Bedspreads are making a come back as customers are hedging away from big bulky comforters. And isn't it funny - mattress depths have changed and varied yet sheet, comforter and bedspread sizes have not. Well, that problem is solved when you have a professional come to your home and custom make your bedding!

The existing stairway had two major issues: the large wall limited the size of furniture the clients could bring upstairs, and the ceiling height was too low for tall members of the family. Problems were solved by raising the ceiling and opening the wall to add a finely-crafted banister.

From builder standard to designer upgrade. A recent project of ours in Harrison NY had us taking an adequate builder designed kitchen to something much more special. The original layout led to traffic jams while entertaining and valuable storage was lost due to the fact that the cabinets did not go to the ceiling. The new design moves the refrigerator out of the traffic pattern that often lead to gridlock in previous years as well as providing ample storage for trays and baking sheets in the slim pantry. Grillwork doors allow for airflow from the air-conditioning vents, while still allowing for cabinets to the ceiling. A professional grade range replaces the old smaller model, with a heavy-duty hood to assure complete ventilation no matter what the cook creates. The microwave moves farther down the work triangle to assure that the heating of a cup of coffee or bag of popcorn need never interfere with the chef again. Equally of value is the island mini-frig not just to chill the occasional bottle of wine, but to keep the kids sodas out the main refrigerator. And then there is the desk/ command central area. The formerly blank wall where no piece of furniture seemed to fit, because of the radiator, has become an efficient home office. With room for two people to work, grown-ups can search Food Network for recipes while the kids do their homework – problem area solved!

The existing stairway had two major issues: the large wall limited the size of furniture the clients could bring upstairs, and the ceiling height was too low for tall members of the family. Problems were solved by raising the ceiling and opening the wall to add a finely-crafted banister.

The existing two story residence was built in 1937 and has a footprint of approximately 2,850 sq. ft. While much of the plan at both levels remained in its original “formal” layout with spacious rooms, the home did not meet the current day needs for this modern family. The lack of an “informal” family-room, no space to accommodate overnight guests, only a small powder room tucked under the main stair at the ground floor, and barely enough room for one car in the garage, not to mention the lack of storage space were the problems to solve. After investigating numerous options the decision was made to introduce a new two story addition with maid’s quarters, a new laundry room, and a three car garage with plenty of additional storage space at the first floor, and a two bedroom guest suite with a kitchenette and living quarters at the second floor. Together with a small addition, this move delivered over 600 sq. ft in the main structure for a new family room with game tables and a full bathroom for guests which also serves as a cabana for the pool area. The design of the additions, including the introduction of new fenestration to capitalize on daylight and views was sensitive to the original architecture and unanimously approved by the Historic Preservation Board of West Palm Beach.

From builder standard to designer upgrade. A recent project of ours in Harrison NY had us taking an adequate builder designed kitchen to something much more special. The original layout led to traffic jams while entertaining and valuable storage was lost due to the fact that the cabinets did not go to the ceiling. The new design moves the refrigerator out of the traffic pattern that often lead to gridlock in previous years as well as providing ample storage for trays and baking sheets in the slim pantry. Grillwork doors allow for airflow from the air-conditioning vents, while still allowing for cabinets to the ceiling. A professional grade range replaces the old smaller model, with a heavy-duty hood to assure complete ventilation no matter what the cook creates. The microwave moves farther down the work triangle to assure that the heating of a cup of coffee or bag of popcorn need never interfere with the chef again. Equally of value is the island mini-frig not just to chill the occasional bottle of wine, but to keep the kids sodas out the main refrigerator. And then there is the desk/ command central area. The formerly blank wall where no piece of furniture seemed to fit, because of the radiator, has become an efficient home office. With room for two people to work, grown-ups can search Food Network for recipes while the kids do their homework – problem area solved!

BY REORIENTING THE KITCHEN AND CLOSING 2 WINDOWS WE WERE ABLE TO DOUBLE THE SIZE AND CREATE A HUGE ISLAND. THE FAMILY NOW HAS A WONDERFUL FLOW, PLENTY OF LIGHT FROM A LARGER PATIO DOOR AND GREAT SEATING WITH TONS OF COUNTER SPACE. ALL THEIR PROBLEMS WERE SOLVED WITH NO STRUCTURAL WORK INVOLVED. FULL HEIGHT BACKSPLASH OF MATCHING STONE IS JUST STUNNING.

