Today’s traditional kitchens are nothing like the overly embellished ones of the ‘90’s & early 2000’s, replete with intricately carved posts, columns, corbels, overlays and moldings. Today’s classic kitchen is edited down to time honored elements, simpler trims, with some contemporary touches. Recessed panel doors with a beveled inner profile, and slab drawers with a rounded outer trim, line the perimeter. The main body of the island is “L”-shaped, but the overhang is curved, repeating the curved breakfast nook window and paneled banquette. Clean-lined slab doors and drawers allow the island’s shapely form to shine. Two tones again prove popular, with gray paint on the perimeter and rift-cut white oak stained dark brown on the island. Clear glass doors flanking the hood have natural maple interiors to brighten the expanse of cabinetry. In the dining room, the upper glass doors of the hutch cabinets have matching painted interiors for a more formal look. Crown molding is an uncluttered cove, and under cabinet lighting is discreetly hidden in the recessed bottoms. Frosted drum pendants and a linear dining chandelier holding frosted glass “candles” are unapologetically contemporary. Perimeter countertops and backsplashes are subtly veined marble, while the island top is gray quartz. This project was done in collaboration with Kathleen Walsh Interiors. Photography by Rikki Snyder.

Transitional l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen photo in Portland Maine with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, concrete countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

The owners requested that their home harmonize with the spirit of the surrounding Colorado mountain setting and enhance their outdoor recreational lifestyle - while reflecting their contemporary architectural tastes. The site was burdened with a myriad of strict design criteria enforced by the neighborhood covenants and architectural review board. Creating a distinct design challenge, the covenants included a narrow interpretation of a “mountain style” home which established predetermined roof pitches, glazing percentages and material palettes - at direct odds with the client‘s vision of a flat-roofed, glass, “contemporary” home. Our solution finds inspiration and opportunities within the site covenant’s strict definitions. It promotes and celebrates the client’s outdoor lifestyle and resolves the definition of a contemporary “mountain style” home by reducing the architecture to its most basic vernacular forms and relying upon local materials. The home utilizes a simple base, middle and top that echoes the surrounding mountains and vegetation. The massing takes its cues from the prevalent lodgepole pine trees that grow at the mountain’s high altitudes. These pine trees have a distinct growth pattern, highlighted by a single vertical trunk and a peaked, densely foliated growth zone above a sparse base. This growth pattern is referenced by placing the wood-clad body of the home at the second story above an open base composed of wood posts and glass. A simple peaked roof rests lightly atop the home - visually floating above a triangular glass transom. The home itself is neatly inserted amongst an existing grove of lodgepole pines and oriented to take advantage of panoramic views of the adjacent meadow and Continental Divide beyond. The main functions of the house are arranged into public and private areas and this division is made apparent on the home’s exterior. Two large roof forms, clad in pre-patinated zinc, are separated by a sheltering central deck - which signals the main entry to the home. At this connection, the roof deck is opened to allow a cluster of aspen trees to grow – further reinforcing nature as an integral part of arrival. Outdoor living spaces are provided on all levels of the house and are positioned to take advantage of sunrise and sunset moments. The distinction between interior and exterior space is blurred via the use of large expanses of glass. The dry stacked stone base and natural cedar cladding both reappear within the home’s interior spaces. This home offers a unique solution to the client’s requests while satisfying the design requirements of the neighborhood covenants. The house provides a variety of indoor and outdoor living spaces that can be utilized in all seasons. Most importantly, the house takes its cues directly from its natural surroundings and local building traditions to become a prototype solution for the “modern mountain house”. Overview Ranch Creek Ranch Winter Park, Colorado Completion Date October, 2007 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

Enjoy ocean air and views from this custom home office in a coastal Maine home. Designed by architects, this office features plenty of windows and a balcony.

Mid-sized elegant gray floor mudroom photo in Portland Maine with blue walls

Calm and serene guest bathroom featuring marble tile shower in this Portland, Maine remodel. Photographed by Katie Tuzmen at Brook Road Photography for real estate listing.

The wet bar includes a built-in wine cooler and a highlight in this stunning kitchen renovation is the ceiling hung glass and metal shelving unit that is truly a piece of art.

