As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

Hamptons-Inspired Kitchen One cannot help but feel a distinct sense of serenity and timeless beauty when entering this Hamptons-style kitchen. Bathed in natural light and shimmering with inspired accents and details, this complete kitchen transformation is at once elegant and inviting. Plans and elevations were conceived to create balance and function without sacrificing harmony and visual intrigue. A metal custom hood, with an eye-catching brass band and impeccably balanced cabinets on either side, provides a strong focal point for the kitchen, which can be viewed from the adjacent living room. Brass faucets, hardware and light fixtures complement and draw further attention to this anchoring element. A wall of glass cabinetry enhances the existing windows and pleasantly expands the sense of openness in the space. Taj Mahal quartzite blends gracefully with the cabinet finishes. Cream-tone, herringbone tiles are custom-cut into different patterns to create a sense of visual movement as the eyes move across the room. An elegant, marble-top island paired with sumptuous, leather-covered stools, not only offers extra counterspace, but also an ideal gathering place for loved ones to enjoy. This unforgettable kitchen gem shines even brighter with the addition of glass cabinets, designed to display the client’s collection of Portmeirion china. Careful consideration was given to the selection of stone for the countertops, as well as the color of paint for the cabinets, to highlight this inspiring collection. Breakfast room A thoughtfully blended mix of furniture styles introduces a splash of European charm to this Hamptons-style kitchen, with French, cane-back chairs providing a sense of airy elegance and delight. A performance velvet adorns the banquette, which is piled high with lush cushions for optimal comfort while lounging in the room. Another layer of texture is achieved with a wool area rug that defines and accentuates this gorgeous breakfast nook with sprawling views of the outdoors. Finishing features include drapery fabric and Brunschwig and Fils Bird and Thistle paper, whose natural, botanic pattern combines with the beautiful vistas of the backyard to inspire a sense of being in a botanical, outdoor wonderland.

Photo by Cindy Apple
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized victorian light wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Seattle with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartz countertops, quartz backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

The Kitchen in this residence had to be outstanding for the owner’s ego and provide a template of future styles. We scoured kitchen showrooms from New York to Los Angeles to see cutting edge design, gadgets and layouts. After much consideration and given our long-standing relationship, we worked with New England Custom Cabinets, our go to contractor for custom millwork. We worked tirelessly with them to create the dream kitchen. The limited amount of space available in this waterfront home challenged us to not only make the best use of the available space, but also to make each space highly functional. In order to create the desired aesthetic and still provide storage, we created a floor to ceiling Wegne bank of cabinetry concealing the refrigerator and freezer and incorporating a pantry with a hidden pocket door and an appliance cabinet that has a one of a kind folding mechanism that allows it to sit flat against the adjacent wall. The Wenge cabinetry has a matte finish and is replicated in the cabinet paneling under the Princess White marble double waterfall island. To contrast the dark wood finish, the rest of the kitchen is completed in a high gloss polyester hand buffed white finish with walnut interiors. The upper cabinets appear to float on the three dimensional tile backsplash purchased directly from a vendor in Spain. The special touch latch magic hydraulic openers lift the cabinets vertically and are closed by the touch of a button as well. This is a feature that is years ahead on the design curve. All drawers and drawer fronts are installed using Blum’s Servo-Drive electronic opening system. Hafele LED interior cabinet lighting is applied throughout. Wow – State of the Art, High Tech Appliances that the owner and his friends are still figuring out. The kitchen is fitted out with Gagganeu appliances incorporating an induction cooktop and a state of the art electronic drop down exhaust hood. The microwave, special high-tech oven and warming drawer will keep the owner and his friends reading manuals for years to come. The perimeter counter tops are finished in the innovative Dekton indestructible man-made stone. All base cabinets have electronic openers and automatically light up upon opening. The square flush mounted recessed lights by Tech Lighting accentuate the clean lines of the kitchen. Two hand blown glass and brushed aluminum pendants from California illuminate the beautiful marble waterfall island. Unique toe kick lighting is also incorporated to illuminate the base as a nightlight and accent feature. In order to keep the ceiling “uncluttered” seamless speakers by SpeakerCraft was utilized. The audio, television and lighting are all controlled by Control4 Smart System, which is incorporated throughout the house. The select rift white oak planks in long lengths are finished in a special brushed patina with a gray stain to give the floors a natural driftwood finish. The kitchen exceeds the owner, his friends and family’s expectations for design, function and format. Photographer Kelly Marshall

