Inspiration for a farmhouse home design remodel in San Francisco

Colleen Gahry-Robb, Interior Designer / Ethan Allen, Auburn Hills, MI
Example of a mid-sized transitional dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Detroit with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround

Plan 73325HS, Craftsman Jaw-Dropper, gives you four bedrooms plus two more in the finished lower level (should you choose to finish it out as designed). The home has 4,665 sq. ft. of heated living space and has a stunning appeal inside and out. This is Bed 5 which can also be put to use as an exercise room. It is in the lower level and measures 14'x17'6". The plans are available for purchase for construction and come in prints, PDF and CAD formats. Ready when you are. Where do YOU want to build?

The couple who embarked on this Lake Zurich Illinois home renovation spent years planning a move from Virginia to the rolling hills of Northern Illinois when their first grandchild was born. Wanting to be closer to their grown children so they could enjoy their new role, they first embarked upon finding the right realtor and the right home. They settled on the “perfect” home; perfect that is to transform. The seriously outdated 1,800 square foot ranch had a closed outdated kitchen, 3 bedrooms, a living room with a fireplace, a full basement and 2 baths. Although it had “good bones”, it was straight out of a builder’s catalog with wall to wall carpet, standard tile and honey oak everywhere you looked. But this couple had big plans for this home. In tandem with their home purchase, they began the search for the just the right renovation company. The team they chose needed to be cohesive, as the whole house renovation would be designed hundreds of miles from their home several states away. She found Advance Design Studio, Ltd. online, and was quickly enamored by the team and by Common Sense Remodeling, simply by studying the website. Her decision to choose Advance Design to partner on this complete ranch renovation was confirmed quickly upon her first face to face meeting with owner Todd Jurs, and later by Advance’s designer, Nicole Ryan. Three bedrooms were converted into a one master suite with ample bath and walk in closet, laundry, and a 2nd multi-purpose room designed for movies and entertainment, a home office, and a guest room all in one. A doorway leading to the garage was reconfigured to create a foyer area, and allowed for a better flow to an open modern kitchen complete with a large island for cooking and entertaining, which included a wide bench seat overlooking the back yard and opening onto an eating area flanked with a fireplace and TV. The piece de resistance culminated with 3 walls of full glass anchored by a striking fireplace in the new four season’s room where the homeowners enjoy coffee every morning while gazing at the current day’s mid-western landscape. The open floorplan encourages living in “one space” throughout the day. Ryan worked with the couple remotely, exchanging 3D color renderings and floorplans with detailed budget updates until the project took on the very image they had envisioned. “Working with them was a change from our normal meeting process since they were literally in a different state. We conducted meetings by phone, while reviewing materials and drawings via computer. It was a fun process that necessitated lots of detail and careful coordination, but we made it happen and the process was as smooth as if they were right here like normal”, says Nicole. During a stressful time planning their move, the constant interaction with Nicole assured the couple that all was being addressed by the Advance team and they could relax and focus on other important things (like moving cross country). The new master bath incorporated heated flooring, a walk in shower with seating and custom shower niches, and an elegant double sink vanity with ample space for two. “The layout of each of the rooms is exactly what I envisioned,” the client said. “Advance’s attention to details such as light switch placement, electrical outlets, and many other minute details you wouldn’t even think of was the icing on the cake. If I didn’t think of it first, they certainly did,” said the happy homeowner. Small details like the crown molding, the custom designed fireplace mantle, the under-cabinet lighting and etched door glass, and even subtle rhinestones shimmering like delicate jewelry in the tile backsplash brought the whole project together. The clients were extremely happy with the way the Advance team made sure these small things were executed perfectly. “It’s just gorgeous,” they said at a celebratory event in their home hosted shortly after completion for the entire Advance Design team that made it happen. “The entire crew at Advance Design was a pleasure to work with. We couldn’t have done this with a lesser team,” they concluded.

