A mudroom drop zone built into what reads as a narrow passage between garage entry and main living. The inset panel cabinetry is painted white with brushed brass bar pulls, combining upper cabinets, a open cubby shelf, a built in bench with lower cubbies in a continuous run.

One bedroom was turned into a home office with custom bookshelves to feature our client’s love of reading. A dark grey on the walls allows this room to feel very cozy in the day and allows someone to marvel at the amazing cityscape at night. The client had an amazing antique Chinese curio cabinet that was open on both sides to continuously bring the cityscape inside. With a love of family and ancestry, we curated a collection of family photos going back generations opposite the marble base desk, making the perfect backdrop for video calls.

Kids bedroom with half-rise wall panelling continued with graphic wallpaper. Use of gray and mint green tones through the room. Reading nook feature by the window. (Render)

On first glance, this staircase reads as restrained. White oak treads rise with natural warmth, metal balusters hold their disciplined rhythm, and the painted black railing traces a clean, straight path upward. Then you notice the elliptical stringer wrap, and the whole composition shifts. Unlike a circular curve drawn with a compass, an ellipse requires mathematical calculation and a craftsman who knows how to make that complexity disappear. Here, it does exactly that. Natural light finishes the story. Moving through the space across the day, it deepens the oak grain, catches the metal, and lets the black railing guide the eye along the handrail's elliptical path from start to finish. Restraint brought the design this far. One well-executed curve made it memorable. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Living room - living room idea in San Diego

This kitchen in Forest Acres came together around a solid granite countertop, and it's the kind of stone that does the quiet work of holding a whole room together. Granite's been the go-to for kitchen counters for decades because it earns it. It's igneous rock, formed under heat and pressure, and that history is why it laughs off the stuff a real kitchen throws at it. Hot pans, knife work, everyday spills, granite takes it and keeps looking good. We went with an eased edge on this one, which is the clean, simple line that a lot of Midlands homeowners want. It's not flashy, but that's the point. An eased edge softens the sharp corner just enough to be comfortable to lean against and easy to wipe down, and it lets the granite itself, the movement, the flecks, the depth in the stone, do the talking instead of a fussy edge profile competing for attention. Getting a countertop like this right starts before the stone ever gets cut. We template the kitchen precisely, accounting for the cabinets, the appliances, and any out-of-square walls that always show up in real houses. Then it's cut, the edges are worked by hand to get that eased profile even and consistent around every corner, and the seams, if there are any, get lined up so the pattern reads as close to continuous as we can get it. Granite doesn't forgive sloppy fabrication. Every joint and cutout has to be tight because the stone's not going anywhere once it's set. Day to day, this is a countertop that's built for actual cooking and actual life, not just for photos. Granite resists scratching, it handles heat better than almost anything else you'd put in a kitchen, and with a good sealer it shrugs off staining from wine, oil, or lemon juice. It's low maintenance once it's in, just a wipe down and, depending on the specific granite, a reseal every year or two to keep it performing at its best. Forest Acres has a good mix of older homes getting updated and newer builds going in, and granite fits both. It's a material that's stood the test of time in kitchens across the Midlands, and this one's a solid, honest example of why. Clean lines, real stone, and a countertop that's going to outlast most everything else in that kitchen.

A couple relocating to Lisbon found a property in a recently upgraded building with open layouts and modernized features. Our studio was entrusted to bring elegant comfort to the interior with carefully curated, custom-designed furniture and decor. From a blank canvas, the home was enlivened with walnut furnishings by Portuguese producers, warm-hued textiles in botanical motifs, and accents of delicate brass lighting. The entryway leads toward a spacious living room, where hand-woven rugs delineate areas for different activities. The first features a dining collection with upholstered shell chairs that comfortably envelop end-of-evening conversation. Midway, a daybed and display shelving system nestled under the lowered ceiling offer an intimate, yet versatile space. Stepping into the lounge, theatrical curtains reveal the pastel medley of Lisbon’s built landscape, the river, and hills in the distance. The dialogue of the room continues around a multi-tiered center table and featherweight pendant: a Brazilian modernist armchair faces a bespoke tufted-leather sofa, its throw cushions tailored to the palette of the media cabinet. Outside, the balcony’s slate lacquered dining set caters to convivial meals. Private appreciation is found in a pair of leisurely chairs adjacent to the bedroom, with a side table quoting the terracotta background. The main suite is endued with a crafted spindle bed dressed in deep blue linens and a lively made-to-measure embroidered bedspread. White Estremoz marble nightstands were designed to organize reading material and provide cable management. Circular ceramic lamps and bedside tables complement an ample upholstered bed to accommodate guests, and a floating console offers a discreet solution for remote meetings.