Main floor, kitchen, and dining remodel plus addition replacement by Minneapolis / St. Paul-based McDonald Remodeling. See more examples of our work and learn more at www.mcdonaldremodeling.com

The Kitchen in this residence had to be outstanding for the owner’s ego and provide a template of future styles. We scoured kitchen showrooms from New York to Los Angeles to see cutting edge design, gadgets and layouts. After much consideration and given our long-standing relationship, we worked with New England Custom Cabinets, our go to contractor for custom millwork. We worked tirelessly with them to create the dream kitchen. The limited amount of space available in this waterfront home challenged us to not only make the best use of the available space, but also to make each space highly functional. In order to create the desired aesthetic and still provide storage, we created a floor to ceiling Wegne bank of cabinetry concealing the refrigerator and freezer and incorporating a pantry with a hidden pocket door and an appliance cabinet that has a one of a kind folding mechanism that allows it to sit flat against the adjacent wall. The Wenge cabinetry has a matte finish and is replicated in the cabinet paneling under the Princess White marble double waterfall island. To contrast the dark wood finish, the rest of the kitchen is completed in a high gloss polyester hand buffed white finish with walnut interiors. The upper cabinets appear to float on the three dimensional tile backsplash purchased directly from a vendor in Spain. The special touch latch magic hydraulic openers lift the cabinets vertically and are closed by the touch of a button as well. This is a feature that is years ahead on the design curve. All drawers and drawer fronts are installed using Blum’s Servo-Drive electronic opening system. Hafele LED interior cabinet lighting is applied throughout. Wow – State of the Art, High Tech Appliances that the owner and his friends are still figuring out. The kitchen is fitted out with Gagganeu appliances incorporating an induction cooktop and a state of the art electronic drop down exhaust hood. The microwave, special high-tech oven and warming drawer will keep the owner and his friends reading manuals for years to come. The perimeter counter tops are finished in the innovative Dekton indestructible man-made stone. All base cabinets have electronic openers and automatically light up upon opening. The square flush mounted recessed lights by Tech Lighting accentuate the clean lines of the kitchen. Two hand blown glass and brushed aluminum pendants from California illuminate the beautiful marble waterfall island. Unique toe kick lighting is also incorporated to illuminate the base as a nightlight and accent feature. In order to keep the ceiling “uncluttered” seamless speakers by SpeakerCraft was utilized. The audio, television and lighting are all controlled by Control4 Smart System, which is incorporated throughout the house. The select rift white oak planks in long lengths are finished in a special brushed patina with a gray stain to give the floors a natural driftwood finish. The kitchen exceeds the owner, his friends and family’s expectations for design, function and format. Photograpy - Kelly Marshall

This Minneapolis garage, named after the Owner’s beloved dog Harry, is an example of attention to detail, both in design and execution. The client set out to create a new garage to match his historic home. He wanted a garage that could do both: store his car and host late afternoon soirees. The bar faces the home to create an inviting backyard courtyard. The bar’s custom rolling screen rolls up to reveal a bar countertop, which creates a welcoming spot for friends and family to gather. Careful consideration was made to match the historic home’s turn-of-century brick color and the brick coursing (pattern). Unfortunately, the closest color matched brick was the wrong size. Thus, we worked with talented craftspeople at Welch Foresman to cut each brick in half, which turned the large utility bricks into slimmer Roman bricks. We drew the specific brick coursing to ensure that the structure would match the historic proportions of the home.

