This adorable beach cottage is in the heart of the village of La Jolla in San Diego. The goals were to brighten up the space and be the perfect beach get-away for the client whose permanent residence is in Arizona. Some of the ways we achieved the goals was to place an extra high custom board and batten in the great room and by refinishing the kitchen cabinets (which were in excellent shape) white. We created interest through extreme proportions and contrast. Though there are a lot of white elements, they are all offset by a smaller portion of very dark elements. We also played with texture and pattern through wallpaper, natural reclaimed wood elements and rugs. This was all kept in balance by using a simplified color palate minimal layering. I am so grateful for this client as they were extremely trusting and open to ideas. To see what the space looked like before the remodel you can go to the gallery page of the website www.cmnaturaldesigns.com Photography by: Chipper Hatter

Large Remodel to an Existing single Family Home
Double front door - large traditional double front door idea in Orange County with a black front door

Kolanowski Studio
Example of a classic u-shaped kitchen pantry design in Houston with glass-front cabinets, beige cabinets and beige backsplash

Douglas Johnson Photography
Inspiration for a timeless split-level wood brown patio remodel in San Francisco with no cover and a fireplace

Transitional screened-in porch photo with decking

When we drove out to Mukilteo for our initial consultation, we immediately fell in love with this house. With its tall ceilings, eclectic mix of wood, glass and steel, and gorgeous view of the Puget Sound, we quickly nicknamed this project "The Mukilteo Gem". Our client, a cook and baker, did not like her existing kitchen. The main points of issue were short runs of available counter tops, lack of storage and shortage of light. So, we were called in to implement some big, bold ideas into a small footprint kitchen with big potential. We completely changed the layout of the room by creating a tall, built-in storage wall and a continuous u-shape counter top. Early in the project, we took inventory of every item our clients wanted to store in the kitchen and ensured that every spoon, gadget, or bowl would have a dedicated "home" in their new kitchen. The finishes were meticulously selected to ensure continuity throughout the house. We also played with the color scheme to achieve a bold yet natural feel.This kitchen is a prime example of how color can be used to both make a statement and project peace and balance simultaneously. While busy at work on our client's kitchen improvement, we also updated the entry and gave the homeowner a modern laundry room with triple the storage space they originally had. End result: ecstatic clients and a very happy design team. That's what we call a big success! John Granen.

Chipper Hatter Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary galley light wood floor and beige floor kitchen remodel in San Diego with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Open concept kitchen - contemporary l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen idea in Miami with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, white countertops and an island

Bathroom - 1950s bathroom idea in San Francisco

Inspiration for a mid-sized cottage master white tile and subway tile light wood floor and beige floor freestanding bathtub remodel in New York with dark wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, black countertops and flat-panel cabinets

Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in San Francisco

Photo by: Landmark Photography
Inspiration for a timeless built-in desk dark wood floor home office remodel in Minneapolis with brown walls and no fireplace

Patio - rustic patio idea in San Francisco with a fire pit

Kitchen/dining room combo - mid-sized eclectic single-wall medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in San Francisco with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets and granite countertops

Amoura Products
Example of a mid-sized transitional dark wood floor living room design in Omaha with beige walls, a ribbon fireplace and a stone fireplace

Eirik Johnson
Example of a small 1960s light wood floor and brown floor family room library design in Seattle with white walls

New BBQ and bar area. The outdoor kitchen nestles into the hillside and doubles as a retaining wall for the slope. Long Island Boulders continue the slope retention and tie into the rest of the site's materials. We extended the existing brick wall in front of the family room to support the custom arc-shaped bluestone bar. Photo by Susan Sotera

photo by Kenneth P Volpe, Transposure
Example of a master multicolored tile drop-in bathtub design in Philadelphia

When Cummings Architects first met with the owners of this understated country farmhouse, the building’s layout and design was an incoherent jumble. The original bones of the building were almost unrecognizable. All of the original windows, doors, flooring, and trims – even the country kitchen – had been removed. Mathew and his team began a thorough design discovery process to find the design solution that would enable them to breathe life back into the old farmhouse in a way that acknowledged the building’s venerable history while also providing for a modern living by a growing family. The redesign included the addition of a new eat-in kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, wrap around porch, and stone fireplaces. To begin the transforming restoration, the team designed a generous, twenty-four square foot kitchen addition with custom, farmers-style cabinetry and timber framing. The team walked the homeowners through each detail the cabinetry layout, materials, and finishes. Salvaged materials were used and authentic craftsmanship lent a sense of place and history to the fabric of the space. The new master suite included a cathedral ceiling showcasing beautifully worn salvaged timbers. The team continued with the farm theme, using sliding barn doors to separate the custom-designed master bath and closet. The new second-floor hallway features a bold, red floor while new transoms in each bedroom let in plenty of light. A summer stair, detailed and crafted with authentic details, was added for additional access and charm. Finally, a welcoming farmer’s porch wraps around the side entry, connecting to the rear yard via a gracefully engineered grade. This large outdoor space provides seating for large groups of people to visit and dine next to the beautiful outdoor landscape and the new exterior stone fireplace. Though it had temporarily lost its identity, with the help of the team at Cummings Architects, this lovely farmhouse has regained not only its former charm but also a new life through beautifully integrated modern features designed for today’s family. Photo by Eric Roth