We really opened up and reorganized this kitchen to give the clients a more modern update and increased functionality and storage. The backsplash is a main focal point and the color palette is very sleek while being warm and inviting. Cabinetry: Ultracraft Destiny, Avon door in Arctic White on the perimeter and Mineral Grey on the island and bar shelving Hardware: Hamilton-Bowes Ventoux Pull in satin brass Counters: Aurea Stone Divine, 3cm quartz Sinks: Blanco Silgranit in white, Precis super single bowl with Performa single in bar Faucets: California Faucets Poetto series in satin brass, pull down and pull-down prep faucet in bar, matching cold water dispenser, air switch, and air gap Pot filler: Newport Brass East Linear in satin brass Backsplash tile: Marble Systems Mod-Glam collection Blocks mosaic in glacier honed - snow white polished - brass accents behind range and hood, using 3x6 snow white as field tile in a brick lay Appliances: Wolf dual fuel 48" range w/ griddle, 30" microwave drawer, 24" coffee system w/ trim; Best Cologne series 48" hood; GE Monogram wine chiller; Hoshizaki stainless ice maker; Bosch benchmark series dishwasher

After many years of careful consideration and planning, these clients came to us with the goal of restoring this home’s original Victorian charm while also increasing its livability and efficiency. From preserving the original built-in cabinetry and fir flooring, to adding a new dormer for the contemporary master bathroom, careful measures were taken to strike this balance between historic preservation and modern upgrading. Behind the home’s new exterior claddings, meticulously designed to preserve its Victorian aesthetic, the shell was air sealed and fitted with a vented rainscreen to increase energy efficiency and durability. With careful attention paid to the relationship between natural light and finished surfaces, the once dark kitchen was re-imagined into a cheerful space that welcomes morning conversation shared over pots of coffee. Every inch of this historical home was thoughtfully considered, prompting countless shared discussions between the home owners and ourselves. The stunning result is a testament to their clear vision and the collaborative nature of this project. Photography by Radley Muller Photography Design by Deborah Todd Building Design Services

Photo: Andrew Snow © 2015 Houzz
Example of a minimalist living room design in Toronto

We really opened up and reorganized this kitchen to give the clients a more modern update and increased functionality and storage. The backsplash is a main focal point and the color palette is very sleek while being warm and inviting. Cabinetry: Ultracraft Destiny, Avon door in Arctic White on the perimeter and Mineral Grey on the island and bar shelving Hardware: Hamilton-Bowes Ventoux Pull in satin brass Counters: Aurea Stone Divine, 3cm quartz Sinks: Blanco Silgranit in white, Precis super single bowl with Performa single in bar Faucets: California Faucets Poetto series in satin brass, pull down and pull-down prep faucet in bar, matching cold water dispenser, air switch, and air gap Pot filler: Newport Brass East Linear in satin brass Backsplash tile: Marble Systems Mod-Glam collection Blocks mosaic in glacier honed - snow white polished - brass accents behind range and hood, using 3x6 snow white as field tile in a brick lay Appliances: Wolf dual fuel 48" range w/ griddle, 30" microwave drawer, 24" coffee system w/ trim; Best Cologne series 48" hood; GE Monogram wine chiller; Hoshizaki stainless ice maker; Bosch benchmark series dishwasher

This 1990s brick home had decent square footage and a massive front yard, but no way to enjoy it. Each room needed an update, so the entire house was renovated and remodeled, and an addition was put on over the existing garage to create a symmetrical front. The old brown brick was painted a distressed white. The 500sf 2nd floor addition includes 2 new bedrooms for their teen children, and the 12'x30' front porch lanai with standing seam metal roof is a nod to the homeowners' love for the Islands. Each room is beautifully appointed with large windows, wood floors, white walls, white bead board ceilings, glass doors and knobs, and interior wood details reminiscent of Hawaiian plantation architecture. The kitchen was remodeled to increase width and flow, and a new laundry / mudroom was added in the back of the existing garage. The master bath was completely remodeled. Every room is filled with books, and shelves, many made by the homeowner. Project photography by Kmiecik Imagery.