Main Level Powder Room Drafted and Designed by Fluidesign Studio
Powder room - mid-sized traditional medium tone wood floor and brown floor powder room idea in Minneapolis with blue walls and a console sink

Inspiration for a timeless outdoor shower deck remodel in Burlington with a roof extension

Morse and Doak Builders Kennebec Company Joseph Corrado Photography
Farmhouse kitchen photo in Portland Maine with an undermount sink, open cabinets and yellow cabinets

This early 20th century Poppleton Park home was originally 2548 sq ft. with a small kitchen, nook, powder room and dining room on the first floor. The second floor included a single full bath and 3 bedrooms. The client expressed a need for about 1500 additional square feet added to the basement, first floor and second floor. In order to create a fluid addition that seamlessly attached to this home, we tore down the original one car garage, nook and powder room. The addition was added off the northern portion of the home, which allowed for a side entry garage. Plus, a small addition on the Eastern portion of the home enlarged the kitchen, nook and added an exterior covered porch. Special features of the interior first floor include a beautiful new custom kitchen with island seating, stone countertops, commercial appliances, large nook/gathering with French doors to the covered porch, mud and powder room off of the new four car garage. Most of the 2nd floor was allocated to the master suite. This beautiful new area has views of the park and includes a luxurious master bath with free standing tub and walk-in shower, along with a 2nd floor custom laundry room! Attention to detail on the exterior was essential to keeping the charm and character of the home. The brick façade from the front view was mimicked along the garage elevation. A small copper cap above the garage doors and 6” half-round copper gutters finish the look. KateBenjamin Photography

This older couple residing in a golf course community wanted to expand their living space and finish up their unfinished basement for entertainment purposes and more. Their wish list included: exercise room, full scale movie theater, fireplace area, guest bedroom, full size master bath suite style, full bar area, entertainment and pool table area, and tray ceiling. After major concrete breaking and running ground plumbing, we used a dead corner of basement near staircase to tuck in bar area. A dual entrance bathroom from guest bedroom and main entertainment area was placed on far wall to create a large uninterrupted main floor area. A custom barn door for closet gives extra floor space to guest bedroom. New movie theater room with multi-level seating, sound panel walls, two rows of recliner seating, 120-inch screen, state of art A/V system, custom pattern carpeting, surround sound & in-speakers, custom molding and trim with fluted columns, custom mahogany theater doors. The bar area includes copper panel ceiling and rope lighting inside tray area, wrapped around cherry cabinets and dark granite top, plenty of stools and decorated with glass backsplash and listed glass cabinets. The main seating area includes a linear fireplace, covered with floor to ceiling ledger stone and an embedded television above it. The new exercise room with two French doors, full mirror walls, a couple storage closets, and rubber floors provide a fully equipped home gym. The unused space under staircase now includes a hidden bookcase for storage and A/V equipment. New bathroom includes fully equipped body sprays, large corner shower, double vanities, and lots of other amenities. Carefully selected trim work, crown molding, tray ceiling, wainscoting, wide plank engineered flooring, matching stairs, and railing, makes this basement remodel the jewel of this community.

The interior details are simple, elegant, and are understated to display fine craftsmanship throughout the home. The design and finishes are not pretentious - but exactly what you would expect to find in an accomplished Maine artist’s home. Each piece of artwork carefully informed the selections that would highlight the art and contribute to the personality of each space. © Darren Setlow Photography

