This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house. George Mendel

John Evans
Inspiration for a huge timeless u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in Columbus with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, granite countertops and stone tile backsplash

Inspiration for a coastal freestanding desk dark wood floor home office remodel in Los Angeles with white walls

Photography by Laura Hull.
Inspiration for a large timeless single-wall ceramic tile and multicolored floor laundry room remodel in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer, quartzite countertops and white countertops

Our designer has achieved a stylish look by combining dark cabinets and light-colored marbles.

Design ideas for a farmhouse landscaping in San Francisco.

Staircase - contemporary wooden straight staircase idea in Los Angeles with painted risers

Large beach style formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in Bridgeport with white walls, a standard fireplace, no tv and a brick fireplace

Photo by Vern Uyetake
Example of a transitional medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Portland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, gray walls and an island

Lori Hamilton
Elegant beige floor laundry room photo in Miami with white cabinets and beige countertops

My clients purchased a grand home on a spectacular waterfront setting, but the interior felt dark and drab. Our challenge was to turn the existing home into a high end Hampton-style residence without major construction. We choose to focus on color, contrast and texture, changing almost every surface in the home and reversing the contrast to make the home light and airy. We invested the construction expense on elements crucial to style and function. Removing a row of out of scale upper cabinetry in the kitchen and replacing it with 3 double hung windows expands the view to 180 degrees and floods the room with light. To create symmetry and balance in the kitchen, we moved the cooktop and centered the sink. The wine cellar entry opened awkwardly into the kitchen and there was no pantry, so we modified the wine cellar and moved the door for better flow, allowing for a large pantry. On the opposite end of the great room, we balanced the fireplace with cabinetry and tall wainscoting. The floors were stained dark espresso while all other trim and cabinetry went a bright white. It took 14 tries to get the perfect wall color – a pale beige/color reminiscent of sand. The blue and white furniture and details pull the entire space together and creates a sophisticated yet casual feel. Photos by Steve Armstrong www.cascadepromedia.com

Stephanie Russo
Transitional kitchen photo in Sacramento

Home office - 1950s home office idea in Los Angeles

Steel and glass house railing by Keuka Studios, inc.
Example of a minimalist staircase design in New York

An old stone mansion built in 1924 had seen a number of renovations over the decades and the time had finally come to address a growing list of issues. Rather than continue with a patchwork of fixes, the owners engaged us to conduct a full house renovation to bring this home back to its former glory and in line with its status as an international consulate residence where dignitaries are hosted on a regular basis. One of the biggest projects was remodeling the expansive 365 SF kitchen; the main kitchen needed to be both a workhorse for the weekly catered events as well as serve as the residents’ primary hub. We made adjustments to the kitchen layout to maximize countertop and storage space as well as enhance overall functionality, being mindful of the dual purposes this kitchen serves. To add visual interest to the large space we used two toned cabinets – classic white along the perimeter and a deep blue to distinguish the two islands and tall pantry. Brushed brass accents echo the original brass hardware and fixtures throughout the home. A kitchen this large needed a statement when it came to the countertops so we selected a stunning Nuvolato quartzite with distinctive veining that complements the blue cabinets. We restored and refinished the original Heart of Pine floors, letting the natural character of the wood shine through. A custom antique Heart of Pine wood top was commissioned for the fixed island – the warmth of wood was preferable to stone for the informal seating area. The second island serves as both prep area and staging space for dinners and events. This mobile island can be pushed flush with the stationary island to provide a generous area for the caterers to expedite service. Adjacent to the main kitchen, we added a second service kitchen for the live-in staff and their family. This room used to be a catch-all laundry/storage/mudroom so we had to get creative in order to incorporate all of those features while adding a fully functioning eat-in kitchen. Using smaller appliances allowed us to capture more space for cabinetry and by stacking the cabinets and washer/dryer (relocated to the rear service foyer) we managed to meet all the requirements. We installed salvaged Heart of Pine floors to match the originals in the adjacent kitchen and chose a neutral finish palette that will be easy to maintain. These kitchens weren’t the only projects we undertook in the historic stone mansion. Other renovations include 7 bathrooms, flooring throughout (hardwoods, custom carpets/runners/wall-to-wall), custom drapery and window treatments, new lighting/electric, as well as paint/trim and custom closet and cabinetry.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional freestanding desk dark wood floor and brown floor home office remodel in Los Angeles with blue walls and no fireplace

Mountain style living room photo in Baltimore

This home library houses the client's extensive book collection and offers a space to work from home and conduct meetings. Photography by Michael Partenio

Transitional freestanding desk dark wood floor study room photo in Tampa with gray walls and no fireplace