Located in North Central Phoenix, Arizona, Heritage Lane was more than a renovation. It was the complete transformation of a forever home, managed entirely on behalf of clients living out of state. After meeting together onsite once, our team coordinated every stage of the project, from design decisions and construction oversight to moving logistics, furnishings, installation, and the thoughtful consolidation of two households into one cohesive home. Rather than erase the character that first drew our clients to the house, we built upon it. Original flooring, ceiling beams, and the fireplace remained, while architectural moulding, custom built-ins, updated lighting, contemporary furnishings, and meaningful personal artwork created a home that feels fresh, elevated, and unmistakably theirs. The result wasn't simply a beautifully designed home. It was a seamless transition into the next chapter of their lives.

Located in North Central Phoenix, Arizona, Heritage Lane was more than a renovation. It was the complete transformation of a forever home, managed entirely on behalf of clients living out of state. After meeting together onsite once, our team coordinated every stage of the project, from design decisions and construction oversight to moving logistics, furnishings, installation, and the thoughtful consolidation of two households into one cohesive home. Rather than erase the character that first drew our clients to the house, we built upon it. Original flooring, ceiling beams, and the fireplace remained, while architectural moulding, custom built-ins, updated lighting, contemporary furnishings, and meaningful personal artwork created a home that feels fresh, elevated, and unmistakably theirs. The result wasn't simply a beautifully designed home. It was a seamless transition into the next chapter of their lives.

Hillcrest Construction designed and executed a complete facelift for these West Chester clients’ master bathroom. The sink/toilet/shower layout stayed relatively unchanged due to the limitations of the small space, but major changes were slated for the overall functionality and aesthetic appeal. The bathroom was gutted completely, the wiring was updated, and minor plumbing alterations were completed for code compliance. Bathroom waterproofing was installed utilizing the state-of-the-industry Schluter substrate products, and the feature wall of the shower is tiled with a striking blue 12x12 tile set in a stacked pattern, which is a departure of color and layout from the staggered gray-tome wall tile and floor tile. The original bathroom lacked storage, and what little storage it had lacked practicality. The original 1’ wide by 4’ deep “reach-in closet” was abandoned and replaced with a custom cabinetry unit that featured six 30” drawers to hold a world of personal bathroom items which could pulled out for easy access. The upper cubbie was shallower at 13” and was sized right to hold a few spare towels without the towels being lost to an unreachable area. The custom furniture-style vanity, also built and finished at the Hillcrest custom shop facilitated a clutter-free countertop with its two deep drawers, one with a u-shaped cut out for the sink plumbing. Considering the relatively small size of the bathroom, and the vanity’s proximity to the toilet, the drawer design allows for greater access to the storage area as compared to a vanity door design that would only be accessed from the front. The custom niche in the shower serves and a consolidated home for soap, shampoo bottles, and all other shower accessories. Moen fixtures at the sink and in the shower and a Toto toilet complete the contemporary feel. The controls at the shower allow the user to easily switch between the fixed rain head, the hand shower, or both. And for a finishing touch, the client chose between a number for shower grate color and design options to complete their tailor-made sanctuary.

Creating this lakefront home involved consolidating two lots, each already having an existing house that needed to be torn down
Example of a large beach style yellow two-story house exterior design in Kansas City

Waterfront home in Miami Beach that we supplied the authentic florida keystone tiles. notice the natural patina that occurs over time, now this is what a coral stone pool deck is suppose to look like NICE. The islands of the Lower Keys in the Florida Keys, as well as some barrier islands east of Miami bordering Biscayne Bay, are mainly oolitic limestone, which was formed by deposition when shallow seas covered the area between periods of glaciation. The material consolidated and eroded during later exposure above the ocean surface.

Waterfront home in Miami Beach that we supplied the authentic florida keystone tiles. notice the natural patina that occurs over time, now this is what a coral stone pool deck is suppose to look like NICE. The islands of the Lower Keys in the Florida Keys, as well as some barrier islands east of Miami bordering Biscayne Bay, are mainly oolitic limestone, which was formed by deposition when shallow seas covered the area between periods of glaciation. The material consolidated and eroded during later exposure above the ocean surface.

A neutral wall color lets the rug and furnishings stand out in the central living room area. We started with the existing sectional and chose the area rug and blue chairs from Company C, then added lots of throw pillows and woven blinds on the windows. Dry stacked stone veneer was added to the chimney wall and a new swing arm and wiring consolidation cleaned up the wall-mounted TV.

