Hall in Marshall Ave | Room Type: Whole Home (Kitchen, Bathrooms, Living Spaces) | Project Name: Marshall Ave | Key Feature: Modern transitional design with lake views, incorporating custom cabinetry, quartz surfaces, and creative design details throughout the home. Challenge: The home required a full remodel and furnishing plan that would modernize the space while embracing the client’s openness to unique, creative design ideas. Solution: The design team remodeled and furnished the entire home, introducing modern transitional finishes, custom cabinetry, and thoughtfully selected materials to create a cohesive, elevated look while highlighting the home’s beautiful lake views. Materials: Bedrosians and Porcelanosa tile, Vadara quartz, custom vanities and kitchen cabinetry, and lighting from Sunlighting. Budget: $50k-$100k | Timeline: Completed September 2020.

Living Room in Calle De Pompas | Room Type: Whole Home (Interior and Outdoor Living) | Project Name: Calle De Pompas | Key Feature: A builder-grade home transformed through updated furnishings, lighting, and outdoor entertaining elements, including a Hestan outdoor grill. Challenge: The home originally featured builder-grade finishes and lacked personality. The goal was to refresh the space after several years of living there and create a home that felt more personal and elevated through updated furnishings and design details. Solution: The home was refreshed with new furniture, updated lighting, and upgraded materials to give the space an entirely new feel while improving functionality and style throughout the interior and outdoor entertaining areas. Materials: Arizona Tile, SapienStone outdoor BBQ countertop, and lighting from Sunlighting. Budget: $75k-$150K | Timeline: Completed June 2020.

Living Room in Calle De Pompas | Room Type: Whole Home (Interior and Outdoor Living) | Project Name: Calle De Pompas | Key Feature: A builder-grade home transformed through updated furnishings, lighting, and outdoor entertaining elements, including a Hestan outdoor grill. Challenge: The home originally featured builder-grade finishes and lacked personality. The goal was to refresh the space after several years of living there and create a home that felt more personal and elevated through updated furnishings and design details. Solution: The home was refreshed with new furniture, updated lighting, and upgraded materials to give the space an entirely new feel while improving functionality and style throughout the interior and outdoor entertaining areas. Materials: Arizona Tile, SapienStone outdoor BBQ countertop, and lighting from Sunlighting. Budget: $75k-$150K | Timeline: Completed June 2020.

Set in the heart of Virginia wine country, Valley View Cottage was created as a place for guests to disconnect from daily life and reconnect with close friends and family. The brand was intentionally built at the intersection of Blue Ridge mountain terrain and elevated residential comfort, blending natural depth with refined ease. We anchored the environment in deep blues to reflect the surrounding landscape and layered warm neutrals to create intimacy and welcome. Every detail was curated to move the experience beyond a place to sleep. This property was designed to evoke a feeling. In a saturated short term rental market, guests do not choose square footage. They choose emotion. Through intentional brand positioning, cohesive storytelling, and thoughtful design execution, Valley View Cottage increased perceived value, strengthened its visual identity, and elevated the overall guest experience. The result was higher quality bookings, stronger guest reviews, justified premium nightly rates, and a growing social media presence driven by a space that photographs beautifully. This project demonstrates how a short term rental can operate as boutique hospitality. When strategy and atmosphere align, a STR becomes more than accommodation. It becomes an experience guests remember and return to.

Set in the heart of Virginia wine country, Valley View Cottage was created as a place for guests to disconnect from daily life and reconnect with close friends and family. The brand was intentionally built at the intersection of Blue Ridge mountain terrain and elevated residential comfort, blending natural depth with refined ease. We anchored the environment in deep blues to reflect the surrounding landscape and layered warm neutrals to create intimacy and welcome. Every detail was curated to move the experience beyond a place to sleep. This property was designed to evoke a feeling. In a saturated short term rental market, guests do not choose square footage. They choose emotion. Through intentional brand positioning, cohesive storytelling, and thoughtful design execution, Valley View Cottage increased perceived value, strengthened its visual identity, and elevated the overall guest experience. The result was higher quality bookings, stronger guest reviews, justified premium nightly rates, and a growing social media presence driven by a space that photographs beautifully. This project demonstrates how a short term rental can operate as boutique hospitality. When strategy and atmosphere align, a STR becomes more than accommodation. It becomes an experience guests remember and return to.

