Classic, timeless, and ideally positioned on a picturesque street in the 4100 block, discover this dream home by Jessica Koltun Home. The blend of traditional architecture and contemporary finishes evokes warmth while understated elegance remains constant throughout this Midway Hollow masterpiece. Countless custom features and finishes include museum-quality walls, white oak beams, reeded cabinetry, stately millwork, and white oak wood floors with custom herringbone patterns. First-floor amenities include a barrel vault, a dedicated study, a formal and casual dining room, and a private primary suite adorned in Carrara marble that has direct access to the laundry room. The second features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an oversized game room that could also be used as a sixth bedroom. This is your opportunity to own a designer dream home.

These custom raised beds are made out of red wood to match the houses siding. This area receives all day sun and is a perfect location for a vegetable garden. They sit atop an earth block retaining wall above the pool. The beds flank both sides of a decomposed granite path. The height and depth of are set for easy access.

As readers of architect/designer Katie Hutchison’s book The New Cottage (Taunton Press 2018), these homeowners approached KHS about designing a second home in Westerly, Rhode Island. Theirs is a double-long lot with street frontage on both ends, a short walk from the water. In addition to the new house, their wish list included a new lap pool (with associated patio) and new garage. Aesthetically, they were looking to create an informally elegant, human-scaled family compound, engaged with the site and connected with the outdoors. They further requested sustainable features/systems and low-maintenance materials. In response, KHS proposed an ell-shaped house that wraps two sides of a lap pool/patio. A porch-fronted two-story gabled component faces the main street and is flanked by the one-story primary suite in one leg of the ell and the one-story kitchen and rear porches in the other leg of the ell. The house is an efficient +/- 2800 square-feet and contains four bedrooms and three and one half bathrooms. A salt-box inspired garage is detached so as not to increase the building massing. It helps shape outdoor spaces and doesn’t block daylight and direct exterior access from the house. It faces the secondary street. Driveways off both streets offer different modes of arrival. The south-facing roof of the two-story volume – which includes three bedrooms and two baths – and the south-facing one-story roof of the kitchen and rear porches, as well as the south-facing roof of the garage support 47 photovoltaic solar panels, providing the bulk of the property’s electric power. Two oversized exterior folding glass doors off the living area and kitchen blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors, welcoming abundant daylight, views of the pool and patio, as well as summer breezes. An airy living/dining area includes a long custom window seat and borders a semi-open kitchen beneath a cathedral ceiling. Living area built-in shelving frames a TV and surrounds a modern efficient pellet stove. A cheerful interior palette of soft hues features pops of color, Scandinavian wallpapers, custom textiles, and a dash of warm wood accents in the form of counters, built-in desks, and custom furnishings. On the exterior, natural shingles side the main volume and environmentally friendly and durable Boral board-and-batten side the one-story components and garage, communicating a legible hierarchy of spaces. The overall effect is a breezy, crisp New England home, pool patio, and garage for today’s living.

Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea in Los Angeles

Pristine and impeccably maintained wide 17.75’ single family, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath brownstone on uptown Park Avenue with large professionally landscaped backyard. Stunning kitchen renovation with large rear window, Scavolini cabinets, SubZero refrigerator, Miele ovens and Bosch dishwasher with separate pantry and bar; powder room and rear door for easy access to yard. Elegant double parlor with potential 4th bedroom/master suite. Master bedroom with custom walk-in closet. Finished basement with family room and storage. Renovated bathrooms. Beautiful period details throughout; 5 mantles, original kitchen stove, stained glass skylight, ceiling medallions, pocket doors and exposed brick. Central air, gas/radiators, Pella windows with Hunter Douglas shades, laundry, hardwood floors throughout, all on uptown Park Avenue’s loveliest block.

Located blocks from the St Paul Cathedral, this 1981 multilevel townhome was overdue for renovations. The galley kitchen was the right approach, but storage was difficult, and access to appliances was not ideal. The living room was dated with a sunken floor, and the bathroom was dreary. The living room floor was raised by 18” and the connection between living room and kitchen was improved. The kitchen was remodeled with custom cabinetry, a generous island, and new flooring. A cable rail system was added to the stairwell to open it up, and the bathroom was given a facelift with bold wallpaper.