Quax loves contemporary design and with the Havana room the sleek line and solid wood get a place in the range, confirming its place on the international design scene. Tested by internationally recognized bodies on EN-716 for the beds and EN-12221 for the changing tables and with long-term use in mind. The metal base is finished with a black powder coating. The upper structures are a mix of lacquered and solid wood panels. The charm of solid wood is reflected in its pristine patina and is the guarantee of a natural product that over time becomes increasingly unique and valuable. A contribution that should not be underestimated to the natural and the cozy interior, a caress for the senses. Depending on the tree’s habitat, color differences are possible and proof of its essence. At Quax we use sustainable materials. All the furniture boards meet the strict E1 standard on formaldehyde emissions. We support durable forestry and ask our suppliers to submit the PEFC and FSC certificates. Special care also goes to the furniture fittings. Only reputable suppliers provide us with, among others, quality sliders for the drawers and reliable connecting techniques. The paint finish is another point of attention, we only work with international quality supplierssuch as Akzo Nobel and no local producers. All producers are responsible for the certificates of their products, for example EN 71-3 with attention for the migration of harmful elements. Design also plays an important role in the business philosophy of Quax. In the Havana room the bars are milled out in the Mdf board, which does not only contribute to the fancy nature of this range but also to the sturdiness of the sideframes, not comparable to traditional bars. The range includes beds 120x60 cm, 140x70 cm with optional bedrail, a chest of four drawers with optional changing extension and a two or three-door wardrobe. Kris Van Damme for Quax

LOS ANGELES, CA / SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL The Bel-Air House sits above Hollywood, along scenic Mulholland Drive, the storied thoroughfare that acts as a winding referee between the compact density of the San Fernando Valley, and the more ex-urban conditions of Los Angeles. In contrast to the client’s weekend beach house, here the client envisioned a home that could share equally in the energy of the city, and the rustic qualities of canyon living. The resulting home is both minimal and refined—its abstract forms read against the wilder aspects of its nominally natural setting. As a patron of music, and the arts, the client’s creative interests suggested the overall design approach: A simple yet sophisticated backdrop for the presentation of recitals, and the display and appreciation of beautiful artifacts. The house avows a museum-like attitude—the rich but restrained material palette draws from the colors and textures of the Santa Monica Mountains, and opposes natural with refined, polished with honed, quietly confirming a reverential aspect to this “temple on the hill”. The focus of the house is a dark and silent pool. Intended as a space of emptiness, the pool is an enigmatic statement—at once a source of origin for the house, as well as its apparent conclusion. The spatial aspects unfold from this moment, with the various rooms revolving around this essential void. The pool and its open rotunda echo the reservoir in the canyon below the house, while the ocean beyond ultimately underscores the house’s strong commitment to water. Simple stone walls, taut rooflines, and disciplined and minimal detailing allow the home to act as an armature for the client’s personal expression of taste and creativity. In complement to the client’s Mussel Shoals House, which suggests a relationship with the vast, and ever-widening horizon, the architectural resolution of the Bel-Air House emerges from the sheltered and enveloping emotion of the canyon.

the rain gully, planted with native grasses and forbs; tupelo and oak lit up by the late day sun.
Inspiration for a large craftsman partial sun front yard concrete paver landscaping in Boston for fall.

All appliances are stainless steel by Gaggenau. Appliance area features a wood pullout with a stainless steel handle. Cabinets feature the Vanguard Plus door style on Rough Sawn Euro Oak with the Oolong finish.

Kirk Bianchi created this resort like setting for a couple from Mexico City. They were looking for a contemporary twist on traditional themes, and Luis Barragán was the inspiration. The outer walls were painted a darker color to recede, while floating panels of color and varying heights provided sculptural interest and opportunities for lighting and shadow.

LOS ANGELES, CA / SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL The Bel-Air House sits above Hollywood, along scenic Mulholland Drive, the storied thoroughfare that acts as a winding referee between the compact density of the San Fernando Valley, and the more ex-urban conditions of Los Angeles. In contrast to the client’s weekend beach house, here the client envisioned a home that could share equally in the energy of the city, and the rustic qualities of canyon living. The resulting home is both minimal and refined—its abstract forms read against the wilder aspects of its nominally natural setting. As a patron of music, and the arts, the client’s creative interests suggested the overall design approach: A simple yet sophisticated backdrop for the presentation of recitals, and the display and appreciation of beautiful artifacts. The house avows a museum-like attitude—the rich but restrained material palette draws from the colors and textures of the Santa Monica Mountains, and opposes natural with refined, polished with honed, quietly confirming a reverential aspect to this “temple on the hill”. The focus of the house is a dark and silent pool. Intended as a space of emptiness, the pool is an enigmatic statement—at once a source of origin for the house, as well as its apparent conclusion. The spatial aspects unfold from this moment, with the various rooms revolving around this essential void. The pool and its open rotunda echo the reservoir in the canyon below the house, while the ocean beyond ultimately underscores the house’s strong commitment to water. Simple stone walls, taut rooflines, and disciplined and minimal detailing allow the home to act as an armature for the client’s personal expression of taste and creativity. In complement to the client’s Mussel Shoals House, which suggests a relationship with the vast, and ever-widening horizon, the architectural resolution of the Bel-Air House emerges from the sheltered and enveloping emotion of the canyon.