[Our Clients] We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldn’t wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. [Kitchen] The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. [Dining Room] The dining room had once been the home’s living room, but we had other plans in mind. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. [Living Room] We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs you’ve ever sat in. [Master Suite] This home didn’t originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that you’d never want to leave. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. [Hall Bathroom] The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. [Office] We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. And voila! We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood.

Built in 2023 by Cutuli Homes, this custom detached accessory dwelling unit was designed as a true mother-in-law home—a private, beautifully finished residence that allows three generations of one family to live close together while maintaining their own individual spaces. The DADU was built as a companion to the homeowners' main residence, which Cutuli Homes had extensively remodeled and expanded two years earlier. Rather than treating the new structure as an afterthought, the goal was to create a home that felt architecturally connected to the existing property. Its traditional exterior, white siding, steeply pitched roof, generous windows and carefully proportioned trim give the small residence the character of an established home. The project was created for the homeowners' mother, who downsized from her large lakefront home in the Midwest to move closer to her family and young grandchild. The result captures one of the greatest advantages of multigenerational living: family and shared community just steps away, balanced with the independence, privacy and comfort of a home of her own. Inside, every inch was carefully considered. The compact footprint feels remarkably open thanks to a vaulted, white-paneled ceiling, abundant natural light, tall windows and an open vertical design that draws the eye upward. A loft level expands the usable living space without sacrificing the airy feeling of the main floor. Traditional white Shaker-style cabinetry provides extensive built-in storage throughout the home and gives the interior a clean, timeless architectural character. In the kitchen, cabinetry extends upward to take advantage of the available height, while warm neutral countertops and a textured herringbone-pattern backsplash introduce subtle depth and contrast. Stainless-steel appliances are thoughtfully incorporated into the compact layout, creating a highly functional kitchen without overwhelming the living space. One of the home's most charming features is the intimate living area tucked beneath custom built-in cabinetry. A built-in upholstered window-seat-style sofa with drawers below transforms what could have been unused space into a comfortable place to read, relax or visit. Across from it, a contemporary fireplace is integrated into a compact feature wall, with a wood display ledge above providing space for artwork, plants and personal collections. Warm wood accents soften the predominantly white interior. Natural wood ledges, shelving, flooring and the loft ladder bring warmth and texture to the rooms, while greenery and personal furnishings give the home the comfortable character of a full-size residence rather than a conventional accessory dwelling unit. The private sleeping area demonstrates the same emphasis on intelligent space planning. Built-in cabinetry surrounds the bed and continues overhead, providing substantial storage without requiring bulky freestanding furniture. A softly textured wall treatment, warm wood shelving and abundant natural light make the compact bedroom feel inviting and finished. Above, the loft takes advantage of the dramatic roofline with a white tongue-and-groove style paneled ceiling extending from wall to wall. Built-in storage is incorporated beneath the sloped portions of the ceiling, turning otherwise difficult spaces into useful cabinetry while preserving an open central area for a desk, music, hobbies or additional flexible living space. Even the exterior reflects the home's attention to detail. Large windows bring daylight deep into the interior, while the private patio extends the living space outdoors. Traditional siding and trim allow the DADU to complement the architecture of the main residence while still having an identity of its own. At every turn, this project demonstrates that downsizing does not have to mean compromising on craftsmanship, beauty, storage or individuality. Through custom cabinetry, creative built-ins, vertical space planning and carefully considered architectural details, Cutuli Homes transformed a modest footprint into an elegant and highly personalized residence. More than simply a DADU, this is a thoughtfully designed multigenerational home—close enough for grandparents, parents and grandchildren to share everyday life, while giving everyone the privacy and independence of having a place of their own.

