When a family living in Singapore decided to purchase a New York City pied-à-terre, they settled on the historic Langham Place, a 60-floor building along 5th Ave which features a mixture of permanent residencies and 5-star hotel suites. Immediately after purchasing the condo, they reached out to Decor Aid, and tasked us with designing a home that would reflect their jet-setting lifestyle and chic sensibility. Book Your Free In-Home Consultation Connecting to the historic Tiffany Building at 404 5th Ave, the exterior of Langham Place is a combination of highly contemporary architecture and 1920’s art deco design. And with this highly unique architecture, came highly angular, outward leaning floor-to-ceiling windows, which would prove to be our biggest design challenge. One of the apartment’s quirks was negotiating an uneven balance of natural light throughout the space. Parts of the apartment, such one of the kids’ bedrooms, feature floor-to-ceiling windows and an abundance of natural light, while other areas, such as one corner of the living room, receive little natural light. By sourcing a combination of contemporary, low-profile furniture pieces and metallic accents, we were able to compensate for apartment’s pockets of darkness. A low-profile beige sectional from Room & Board was an obvious choice, which we complemented with a lucite console and a bronze Riverstone coffee table from Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams. Circular tables were placed throughout the apartment in order to establish a design scheme that would be easy to walk through. A marble tulip table from Sit Down New York provides an opulent dining room space, without crowding the floor plan. The finishing touches include a sumptuous swivel chair from Safavieh, to create a sleek, welcoming vacation home for this international client.

THE SETUP Once these empty nest homeowners decided to stay put, they knew a new kitchen was in order. Passionate about cooking, entertaining, and hosting holiday gatherings, they found their existing kitchen inadequate. The space, with its traditional style and outdated layout, was far from ideal. They longed for an elegant, timeless kitchen that was not only show-stopping but also functional, seamlessly catering to both their daily routines and special occasions with friends and family. Another key factor was its future appeal to potential buyers, as they’re ready to enjoy their new kitchen while also considering downsizing in the future. Design Objectives: Create a more streamlined, open space Eliminate traditional elements Improve flow for entertaining and everyday use Omit dated posts and soffits Include storage for small appliances to keep counters clutter-free Address mail organization and phone charging concerns THE REMODEL Design Challenges: Compensate for lost storage from omitted wall cabinets Revise floorplan to feature a single, spacious island Enhance island seating proximity for a more engaging atmosphere Address awkward space above existing built-ins Improve natural light blocked by wall cabinet near the window Create a highly functional space tailored for entertaining Design Solutions: Tall cabinetry and pull-outs maximize storage efficiency A generous single island promotes seamless flow and ample prep space Strategic island seating arrangement fosters easy conversation New built-ins fill arched openings, ensuring a custom, clutter-free look Replace wall cabinet with lighted open shelves for an airy feel Galley Dresser and Workstation offer impeccable organization and versatility, creating the perfect setup for entertaining with everything easily accessible. THE RENEWED SPACE The new kitchen exceeded every expectation, thrilling the clients with its revitalized, expansive design and thoughtful functionality. The transformation brought to life an open space adorned with marble accents, a state-of-the-art steam oven, and the seamless integration of the Galley Dresser, crafting a kitchen not just to be used, but to be cherished. This is more than a culinary space; it’s a new heart of their home, ready to host countless memories and culinary adventures. Sub-zero paneled fridge is show-stopping with immense storage and depth.

The inspiration for this media room by Dennis Myers was the original art work above the sofa. The chair fabric provided balance to the design as do the accessories and art. The teal ceiling adds brightness to compensate for the smaller windows.

The wall space has been modified from it's original to maximize storage, and streamline the countertop.
Example of a transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen design in New Orleans with shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, granite countertops and colored appliances

Matt Bolt / Charleston Home & Design Magazine Homeowner wanted as few wall cabinets as possible, to downplay it "looking like a kitchen during social gatherings," as well as for the main wall focus to be the beautiful coastal wetlands outside the windows. To compensate, all base cabinets have rollout trays, drawers are outfitted for dish storage, a pull-out spice rack is located next to the stove, and a convenient microwave drawer is on the other side of the stove. All taller cabinetry, refrigerator, and the wet bar is located on the back wall. Here, the more delicate glassware is displayed in the glass-doored wall cabinets. As the homeowner usually enters the home from the garage into this kitchen, we placed an antique coat rack and hallway table (not pictured) right by the door for mail, keys, and cell, as well as a comfy easy chair (pictured) for reading mail and perhaps having a cocktail before starting dinner! Who needs the rest of the house?!!

The BPI team designed and installed this space in the spring of 2014. The space includes an outdoor dining area with a step down into an outdoor room covered by a cedar pergola with a gas fire feature below. The space was designed on a 45degree angle to play off of the homes architecture and maximize useable green space for the kids. The addition of the levels in the space help to create unique spaces within the space as well as take advantage of the natural terrain of the site. This creative use of materials and textures really added amazing character to the space proving that a well thought out design can compensate for lack of size

The kitchen window provides a view of the street. A walk-in pantry compensates for the lack of wall storage cause by extensive windows.
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in DC Metro with recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, blue backsplash, white appliances and an island

An old Jain artwork with extremely detailed narrative scenes is part of a Park Avenue home in New York. Such artworks take years to find and acquire. Rare and extremely artsy. The condition of the paper is usually not good but the loss is compensated by the jewel-like natural pigments used in the painting. Suits the well-traveled, well-read new owner.

When working with a cellar apartment with lots of large trees we have to compensate with luminous brighter colors to bring a little sunshine in. Thank you Ansley Braverman for these lovely photos!

This wall mounted medicine cabinet holds all the essentials and the hard wired make up light provides compensates for the ambient lighting in the room.