The goal for this 1939 Tudor-style story-and-a-half home was to create a kitchen that offered the conveniences, storage, and performance of a modern workspace while preserving the warmth, craftsmanship, and vintage charm that made the home special. The client, an avid home cook, wanted the room to feel as though it had always belonged to the house, with thoughtful upgrades that respected the original architecture rather than competing with it. Just as important, she needed a more efficient layout with enough storage for small appliances, so everyday cooking would no longer require carrying items up from the lower level. Several existing conditions shaped the design approach. The kitchen retained original, amber-stained birch woodwork that the client wished to keep, and the compact footprint was interrupted by six doorways and two windows, none of which were to be moved, altered, or replaced. A previous flooring update had left the door casings undercut too short, creating visible gaps where the casing met the floor. The existing vintage 40-inch range also lacked proper ventilation, yet the client wished to accommodate a refrigerator, dishwasher, cooktop, double ovens, built-in microwave, and effective venting above the cooktop into the new kitchen layout. To honor the original millwork, beaded inset-style cherry cabinetry was selected in a soft, hand-rubbed finish that will deepen over time and develop a natural patina. Charcoal-gray soapstone countertops complement the cabinetry while reinforcing the historic character of the home with an organic, timeworn texture. The former breakfast nook was transformed into a butler’s pantry, adding valuable base cabinet storage and expanded work surfaces for frequently used small appliances. Also in the butler’s pantry, a single upper cabinet was paired with open shelves to give an open, airy feeling while adding character and practical storage. A classic single-bowl apron-front workstation sink contributes both period-appropriate character and practical prep and cleanup function. Because the home’s openings were such a defining feature, the design worked within the existing architecture instead of altering it. Custom plinth blocks were created for each doorway to extend the original casing gracefully down to the new natural red oak flooring, resolving the earlier construction issue while adding a detail that feels authentic to the age of the house. Despite the number of door and window openings, the new layout provides a significantly more functional, built-in kitchen with an improved work triangle for serious cooking. Appliance placement was carefully planned to deliver the requested performance without overwhelming the small room. Three cooking functions (double ovens & microwave) were consolidated into one location with a GE Café double oven featuring Advantium Technology, while the client’s compact 31-inch refrigerator was reused to preserve space. A sleek 30-inch induction cooktop provides efficient cooking, and a Vent-A-Hood ARS ductless vent hood supplies needed ventilation without requiring a duct run to the exterior. The finish palette balances richness, texture, and historical sensitivity. A deeply textured navy backsplash tile adds depth and dramatic shadow play against the soapstone, while wallpaper in the back entry echoes the tile’s geometric pattern to visually connect the adjoining spaces. Oil-rubbed bronze cabinet hardware and light fixtures enhance the warmth of the cherry cabinetry and complete the antique-inspired feel. Lighting was layered to make the compact kitchen brighter, more useful, and more inviting. Vintage-style semi-flush ceiling fixtures establish the overall tone, while dimmable puck lights highlight select areas and undercabinet task lighting keeps work surfaces well illuminated. The completed kitchen now feels both highly functional and deeply rooted in the home’s history. Rich cherry cabinetry, velvety soapstone, natural red oak flooring, navy tile, bronze accents, and carefully preserved birch trim work together to create a warm, cohesive space that celebrates timeless craftsmanship. By increasing storage, improving workflow, integrating modern appliances, and respecting the Tudor home’s original character, the design achieves the client’s vision: a kitchen that feels personal, practical, historically appropriate, and as though it has always been there.

The Main Stay House exists as a straightforward proposal on an urban infill lot, paring down the components of a house to a minimal amount of planes and openings. The scheme is anchored by a modern entry sequence and a staircase volume, both clad in iron spot masonry externally and internally, creating thresholds between the respective realms of public, common and private, by minimal means. The masonry contrasts with an otherwise muted interior atmosphere of smooth, desaturated surfaces. The entry sequence is a twist upon the conventional domestic front door, front facade, and fence. The front masonry wall replaces the typical residential fence and frames an indirect access to the front door, functioning as a privacy barrier while revealing slices of the interior to the public street. The staircase bifurcates the layout to provide a clear division between the common and private zones of the house, while clearly reading as a mass from all outside view. Brick and glass become portals between common and private zones. The design consolidates the service core along the west façade, allowing the structure to fully open the living zone to the pool court and existing trees. This directly connects interior and exterior, as well as human and nature. Freedom to vary the program or functional use of the area is enabled and strongly encouraged. Photography: Charles Davis Smith

Trendy living room photo in Portland

The original butler's pantry cabinetry (stacked) were reburbished with new hinges and paint, new drawerboxes and full extension soft close tracks. Roll out shelves were added to the base cabinets. The turn latches and drawer pulls were cleaned and remounted. New tile splash and undercabinet lighting were added. The chandelier in the butler's pantry was from 1940's, when the home was changed from gas lights to electric. It was cleaned, rewired, and re-installed. 48" SubZero refrigerator and 30" Wolf double oven were consolidated on this wall. The oven was flush mounted to coordinate with the inset doors of the cabinetry.

