When your friends and family want a party they will come to your house. And who could blame them? With the numerous features of a grill, tv, and fireplace this will become the place to hang out on the weekends, holidays, and family reunions. Guests can sit back to roast marshmallows and enjoy the heart from a custom Belgard wood fireplace. Or if that doesn’t hit their fancy they can watch the game as the host makes hotdogs and patties on the grill. This will truly become the place to party.

When your friends and family want a party they will come to your house. And who could blame them? With the numerous features of a grill, tv, and fireplace this will become the place to hang out on the weekends, holidays, and family reunions. Guests can sit back to roast marshmallows and enjoy the heart from a custom Belgard wood fireplace. Or if that doesn’t hit their fancy they can watch the game as the host makes hotdogs and patties on the grill. This will truly become the place to party.

Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Other

Made with the chef in mind, this pantry provides an innovative way to store a multitude of knives. It also includes an adjustable shelf with two knife blocks and either two or four stainless steel canisters.

A beautiful glass block bar/counter with blue glass blocks. The wood accent adds a really nice touch The glass block backsplash also blends well with the rest of the kitchen.

The late-19th-century row houses on this block are very charming – and very narrow. PLANT gutted the interior of one and extended it at the rear and up to a third-floor deck with commanding views of downtown. The addition’s minimal presence on the street made it possible to enlarge the house while meeting stringent local restrictions on heritage-block alterations. Although the addition elongates what was already a skinny house, it floods it with light. The expanded kitchen now steps down into a new, garden-bordering lounge with seating by a small fireplace. Overhead, a skewed bar of open shelving blazes an orange trail through the kitchen and lounge, concealing the mechanical ductwork. One of the house’s owners is a minimalist who favours a neutral palette; the other is a collector who loves colour. With the minimalist in mind, we unified the interior with a grey and white palette. At the same time, the ground floor’s crowning expanse of orange shelving satisfies the maximalist’s craving for colour and provides a highly visible – yet clutter-taming – system for displaying possessions.

We custom made all of the kitchen cabinetry and shelving. The kitchen was a small area so maximizing usable space with function and design was crucial. The transitional design features a pantry wall with the Sub Zero all glass door refrigerator and oven cabinet centered and equal size pantry cabinets to either side with 3 large storage drawers below and rollout shelves and work surfaces behind the door cabinets above in each with a hidden walk-in pantry door next to the Sub Zero. The cabinets on the range wall all have large storage drawers with wood organizers in the top drawer for spices and utensils. The client also wanted floating shelves to either side of the steel hood which were made from re-sawn maple to look like cut pieces from an old beam, each shelf is lit from the underside with LED flush mounted puck lights. The island was our biggest challenge. It needed to house several appliances of different size, a farmhouse sink and be able to have function from all 4 sides and still have room for seating space on the backside. The sink side has the farmhouse sink centered with storage drawers to the right that feature wood organizers and a double middle drawer to help hold all the small utensils and still maintain the 3 drawer look from the front view that matches the integrated dishwasher to the left. The right side contains both the integrated soft close trash unit and an icemaker with a third false panel door to maintain the size balance for all three. The left side houses the Sub Zero undercounter freezer. I wanted the face to look like six equal sized drawers, which left the integrated drawer fronts for the freezer overlapping the side panel for the dishwasher. The back of the island has storage tucked up under the seating space. The quartz countertop meets up against the maple butcher block to create a stunning island top. All in all the end result of this kitchen is a beautiful space with wonderful function. We finished the false beams in our exclusive hand-rubbed cappuccino stain. Photos: Kimball Ungerman

Chi Chi Ubina
Living room - rustic dark wood floor living room idea in New York with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

This beautiful Birmingham, MI home had been renovated prior to our clients purchase, but the style and overall design was not a fit for their family. They really wanted to have a kitchen with a large “eat-in” island where their three growing children could gather, eat meals and enjoy time together. Additionally, they needed storage, lots of storage! We decided to create a completely new space. The original kitchen was a small “L” shaped workspace with the nook visible from the front entry. It was completely closed off to the large vaulted family room. Our team at MSDB re-designed and gutted the entire space. We removed the wall between the kitchen and family room and eliminated existing closet spaces and then added a small cantilevered addition toward the backyard. With the expanded open space, we were able to flip the kitchen into the old nook area and add an extra-large island. The new kitchen includes oversized built in Subzero refrigeration, a 48” Wolf dual fuel double oven range along with a large apron front sink overlooking the patio and a 2nd prep sink in the island. Additionally, we used hallway and closet storage to create a gorgeous walk-in pantry with beautiful frosted glass barn doors. As you slide the doors open the lights go on and you enter a completely new space with butcher block countertops for baking preparation and a coffee bar, subway tile backsplash and room for any kind of storage needed. The homeowners love the ability to display some of the wine they’ve purchased during their travels to Italy! We did not stop with the kitchen; a small bar was added in the new nook area with additional refrigeration. A brand-new mud room was created between the nook and garage with 12” x 24”, easy to clean, porcelain gray tile floor. The finishing touches were the new custom living room fireplace with marble mosaic tile surround and marble hearth and stunning extra wide plank hand scraped oak flooring throughout the entire first floor.