The clients, a young professional couple had lived with this bathroom in their townhome for 6 years. They finally could not take it any longer. The designer was tasked with turning this ugly duckling into a beautiful swan without relocating walls, doors, fittings, or fixtures in this principal bathroom. The client wish list included, better storage, improved lighting, replacing the tub with a shower, and creating a sparkling personality for this uninspired space using any color way except white. The designer began the transformation with the wall tile. Large format rectangular tiles were installed floor to ceiling on the vanity wall and continued behind the toilet and into the shower. The soft variation in tile pattern is very soothing and added to the Zen feeling of the room. One partner is an avid gardener and wanted to bring natural colors into the space. The same tile is used on the floor in a matte finish for slip resistance and in a 2” mosaic of the same tile is used on the shower floor. A lighted tile recess was created across the entire back wall of the shower beautifully illuminating the wall. Recycled glass tiles used in the niche represent the color and shape of leaves. A single glass panel was used in place of a traditional shower door. Continuing the serene colorway of the bath, natural rift cut white oak was chosen for the vanity and the floating shelves above the toilet. A white quartz for the countertop, has a small reflective pattern like the polished chrome of the fittings and hardware. Natural curved shapes are repeated in the arch of the faucet, the hardware, the front of the toilet and shower column. The rectangular shape of the tile is repeated in the drawer fronts of the cabinets, the sink, the medicine cabinet, and the floating shelves. The shower column was selected to maintain the simple lines of the fittings while providing a temperature, pressure balance shower experience with a multi-function main shower head and handheld head. The dual flush toilet and low flow shower are a water saving consideration. The floating shelves provide decorative and functional storage. The asymmetric design of the medicine cabinet allows for a full view in the mirror with the added function of a tri view mirror when open. Built in LED lighting is controllable from 2500K to 4000K. The interior of the medicine cabinet is also mirrored and electrified to keep the countertop clear of necessities. Additional lighting is provided with recessed LED fixtures for the vanity area as well as in the shower. A motion sensor light installed under the vanity illuminates the room with a soft glow at night. The transformation is now complete. No longer an ugly duckling and source of unhappiness, the new bathroom provides a much-needed respite from the couples’ busy lives. It has created a retreat to recharge and replenish, two very important components of wellness.

A spacious kitchen in Rye New York with white beaded inset cabinetry and dark cherry island, carerra marble countertops. Backsplash tile by Vermeere Classics. Range by Wolf. Refrigerator and freezer units by Subzero. Bar Stools from Ballard Designs. Photo credit: Neil Landino

Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in DC Metro with a drop-in sink, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, quartz backsplash, stainless steel appliances, two islands and white countertops

Photo of a kitchen renovation feature cabinets finished in Black Licorice and Pure White lacquer. The cabinets are oversized and conceal the appliances with finished wood panels. Unique features include a wall of natural leuders veneer stone with a custom floating ventilation system as a main focal point. Complementing the cabinets are countertops of Satin Cambrian black granite and Honed Calcatta Colorado Marble. Custom hewn wood beams and hand scraped flooring warm the rooms feel against the cool gray walls. Designed and constructed by USI in Southlake Tx.

Design: kbg Design / Build: John Fuchs Properties / Cabinetry: Schmitz Woodworks / Photography: Agnieszka Jakubowicz
Bathroom - coastal mosaic tile floor, beige floor, single-sink, exposed beam, vaulted ceiling and wood ceiling bathroom idea in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, blue walls, an undermount sink, white countertops and a floating vanity

Williamson Photography
Kitchen pantry - coastal dark wood floor kitchen pantry idea in Other

Lori Hamilton
Kitchen - coastal kitchen idea in Miami with an island

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

The clients, a young professional couple had lived with this bathroom in their townhome for 6 years. They finally could not take it any longer. The designer was tasked with turning this ugly duckling into a beautiful swan without relocating walls, doors, fittings, or fixtures in this principal bathroom. The client wish list included, better storage, improved lighting, replacing the tub with a shower, and creating a sparkling personality for this uninspired space using any color way except white. The designer began the transformation with the wall tile. Large format rectangular tiles were installed floor to ceiling on the vanity wall and continued behind the toilet and into the shower. The soft variation in tile pattern is very soothing and added to the Zen feeling of the room. One partner is an avid gardener and wanted to bring natural colors into the space. The same tile is used on the floor in a matte finish for slip resistance and in a 2” mosaic of the same tile is used on the shower floor. A lighted tile recess was created across the entire back wall of the shower beautifully illuminating the wall. Recycled glass tiles used in the niche represent the color and shape of leaves. A single glass panel was used in place of a traditional shower door. Continuing the serene colorway of the bath, natural rift cut white oak was chosen for the vanity and the floating shelves above the toilet. A white quartz for the countertop, has a small reflective pattern like the polished chrome of the fittings and hardware. Natural curved shapes are repeated in the arch of the faucet, the hardware, the front of the toilet and shower column. The rectangular shape of the tile is repeated in the drawer fronts of the cabinets, the sink, the medicine cabinet, and the floating shelves. The shower column was selected to maintain the simple lines of the fittings while providing a temperature, pressure balance shower experience with a multi-function main shower head and handheld head. The dual flush toilet and low flow shower are a water saving consideration. The floating shelves provide decorative and functional storage. The asymmetric design of the medicine cabinet allows for a full view in the mirror with the added function of a tri view mirror when open. Built in LED lighting is controllable from 2500K to 4000K. The interior of the medicine cabinet is also mirrored and electrified to keep the countertop clear of necessities. Additional lighting is provided with recessed LED fixtures for the vanity area as well as in the shower. A motion sensor light installed under the vanity illuminates the room with a soft glow at night. The transformation is now complete. No longer an ugly duckling and source of unhappiness, the new bathroom provides a much-needed respite from the couples’ busy lives. It has created a retreat to recharge and replenish, two very important components of wellness.