Curbless shower pan with wide doors for wheelchair accessibility
Example of a large transitional bathroom design in Portland

As readers of architect/designer Katie Hutchison’s book The New Cottage (Taunton Press 2018), these homeowners approached KHS about designing a second home in Westerly, Rhode Island. Theirs is a double-long lot with street frontage on both ends, a short walk from the water. In addition to the new house, their wish list included a new lap pool (with associated patio) and new garage. Aesthetically, they were looking to create an informally elegant, human-scaled family compound, engaged with the site and connected with the outdoors. They further requested sustainable features/systems and low-maintenance materials. In response, KHS proposed an ell-shaped house that wraps two sides of a lap pool/patio. A porch-fronted two-story gabled component faces the main street and is flanked by the one-story primary suite in one leg of the ell and the one-story kitchen and rear porches in the other leg of the ell. The house is an efficient +/- 2800 square-feet and contains four bedrooms and three and one half bathrooms. A salt-box inspired garage is detached so as not to increase the building massing. It helps shape outdoor spaces and doesn’t block daylight and direct exterior access from the house. It faces the secondary street. Driveways off both streets offer different modes of arrival. The south-facing roof of the two-story volume – which includes three bedrooms and two baths – and the south-facing one-story roof of the kitchen and rear porches, as well as the south-facing roof of the garage support 47 photovoltaic solar panels, providing the bulk of the property’s electric power. Two oversized exterior folding glass doors off the living area and kitchen blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors, welcoming abundant daylight, views of the pool and patio, as well as summer breezes. An airy living/dining area includes a long custom window seat and borders a semi-open kitchen beneath a cathedral ceiling. Living area built-in shelving frames a TV and surrounds a modern efficient pellet stove. A cheerful interior palette of soft hues features pops of color, Scandinavian wallpapers, custom textiles, and a dash of warm wood accents in the form of counters, built-in desks, and custom furnishings. On the exterior, natural shingles side the main volume and environmentally friendly and durable Boral board-and-batten side the one-story components and garage, communicating a legible hierarchy of spaces. The overall effect is a breezy, crisp New England home, pool patio, and garage for today’s living.

This DIY linear structure was built by a homeowner using a construction plan from Backyard Flare. This custom structure started as the Pima II fireplace design and a grill/smoker section was added to the side. A stainless steel access door is great for storage and the Big Green Egg ceramic grill/smoker sits ready for use on the left.

This spacious 2-story home features a welcoming front porch and 2-car side entry garage with mudroom. A dramatic 2-story ceiling in the Foyer creates a grand impression upon entering the home. The Foyer is flanked by the Study to the left and the Living Room to the right. Off of the Living Room is the Formal Dining Room adorned by chair rail with elegant block detail. The Kitchen with stainless steel appliances and convenient island opens to the sunny Breakfast Area with sliding glass door access to backyard patio. The spacious Family Room features a cozy gas fireplace and triple windows providing plenty of natural light. The second floor boast all 4 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and a laundry room. The Owner’s Suite with truncated ceiling features an expansive closet and private bathroom with 5’ shower and double bowl vanity with cultured marble top.

The DSA Residential Team designed this 4,000 SF Coastal Contemporary Spec Home. The two-story home was designed with an open concept for the living areas, maximizing the waterfront views and incorporating as much natural light as possible. The home was designed with a circular drive entrance and concrete block / turf courtyard, affording access to the home's two garages. DSA worked within the community's HOA guidelines to accomplish the look and feel the client wanted to achieve for the home. The team provided architectural renderings for the spec home to help with marketing efforts and to help future buyers envision the final product.

This Mission Hills kitchen was completely gutted and the back wall of the house was pushed out to expand the dining area. There had been a back pantry and butler's area, however this particular layout did not suit the clients needs and they preferred to have this space accessible from the main kitchen. We added in the coffer ceiling details, built in a smaller walk in pantry and built out walls to make architectural elements in the kitchen such as around the range and the refrigeration wall. The chopping block at the end of the main island is created with Walnut and is frequently used as a cutting board. The tall glass cabinet acts as a dish pantry and all of the clients dishware is immediately visible and in one location. Matt Kocourek

This older couple have been residing in their one level custom home since the early 80’s. The Master bathroom old design was dysfunctional, steps in bathroom were dangerous for their age, the deck mounted tub took too much floor space, vanity space was limited. Swing doors were cutting accessibility for them. The wanted to open up the space and bring this old dragged of bathroom into a new era of design and functionality. Planned a double sided fireplace in front of the tub area, taking out all multi-level shower and tub area, enlarged the shower stall and moved the new free standing tub directly under the wall of glass blocks, We have taken advantage of tall cathedral ceiling and added new ceiling and recess lights to brighten this space. The toilet area was enclosed with a frost glass pocket and made more room for larger vanity and counter space, given them lots of storage, small closets were taken out and replaced with larger linen cabinetry. We have relocated the toilet to open up large portion of back wall, now home for his vanity space. The shower was moved to the corner, taking some space form adjacent closet. Customer framed mirror, sconce lighting has taken over the left side of pantry, will large scale tile (and heated floor) this master bathroom transformation has given them a whole new life. Carefully selected stain on cabinetry complimenting the stone top and porcelain floor and wall tiles were all a big part of this transformation. The custom closet system has given them a much-needed space for their clothing and all their seasonal clothes. Now more than ever life in their master suite is pleasurable and relaxing.