ATMOSFERA GIOCOSA IN UNA PRECISIONE PURA Abbiamo avuto piacere di partecipare nella realizzazione di questo bellissimo progetto in centro della nostra citta #firenze. Uno store di duecento metri quadrati sviluppato su due piani dove verranno esposte le nuove collezioni di borse e bijoux. Il concetto dello spazio espositivo ideato dall’architetto @Emanuele Svetti che, da tempo, cura il concept dei progetti di Graziella Braccialini in tutto il mondo. Questo progetto conferma che la nostra resina ci permette di realizzare qualsiasi idea per rendere ogni spazio unico e senza limiti. Covermax Resine covermaxresine.com Via Giovanni Lorenzoni 16r – Firenze info@covermaxresine.com PlAYFUL ATMOSPHERE IN A PURE PRECISION We had a pleasure to participate in the realization of this beautiful project in the center of our city #firenze. A two-hundred-square-meters store spread over two floors where the new collection of bags and bijoux will be exhibited. The concept of the store space conceived by the architect @Emanuele Svetti who, for a long time, has been taking care of the concept of Graziella Braccialini's projects all over the world. This project confirms that our resin allows us to realize any idea to make every space unique and without limits. Covermax Resine covermaxresine.com Via Giovanni Lorenzoni 16r – Firenze info@covermaxresine.com

DEBBIE KERR, CKD Jaeger Lumber Kitchen Division Manager Debbie is a CKD (Certified Kitchen Designer) with over 18 years of industry related experience, working with both homeowners & remodelers on all types of projects. There is no project to small, or too big, for Debbie. Her organized and calming approach to the entire process helps put her clients at ease…and her repeat & referral business confirms that! Working creatively 'outside of the box' with both the contractor and homeowner….expectations are usually exceeded! In 2006, Debbie was promoted as the Kitchen Division manager for Jaeger Lumber. During that time, and with an eye towards providing the most current & relevant products in the industry, Debbie added two new cabinetry lines, multiple countertop manufacturers and expanded the cabinetry hardware selections. By attending the annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), she is able to stay in-sync with industry trends. Debbie's educational background includes a Master's Certificate in Project Management, a MBA in Finance & Bachelor's degree in Marketing from Lehigh University. Debbie is currently the President for the Northern New Jersey Chapter of the NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association). Debbie has also held multiple positions on the local NKBA board including 5 years as the Chapter Treasurer, 4 years as the VP of Government Relations, Chapter Secretary, and 3 years as Chapter Representative. She was also a member of the NKBA National Finance Committee and National Recruitment Committee. She has co-chaired the NKBA annual golf scholarship outing for 5 years. Debbie lives with her husband & son in Oldwick, NJ. Debbie has been selected for the 2017 Mansion in May Designer Showcase at ALNWICK Hall ~ THE ABBEY in Morris Township, NJ .2014 NKBA Design Winner - for her Farmhouse Kitchen Design - Congratulations Debbie!

