After years of dedication and anticipation, our clients embarked on their dream renovation project as they approached retirement. Their vision? A cozy yet elegant space nestled in the picturesque coastal town of Ipswich, MA. With the help of Betsy at Hutton Home Design, our skilled team, and many trade partners, our client’s vision became a reality. We built them a custom, one-bedroom accessory dwelling unit (ADU) over the garage of their daughter and son-in-law's home. The heating and cooling system consisted of mini split units. We cantilevered the second floor to add space to the kitchen, making the room seem larger. We created a functional and beautiful space within the zoning constraints of 900 square feet. All the while, careful consideration was given to scale and ensuring the addition looked like an extension of the existing home. The completed renovation exceeded all expectations, providing the couple with a perfect haven when they embark on their retirement journey.  The newly renovated space boasts: Shared foyer with white oak stairs and floors throughout Custom kitchen with hickory island, vaulted ceilings with white oak beam and access to their shared deck Living room with gas fireplace Convenient laundry space Spacious bathroom with curbless shower and custom vanity Bright bedroom with his and her closets Plenty of storage via a pantry, laundry closet, coat closet and cleaning supply closet

Hom, Inc. has the honor of participating in some of the coolest personal residence projects. This project in particular is a perfect fit for us and we are thrilled to be a part of it. Designed by Mark Spangler, Architect, this home is intended to look like an old farm house that was added on to over the years. Construction details, materials and other considerations are all carefully chosen to reflect the era when family farms were a staple and quality was the norm. With a perfect setting near the James River and tucked in behind the Goochland Courthouse on a family farm, this home will be a hidden gem of fantastic architecture and quality construction.

An historic Spanish Colonial residence built in 1925 being redesigned and furnished for a modern-day Southern California family was the challenge. The interiors of the main house needed the backgrounds set and then a timeless collection created for its furnishings. Lifestyle was always a consideration as well as the interiors relating to the strong architecture of the residence. Natural colors such as terra cotta, tans, blues, greens, old red and soft vintage shades were incorporated throughout. Our goal was to maintain the historic character of the residence combining design elements and materials considered classic in Southern California Spanish Colonial architecture. Natural fiber textiles, leathers and woven linens were the predominated upholstery choices. A 7000 square foot basement was added and furnished to provide a gym, Star Wars theater, game areas, spa area and a simulator for indoor golf and other sports. Antiques were selected throughout the world, fine art from major galleries, custom reproductions fabricated in the old-world style. Collectible carpets were selected for the reclaimed hardwood flooring in all the areas. An estancia and garden over the basement were created and furnished with old world designs and materials as reclaimed woods, terra cotta and French limestone flooring.

Beautiful steps up the side of the home are flanked by textural shrubs, succulents and boulders. This active family needed to overhaul this large property but didn't know where to start. "It's like three acres of boring dirt and weeds", said my client. The steeply sloped property did indeed present unique challenges with ever-present voracious deer, the need for erosion control and bank stabilization, large areas that required planting while still considering water conservation, and the need for beautification and modernization to tie into the aesthetic of the newly renovated home. Concurrently, safety and access to all parts of the property were a consideration. Landscaping goals were accomplished through careful plant selection and judicious use of retaining walls in various styles throughout the property. Generous railroad tie steps were used on sloping side yards. The landscaped portions converge gracefully with the existing oak woodland. Children can play and hide in many fun spots, while my client's elderly grandmother can safely walk around.

Laura Beeler: I recently took a call from a customer looking for a designer. The mission was to help him create a wonderful, new living space in his downtown Des Moines loft. Matt & I had an instant connection. Since he had been in by Design before, we quickly set up a house call. An additional challenge was time — he was hosting a big party in 4 weeks! We chose the Tristan sofa for it’s retro look. We love how it appears to “float” over the stainless sleigh base. (Light & airy pieces were important as we didn’t want to overpower the intimate space). We anchored the room with a deep pile, chunky shag rug and topped it with a large storage ottoman. The two George chairs can span the decades and certainly have a personality all their own. The repetition of the metal and tufting in all of the pieces gives continuity to the design – an important consideration when designing a space this eclectic. The open shelving offered more storage as well as giving a great silhouette against the original white brick wall. I think the end result suits him to a tee, whether he is relaxing or entertaining. The best part was that we had it all in place in the allotted time frame.

I plant petunias in the late fall and they last until the flowing late spring, end of May. Color was a key consideration. The client mentioned blue, but I suggested a more organic choice. The house's base is gray brick. Green, would soften the hard lines of the architecture. As you can see in the following pics, I picked the same color for all of the front entry pots, in a soft green with the lovely name of celadon pearl (glazed pots) and copper bronze (for the cast stone urns). I have used a limited palette of colors in the front yard to compliment the sophistication of this grand home. The tall pots that flank the front door have a mix of colors including dark foliage for drama and lime green foliage for zing.