More storage was needed by the client since there was no linen closet in the bath. This problem was solved by adding two tall units for towels and other items. A hidden hamper is a plus and glides out on the middle door.

The existing two story residence was built in 1937 and has a footprint of approximately 2,850 sq. ft. While much of the plan at both levels remained in its original “formal” layout with spacious rooms, the home did not meet the current day needs for this modern family. The lack of an “informal” family-room, no space to accommodate overnight guests, only a small powder room tucked under the main stair at the ground floor, and barely enough room for one car in the garage, not to mention the lack of storage space were the problems to solve. After investigating numerous options the decision was made to introduce a new two story addition with maid’s quarters, a new laundry room, and a three car garage with plenty of additional storage space at the first floor, and a two bedroom guest suite with a kitchenette and living quarters at the second floor. Together with a small addition, this move delivered over 600 sq. ft in the main structure for a new family room with game tables and a full bathroom for guests which also serves as a cabana for the pool area. The design of the additions, including the introduction of new fenestration to capitalize on daylight and views was sensitive to the original architecture and unanimously approved by the Historic Preservation Board of West Palm Beach.

This San Francisco condo has an open floor plan and windows galore, displaying expansive views of downtown and the Bay Bridge. The biggest challenge was where to put a television when you want to also have your seating face the view. The solution: a projector sitting on custom-made walnut floating shelves and a screen that drops down. Once that problem whas solved the furniture and decor was the icing on the cake.

The client’s primary bedroom features a balcony and windows overlooking the pool, and they did not want the addition to impede their view. The problem was solved with a flat roof over the addition.

Job Name: Culver City Accessible Residence Contractor: Glynn Design Build Dealer: Taylor Brothers CS Products used: Cavity Sliders Full-Height Ceiling Mount tracks, M8 500lb carriage system, and CL400 ADA locks. What was the problem we solved: Cavity Sliders pocket door track systems and ADA compliant door locks offer space saving options which provide easy wheel chair access and maneuverability. Comments: Our Full-Height Ceiling Mount Track and new CL400 ADA locks with custom color indicators were used to achieve the sleek contemporary style desired by the home owner.

One of the last changes to the design was to angle the base cabinet on the end to allow for more space around the custom built table with a bamboo parquet table top. The television problem was solved by building in a flat screen into the cabinet above the refrigerator. It is mounted with a swivel wall mount bracket which allows multiple viewing areas as well as access to the components located behind the television.

Photo by Anice Hoachlander
Example of a trendy bathroom design in DC Metro

Kerry Burt & Associates Location: Irving, TX, USA This patio and river rock stream helped solve drainage problem. The stream begins with a circular fountain spilling into the stream. The patio is stained concrete with an Oklahoma flagstone border. A bi-level cedar arbor ads shade and a sense of scale to the patio.

A rustic & careworn gazebo is resurrected as an outdoor cooking, dining & living space. At 1,000' above the waters of the San Juan Islands, the views are amazing but the winds are almost constant. Sliding wood panels in the windward direction solve that problem while offering views of Canada's Gulf Islands through the diamond-shaped windows. Rustic knee braces stabilize the structure. Madrona wood branches gleaned from the property are fashioned into custom handles on the barn wood cabinetry. photo by Rachel Olsson Photography

Photo by Anice Hoachlander
Example of a trendy bathroom design in DC Metro

MELA is available in the WHITE, LIGHT OAK, LIGHT WALNUT, BROWN, EGGPLANT, GREY OAK, RED, LARIX, BUTTER, COFFEE and CREAM versions. A young kitchen in performing, suitable even for the most demanding clientele for it was created to solve any problems in use and composition. There are various functional wall hung Accessories and internal equipment. A wide range of tables and chairs is also available to personalised your own kitchen.

• Before - 2,300 square feet • After – 3,800 square feet • Remodel of a 1930’s vacation cabin on a steep, lakeside lot • Asian-influenced Arts and Crafts style architecture compliments the owner’s art and furniture collection • A harmonious design blending stained wood, rich stone and natural fibers • The creation of an upper floor solved access problems while adding space for a grand entry, office and media room • The new staircase, with its Japanese tansu-style cabinet and widened lower sculpture display steps, forms a partitioning wall for the two-story library