The owners requested that their home harmonize with the spirit of the surrounding Colorado mountain setting and enhance their outdoor recreational lifestyle - while reflecting their contemporary architectural tastes. The site was burdened with a myriad of strict design criteria enforced by the neighborhood covenants and architectural review board. Creating a distinct design challenge, the covenants included a narrow interpretation of a “mountain style” home which established predetermined roof pitches, glazing percentages and material palettes - at direct odds with the client‘s vision of a flat-roofed, glass, “contemporary” home. Our solution finds inspiration and opportunities within the site covenant’s strict definitions. It promotes and celebrates the client’s outdoor lifestyle and resolves the definition of a contemporary “mountain style” home by reducing the architecture to its most basic vernacular forms and relying upon local materials. The home utilizes a simple base, middle and top that echoes the surrounding mountains and vegetation. The massing takes its cues from the prevalent lodgepole pine trees that grow at the mountain’s high altitudes. These pine trees have a distinct growth pattern, highlighted by a single vertical trunk and a peaked, densely foliated growth zone above a sparse base. This growth pattern is referenced by placing the wood-clad body of the home at the second story above an open base composed of wood posts and glass. A simple peaked roof rests lightly atop the home - visually floating above a triangular glass transom. The home itself is neatly inserted amongst an existing grove of lodgepole pines and oriented to take advantage of panoramic views of the adjacent meadow and Continental Divide beyond. The main functions of the house are arranged into public and private areas and this division is made apparent on the home’s exterior. Two large roof forms, clad in pre-patinated zinc, are separated by a sheltering central deck - which signals the main entry to the home. At this connection, the roof deck is opened to allow a cluster of aspen trees to grow – further reinforcing nature as an integral part of arrival. Outdoor living spaces are provided on all levels of the house and are positioned to take advantage of sunrise and sunset moments. The distinction between interior and exterior space is blurred via the use of large expanses of glass. The dry stacked stone base and natural cedar cladding both reappear within the home’s interior spaces. This home offers a unique solution to the client’s requests while satisfying the design requirements of the neighborhood covenants. The house provides a variety of indoor and outdoor living spaces that can be utilized in all seasons. Most importantly, the house takes its cues directly from its natural surroundings and local building traditions to become a prototype solution for the “modern mountain house”. Overview Ranch Creek Ranch Winter Park, Colorado Completion Date October, 2007 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

The program consists of a detached Guest House with full Kitchen, Living and Dining amenities, Carport and Office Building with attached Main house and Master Bedroom wing. The arrangement of buildings was dictated by the numerous majestic oaks and organized as a procession of spaces leading from the Entry arbor up to the front door. Large covered terraces and arbors were used to extend the interior living spaces out onto the site. All the buildings are clad in Texas limestone with accent bands of Leuders limestone to mimic the local limestone cliffs in the area. Steel was used on the arbors and fences and left to rust. Vertical grain Douglas fir was used on the interior while flagstone and stained concrete floors were used throughout. The flagstone floors extend from the exterior entry arbors into the interior of the Main Living space and out onto the Main house terraces.

Modern Rift Sawn White Oak doors for the main entry of a private residence in Northeast OH. The homeowner had hoped to reuse an unusual pair of old carved doors for the main entry, but it didn't work out. Rockwood designed the main entry doors to reflect the overall design flow of the original doors. Photo by Rockwood Door & Millwork.

Usage of low maintenance materials, refinishing and reusing cabinets, and reallocating space instead of changing the home’s footprint kept this project green. Clients were also able to live on site during the renovation due to the low-VOC and water-based finishes, and our constant indoor air-quality monitoring. The entry and main floor, kitchen, and both baths now feel fresh, airy, and spacious, allowing for immediate relaxation in taking in natural light, water views and sunsets from this West Seattle split-level home.

Although the home is in its 100th year, the owners wanted to create an updated urban style reflective of their downtown location. The new styling, while sleek and contemporary, kept a traditional feel with a paneled door styling, crystal chandeliers and an updated glass version of subway tile. We were also able to create an open kitchen with a 3’8 ½” x 7’ 5 ½” island centered on a gourmet Wolf cooking area. Perimeter Cabinets: Brand: Omega Door Style: Metro Species & Finish: Maple, Magnolia Island & Upper Cabinets: Brand: Omega Door Style: Metro Species & Finish: Maple, Magnolia Perimeter Countertops: Quartz, Metro Concerto w/ a 2" Mitered Edge Detail Cabinet Door Glass: Starphire Low Iron Glass Island Countertops: Caesarstone Quartz, 5141 Frosty Carina w/ a 2" thick mitered edge details Pot Filler: Waterstone 3200 Contemporary Wall Mounted Pot Filler in Polished Chrome Kitchen Sink: Signature Hardware 314144 27" Hazelton Stainless Steel Retrofit Farmhouse Sink Kitchen Faucet: Julien Wave 306001 Single Lever Kitchen Sink Faucet in Polished Chrome Mosaic Feature Tile: Ann Sacks, 2x2 Random Blend; Sandblasted, vibrated & brushed aluminum Kate Benjamin Photography

House and barn designed by Marcel Valliere, photographed by Dave Clough Photography
Inspiration for a country detached garage remodel in Portland Maine