This large room has three separate areas: the kitchen, breakfast nook, and family room. We wanted them all to be clearly defined and still flow well together. Using color as a common thread the large space now feels warm and welcoming. Brad Knipstein was the photographer.

Photo: Whitney Lyons © 2014 Houzz
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern l-shaped concrete floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and white walls

Joe DeMaio Photography
Alcove shower - small traditional subway tile and white tile multicolored floor, mosaic tile floor and wainscoting alcove shower idea with green walls, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets and a wall-mount sink

Elmhurst, IL Residence by Charles Vincent George Architects Photographs by Tony Soluri
Vestibule - country vestibule idea in Chicago with a glass front door

The steel exo-skeleton cradles a floating radiant concrete floor platform. A shallow sloped exposed timber-framed roof structure serves as a metaphorical forest canopy umbrella and optimally orients the photovoltaic solar panel system to the southwest. A continuous clerestory wraps all sides of the house, bathing the interior spaces in natural light and providing serendipitous views into the treetops from within. photo credit: Ben Benschneider

This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.

The focal point of the living room is it’s coral stone fireplace wall. We designed a custom oak library unit, floor to ceiling at it's side.
Example of a trendy formal living room design in Miami with beige walls, a ribbon fireplace and a tile fireplace

Example of a transitional wooden u-shaped staircase design in Denver with gray walls and wooden risers

Joe Fletcher
Inspiration for a contemporary family room library remodel in San Francisco

Tracey Ayton Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional enclosed light wood floor family room remodel in Vancouver with white walls and a standard fireplace

Inspiration for a victorian detached garden shed remodel

This barrier free (curbless) shower was designed for easy access. The perfect solution for the elderly or anyone who wants to enter the shower without any issues. The dark gray concrete look floor tile extends uninterrupted into the shower. Satin nickel fixtures and a teak shower stool provide some contrast. Walls are also built with plywood substrate in order to any grab bars if the situation ever arises. Photo: Stephen Allen

Winner of the 2018 Tour of Homes Best Remodel, this whole house re-design of a 1963 Bennet & Johnson mid-century raised ranch home is a beautiful example of the magic we can weave through the application of more sustainable modern design principles to existing spaces. We worked closely with our client on extensive updates to create a modernized MCM gem. Extensive alterations include: - a completely redesigned floor plan to promote a more intuitive flow throughout - vaulted the ceilings over the great room to create an amazing entrance and feeling of inspired openness - redesigned entry and driveway to be more inviting and welcoming as well as to experientially set the mid-century modern stage - the removal of a visually disruptive load bearing central wall and chimney system that formerly partitioned the homes’ entry, dining, kitchen and living rooms from each other - added clerestory windows above the new kitchen to accentuate the new vaulted ceiling line and create a greater visual continuation of indoor to outdoor space - drastically increased the access to natural light by increasing window sizes and opening up the floor plan - placed natural wood elements throughout to provide a calming palette and cohesive Pacific Northwest feel - incorporated Universal Design principles to make the home Aging In Place ready with wide hallways and accessible spaces, including single-floor living if needed - moved and completely redesigned the stairway to work for the home’s occupants and be a part of the cohesive design aesthetic - mixed custom tile layouts with more traditional tiling to create fun and playful visual experiences - custom designed and sourced MCM specific elements such as the entry screen, cabinetry and lighting - development of the downstairs for potential future use by an assisted living caretaker - energy efficiency upgrades seamlessly woven in with much improved insulation, ductless mini splits and solar gain

The picture perfect home
Large transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo photo in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray walls

Terry Pommet
Example of a mid-sized classic enclosed living room design in Boston with white walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace and a concealed tv

Example of a mid-sized transitional master white tile and ceramic tile alcove shower design in DC Metro with a vessel sink, medium tone wood cabinets, marble countertops, gray walls and flat-panel cabinets

Urban single-wall kitchen photo in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel countertops, an island, an integrated sink, stainless steel appliances and brown backsplash

Susan Gilmore
Transitional galley dark wood floor kitchen photo in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Gregory Butler – Prime Folio, Inc
Coastal white two-story exterior home idea in Charleston with a hip roof