Photo Credits - Patick O' Malley
Mid-sized transitional sunroom photo in Boston

Cat Neitzey of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Fredericksburg, VA, in collaboration with Abby Construction, designed a transitional kitchen design featuring Masterpiece cabinetry. The kitchen cabinets are in the Masterpiece Gallina door style in Maple in a Dove White finish for the perimeter and a Midnight Blue finish for the island. The design also features both finishes on tall cabinets designed for pantry, display and coffee bar use. The kitchen also includes Cambria Portrush for the countertops, full height and standard backsplashes. “Cat knew her products and knew good design. She was a great problem solver,” said the client. According to Cat, Abby Construction undertook the transformation of a 1951 home from traditional to modern, open, and accessible, enabling its owners to age gracefully. They reconfigured doors, walls and the façade, integrating the garage into the living space. "The clients' construction background and design expertise positioned them as the ideal team to tackle a project of this magnitude. Throughout the process, we maintained frequent communication, meeting regularly both on-site and in the showroom. Our primary challenge arose from the evolving plan, necessitated by the structural alterations to the existing house, which impacted the future design," said Cat. “Our primary focus was to keep the design accessible. We needed to dramatically increase the amount of storage from the original kitchen. Adding roll trays, drawers, a base microwave and a mixer pop up ensured that everything remained easily within reach.” Photos courtesy of Tim Snyder Photography.

Project: Kitsilano House Builder: Grenor Homes About this Project When our clients asked us to design their new house in the heart of Kitsilano, they wanted a space that showcased their personalities, travels, and experiences. Naturally, our team was instantly excited and eager to make this house a home. Layout: Prior to the renovation, the family room was adjacent to the kitchen and the formal living room at the other end of the space; in the middle was the dinning area. We looked at the main floor as an entire space and decided to combine the two living spaces into one and move the dining area towards the kitchen. The Kitchen: had always been an L shape with an island; previously there was a kitchen table by the windows. In the space planning period, we decided to eliminate the kitchen table to increase the overall size of the kitchen, giving us a bigger island for casual eating. The perimeter of the kitchen has many great features; a coffee nook, a freezer column, double ovens, a cooktop with drawers below, an appliance garage in the awkward corner, a pantry with ample storage and free-standing fridge. The Island also has many key features; a built-in unit for garbage/recycling/compost, a slide out tray underneath the sink for easy access to cleaning products, a dishwasher, and a bank of four drawer. On the outside of the island is an open shelf for cookbooks and display items. Below the countertop overhang is additional hidden storage for the items not accessed frequently. Dinning Area: we utilized the pre-existing niche by incorporating floating shelves in an asymmetrical design, which became the perfect area for the clients to display the art collected during their travels. Bar Area: The space between the kitchen and powder room became the perfect place to add a bar. Storage, counter space, and 2 bar fridges brought this little entertaining area to life. Fireplace: Using existing fireplace unit we cladded the surround with Dekton material, paneled the wall above with Walnut and a mantel made from Quarkus. These materials repeat them selves through the entire space.

In this design build project, the space plan focused on the redesigned fireplace that was extended to accommodate for the television. Removing the nonstructural ceiling beams increased the sense of volume and space. A new kitchen design, two remodeled bathrooms, new doors and windows throughout, revised lighting plan, and custom cabinetry desk area completed the interior design for this East Hampton home that now has an updated Hamptons style feeling with a Midcentury modern twist, brought in by using the client's own coffee table and lamp.

After many years of careful consideration and planning, these clients came to us with the goal of restoring this home’s original Victorian charm while also increasing its livability and efficiency. From preserving the original built-in cabinetry and fir flooring, to adding a new dormer for the contemporary master bathroom, careful measures were taken to strike this balance between historic preservation and modern upgrading. Behind the home’s new exterior claddings, meticulously designed to preserve its Victorian aesthetic, the shell was air sealed and fitted with a vented rainscreen to increase energy efficiency and durability. With careful attention paid to the relationship between natural light and finished surfaces, the once dark kitchen was re-imagined into a cheerful space that welcomes morning conversation shared over pots of coffee. Every inch of this historical home was thoughtfully considered, prompting countless shared discussions between the home owners and ourselves. The stunning result is a testament to their clear vision and the collaborative nature of this project. Photography by Radley Muller Photography Design by Deborah Todd Building Design Services