These Hanover, MA clients came to Renovisions as they wanted a local design-build company to rework and expand their small and outdated 1980’s colonial kitchen. We collaborated and created an expanded 12’x15’ addition space to accommodate a newly designed kitchen which is now 21’x15’. Before we began with the construction process, proper structural engineering presented a challenge as the property was built on ledge. As expected, we determined that several concrete supports were necessary and needed to be built to support the expanded structure. Our plan included both creative aesthetic and functional layout modifications to transform this ordinary kitchen into a spacious, well-lit, highly functional, stylish and welcoming space to cook, gather and entertain. The bump-out allowed for more functional cabinetry and a dining table which before was placed in a corner of the previous cramped kitchen. Now, there is a wide open space from the adjacent living room and a clear path to a 5’ French door opening to the pool deck. The homeowners also elected for us to extend a new roof over their existing deck creating a nice shaded space to entertain guests. The island, which serves as the central gathering spot. is eye catching with contrasting dark cocoa colored cabinets and stunning natural looking Cambria quartz countertops. Large, easily accessible deep drawers provide much needed storage for pots, pans and lids as well as expansive countertop space for everyday prep and family get-togethers. Overall, the clients were thrilled with their Renovision and cannot wait to throw a party to show off their stunning kitchen. “There is not a single choice we aren’t happy with; it is so us! I love all of the storage and I have a feeling we are going to do a lot of entertaining this summer.” “Dear Cathy and Ed, We are abundantly grateful for the entire Renovisions Team that have provided us with a beautiful kitchen and porch to enjoy. We will continue to make family memories for many years to come with this new addition. From the first time we met with you at the showroom, we were confident that high quality workmanship would go into our new construction. Mike, Brad, and Tom were very trustworthy and worked very hard every day they were on the job site. They were very flexible and always put the homeowners safety first. They even offered a bit of comic relief! Every night the site was cleaned meticulously, never leaving tools or sharp edges of any sort in the open space. We were also very pleased with the help offered when designing and choosing cabinets, tile and other finishes. Liz was always very helpful and patient to answer questions when we came by the showroom. We are extremely pleased with all the choices and on a daily basis we enjoy the warmth and amazing space it provides. We recently hosted a retirement party for 70 people and it never felt crowed! We relax under the covered porch in the morning for coffee, the afternoon for lunch and to watch the grandkids in the pool. And of course in the evening while we read or catch up on emails. It is an amazing space! Thank you all again, for your hard work and passion for your craftsmanship. We will be in touch soon to set up a date for you all to drop by to see the finishing touches and to enjoy refreshments.” - Paul & Beth H. (Hanover)

As part of this whole home renovation, the homeowners desired to have living spaces that brought the family together and also allowed them private space while creating a natural flow from the front door and throughout. This continuation of space does just that while showcasing the best of Wood-Mode’s custom capabilities. Just inside the home’s entrance, a mudroom area provides seating for the family to sit and remove shoes, and cabinets and shelving to store coats and bags. In the foyer, an inset wall cabinet with integrated lighting provides a place to safely showcase art and precious family heirlooms. And just a few steps down the hall finds a warm, inviting nook lined with bookshelves and a window. All of the home’s seating and storage areas are constructed of a combination of Wood-Mode’s Pasadena Recessed and Rockport Recessed door styles, both finished in Nordic White, and complimented with Walnut seat tops and cabinet back panels. Designed by Julie Thomas Maple Shade Cabinet Co.

Our empty nester clients purchased a lovely Burr Ridge cottage with the plan to create their dream home. Their main objective when they first met with LaMantia architectural designer Jackie Prazak was to create a kitchen large enough to accommodate their extended (and now grown) family. After several design revisions the clients agreed to give up a Bedroom and a Powder Room to gain the enlarged Kitchen, Walk-in Master Closet and a separate double-entry Laundry Room they so desired. By moving the kitchen wall 3’ we were able to accommodate the large Kitchen and Island the clients so desired. The main entry to the Kitchen was both moved and enlarged to enhance the arrival and the view into the enlarged space. We were also able to reclaim attic space and create the volume ceiling with added beams to continue the theme of the Living and Dining Room ceilings. At this point LaMantia kitchen designer Katie Suva, CKD, CBD joined the team to begin the detailing of the cabinet layout. The Family Room, with its new large stone flooring was recreated with specialties galore; including a walk-up wet Bar. We were also able to re-purpose the existing Study into a Guest Bedroom with built-in closets and cabinetry. What was once a laundry space now became a new large Laundry Room accessed from both the Master Walk-in Closet and the hallway. In the Master Bedroom the exterior entry door was replaced with large open glass window panels. The Master Bath ceiling was reworked to accommodate a soaring Master Shower. And then there was the enlarged Master Closet that speaks for itself! The existing Solarium took on a different personality with a re-aligned entry door and built-in cabinetry. This room now houses all the home office and craft activities. The scope of this project included every room in the residence, with the utmost attention paid to every detail, and the outcome is definitely worthy of the Professional Remodeling 2014 Gold Award it just won! Follow the link below to read about the designer of this project Jackie Prazak http://lamantia.com/designers/jackie-prazak/

