involved removing three walls and a centrally located powder room and a closet. The powder room was relocated into the original closet area, and the patio door moved nearby. The main window was enlarged to create an anchor and focal point for the new kitchen as well as to enhance the view onto the lovely backyard. An angled island keeps the room feeling spacious and open, and a corner pantry was designed so as not to lose precious storage space. Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg

The aesthetics of the kitchen were critical because it is centrally located in the great room of which it is a part. The challenge was to integrate the kitchen into the larger space while making sure it didn't dominate it. We accomplished this by using a restrained color palette of cream, gold, gray-green and gray-blue with touches of deeper chocolate brown. The same colors repeat in the quartzite counters, arabesque stone mosaic back splash and stacked slate accent wall (also used in the fireplace in the living area). The uppermost cabinets feature glass doors and lighting to showcase a collection of crystal inherited from the client's grandmother. This feature is beautiful but also makes good use of cabinets too tall to reach conveniently. The glass doors add sparkle and the cabinet height enhances vertical lines of the space and draws the eye toward the vaulted ceiling. Photo by Lane Barden

A rare find in Bloomfield Township is new construction. This gem of a custom home not only featured a modern, open floorplan with great flow, it also had an 1,800 sq. ft. unfinished basement. When the homeowners of this beautiful house approached MainStreet Design Build, they understood the value of renovating the accessible, non-livable space—and recognized its unlimited potential. Their vision for their 1,800 sq. ft. finished basement included a lighter, brighter teen entertainment area—a space large enough for pool, ping pong, shuffle board and darts. It was also important to create an area for food and drink that did not look or feel like a bar. Although the basement was completely unfinished, it presented design challenges due to the angled location of the stairwell and existing plumbing. After 4 months of construction, MainStreet Design Build delivered—in spades! Details of this project include a beautiful modern fireplace wall with Peau de Beton concrete paneled tile surround and an oversized limestone mantel and hearth. Clearly a statement piece, this wall also features a Boulevard 60-inch Contemporary Vent-Free Linear Fireplace with reflective glass liner and crushed glass. Opposite the fireplace wall, is a beautiful custom room divider with bar stool seating that separates the living room space from the gaming area. Effectively blending this room in an open floorplan, MainStreet Design Build used Country Oak Wood Plank Vinyl flooring and painted the walls in a Benjamin Moore eggshell finish. The Kitchenette was designed using Dynasty semi-custom cabinetry, specifically a Renner door style with a Battleship Opaque finish; Top Knobs hardware in a brushed satin nickel finish; and beautiful Caesarstone Symphony Grey Quartz countertops. Tastefully coordinated with the rest of the décor is a modern Filament Chandelier in a bronze finish from Restoration Hardware, hung perfectly above the kitchenette table. A new ½ bath was tucked near the stairwell and designed using the same custom cabinetry and countertops as the kitchenette. It was finished in bold blue/gray paint and topped with Symphony Gray Caesarstone. Beautiful 3×12” Elemental Ice glass subway tile and stainless steel wall shelves adorn the back wall creating the illusion of light. Chrome Shades of Light Double Bullet glass wall sconces project from the wall to shed light on the mirror. Kate Benjamin Photography

AFTER: DINING ROOM | Dining table setup, ready for a dinner party! Plates are silverware are from West Elm | Renovations + Design by Blackband Design | Photography by Tessa Neustadt

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

This is an example of a small craftsman front porch design in Seattle with decking and a pergola.

Bathroom - scandinavian bathroom idea in London

After. A closer look at the gorgeous shower tile! The “River” mixed pebble tile by MSI (from Mosaic Tile Company) of the shower floor was continued into the bathroom with a perimeter accent border for a cohesive look and a spa-like feel. The accent wall of the shower features the “More” series tile (by Pimmegres, from Mosaic Tile Company) in a 3D texture and the color “Tortora”. The resulting effect is more movement, texture, and interest throughout the space.

Metropolis Studio
Kitchen - large contemporary l-shaped kitchen idea in Ottawa with quartz countertops, gray backsplash, an island, glass-front cabinets and stainless steel cabinets

To tell a friendly story of the history of the house, salvaged wood was used on shelves and selected wood tops, which also brought in the warmth this Vermont house deserved. To bring in industrial influences into this modern design, new steel I-Beams and posts was brought into the design and it was ‘aged’ by talented local artisan by applying custom white wash on the steel I-beams which also softened its lines. Existing wood floors also was custom painted to suggest a more modern effect and to complement the concrete fireplace For the living room fireplace surround, complementary finishes and colors were creating by using a blend of raw steel panels for it’s back wall, which contrasted beautifully with gray concrete fireplace box. Additionally, a darker gray concrete tone which was selected for the cantilevered fireplace heart. To further enhance the textures of steel and concrete, salvaged wood was used for cantilevered from the steel back wall panel. For other metal finishes, brushed chrome metal finishes along with the use of both raw and galvanized steel was used in other selected area to further to support a modern and industrial design theme. - Photo credit: Susan Teare