This spacious 2-story home features a welcoming front porch and 2-car side entry garage with mudroom. A dramatic 2-story ceiling in the Foyer creates a grand impression upon entering the home. The Foyer is flanked by the Study to the left and the Living Room to the right. Off of the Living Room is the Formal Dining Room adorned by chair rail with elegant block detail. The Kitchen with stainless steel appliances and convenient island opens to the sunny Breakfast Area with sliding glass door access to backyard patio. The spacious Family Room features a cozy gas fireplace and triple windows providing plenty of natural light. The second floor boast all 4 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and a laundry room. The Owner’s Suite with truncated ceiling features an expansive closet and private bathroom with 5’ shower and double bowl vanity with cultured marble top.

THE SETUP Once these empty nest homeowners decided to stay put, they knew a new kitchen was in order. Passionate about cooking, entertaining, and hosting holiday gatherings, they found their existing kitchen inadequate. The space, with its traditional style and outdated layout, was far from ideal. They longed for an elegant, timeless kitchen that was not only show-stopping but also functional, seamlessly catering to both their daily routines and special occasions with friends and family. Another key factor was its future appeal to potential buyers, as they’re ready to enjoy their new kitchen while also considering downsizing in the future. Design Objectives: Create a more streamlined, open space Eliminate traditional elements Improve flow for entertaining and everyday use Omit dated posts and soffits Include storage for small appliances to keep counters clutter-free Address mail organization and phone charging concerns THE REMODEL Design Challenges: Compensate for lost storage from omitted wall cabinets Revise floorplan to feature a single, spacious island Enhance island seating proximity for a more engaging atmosphere Address awkward space above existing built-ins Improve natural light blocked by wall cabinet near the window Create a highly functional space tailored for entertaining Design Solutions: Tall cabinetry and pull-outs maximize storage efficiency A generous single island promotes seamless flow and ample prep space Strategic island seating arrangement fosters easy conversation New built-ins fill arched openings, ensuring a custom, clutter-free look Replace wall cabinet with lighted open shelves for an airy feel Galley Dresser and Workstation offer impeccable organization and versatility, creating the perfect setup for entertaining with everything easily accessible. THE RENEWED SPACE The new kitchen exceeded every expectation, thrilling the clients with its revitalized, expansive design and thoughtful functionality. The transformation brought to life an open space adorned with marble accents, a state-of-the-art steam oven, and the seamless integration of the Galley Dresser, crafting a kitchen not just to be used, but to be cherished. This is more than a culinary space; it’s a new heart of their home, ready to host countless memories and culinary adventures. Visual Comfort pendant light pair strikes over the large island.

Designed with a nod to the Modern Movement of architectural styles, The Newcastle's exterior elements include horizontal Nichiha vintage wood cedar planks offset by Modera tailored and stacked ledgestone and a welcoming path of deep gray slate pavers. The horizontal grid lines in the home's 10' black iron double doors are mimicked throughout the home and add a classic modern feel to the windows, sliding glass doors, and an all-glass, temperature-controlled wine room. The Newcastle's great room is open to the chef's kitchen that features two separate quartzite islands, one with a beveled waterfall edge that's perfect for either casual dining or entertaining. Just off the kitchen, the wine room with a backlit blue-agate accent wall leads you into the home's bonus room, complete with a beverage refrigerator, humidor, and access to a private courtyard. The great room overlooks the spacious outdoor living areas which feature your own putting green, fire pit, pool and plenty of space for lounging, cooking and dining. The master suite has a volume ceiling, oversized windows overlooking the pool and lake with a private entrance to the rear lanai. The master bath features a recessed tub, a glass-enclosed shower that is centered within the room and surrounded by walls of glass, two separate vanities, water closets, and elegant courtyards, and of course spectacular closets. Additional living spaces inside this 4,806 SF home include a separate Casita, two additional en-suite guest rooms, study, walk-in pantry, laundry room, and 4-car split garage.

Built in wood storage adjacent to the fireplace provides easy access to wood without blocking views.

In this kitchen the existing fridge blocked the site lines and made the kitchen feel small. A peninsula divided the space. We removed the peninsula and placed the large fridge out of the way but still within easy access. On the wall opposite we built floor to ceiling pantries, and placed the microwave at a safe and comfortable height for the owner. At the desk height counter which doubles as an eating area, every day appliances are at her fingertips.

TJC Architect: This TJC Architect designed beach home makes the most of an odd shaped, corner lot. This three story structure with traditional detailing boasts a Great Room, a Guest suite and an attached garage on the first floor. Take the stairs or the elevator to the second floor where every bedroom has it's own private balcony. The third floor loft has access to the roof top deck, where you have ocean views even though the beach is several blocks away. A pool in the back yard completes the package.