Melanie Roy’s challenge in designing an extremely functional mud room to accommodate a busy family’s needs was to create a place for everything from crab nets and straw mats in metal buckets to beach towels, flip flops, balls and various summer paraphernalia in wire baskets. The challenge was that the room had no cubbies so boat cleats were used for hanging items up and out of the way and baskets and buckets for easy-access storage under a rough-hewn table. She created a beach theme by anchoring the space with a Stark rug with a wave design. Artists’ rendered surfboards are decorative but often accompany surfboards that are constantly in use. A window seat/bench is upholstered in a waterproof Duralee fabric, piped with jute, so you can sit on it even in a wet bathing suit. A painted blue rock coffee table is reflective of a bolder on the beach. Photo by Eric Striffler.

photography: Julie Soefer
Powder room photo in Houston

Sustainable Garden design on tight suburban lot with new shed as focal point.
This is an example of a small modern drought-tolerant, privacy and full sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in New York for spring.

Built right below the pitched roof line, we turned this challenging closet into a beautiful walk-in sanctuary. It features tall custom cabinetry with a shaker profile, built in shoe units behind glass inset doors and two handbag display cases. A long island with 15 drawers and another built-in dresser provide plenty of storage. A steamer unit is built behind a mirrored door.

Photo: Rachel Loewen © 2019 Houzz
Transitional living room photo in Chicago

The challenge of this brand new high rise condo was to stay in keeping with the contemporary finishes of this Denver interior while giving a nod to the owners' more traditional taste. The bigger challenge was to prevent this essentially storage wall from looking flat and boring. Working with designer Linda Sease, our senior designer developed this brilliant vignette featuring a special door design that retains simplicity of lines while attaining an elegant almost glitzy style. Another challenge was the almost full wall window on the right which forced a shallow column of display over a stack of shoe roll-outs. This forced a stepped out pair of columns for hanging clothes above matching stacks of roll-outs for clothes storage. This articulation actually improves the design by preventing an otherwise unbroken and uninteresting storage wall. Finally a clever set of two-tone drawers featuring a pair of jewelry organizer drawers in black (see photo), with TV over and at the top a swing up opening cabinet for media equipment. Glitz and a feeling of luxurious living is enhanced with beveled mirrored doors, beveled glass doors and beveled edge glass shelves. The slate blue French doors with antique mirror between the master bedroom and living room provide extra privacy as well as enhancing the almost spartan trim and open plan kitchen to a feeling of luxury.

Inspiration for a mid-sized rustic brown one-story wood flat roof remodel in Seattle

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Toronto with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, brown backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

The Tice Residences replace a run-down and aging duplex with two separate, modern, Santa Barbara homes. Although the unique creek-side site (which the client’s original home looked toward across a small ravine) proposed significant challenges, the clients were certain they wanted to live on the lush “Riviera” hillside. The challenges presented were ultimately overcome through a thorough and careful study of site conditions. With an extremely efficient use of space and strategic placement of windows and decks, privacy is maintained while affording expansive views from each home to the creek, downtown Santa Barbara and Pacific Ocean beyond. Both homes appear to have far more openness than their compact lots afford. The solution strikes a balance between enclosure and openness. Walls and landscape elements divide and protect two private domains, and are in turn, carefully penetrated to reveal views. Both homes are variations on one consistent theme: elegant composition of contemporary, “warm” materials; strong roof planes punctuated by vertical masses; and floating decks. The project forms an intimate connection with its setting by using site-excavated stone, terracing landscape planters with native plantings, and utilizing the shade provided by its ancient Riviera Oak trees. 2012 AIA Santa Barbara Chapter Merit Award Jim Bartsch Photography

Entryway - contemporary entryway idea in Paris

Kat Alves
Example of a minimalist home design design in Sacramento

Cabinetry – Kemper Echo Cabinetry Hardware- Jeffrey Alexander stainless bar pulls Countertops- Cambria Quartz Torquay Sinks and Faucets- Blanco Anthracite undermount Silgranite sink. Moen Faucet Nickel Appliances- Samsung French door refrigerator in stainless, Samsung slide in gas range, Whirlpool wall Oven/ Microwave combination, Bosch 500 series dishwasher, and Broan Elite series pro range hood. Flooring- prefinished 3/4 oak hardwood. Backsplash- Natural stone subway tile. -Inspiration and Design Challenges The Original kitchen in this 1970’s raised ranch was bright an open yet left the dining room closed off from the home and wasn’t large enough for the island that Joe and his wife would have liked. Joe and Tim from THI Co. had developed a plan relocate the kitchen to one exterior wall and allow for an island that would function for both seating and entertaining. The challenge we faced was the original windows of the kitchen had to completely go. Relying solely on the open floor plan for natural light, Tim opened up the Dining room wall, removed the dividing half wall to the family room and widened doorways to the great room leading from the kitchen and dining room. The removal of the soffits and consistent wood flooring help tie together the adjacent rooms. The plan was for simple clean lines with subtle detail brought out in the trim on the cabinetry and custom 10ft island back panel. Finding a set of appliances was the next task. The kitchen was designed with the intention of being used. The Whirlpool convection wall ovens give the kitchen 3 possible functioning ovens with along with the Samsung 5 burner range. The end result is a simple elegant design that has all the functionality of galley kitchen yet the feel of an open kitchen with twice the square footage.

