The three-level Mediterranean revival home started as a 1930s summer cottage that expanded downward and upward over time. We used a clean, crisp white wall plaster with bronze hardware throughout the interiors to give the house continuity. A neutral color palette and minimalist furnishings create a sense of calm restraint. Subtle and nuanced textures and variations in tints add visual interest. The stair risers from the living room to the primary suite are hand-painted terra cotta tile in gray and off-white. We used the same tile resource in the kitchen for the island's toe kick.

Jonathan Raith Inc. - Builder Sam Oberter - Photography
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THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.

A rustic log and timber home located at the historic C Lazy U Ranch in Grand County, Colorado.
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Jeff Amram Photography www.jeffamram.com
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Design and photo: Jordana Nicholson © 2016 Houzz
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Photo: Corynne Pless © 2013 Houzz
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Photo: Stacy Levin © 2015 Houzz
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Built by David Weekley Homes Phoenix
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This kitchen was transformed to a highly functional and beautiful space while keeping the original footprint primarily intact. White oak cabinets with white uppers are classic and timeless. The GE Cafe white appliances with rose gold finishes add a simple elegance.

Reminiscing on the joys of summer while cherishing the incredible collaboration we had the privilege to be a part of, alongside the wonderful Abby Yozell and the extraordinary Patricia McDonagh. This Vineyard Haven project was recently showcased in the July/August edition of New England Home Magazine. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to bringing this beautiful vision to life! . Designed by: Abby Yozell, Choix Home, Patricia McDonagh Interior Design Photography by: Jared Kuzia Styled By: @francesfinds Photo via New England Home Magazine

To infuse a pop of color into the overall design, we took cues from the client's cherished art piece of cherry blossoms they bought in Napa, CA, which boasts captivating shades of ruby red. With a keen eye for balance, we introduced vibrant ruby-red counter stools, beautifully complementing the neutral tones of the space. This careful integration of color, along with the subtle gold accents and the chandeliers' soft bubbles, not only adds personality but also serves as a delightful reminder of the beauty of cherry blossoms and the cherished memories associated with the art piece. We are proud to have brought this vision to life and to have created a space where our client can unwind and embrace the tranquil spirit of ocean living while cherishing the essence of cherry blossoms. It has been a pleasure to be a part of this project, and we look forward to continuing to create inspiring spaces that reflect the unique tastes and desires of our clients.

Reminiscing on the joys of summer while cherishing the incredible collaboration we had the privilege to be a part of, alongside the wonderful Abby Yozell and the extraordinary Patricia McDonagh. This Vineyard Haven project was recently showcased in the July/August edition of New England Home Magazine. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to bringing this beautiful vision to life! . Designed by: Abby Yozell, Choix Home, Patricia McDonagh Interior Design Photography by: Jared Kuzia Styled By: @francesfinds Photo via New England Home Magazine

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