The clients, a young professional couple had lived with this bathroom in their townhome for 6 years. They finally could not take it any longer. The designer was tasked with turning this ugly duckling into a beautiful swan without relocating walls, doors, fittings, or fixtures in this principal bathroom. The client wish list included, better storage, improved lighting, replacing the tub with a shower, and creating a sparkling personality for this uninspired space using any color way except white. The designer began the transformation with the wall tile. Large format rectangular tiles were installed floor to ceiling on the vanity wall and continued behind the toilet and into the shower. The soft variation in tile pattern is very soothing and added to the Zen feeling of the room. One partner is an avid gardener and wanted to bring natural colors into the space. The same tile is used on the floor in a matte finish for slip resistance and in a 2” mosaic of the same tile is used on the shower floor. A lighted tile recess was created across the entire back wall of the shower beautifully illuminating the wall. Recycled glass tiles used in the niche represent the color and shape of leaves. A single glass panel was used in place of a traditional shower door. Continuing the serene colorway of the bath, natural rift cut white oak was chosen for the vanity and the floating shelves above the toilet. A white quartz for the countertop, has a small reflective pattern like the polished chrome of the fittings and hardware. Natural curved shapes are repeated in the arch of the faucet, the hardware, the front of the toilet and shower column. The rectangular shape of the tile is repeated in the drawer fronts of the cabinets, the sink, the medicine cabinet, and the floating shelves. The shower column was selected to maintain the simple lines of the fittings while providing a temperature, pressure balance shower experience with a multi-function main shower head and handheld head. The dual flush toilet and low flow shower are a water saving consideration. The floating shelves provide decorative and functional storage. The asymmetric design of the medicine cabinet allows for a full view in the mirror with the added function of a tri view mirror when open. Built in LED lighting is controllable from 2500K to 4000K. The interior of the medicine cabinet is also mirrored and electrified to keep the countertop clear of necessities. Additional lighting is provided with recessed LED fixtures for the vanity area as well as in the shower. A motion sensor light installed under the vanity illuminates the room with a soft glow at night. The transformation is now complete. No longer an ugly duckling and source of unhappiness, the new bathroom provides a much-needed respite from the couples’ busy lives. It has created a retreat to recharge and replenish, two very important components of wellness.

Scherr's doors and drawer fronts on IKEA Sektion cabinets. #125 Slab Walnut Veneer. Horizontal Grain Matching.
Small minimalist single-wall concrete floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen photo in Portland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, concrete countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

This guest bath has a light and airy feel with an organic element and pop of color. The custom vanity is in a midtown jade aqua-green PPG paint Holy Glen. It provides ample storage while giving contrast to the white and brass elements. A playful use of mixed metal finishes gives the bathroom an up-dated look. The 3 light sconce is gold and black with glass globes that tie the gold cross handle plumbing fixtures and matte black hardware and bathroom accessories together. The quartz countertop has gold veining that adds additional warmth to the space. The acacia wood framed mirror with a natural interior edge gives the bathroom an organic warm feel that carries into the curb-less shower through the use of warn toned river rock. White subway tile in an offset pattern is used on all three walls in the shower and carried over to the vanity backsplash. The shower has a tall niche with quartz shelves providing lots of space for storing shower necessities. The river rock from the shower floor is carried to the back of the niche to add visual interest to the white subway shower wall as well as a black Schluter edge detail. The shower has a frameless glass rolling shower door with matte black hardware to give the this smaller bathroom an open feel and allow the natural light in. There is a gold handheld shower fixture with a cross handle detail that looks amazing against the white subway tile wall. The white Sherwin Williams Snowbound walls are the perfect backdrop to showcase the design elements of the bathroom. Photography by LifeCreated.