This home was built by Cua Builders as part of the Homes of Distinction tour. Just one of the cool features was this home gym and basketball court. The builder chose glass block windows for their durability and ability to get light into the space.

The owners of this 1970s-era split-level on Lake Calhoun recently added a third story bringing the home up-to-date with attractive soffits, angles, and half-walls built to create depth and dimension. But in a house where every room registered a dull white, a healthy dose of color becomes the true force for modernizing this space. The homeowners asked Otogawa-Anschel to bring color into their lives. The standalone fireplace in the room’s center wears an entirely different chromatic palette on each side. From the sleeping area and looking out toward the lake, cool tones tease out the aqua and dark blue in the slate fireplace surround. From the opposite side, warm hues pick up the rose and violet of the same material. The wall separating the bedroom from the bathroom boasts a rich adobe red, set off by a gold soffit and a rich chocolate panel. The bold, earthy color triad serves as the eye-catching anchor point for the room. Asymmetrical glass block flanking the bathroom vanity opens up an otherwise restrictive space, allowing it to communicate with the walk-in closet on one side and the natural light spill on the other. Because the green glass block diffuses the light, the room’s colors work to compensate for this softening. A mix of tangerine, pale green, and lemon yellow tile used in the shower find a place on the floor and walls as well for a burst of synthetic sunshine designed to shift and bend depending on vantage point. The gently morphing pattern eliminates the flat sterility of white tile and ordinary glass block. The transition from the second floor to the third floor features a combination of yellow hues that also appear to shimmer and shift with the movement of natural light through the space. In the intense afternoon sun, the pigments lose their distinction and become a solid glowing wall. As the sun sets, they regain their individual character. Like any healthy relationship, the living room and dining room work together while maintaining independence. In the living room, a soft suede wall gives way to the room’s large bank of windows and smartly complements the stone fireplace. Muted greens and golds segue effortlessly to the spectacular lake view. Meanwhile, the vibrant tones of the dining room tastefully contrast the cool calm of the living area. highlights Fifty-six colors in whole house Forty-two colors in master suite

The owners of this 1970s-era split-level on Lake Calhoun recently added a third story bringing the home up-to-date with attractive soffits, angles, and half-walls built to create depth and dimension. But in a house where every room registered a dull white, a healthy dose of color becomes the true force for modernizing this space. The homeowners asked Otogawa-Anschel to bring color into their lives. The standalone fireplace in the room’s center wears an entirely different chromatic palette on each side. From the sleeping area and looking out toward the lake, cool tones tease out the aqua and dark blue in the slate fireplace surround. From the opposite side, warm hues pick up the rose and violet of the same material. The wall separating the bedroom from the bathroom boasts a rich adobe red, set off by a gold soffit and a rich chocolate panel. The bold, earthy color triad serves as the eye-catching anchor point for the room. Asymmetrical glass block flanking the bathroom vanity opens up an otherwise restrictive space, allowing it to communicate with the walk-in closet on one side and the natural light spill on the other. Because the green glass block diffuses the light, the room’s colors work to compensate for this softening. A mix of tangerine, pale green, and lemon yellow tile used in the shower find a place on the floor and walls as well for a burst of synthetic sunshine designed to shift and bend depending on vantage point. The gently morphing pattern eliminates the flat sterility of white tile and ordinary glass block. The transition from the second floor to the third floor features a combination of yellow hues that also appear to shimmer and shift with the movement of natural light through the space. In the intense afternoon sun, the pigments lose their distinction and become a solid glowing wall. As the sun sets, they regain their individual character. Like any healthy relationship, the living room and dining room work together while maintaining independence. In the living room, a soft suede wall gives way to the room’s large bank of windows and smartly complements the stone fireplace. Muted greens and golds segue effortlessly to the spectacular lake view. Meanwhile, the vibrant tones of the dining room tastefully contrast the cool calm of the living area. highlights Fifty-six colors in whole house Forty-two colors in master suite