Photo by Jody Dole This charming farmhouse sits atop a grassy hill overlooking a serene Connecticut River Estuary. The new design reformulated the first floor plan making it much more functional and visually exciting. It encompassed the reorganization of multiple spaces including the Mudroom, Kitchen, Dining Room, Family Room, Sun Room, Laundry, Bathroom, and Master Closet. The design also added, deleted, and relocated windows and French doors to greatly enhance exterior views, draw in more natural light, and seamlessly upgrade the articulation of exterior elevations. Improvements to the plumbing and mechanical systems were also made. The overall feeling is both sophisticated and yet very much down to earth. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Designed as a private spa retreat, this luxurious primary ensuite blends bold contemporary design with refined elegance. A striking oversized walk-in shower, wrapped in dramatic book-matched porcelain tile and frameless glass, serves as the centerpiece of the space. Custom floating vanities with integrated lighting, premium fixtures, and sleek black-and-gold accents create a sophisticated atmosphere, while the freestanding soaker tub offers the perfect place to relax. Connected directly to the spacious walk-in closet, every detail of this ensuite was thoughtfully designed to elevate everyday living.

Set in the heart of Virginia wine country, Valley View Cottage was created as a place for guests to disconnect from daily life and reconnect with close friends and family. The brand was intentionally built at the intersection of Blue Ridge mountain terrain and elevated residential comfort, blending natural depth with refined ease. We anchored the environment in deep blues to reflect the surrounding landscape and layered warm neutrals to create intimacy and welcome. Every detail was curated to move the experience beyond a place to sleep. This property was designed to evoke a feeling. In a saturated short term rental market, guests do not choose square footage. They choose emotion. Through intentional brand positioning, cohesive storytelling, and thoughtful design execution, Valley View Cottage increased perceived value, strengthened its visual identity, and elevated the overall guest experience. The result was higher quality bookings, stronger guest reviews, justified premium nightly rates, and a growing social media presence driven by a space that photographs beautifully. This project demonstrates how a short term rental can operate as boutique hospitality. When strategy and atmosphere align, a STR becomes more than accommodation. It becomes an experience guests remember and return to.

Set in the heart of Virginia wine country, Valley View Cottage was created as a place for guests to disconnect from daily life and reconnect with close friends and family. The brand was intentionally built at the intersection of Blue Ridge mountain terrain and elevated residential comfort, blending natural depth with refined ease. We anchored the environment in deep blues to reflect the surrounding landscape and layered warm neutrals to create intimacy and welcome. Every detail was curated to move the experience beyond a place to sleep. This property was designed to evoke a feeling. In a saturated short term rental market, guests do not choose square footage. They choose emotion. Through intentional brand positioning, cohesive storytelling, and thoughtful design execution, Valley View Cottage increased perceived value, strengthened its visual identity, and elevated the overall guest experience. The result was higher quality bookings, stronger guest reviews, justified premium nightly rates, and a growing social media presence driven by a space that photographs beautifully. This project demonstrates how a short term rental can operate as boutique hospitality. When strategy and atmosphere align, a STR becomes more than accommodation. It becomes an experience guests remember and return to.

The basement stage was created for this musical family, complete with nearby closet for amps, wiring and storage. A nearby lounge with swivel lounge chairs give guests a place to relax as they enjoy the performance. By Normandy Design Build Remodeling designer Jennifer Runner, AKBD

Franco Bernardini
Foyer - small modern medium tone wood floor foyer idea in Rome with white walls

This custom home office was designed to balance productivity with timeless elegance. Floor-to-ceiling built-in shelving provides generous storage for books, personal collections, and decorative objects while creating a striking architectural focal point that reflects the homeowner's personality. A dramatic navy accent wall adds depth and sophistication, complemented by a waterfall quartz desk, layered lighting, and a crystal chandelier that elevates the workspace with a refined residential feel. Every element was thoughtfully selected to support both focused work and everyday comfort. By combining custom millwork, functional organization, and contemporary design, Chanova Design transformed this home office into a beautiful, high-performing workspace tailored to modern living.