Custom rugs, furnishings, wall coverings, and distinctive murals, along with unique architectural millwork, lighting and audio-visual throughout, consolidate the anthology of design ideas, historical references, cultural influences, ancient trades and cutting edge technology. Approaching each project as a painter, artisan, and sculptor, allows Joe Ginsberg to deliver an aesthetic that is guaranteed to remain timeless in our instant age.

We completely gutted and remodeled this space to emphasize open space and comfort. Our clients original finished basement was very cramped and lacked storage space. So we reduced the size of the mechanical room, consolidated the bathroom and laundry to the other end of the basement and installed a new staircase with an open railing.

Mark Knobil
Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in Other

A BIG Transformation ON A modest BUDGET: This is the first phase of our work, which involves real deal transformation. Yes, the entry was in need of some love, along with some consolidating and simplifying. The client wanted to express her East Coast beach-y roots, and we wanted to do this without getting super theme-y. We utilized sunny yellow and yellow-greens, along with colors of the sea. We created a cozy, warm and uber-inviting sitting area. The drapes were sewn through Warehouse Fabrics, Inc., doing a fabulous job creating custom treatments (a teal linen weave with yellow brush trim), within a very tight budget. The seating was custom (Castellano Furniture of Portland); lime green chairs and a curvy sofa in yellow with that lime green welting & pillows. Also some playful Blue and yellow pillow fabric (Kravet) was the genuine inspiration for character and color scheme. The rug, by FLOR of Portland (thanks Shaina) is meant to evoke a beach blanket. Oh, and the glass jar filled with sand and sand dollars. . . well, ok, we are giving a nod to the sea.

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER Project Scope-- The owners of this 1990’s colonial home were seeking to convert the existing space-constricted builder-grade kitchen into a generously-apportioned Tuscan-style country kitchen with lots of natural light, high-end appointments and a warmly textured interior design concept. Among other features they sought a mid-room island that would house critical appliances, complete the work triangle and provide dining counter space for three. They also wanted to include a professional-grade gas range. Challenges-- Situated between dining room and family room, the existing kitchen was small and poorly planned. The sink faced a blank wall and the appliances were inadequate for the owner’s gourmet cooking ambitions. To create the desired footprint, the contractor, Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, created a plan that called for consolidating square footage in several rooms adjacent to the kitchen. This entailed removing two load bearing walls– one between the kitchen and dining room, a second separating the kitchen and family room– and shifting loads to newly installed structural supports carefully concealed within the resultant “open” floor plan. To accommodate new appliances (and work efficiencies) called for by this radically altered space plan, the design located the new professional gas range and other key features in the footprint formerly occupied by the breakfast room, a change that takes advantage of opportunities for a higher cathedral ceiling, better natural lighting and greater space. Solutions-- With this space plan resolved, the design team could now eliminate a picture window on the west elevation, designing a new elevation to accommodate a stucco cooktop flanked by a pair of custom Palladium windows. A side elevation slider was replaced with a French door. Infrastructure considerations included introducing gas lines needed for the 48” Viking cooktop range and re-routing plumbing. The 5’ x 9’ granite-surfaced custom designed island includes the primary kitchen sink, a dishwasher, microwave and dining overhang that provided seating for up to four. On another wall, the design called for installing ceiling flush “beaded” display pantries with open bookcases, and routed-in plumbing for a water fountain, a faucet and an ice-making machine. Glazed maple and cherry cabinetry increased available storage by over 50%. A recessed space was also created for a built-in vertical wine rack. Style-appropriate terra cotta tiling with mosaic bordering detailing extends into the home’s foyer. Other finishing work elements include crown molding with rounded turn posts and corbels.

Are your instruments all over the place? Consolidate your collection in style with the Session™ Deluxe Wooden Multiple Guitar Stand. This beauty will hold 5 or 7 of your finest guitars, basses or banjos. It’s handcrafted and AMERICAN-made by people that truly care about building you an excellent product. Starting at $429

A restyling of the iconic and consolidated Alea model, Alea Pro is characterized by the most marked expressiveness. A redefinition of the details reinterprets the linear design of the original system, in particular of the opening channels, underlined by a profile that emphasizes the vertical and horizontal lines. The door design with a chamfered upper edge and handle profile matched to the channel is new, as is the detail of the spaced side panel, which gives a lighter look to the base units. The display doors for base units, wall units, and tall units create plays of transparency that give rhythm to the composition. The result is a kitchen system that combines a very high operational capacity with a contemporary look, to be customized with a very wide range of materials and finishes. Book your appointment today on www.the-design.gallery for a design meeting consultation on your dream kitchen #aleapro #poliformaleapro #poliformkitchen #poliform #luxurykitchen #designerkitchens #bespokekitchen #customizablekitchens

We completely gutted and remodeled this space to emphasize open space and comfort. Our clients original finished basement was very cramped and lacked storage space. So we reduced the size of the mechanical room, consolidated the bathroom and laundry to the other end of the basement and installed a new staircase with an open railing.