The owners of this 1970s-era split-level on Lake Calhoun recently added a third story bringing the home up-to-date with attractive soffits, angles, and half-walls built to create depth and dimension. But in a house where every room registered a dull white, a healthy dose of color becomes the true force for modernizing this space. The homeowners asked Otogawa-Anschel to bring color into their lives. The standalone fireplace in the room’s center wears an entirely different chromatic palette on each side. From the sleeping area and looking out toward the lake, cool tones tease out the aqua and dark blue in the slate fireplace surround. From the opposite side, warm hues pick up the rose and violet of the same material. The wall separating the bedroom from the bathroom boasts a rich adobe red, set off by a gold soffit and a rich chocolate panel. The bold, earthy color triad serves as the eye-catching anchor point for the room. Asymmetrical glass block flanking the bathroom vanity opens up an otherwise restrictive space, allowing it to communicate with the walk-in closet on one side and the natural light spill on the other. Because the green glass block diffuses the light, the room’s colors work to compensate for this softening. A mix of tangerine, pale green, and lemon yellow tile used in the shower find a place on the floor and walls as well for a burst of synthetic sunshine designed to shift and bend depending on vantage point. The gently morphing pattern eliminates the flat sterility of white tile and ordinary glass block. The transition from the second floor to the third floor features a combination of yellow hues that also appear to shimmer and shift with the movement of natural light through the space. In the intense afternoon sun, the pigments lose their distinction and become a solid glowing wall. As the sun sets, they regain their individual character. Like any healthy relationship, the living room and dining room work together while maintaining independence. In the living room, a soft suede wall gives way to the room’s large bank of windows and smartly complements the stone fireplace. Muted greens and golds segue effortlessly to the spectacular lake view. Meanwhile, the vibrant tones of the dining room tastefully contrast the cool calm of the living area. highlights Fifty-six colors in whole house Forty-two colors in master suite

Richard Romagnolli
Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Other with shaker cabinets, an island, an undermount sink, gray cabinets, multicolored backsplash, ceramic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Contemporary townhouse centrally situated on one of Hoboken’s finest blocks. Meticulously renovated 2 years ago, this circa 1889 brick row house has been thoughtfully designed for today’s urban family. Currently configured as a 2 family home, the owner’s triplex features 3 bedrooms, den and 2½ bathrooms. Keeping future expansion in mind, the oversized 1 bedroom garden apartment can easily be recaptured to integrate with the main residence for a total of 3,000+ square feet of living space across 4 floors. The bright open parlor level features contemporary clean lines, working gas fireplace, half bath and a designer Scavolini kitchen with a Wolf and SubZero appliance suite, waterfall island and LaCantina doors opening the rear of the home to a stunning Ipe deck and private yard below – perfect for seamless indoor/outdoor entertaining. The second floor master suite features a step out balcony, large walk in closet and stunning bath with dual vanity, free standing soaking tub and steam shower. Completing the 2nd level is the den with working gas fireplace – perfect for a home office, nursery or fourth bedroom. The top floor features 2 bedrooms, a central family/playroom and bath. New EPDM rubber roof, Marvin windows, hardwood floors, central HVAC system and pre-wiring for sound and cable. Centrally located near NYC transportation, parks, schools and dining/nightlife. Sophisticated urban living at its best!

Allan Block products can be used to create many types of applications including stairs. These projects were built in Pennsylvania and Maryland using products from Nitterhouse Concrete. They offer great colors and textures to compliment any outdoor landscaping the customer has requested. Customer upgraded their front entryway and side yard with planters and flowing pavers to their other building. Photos provided by Allan Block Corporation

Embracing the natural elements of this circa 1960’s Condo development in Stowe Vermont was a priority for our clients. We worked closely with a great design team and our clients to create this simple, but beautiful minimalist retreat. Our clients, both authors, wanted a place to withdraw from the endless distractions and fast pace rhythms of the city. Custom made cabinets, bookshelves and built ins helped off set the sandblasted CMU block walls and ground concrete floors. A beautiful handcrafted stairwell was a center piece connecting the three floors. A handcrafted integrated concrete sink in the master is was another testament to the mixed mediums used to create this space. We embraced exposed conduit and commercial grade light fixtures throughout which helped add to the overall minimalist feel of the space. There is a beautiful rawness to this project which everyone came to admire.

The glass block partition wall here is both functional and fun for this kid's bathroom in a midcentury modern home. The glass tile units add a one of a kind look. The Brizo faucet in polished chrome gives the room a sophisticated look.

Tiered cinder block garden walls and concrete steps are a solution to this backyard slope.