Photo Credit: Tagina Ceramica Tile trends are cyclical, and the current trend of "return to rustic" is a natural fit for Tagina. They simply looked to their history and the products that made them famous; then using the latest technology and a contemporary sensibility, they created this new line which represents the pinnacle of their considerable capabilities. Rich colors, wide variation, and slightly chiseled edges are all characteristics of Apogeo. Tileshop 1005 Harrison Street Berkeley, CA 94710 Other California Locations: San Jose and Van Nuys (Los Angeles)

Designed from Start to Finish When this homeowner began the design phase of a new home, the experts at Braen Supply were immediately called. Braen Supply assisted in all phases of the design, after walking the grounds we were able to provide ideas and assist with the driveway and patio layout. Then, taking into consideration how the stone on the driveway, walkway, patio and fireplace would work with one another, the homeowner allowed our experts to pick and choose the materials that would complement the home and best accentuate its features. Customizing the Materials In order to achieve this goal, Braen Supply created custom 3” driveway cobbles, which have become so popular that they are now in stock in our Wanaque location.

Designed from Start to Finish When this homeowner began the design phase of a new home, the experts at Braen Supply were immediately called. Braen Supply assisted in all phases of the design, after walking the grounds we were able to provide ideas and assist with the driveway and patio layout. Then, taking into consideration how the stone on the driveway, walkway, patio and fireplace would work with one another, the homeowner allowed our experts to pick and choose the materials that would complement the home and best accentuate its features. Customizing the Materials In order to achieve this goal, Braen Supply created custom 3” driveway cobbles, which have become so popular that they are now in stock in our Wanaque location.

Located in one of the Ritz residential towers in Boston, the project was a complete renovation. The design and scope of work included the entire residence from marble flooring throughout, to movement of walls, new kitchen, bathrooms, all furnishings, lighting, closets, artwork and accessories. Smart home sound and wifi integration throughout including concealed electronic window treatments. The challenge for the final project design was multifaceted. First and foremost to maintain a light, sheer appearance in the main open areas, while having a considerable amount of seating for living, dining and entertaining purposes. All the while giving an inviting peaceful feel, and never interfering with the view which was of course the piece de resistance throughout. Bringing a unique, individual feeling to each of the private rooms to surprise and stimulate the eye while navigating through the residence was also a priority and great pleasure to work on, while incorporating small details within each room to bind the flow from area to area which would not be necessarily obvious to the eye, but palpable in our minds in a very suttle manner. The combination of luxurious textures throughout brought a third dimension into the environments, and one of the many aspects that made the project so exceptionally unique, and a true pleasure to have created. Reach us www.themorsoncollection.com Photography by Elevin Studio.

This is the first certified Passive House in the Chicago area, built by Biltmore Insulated Concrete (thermal shell) and Evolutionary Home Builders (GC). TBDA acted as architect and Passive House consultant, performing the rigorous calculations in conjunction with the spatial, structural, mechanical, and esthetic design considerations. Cadmium Interiors selected interior finishes and furniture. Passive Houses have inherently good indoor air quality due to the continuous ventilation and condensation-proof thermal shell, but we took this to the next level by becoming a pilot project for the Healthy Homes Initiative. All construction materials, finishes, paints, adhesives, caulks, etc., were selected to be non-toxic (i.e., no-added-formaldehyde cabinet construction), using Greenguard as a standard where possible.

This active family needed to overhaul this large property but didn't know where to start. "It's like three acres of boring dirt and weeds", said my client. The steeply sloped property did indeed present unique challenges with ever-present voracious deer, the need for erosion control and bank stabilization, large areas that required planting while still considering water conservation, and the need for beautification and modernization to tie into the aesthetic of the newly renovated home. Concurrently, safety and access to all parts of the property were a consideration. Landscaping goals were accomplished through careful plant selection and judicious use of retaining walls in various styles throughout the property. Generous railroad tie steps were used on sloping side yards. The landscaped portions converge gracefully with the existing oak woodland. Children can play and hide in many fun spots, while my client's elderly grandmother can safely walk around.

Design Consultant Jeff Doubét is the author of Creating Spanish Style Homes: Before & After – Techniques – Designs – Insights. The 240 page “Design Consultation in a Book” is now available. Please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com for more info. Jeff Doubét specializes in Santa Barbara style home and landscape designs. To learn more info about the variety of custom design services I offer, please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com Jeff Doubét is the Founder of Santa Barbara Home Design - a design studio based in Santa Barbara, California USA.