This partially wooded, acre and a half lot in West Dundee presented many challenges. The clients began working with a Landscape Architect in the early spring, but after not getting the innovative ideas they were seeking, the home builder and Architect suggested the client contact our landscape design/build firm. We immediately hit it off with the charismatic clients. They had a tall order for us: complete the design and implement the construction within a three month period. For many projects this would be a reasonable time frame. However construction delays and the coordination of multiple trades left a very short window to complete the work. Beyond the tight time frame the site required specific care in preserving the many mature surrounding trees, as well as addressing a vast grade change. Over fifteen feet of grade change occurs from one end of this woodland property to the other. All of these constraints proved to be an enormous challenge as we worked to include and coordinate the following elements: the drive layout, a dramatic front entry, various gardens, landscape lighting, irrigation, and a plan for a backyard pool and entertainment space that already had been started without a clear plan. Fortunately, the client loved our design ideas and attention to detail and we were able to mobilize and begin construction. With the seamless coordination between our firm and the builder we implemented all the elements of this grand project. In total eight different crews and five separate trades worked together to complete the landscape. The completed project resulted in a rewarding experience for our firm, the builder and architect, as well as the client. Together we were able to create and construct a perfect oasis for the client that suited the beautiful property and the architecture of this dream home.

The Challenge This beautiful waterfront home was begging for an update. Our clients wanted a contemporary design with modern finishes. They craved improved functionality in the kitchen, hardwood flooring in the living areas, and a spacious walk-in closet in the master bathroom. With two children in school, our clients also needed the project completed during their summer vacation – leaving a slim 90 days for the entire remodel. Could we do it? …Challenge accepted! Our Solution With their active summer travel schedule, our clients elected to vacate their home for the duration of the project. This was ideal for the intrusive nature of the scope of work. In preparation, our design team created a project plan to suit our client’s needs. With such a clear timeline, we were able to select and order long-lead items in plenty of time for the project start date. In the kitchen, we rearranged the layout to provide superior ventilation for the cooktop on the exterior wall. We added two large storage cabinets with glass doors, accented by a sleek mosaic backsplash of glass tile. We also incorporated a large contemporary waterfall island into the room. With seating at one end, the island provides both increased functionality and an eye-catching focal point for the center of the room. On the interior wall of the kitchen, we maximized storage with a wall of built-in cabinetry – complete with pullout pantry cabinets, a double oven, and a large stainless refrigerator. Our clients wisely chose rich, dark-colored wood flooring to add warmth to the contemporary design. After installing the flooring in the kitchen, we brought it into the main living areas as well. In the great room, we wrapped the existing gas fireplace in a neutral stack stone. The effect of the stone on the media and window wall is breathtaking. In the master bathroom, we expanded the closet by pushing the wall back into the adjacent pass-through hallway. The new walk-in closet now includes an impressive closet organization system. Returning to the master bathroom, we removed the single vanity and repositioned the toilet, allowing for a new, curb-less glass shower and a his-and-hers vanity. The entire vanity and shower wall is finished in white 12×24 porcelain tile. The vertical glass mosaic accent band and backlit floating mirrors add to the clean, modern style. To the left of the master bathroom entry, we even added a matching make-up area. Finally, we installed a number of elegant enhancements in the remaining rooms. The clients chose a bronze metal relief accent wall as well as some colorful finishes and artwork for the entry and hallway. Exceptional Results Our clients were simply thrilled with the final product! Not only did they return from their summer vacation to a gorgeous home remodel, but we concluded the project a full week ahead of schedule. As a result, the family was able to move in sooner than planned, giving them plenty of time to acclimate to the renovated space before their kids returned to school. Ultimately, we provided the outstanding results and customer experience that our clients had been searching for. “We met with many other contractors leading up to signing with Progressive Design Build. When we met Mike, we finally felt safe. We had heard so many horror stories about contractors! Progressive was the best move we could have made. They made our dream house become a reality. Vernon was in charge of our project and everything went better than we expected. Our project was completed earlier than expected, too. Our questions and concerns were dealt with quickly and professionally, the job site was always clean, and all subs were friendly and professional. We had a wonderful experience with Progressive Design Build. We’re so grateful we found them.” – The Mader Family

Photo: Benjamin Hill © 2017 Houzz
Home theater - traditional home theater idea in Houston

Inspiration for a modern staircase remodel in Los Angeles

Ned Bonzi Photography
Mid-sized elegant master marble floor and white floor bathroom photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, a two-piece toilet, marble countertops and a hinged shower door

The SATO1 project was a 1000 square foot condo remodel. The focus of the project was on small home space planning. Designer Bethany Pearce / Van Hecke was challenged with creating solutions for a home office, baby's room as well as improved flow in dining/kitchen and living room. Designed by Bethany Pearce / Van Hecke of Capstone Dwellings Design-Build Carpentry by Greg of AusCan Fine Carpentry on Vancouver Island.

The open kitchen provides a sage green pop of color in the neutral great room. A small island accommodates three barstools for extra seating.
Open concept kitchen - rustic l-shaped open concept kitchen idea in Minneapolis with recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, ceramic backsplash and stainless steel appliances