The LED lights in this pool show off the vibrant color of the Pebble Fina plaster - "Sapphire Galaxy" Photographer: Siggi Ragnar
Example of a large tuscan backyard concrete paver and custom-shaped hot tub design in Austin

LOS ANGELES, CA / SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL The Bel-Air House sits above Hollywood, along scenic Mulholland Drive, the storied thoroughfare that acts as a winding referee between the compact density of the San Fernando Valley, and the more ex-urban conditions of Los Angeles. In contrast to the client’s weekend beach house, here the client envisioned a home that could share equally in the energy of the city, and the rustic qualities of canyon living. The resulting home is both minimal and refined—its abstract forms read against the wilder aspects of its nominally natural setting. As a patron of music, and the arts, the client’s creative interests suggested the overall design approach: A simple yet sophisticated backdrop for the presentation of recitals, and the display and appreciation of beautiful artifacts. The house avows a museum-like attitude—the rich but restrained material palette draws from the colors and textures of the Santa Monica Mountains, and opposes natural with refined, polished with honed, quietly confirming a reverential aspect to this “temple on the hill”. The focus of the house is a dark and silent pool. Intended as a space of emptiness, the pool is an enigmatic statement—at once a source of origin for the house, as well as its apparent conclusion. The spatial aspects unfold from this moment, with the various rooms revolving around this essential void. The pool and its open rotunda echo the reservoir in the canyon below the house, while the ocean beyond ultimately underscores the house’s strong commitment to water. Simple stone walls, taut rooflines, and disciplined and minimal detailing allow the home to act as an armature for the client’s personal expression of taste and creativity. In complement to the client’s Mussel Shoals House, which suggests a relationship with the vast, and ever-widening horizon, the architectural resolution of the Bel-Air House emerges from the sheltered and enveloping emotion of the canyon.

In 2023, spoga+gafa in Cologne once again confirmed its relevance as the world's largest garden lifestyle and BBQ trade fair and further expanded its position as the leading international trade and networking platform for the green industry. The uniting strength of gardens has hardly ever been as important as today. They bring people together, regardless of their origin, status or beliefs. Social Gardens begin where gardening, plants or relaxing outdoors become social interaction. They promote the community, health and regeneration and create an awareness for the natural environment. With its key theme Social Gardens, spoga+gafa 2023 is focusing on gardens, balconies and terraces as connecting, diverse and sustainable places of encounter. HIGOLD's team decorated the exhibition as a garden. The HIGOLD team decorated the exhibition as a garden, bringing together a lot of elite people interested in outdoor furniture, and we talked about the idea of outdoor furniture. This applies more than ever today after two years of pandemic and in the face of the current global political situation. As a place of joint retreat gardens and green spaces in general are gaining more and more significance. They offer a place of refuge for recovering from the fast-paced everyday routine and bring people together. Outdoor furniture is essential in garden style,they allow us to stay in the garden and enjoy free talking time.Every outdoor furniture has thereby a social and interactive quality in addition to its functional and creative characteristics.Indeed, the social interaction is what actually lends a garden its own special magic: The garden hosepipe or the sprinkler the children play with in the sun; the outdoor lounge suite the family relaxes on together; the raised flowerbed the neighbours all jointly use to plant vegetables or the grill used for having a BBQ with friends.

ATMOSFERA GIOCOSA IN UNA PRECISIONE PURA Abbiamo avuto piacere di partecipare nella realizzazione di questo bellissimo progetto in centro della nostra citta #firenze. Uno store di duecento metri quadrati sviluppato su due piani dove verranno esposte le nuove collezioni di borse e bijoux. Il concetto dello spazio espositivo ideato dall’architetto @Emanuele Svetti che, da tempo, cura il concept dei progetti di Graziella Braccialini in tutto il mondo. Questo progetto conferma che la nostra resina ci permette di realizzare qualsiasi idea per rendere ogni spazio unico e senza limiti. Covermax Resine covermaxresine.com Via Giovanni Lorenzoni 16r – Firenze info@covermaxresine.com PlAYFUL ATMOSPHERE IN A PURE PRECISION We had a pleasure to participate in the realization of this beautiful project in the center of our city #firenze. A two-hundred-square-meters store spread over two floors where the new collection of bags and bijoux will be exhibited. The concept of the store space conceived by the architect @Emanuele Svetti who, for a long time, has been taking care of the concept of Graziella Braccialini's projects all over the world. This project confirms that our resin allows us to realize any idea to make every space unique and without limits. Covermax Resine covermaxresine.com Via Giovanni Lorenzoni 16r – Firenze info@covermaxresine.com