The objective of refurbishing this living room was to greatly increase seating for entertaining large parties and to con temporize the appearance of the living room and home. Photos: unlimited style photography unlimited style photography

After many years of careful consideration and planning, these clients came to us with the goal of restoring this home’s original Victorian charm while also increasing its livability and efficiency. From preserving the original built-in cabinetry and fir flooring, to adding a new dormer for the contemporary master bathroom, careful measures were taken to strike this balance between historic preservation and modern upgrading. Behind the home’s new exterior claddings, meticulously designed to preserve its Victorian aesthetic, the shell was air sealed and fitted with a vented rainscreen to increase energy efficiency and durability. With careful attention paid to the relationship between natural light and finished surfaces, the once dark kitchen was re-imagined into a cheerful space that welcomes morning conversation shared over pots of coffee. Every inch of this historical home was thoughtfully considered, prompting countless shared discussions between the home owners and ourselves. The stunning result is a testament to their clear vision and the collaborative nature of this project. Photography by Radley Muller Photography Design by Deborah Todd Building Design Services

We love it when a home becomes a family compound with wonderful history. That is exactly what this home on Mullet Lake is. The original cottage was built by our client’s father and enjoyed by the family for years. It finally came to the point that there was simply not enough room and it lacked some of the efficiencies and luxuries enjoyed in permanent residences. The cottage is utilized by several families and space was needed to allow for summer and holiday enjoyment. The focus was on creating additional space on the second level, increasing views of the lake, moving interior spaces and the need to increase the ceiling heights on the main level. All these changes led for the need to start over or at least keep what we could and add to it. The home had an excellent foundation, in more ways than one, so we started from there. It was important to our client to create a northern Michigan cottage using low maintenance exterior finishes. The interior look and feel moved to more timber beam with pine paneling to keep the warmth and appeal of our area. The home features 2 master suites, one on the main level and one on the 2nd level with a balcony. There are 4 additional bedrooms with one also serving as an office. The bunkroom provides plenty of sleeping space for the grandchildren. The great room has vaulted ceilings, plenty of seating and a stone fireplace with vast windows toward the lake. The kitchen and dining are open to each other and enjoy the view. The beach entry provides access to storage, the 3/4 bath, and laundry. The sunroom off the dining area is a great extension of the home with 180 degrees of view. This allows a wonderful morning escape to enjoy your coffee. The covered timber entry porch provides a direct view of the lake upon entering the home. The garage also features a timber bracketed shed roof system which adds wonderful detail to garage doors. The home’s footprint was extended in a few areas to allow for the interior spaces to work with the needs of the family. Plenty of living spaces for all to enjoy as well as bedrooms to rest their heads after a busy day on the lake. This will be enjoyed by generations to come.

Project: Kitsilano House Builder: Grenor Homes About this Project When our clients asked us to design their new house in the heart of Kitsilano, they wanted a space that showcased their personalities, travels, and experiences. Naturally, our team was instantly excited and eager to make this house a home. Layout: Prior to the renovation, the family room was adjacent to the kitchen and the formal living room at the other end of the space; in the middle was the dinning area. We looked at the main floor as an entire space and decided to combine the two living spaces into one and move the dining area towards the kitchen. The Kitchen: had always been an L shape with an island; previously there was a kitchen table by the windows. In the space planning period, we decided to eliminate the kitchen table to increase the overall size of the kitchen, giving us a bigger island for casual eating. The perimeter of the kitchen has many great features; a coffee nook, a freezer column, double ovens, a cooktop with drawers below, an appliance garage in the awkward corner, a pantry with ample storage and free-standing fridge. The Island also has many key features; a built-in unit for garbage/recycling/compost, a slide out tray underneath the sink for easy access to cleaning products, a dishwasher, and a bank of four drawer. On the outside of the island is an open shelf for cookbooks and display items. Below the countertop overhang is additional hidden storage for the items not accessed frequently. Dinning Area: we utilized the pre-existing niche by incorporating floating shelves in an asymmetrical design, which became the perfect area for the clients to display the art collected during their travels. Bar Area: The space between the kitchen and powder room became the perfect place to add a bar. Storage, counter space, and 2 bar fridges brought this little entertaining area to life. Fireplace: Using existing fireplace unit we cladded the surround with Dekton material, paneled the wall above with Walnut and a mantel made from Quarkus. These materials repeat them selves through the entire space.

