Transforming this small bathroom into a wheelchair accessible retreat was no easy task. Incorporating unattractive grab bars and making them look seamless was the goal. A floating vanity / countertop allows for roll up accessibility and the live edge of the granite countertops make if feel luxurious. Double sinks for his and hers sides plus medicine cabinet storage helped for this minimal feel of neutrals and breathability. The barn door opens for wheelchair movement but can be closed for the perfect amount of privacy.

2010 NATIONAL NARI REGIONAL AWARD WINNER Project Scope The owners of this 7,000 square foot colonial in Oakton, Virginia, were seeking a multi-level Mediterranean-style indoor/outdoor living space off the back of their home. They turned to Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes for a design solution that would include a stone patio, a second-story deck, a screened-in porch and linking staircases. While the structure was designed primarily for family dining and entertaining, it also had to accommodate periodic social gatherings of one hundred guests or more. To meet these needs, the project would include a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, several serving counters with permanent refrigeration, and well-delineated socializing and dining zones. The existing home’s setting offered several impressive assets the new outdoor living area was designed to exploit. The sprawling acreage features old stand trees, wooded paths and a private lake. Beautifully landscaped, it unfolds as an idyllic panorama that naturally draws people to the outdoors. Challenges Since the rear elevation was situated on a slope that drops away from the house, the Michael Nash team had to raise the grade two feet within in a 2,000 square foot area extending out from the back of the house. Infrastructure plans also called for a sophisticated drainage system that had to accommodate a whole series of water “runoff” considerations to be integrated into the decking itself. Excavation included constructing retaining walls to bolster the elevated grade—which also had to support a concrete slab, the primary foundation for the entire complex. Solutions The ground level decking consists of a 2,000 square foot flagstone patio level with the home’s lower level doors. There is a decorative water fountain mid-patio—an ornate collectible acquired in Florida. Food preparation is concentrated within a specially designed semi-circular wall that creates an “outdoor kitchen” equipped with a 60” Viking barbecue grill, a prep sink, a warming drawer, refrigerator and appropriate storage. There is a granite surfaced dining counter with seating for eight. Wrought iron railing and approximately 20 decorative columns (some encasing steel vertical supports) are incorporated into the design scheme. Many of the columns house accent lights. The top level—supported by horizontal steel beams– is a 2,500 square foot deck constructed entirely of Trex decking. The open air decking is, again, directly accessible from rooms on the second level of the house including the kitchen, sunroom and family room. The platform’s most prominent feature is a U-shaped “kitchenette” with cedar shake shingle roofing. Like its counterpart one level below, the facility is equipped with grill, refrigerator and stainless steel cabinetry. One portion of the deck has been allocated for a 16’ x 16’ octagonal screened-in porch crowned by a pair of 2’ x 4’ skylights. The porch can be accessed from the home’s conservatory via a set of French doors. With its mosaic tile flooring, stained cedar panel ceiling and honed granite counters, the interior is elegant and calming. Hand-painted stenciling and a wall-mounted water feature provide distinctive detailing. Finally, the design introduced elements to highlight and reinforce an awareness of the lovely bucolic setting. Fountains and water features combined with textured surfaces and mosaic tiling and backsplashes to present a villa-like ambiance well-suited to the Virginia countryside.

Jon Eady Photographer 2014
Laundry room - rustic beige floor laundry room idea in Denver with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige walls and a stacked washer/dryer

This large kitchen was desperately needing a refresh. It was far to traditional for the homeowners taste. Additionally, there was no direct path to the dining room as you needed to enter through a butlers pantry. I opened up two doorways into the kitchen from the dining room, which allowed natural light to flow in. The former butlers pantry was then sealed up and became part of the formerly to small pantry. The homeowners now have a 13' long walk through pantry, accessible from both the new bar area and the kitchen.

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

The double island is a highlight of this home that we absolutely love! We designed built-in's to accommodate storage and a wine feature wall to display their wine. Let's not forget to look up and check out those wood beams! Studio KW Photography

Inspiration for a country medium tone wood floor family room library remodel in Boston

Mid-sized beach style white tile and ceramic tile gray floor, single-sink and porcelain tile doorless shower photo in San Diego with blue walls, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a freestanding vanity

Jim Bartsch Photography
Example of a mid-sized transitional gray tile and stone tile mosaic tile floor bathroom design in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet and gray walls

Natural light pours into this elegant primary Raleigh NC bathroom, highlighting the frameless glass shower, white herringbone tile, freestanding soaking tub, and custom storage cabinetry. Exposed white oak beams and refined finishes create a warm, spa-like atmosphere.

Photo credit: Mike Kelley
Trendy kitchen photo with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, white backsplash and an island

A 55" wide laundry closet packs it in. The closet's former configuration was side by side machines on pedestals with a barely accessible shelf above. The kitty litter box was located to the left of the closet on the floor - see before photo. By stacking the machines, there was enough room for a small counter for folding, a drying bar and a few more accessible shelves. The best part is there is now also room for the kitty litter box. Unseen in the photo is the concealed cat door. Note that the support panel for the countertop has been notched out in the back to provide easy access to the water shut off to the clothes washer. A Kitchen That Works LLC

Master Bathroom Addition white wall subway tile. white pebble shower floor tile. Walnut rounded vanity mirrors. Brizo Fixtures. Photography: Amy Bartlam

Michal Utterback
Inspiration for a 1950s courtyard rectangular pool remodel in Los Angeles

Mark Luthringer
Trendy white two-story exterior home photo in San Francisco

Example of a mid-sized trendy u-shaped dark wood floor and black floor kitchen pantry design in Dallas with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, no island and white countertops

The building had a single stack running through the primary bath, so to create a double vanity, a trough sink was installed. Oversized hexagon tile makes this bathroom appear spacious, and ceramic textured like wood creates a zen-like spa atmosphere. Close attention was focused on the installation of the floor tile so that the zero-clearance walk-in shower would appear seamless throughout the space.

Margaret Kois Photography - www.margaretkois.com
Cottage dark wood floor kitchen photo in New York with an island, shaker cabinets, white cabinets and quartzite countertops

Catherine Tighe
Elegant master white tile and stone tile marble floor bathroom photo in DC Metro with an undermount sink, white cabinets, marble countertops, an undermount tub, white walls, recessed-panel cabinets and white countertops