In 2023, spoga+gafa in Cologne once again confirmed its relevance as the world's largest garden lifestyle and BBQ trade fair and further expanded its position as the leading international trade and networking platform for the green industry. The uniting strength of gardens has hardly ever been as important as today. They bring people together, regardless of their origin, status or beliefs. Social Gardens begin where gardening, plants or relaxing outdoors become social interaction. They promote the community, health and regeneration and create an awareness for the natural environment. With its key theme Social Gardens, spoga+gafa 2023 is focusing on gardens, balconies and terraces as connecting, diverse and sustainable places of encounter. HIGOLD's team decorated the exhibition as a garden. The HIGOLD team decorated the exhibition as a garden, bringing together a lot of elite people interested in outdoor furniture, and we talked about the idea of outdoor furniture. This applies more than ever today after two years of pandemic and in the face of the current global political situation. As a place of joint retreat gardens and green spaces in general are gaining more and more significance. They offer a place of refuge for recovering from the fast-paced everyday routine and bring people together. Outdoor furniture is essential in garden style,they allow us to stay in the garden and enjoy free talking time.Every outdoor furniture has thereby a social and interactive quality in addition to its functional and creative characteristics.Indeed, the social interaction is what actually lends a garden its own special magic: The garden hosepipe or the sprinkler the children play with in the sun; the outdoor lounge suite the family relaxes on together; the raised flowerbed the neighbours all jointly use to plant vegetables or the grill used for having a BBQ with friends.

ATMOSFERA GIOCOSA IN UNA PRECISIONE PURA Abbiamo avuto piacere di partecipare nella realizzazione di questo bellissimo progetto in centro della nostra citta #firenze. Uno store di duecento metri quadrati sviluppato su due piani dove verranno esposte le nuove collezioni di borse e bijoux. Il concetto dello spazio espositivo ideato dall’architetto @Emanuele Svetti che, da tempo, cura il concept dei progetti di Graziella Braccialini in tutto il mondo. Questo progetto conferma che la nostra resina ci permette di realizzare qualsiasi idea per rendere ogni spazio unico e senza limiti. Covermax Resine covermaxresine.com Via Giovanni Lorenzoni 16r – Firenze info@covermaxresine.com PlAYFUL ATMOSPHERE IN A PURE PRECISION We had a pleasure to participate in the realization of this beautiful project in the center of our city #firenze. A two-hundred-square-meters store spread over two floors where the new collection of bags and bijoux will be exhibited. The concept of the store space conceived by the architect @Emanuele Svetti who, for a long time, has been taking care of the concept of Graziella Braccialini's projects all over the world. This project confirms that our resin allows us to realize any idea to make every space unique and without limits. Covermax Resine covermaxresine.com Via Giovanni Lorenzoni 16r – Firenze info@covermaxresine.com

HOME SOLD: This is an exceptional opportunity for a buyer looking for a beautifully updated distinctive 5 bed /3.5 bath home in one of Clayton’s most popular neighborhoods, Hillcrest. In addition to the stunning home, the adjacent lot being sold with the home provides an unusually large yard for the neighborhood & is believed to be a buildable lot (buyer’s should confirm for themselves). This home’s floor plan is perfect for entertaining. The living room includes a wood burning fireplace, beautiful arched leaded windows & built-ins. The large dining room features a window seat & direct access to the back deck. The beautifully appointed eat-in kitchen includes high end appliances including: 6 burner gas range, warming drawer & double oven. The butler’s pantry includes a copper counter & fixtures, a mini frig & dishwasher. A total of 3 sinks are found in this lovely kitchen & can accommodate a large gathering with several cooks. The breakfast area with 3 walls of windows provides a wonderful view of the backyard and swimming pool. The heated Spanish tile floor completes this lovely area. The 2nd floor master suite includes a walk-in closet, an updated master bath with double vanities & heated tile flooring, & built-in speakers that connects to the master bedroom TV. 2 additional bedrooms with updated Jack-n-Jill bath with heated floor & sunroom are found on the 2nd floor. One bedroom is currently being used as a large 2nd floor laundry room, & one bedroom is currently being used as “her” dressing room. The 3rd floor includes 2 very large bedrooms & a full bath. A comfortably finished lower level. Many updates include: Upgraded Furnace & Electric Svc, New Windows, and much more. The seller has provided a list of improvements.