When you hire Paradise Builders, you are hiring integrity, craftsmanship, reliability and honesty. We stand behind our work, our moral ethics and our belief that integrity must be at the foundation of everything we do... whether it's building a home, creating an addition, or replacing a window. We have the all-star difference and the following qualifications: -Fourth-generation company -In great standing with the BBB, NARI, and MBA -Liability insurance to cover you, your family and visitors to your home -Worker's compensation insurance to cover workers with if injured -Expert installers who are trained to meet the highest industry standards -Follow-up program after the job

When you hire Paradise Builders, you are hiring integrity, craftsmanship, reliability and honesty. We stand behind our work, our moral ethics and our belief that integrity must be at the foundation of everything we do... whether it's building a home, creating an addition, or replacing a window. We have the all-star difference and the following qualifications: -Fourth-generation company -In great standing with the BBB, NARI, and MBA -Liability insurance to cover you, your family and visitors to your home -Worker's compensation insurance to cover workers with if injured -Expert installers who are trained to meet the highest industry standards -Follow-up program after the job

This Backyard Waterfall project included installation of a pondless waterfall approximately 15' in length on a sloped bank at the area next to the existing pool. The backyard waterfall cascades down the existing embankment. There is still retaining wall work in progress as of this video and pictures being shot. Future landscaping will be installed once surrounding hardscaping has been complete. Rocks and Boulders for this project were chosen and supplied by home owner. This pondless waterfall project was installed in Mohnton (Berks County), PA. Pondless Waterfalls are simply a re-circulating waterfall and/or stream without the presence of a pond. You can enjoy the sight and sound of running water without the maintenance of a pond. The waterfall is undoubtedly the most beautiful and favored feature in a water garden. If space is lacking in your yard or you have safety concerns with a pond, go Pondless! The name basically explains it all. It’s a waterfall and stream, without the pond. So why would you want a waterfall without a pond? The truth is that a Pondless Waterfall isn’t for everyone, but it can be a great alternative for someone who isn’t quite sure if a pond is right for their family. Because there is no pool of water, a Pondless Waterfall is a great option if you are concerned about safety issues associated with a traditional pond. Cost can be a big factor when considering the type of pond you want to build. In most cases, the price of a Pondless waterfall will be less than a pond, because there is less labor involved, as well as less rock and materials. Operating costs are also less. Because you’re not dealing with an established ecosystem, it’s not necessary to run the pump 24/7. The small size of the Pondless Waterfall means you can build and enjoy a beautiful waterfall anywhere in you yard. Taking care of your Pondless Waterfall is easy. Filling the reservoir every few weeks to compensate for water loss because of evaporation is all that’s required. Perhaps the best part of the Pondless Waterfall is the possibility for the future. If you change your mind later, wishing you’d build a pond, that’s ok! If you leave enough room around the base of the waterfall, it’s easy to add a pond onto a Pondless Waterfall. A Pondless Waterfall works much like a regular pond. The hole, deeper than a normal pond, is dug then lined with rock and gravel, and filled with water. The water is then circulated from beneath the rocks and gravel by a pump that sits on the bottom, inside a Snorkel™ Vault and Centipede™ Module. A pipe runs from there up to a BioFalls Filter and into an overflowing waterfall, where it falls back into the reservoir. Since the water level never pools above the level of the rock and gravel fill, it give the appearance of a waterfall without a pond, when in fact, the “pond” is there but not visible. The Pondless Waterfall has made many water-lovers who were previously unable to indulge in the sweet sounds of falling water, very happy. It’s a great alternative for those who are trying to get their feet wet, or looking to fit a little bit of paradise into their own backyard. In other words, when all else fails … go Pondless!

Before and after. What a difference these motorized shades make in this home office. Abigail opted for our made in Vermont, motorized EcoSmart roller shades. The shades were programmed to correlate with the sun’s path throughout the day. The corner window shade fabric, in the office and bath, were modified to compensate for the intense sun over the course of a day. The matching fabric tied the overall design together, creating a unified feel throughout the home. JF Photography

«Modern elegance» at the intersection of Art Nouveau style and Art Deco metered elements. Plus of the apartments – French windows, filling the space with air. This feeling was supported and strengthened to the maximum using light color gamut and elegant, «floating» furniture. Minus of the room – low ceilings, which was compensated by light walls, thanks to which the boundary between the wall and the ceiling is erased. Color gamut – light pearl shades + «salted» tones of natural wood + «marine» tones in the range from blue to cold green. Coswick Grey Cashmere hardwood flooring use in the project. Design by Chernykh Elena & Evgenia Mazaitis. Studio: D-vision. Photography by Vitaly Ivanov.

By not having any upper cabinets, the space feels less crowded and bigger, as if it belongs to a larger home. The few cabinets in the kitchen are efficiently utilized, but we had to compensate for storage elsewhere. We have designed a custom hutch for Michelle that serves multiple purposes. It not only provides storage for overstock from the kitchen but also acts as a hub for her electronics, paperwork, printer, filing drawer, and craft supplies. The kitchen is influenced by Scandinavian design, featuring playful shades of pink on the walls, the floating shelf, and the vintage spice cubby (coral). Timeless black and white accents throughout the space complement the pink accents in a subtle way.

By not having any upper cabinets, the space feels less crowded and bigger, as if it belongs to a larger home. The few cabinets in the kitchen are efficiently utilized, but we had to compensate for storage elsewhere. We have designed a custom hutch for Michelle that serves multiple purposes. It not only provides storage for overstock from the kitchen but also acts as a hub for her electronics, paperwork, printer, filing drawer, and craft supplies. The kitchen is influenced by Scandinavian design, featuring playful shades of pink on the walls, the floating shelf, and the vintage spice cubby (coral). Timeless black and white accents throughout the space complement the pink accents in a subtle way.