Integrated Refrigerator with Custom Red Oak Pulls Full-height cabinetry panels conceal the refrigerator, with custom appliance pulls handcrafted by William & Lowell to match the kitchen's groove pulls exactly. Continuity of wood tone across cabinetry, panels and hardware is what keeps a wood kitchen reading as intentional rather than assembled.

A contemporary design stripped down to its basic elements, this endlessly chic lucite side table lends streamlined sophistication to any space in your well-appointed home. Made from gleaming transparent acrylic, this one-piece design showcases a gently curved profile drawn from a continuous line. Constructed from premium acrylic, its smooth tabletop provides a perfect platform for any decorative gadgets. Bring a bright, upscale touch to your living room, bedroom, or reading nook with this end table.

Today we’re continuing our series about renovating on a budget! Everyone is more budget conscious these days, and we want to show you how you can achieve the kitchen of your dreams without breaking your bank! We’ve assembled several tips that will show you how to do so, scan the QR code to read the full blog post on our website! #kitchenremodeling #kitchendesign #kitchenrenovation #kitchenideas #remodeling #renovation #renovationtips #renovationguide #remodelingtips #remodelingdesign #budgetremodeling

Streamlined faucets were incorporated to continue the Asian inspired feeling.
Bathroom - large asian master green tile and ceramic tile limestone floor, double-sink and vaulted ceiling bathroom idea in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a vessel sink, granite countertops, black countertops and a built-in vanity

Phillip Crocker Photography This cozy family room is adjacent to the kitchen and also separated from the kitchen by a 9' wide set of three stairs. Custom millwork designed by McCabe Design & Interiors sets the stage for an inviting and relaxing space. The sectional was sourced from Lee Industries with sunbrella fabric for a lifetime of use. The cozy round chair provides a perfect reading spot. The same leathered black granite was used for the built-ins as was sourced for the kitchen providing continuity and cohesiveness. The mantle legs were sourced through the millwork to ensure the same spray finish as the adjoining millwork and cabinets. Design features included redesigning the space to enlargen the family room, new doors, windows and blinds, custom millwork design, lighting design, as well as the selection of all materials, furnishings and accessories for this Endlessly Elegant Family Room.

Using a "lifetime of collected pieces" from a sprawling ranch style home and introducing them into an urban mid-rise is an exciting challenge. Designed for a couple down sizing from the sale of their home, the unit is quite small with a total of 1,807 square feet laid out in an open gallery floor plan with bedrooms at each end. The design was planned to accommodate the couple's extensive art collection, primitive antiques and textiles to maintain an atmosphere which replicated their former home. One of the challenges of this project was a requirement of the owners to incorporate the large scale antique pieces into this small space. The window walls provide a dramatic view of the city and also dictate that the location for the taller antiques would be on the two remaining walls. The primary living space was divided into three separate areas: a dining area, a media area, and an area for reading and enjoying the fireplace on a winter day or evening. Hardwood flooring throughout creates continuity and an easy transition into the bedrooms adjacent to the primary space. To unify the suite and create the illusion of spaciousness, the walls throughout were painted the same rich yet neutral toast color, and all of the beautiful ceiling and floor molding are finished in a soft white. The finished space is all the owners desired in a residence that reflects their varied tastes, incorporates their interests and provides a comfortable home for entertaining family and friends.

Phillip Crocker Photography This cozy family room is adjacent to the kitchen and also separated from the kitchen by a 9' wide set of three stairs. Custom millwork designed by McCabe Design & Interiors sets the stage for an inviting and relaxing space. The sectional was sourced from Lee Industries with sunbrella fabric for a lifetime of use. The cozy round chair provides a perfect reading spot. The same leathered black granite was used for the built-ins as was sourced for the kitchen providing continuity and cohesiveness. The mantle legs were sourced through the millwork to ensure the same spray finish as the adjoining millwork and cabinets. Design features included redesigning the space to enlargen the family room, new doors, windows and blinds, custom millwork design, lighting design, as well as the selection of all materials, furnishings and accessories for this Endlessly Elegant Family Room.