Shaker style kitchen with white and blue cabinetry and accents. Removed peninsula and increased size of island. Walk-in pantry removed to create coffee and beverage bar. Refrigerator flanked by tall pantry cabinets with roll-out trays. Under cabinet lighting with electrical outlets give uninterrupted focus to encaustic style tile back splash. 36 inch Blue Star gas range with custom selected color tops off the chef's cooking experience.

A new kitchen island updates this entire kitchen. Island Cabinetry by Plato Woodwork Inc. , countertop is Cambria from Absolute Marble and Granite in Color: Ella, The new island increased the island seating and storage for this kitchen and introduces a contrasting finish for the cabinetry that adds additional interest along with convenient storage.

We love it when a home becomes a family compound with wonderful history. That is exactly what this home on Mullet Lake is. The original cottage was built by our client’s father and enjoyed by the family for years. It finally came to the point that there was simply not enough room and it lacked some of the efficiencies and luxuries enjoyed in permanent residences. The cottage is utilized by several families and space was needed to allow for summer and holiday enjoyment. The focus was on creating additional space on the second level, increasing views of the lake, moving interior spaces and the need to increase the ceiling heights on the main level. All these changes led for the need to start over or at least keep what we could and add to it. The home had an excellent foundation, in more ways than one, so we started from there. It was important to our client to create a northern Michigan cottage using low maintenance exterior finishes. The interior look and feel moved to more timber beam with pine paneling to keep the warmth and appeal of our area. The home features 2 master suites, one on the main level and one on the 2nd level with a balcony. There are 4 additional bedrooms with one also serving as an office. The bunkroom provides plenty of sleeping space for the grandchildren. The great room has vaulted ceilings, plenty of seating and a stone fireplace with vast windows toward the lake. The kitchen and dining are open to each other and enjoy the view. The beach entry provides access to storage, the 3/4 bath, and laundry. The sunroom off the dining area is a great extension of the home with 180 degrees of view. This allows a wonderful morning escape to enjoy your coffee. The covered timber entry porch provides a direct view of the lake upon entering the home. The garage also features a timber bracketed shed roof system which adds wonderful detail to garage doors. The home’s footprint was extended in a few areas to allow for the interior spaces to work with the needs of the family. Plenty of living spaces for all to enjoy as well as bedrooms to rest their heads after a busy day on the lake. This will be enjoyed by generations to come.

This Ethan Allen gray leather Hyde sofa is the perfect piece for placement in front of the windows. The top grain leather will not stain or fade. Many other leather color options are available. To create a larger looking space, I added the mirrored chest- not only to visually increase space, but for additional storage. The round coffee table is perfect to highlight the beautiful cream rug and the sphere gives a nice alternative to square corners. The use of metal also provides another unique feature in the room.

After many years of careful consideration and planning, these clients came to us with the goal of restoring this home’s original Victorian charm while also increasing its livability and efficiency. From preserving the original built-in cabinetry and fir flooring, to adding a new dormer for the contemporary master bathroom, careful measures were taken to strike this balance between historic preservation and modern upgrading. Behind the home’s new exterior claddings, meticulously designed to preserve its Victorian aesthetic, the shell was air sealed and fitted with a vented rainscreen to increase energy efficiency and durability. With careful attention paid to the relationship between natural light and finished surfaces, the once dark kitchen was re-imagined into a cheerful space that welcomes morning conversation shared over pots of coffee. Every inch of this historical home was thoughtfully considered, prompting countless shared discussions between the home owners and ourselves. The stunning result is a testament to their clear vision and the collaborative nature of this project. Photography by Radley Muller Photography Design by Deborah Todd Building Design Services