This custom home office was designed to balance productivity with timeless elegance. Floor-to-ceiling built-in shelving provides generous storage for books, personal collections, and decorative objects while creating a striking architectural focal point that reflects the homeowner's personality. A dramatic navy accent wall adds depth and sophistication, complemented by a waterfall quartz desk, layered lighting, and a crystal chandelier that elevates the workspace with a refined residential feel. Every element was thoughtfully selected to support both focused work and everyday comfort. By combining custom millwork, functional organization, and contemporary design, Chanova Design transformed this home office into a beautiful, high-performing workspace tailored to modern living.

Bedroom in Marshall Ave | Room Type: Whole Home (Kitchen, Bathrooms, Living Spaces) | Project Name: Marshall Ave | Key Feature: Modern transitional design with lake views, incorporating custom cabinetry, quartz surfaces, and creative design details throughout the home. Challenge: The home required a full remodel and furnishing plan that would modernize the space while embracing the client’s openness to unique, creative design ideas. Solution: The design team remodeled and furnished the entire home, introducing modern transitional finishes, custom cabinetry, and thoughtfully selected materials to create a cohesive, elevated look while highlighting the home’s beautiful lake views. Materials: Bedrosians and Porcelanosa tile, Vadara quartz, custom vanities and kitchen cabinetry, and lighting from Sunlighting. Budget: $50k-$100k | Timeline: Completed September 2020.

Inspiration for a timeless family room remodel in Charlotte

In the home’s interior, leather-finish Cippolino marble paving was painstakingly end-matched to create the illusion of one continuous piece of stone traveling through the whole level, under a bathtub made from a single block of Cippolino marble, and transitioning into the master bath’s shower walls. On this same level the kitchen is outfitted with a 15 foot long book-matched Lapis Lazuli island countertop shaped at its perimeter with a “knife edge,” adjacent to a countertop and sink clad in book-matched Cippolino marble. Matched vein-cut travertine paving covers the floor and seamlessly continues through the living room and out onto the exterior sundeck, terminating at the swimming pool which is completely bordered by travertine coping containing slots for drainage that allow the top edge of the pool’s water to become perfectly aligned with the top edge of the adjacent travertine paving, thus creating a level surface from the kitchen to the infinity edge of the pool.

Bedroom in Marshall Ave | Room Type: Whole Home (Kitchen, Bathrooms, Living Spaces) | Project Name: Marshall Ave | Key Feature: Modern transitional design with lake views, incorporating custom cabinetry, quartz surfaces, and creative design details throughout the home. Challenge: The home required a full remodel and furnishing plan that would modernize the space while embracing the client’s openness to unique, creative design ideas. Solution: The design team remodeled and furnished the entire home, introducing modern transitional finishes, custom cabinetry, and thoughtfully selected materials to create a cohesive, elevated look while highlighting the home’s beautiful lake views. Materials: Bedrosians and Porcelanosa tile, Vadara quartz, custom vanities and kitchen cabinetry, and lighting from Sunlighting. Budget: $50k-$100k | Timeline: Completed September 2020.

Full basement remodel. Remove (2) load bearing walls to open up entire space. Create new wall to enclose laundry room. Create dry bar near entry. New floating hearth at fireplace and entertainment cabinet with mesh inserts. Create storage bench with soft close lids for toys an bins. Create mirror corner with ballet barre. Create reading nook with book storage above and finished storage underneath and peek-throughs. Finish off and create hallway to back bedroom through utility room.

A tasteful kitchen lit for clarity with GE Reveal HD light.