Designed from Start to Finish When this homeowner began the design phase of a new home, the experts at Braen Supply were immediately called. Braen Supply assisted in all phases of the design, after walking the grounds we were able to provide ideas and assist with the driveway and patio layout. Then, taking into consideration how the stone on the driveway, walkway, patio and fireplace would work with one another, the homeowner allowed our experts to pick and choose the materials that would complement the home and best accentuate its features. Customizing the Materials In order to achieve this goal, Braen Supply created custom 3” driveway cobbles, which have become so popular that they are now in stock in our Wanaque location.

Karen Palmer Photography
Mid-sized trendy master blue tile and porcelain tile bathroom photo in St Louis with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, onyx countertops and multicolored countertops

Our clients wanted to add an ensuite bathroom to their charming 1950’s Cape Cod, but they were reluctant to sacrifice the only closet in their owner’s suite. The hall bathroom they’d been sharing with their kids was also in need of an update so we took this into consideration during the design phase to come up with a creative new layout that would tick all their boxes. By relocating the hall bathroom, we were able to create an ensuite bathroom with a generous shower, double vanity, and plenty of space left over for a separate walk-in closet. We paired the classic look of marble with matte black fixtures to add a sophisticated, modern edge. The natural wood tones of the vanity and teak bench bring warmth to the space. A frosted glass pocket door to the walk-through closet provides privacy, but still allows light through. We gave our clients additional storage by building drawers into the Cape Cod’s eave space.

An historic Spanish Colonial residence built in 1925 being redesigned and furnished for a modern-day Southern California family was the challenge. The interiors of the main house needed the backgrounds set and then a timeless collection created for its furnishings. Lifestyle was always a consideration as well as the interiors relating to the strong architecture of the residence. Natural colors such as terra cotta, tans, blues, greens, old red and soft vintage shades were incorporated throughout. Our goal was to maintain the historic character of the residence combining design elements and materials considered classic in Southern California Spanish Colonial architecture. Natural fiber textiles, leathers and woven linens were the predominated upholstery choices. A 7000 square foot basement was added and furnished to provide a gym, Star Wars theater, game areas, spa area and a simulator for indoor golf and other sports. Antiques were selected throughout the world, fine art from major galleries, custom reproductions fabricated in the old-world style. Collectible carpets were selected for the reclaimed hardwood flooring in all the areas. An estancia and garden over the basement were created and furnished with old world designs and materials as reclaimed woods, terra cotta and French limestone flooring.

Cape Cod; Dennis, MA This Cape Cod-style dining room is defined by its classic, clean aesthetic and a focus on natural light. A prominent feature is the six-light brass chandelier, which hangs above the wooden dining table and serves as a sophisticated focal point. The traditional-style chandelier provides both illumination and an elegant touch. The table is paired with a set of classic black Windsor chairs, which offer a sharp contrast to the light-colored walls and the warmth of the hardwood floors, creating a timeless and inviting look. The ceiling features beadboard paneling, which is a classic detail often found in coastal and farmhouse-style homes, and adds texture and character to the space. The room is bathed in natural light from a series of large windows that overlook a lush green yard, creating a connection to the outdoors. French doors, visible on the right, further enhance the open and airy feel, suggesting a seamless flow between the dining room and other areas of the home. The light beige walls and crisp white trim on the windows and doors complete the serene and traditional coastal color palette.

It doesn’t always require a major reconfiguration to accomplish a major transformation. That was certainly the case with this gorgeous kitchen remodel! Although these homeowners were eager for some significant improvements, there were a few things that were still working for them. Collaborating with their designer, they elected to stick with the original footprint of the kitchen, keep their red oak flooring, and integrate the original quaint brick backsplash. So how did we create such a dramatically different space while preserving such foundational elements? There were a few key revisions that made all the difference… Most notably, we brought the light! What a major impact this made…from floor to ceiling! To start, refinishing the dark hardwood floors restored their brilliance and lightened them considerably. The warm white custom cabinetry and light-toned quartz countertops gave this kitchen an updated look that is transformational. Raising the dropped ceiling, we replaced the florescent lighting with recessed lights and added modern pendant lights over the peninsula. We painted the wood trim and window casings and exchanged the aging wood windows for white vinyl windows. Collectively, these design choices give the impression of a more spacious kitchen, but it remains within the existing footprint. As always, careful consideration was given to the cabinet design to maximize the space and functionality of this kitchen. Raising the ceiling allowed for taller upper cabinets. The full-height pantry now provides generous storage for food and small appliances, and even houses their microwave oven. The island’s built-in bookcase is the ideal spot to keep cookbooks accessible for quick referencing. Although their former cabinetry did have a fixed wine rack, the new design makes this corner a lovely focal feature—a proper wine bar in our opinion. The matte black cabinet hardware is simple and current, contrasting beautifully with the white cabinetry, giving it that updated farmhouse appeal.