A new third story level was added to this residence with the inclusion of a front balcony. Medal siding was used on the addition to contrast the lower level masonry. Photo © Tony Soluri Photography Architect: dSpace Studio Ltd. Interiors: Tracy Hickman Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman backyard ground level privacy and mixed material railing deck remodel in Other

Patrick Brickman
Great room - coastal medium tone wood floor great room idea in Charleston with white walls

Inspiration for a kitchen remodel in Minneapolis

The central patio was designed for entertaining. The pathway to the right brings visitors to an installed water feature, then to the rear dining area of the yard. The garden was planted with an array of perennials, herbs, and drought tolerant plants to accompany the existing trees and plants.

Patrick Brickman
Large coastal three-story concrete fiberboard exterior home idea in Charleston

©️Maxwell MacKenzie Slate countertops and wood hood are features in the kitchen. THE HOME, ESSENTIALLY A RUIN WAS PRESERVED THROUGH NEGLECT. A CLARIFIED HISTORIC RENOVATION REMOVES BAY WINDOWS AND 1950’S WINDOWS FROM THE MAIN FAÇADE. TWO WINGS AND A THIRD FLOOR AND A SYMPATHETIC STAIRWAY ACCOMMODATE MODERN LIFE. MASONS WERE TASKED TO MAKE THE STONE WORK LOOK AS THOUGH “A FARMER BUILT THE WALLS DURING THE NON-PLANTING SEASON,” THE FINAL DESIGN SIMPLIFIES THE FIRST FLOOR PLAN AND LEAVES LOGICAL LOCATIONS FOR EXPANSION INTO COMING DECADES. AMONG OTHER AWARDS, THIS TRADITIONAL YET HISTORIC RENOVATION LOCATED IN MIDDLEBURG, VA HAS RECEIVED 2 AWARDS FROM THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE.. AND A NATIONAL PRIVATE AWARD FROM VETTE WINDOWS WASHINGTON DC ARCHITECT DONALD LOCOCO UPDATED THIS HISTORIC STONE HOUSE IN MIDDLEBURG, VA.lauded by the American Institute of Architects with an Award of Excellence for Historic Architecture, as well as an Award of Merit for Residential Architecture

Kid's Bedroom with walk out balcony.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary guest carpeted bedroom remodel in Chicago with brown walls

Bathroom - transitional master gray tile gray floor and double-sink bathroom idea in Philadelphia with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, an undermount tub, gray walls, an undermount sink, gray countertops, a niche and a freestanding vanity

Custom home by Advantage Contracting in West Hartford,CT. Project is located in South Glastonbury, CT.
Large elegant two-story concrete fiberboard exterior home photo in Bridgeport with a mixed material roof

This contemporary kitchen, features custom walnut cabinets and solid surface counters. Photo © Tony Soluri Photography Architect: dSpace Studio Ltd. Interiors: Tracy Hickman Design

Holger Obenaus Photography
Elegant medium tone wood floor enclosed dining room photo in Charleston with blue walls

This interior features all new custom millwork, steel and glass staircase, and dramatic natural light. Photo © Tony Soluri Photography Architect: dSpace Studio Ltd. Interiors: Tracy Hickman Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Boston with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

The Challenge: Create a rugged yet warm farmhouse feel in a high rise tower. Start with an entire 9600 gross square foot penthouse floor of raw concrete floor, walls and ceiling. Devise inventive ways to address intractable existing conditions including a plumbing layout inconsistent with our Client program, a relatively low ceiling and a massive elevator core and yet take of advantage of panoramic views of the city from all sides. For example, rather than make a bulky drywall enclosure for existing pipes that poke thru the kitchen counter, they are wrapped with antique painted galvanized sheet metal to keep sight lines around the corner as open as possible. Or, transform an unattractive and inconveniently located 24” diameter vertical duct in the middle of Samantha’s and Hannah’s (grandchildren’s) guest bedroom into part of a lovely arched top bed nook. Or, disguise a chase for above floor plumbing runs as the base for an open buffet counter. The oppressive elevator lobby was shortened; terminating in handmade glass and steel garden doors at both ends. Custom details include a groined vaulted ceiling and arched openings with stone pilasters (for future trompe-l’oeil images of a Tuscany countryside). To maximize a feeling of height, the ceilings start low and get higher as they progress to the outside walls. The Program: Create a five bedroom condo for an elderly couple with specific and different needs. Mr. likes his privacy and to stay up late into the night on the internet. He likes order. Mrs. has some physical limits that have been addressed in various ways such as shorter travel distances, a step down shower, raised dishwasher and custom cast (to ensure that they won’t rust) iron grab bars. She prefers more disorder. Spaces should be visually arresting, full of detail and easy to maintain. Private spaces include separate master bathrooms, his and her offices and a multi screened Media Room. The balance of the floor must link spaces into one continuous open room along the south and east elevations using large elements yet keeping an intimate scale, sound control and privacy. For example, a substantial fireplace made of old barn timber framing, country stone and a hammered iron grill is strategically located at the critical Southeast corner. Above, black iron offset pintel hardware allow custom double doors to hide a large flat screen TV. High technology is in place for inconspicuous yet easy use. Icon driven key pads operate lighting, window treatments, audio visual systems with multiple sources and access to movie and music databases and five HVAC zones with independent humidity controls. Outstanding Features: Exterior masonry walls have stone culled from five quarries. Sprinkled throughout are surprises - bricks with words as messages from the past, wood trimmed niches and colored glass. Glass pieces set in window corners offer bursts of color when backlit by the sun. These materials are assembled in a rough irregular fashion to look like the work of a mason from the Italian countryside. Interior ceilings and walls have overlapping layers of two plaster colors. Perimeter ceilings are made of smooth random width cedar. Rough planed cedar beams hide ductwork and allow the maximum ceiling height between them. Custom details are everywhere-consider the ten foot barn doors on overhead track at the service elevator, cedar benches/storage areas that run below window banks, antique air registers, acid washed piano hinges and transom window operators and existing concrete piers that are featured instead of hidden. The floors are made of random width wide plank old oak with hand planed faces and edges. Overall, the elements were carefully selected or painted/stained to form a soft muted gray palate The Country kitchen features an old fashioned style ice box appearance for the refrigerator/freezer, a tin ceiling, a distressed assortment of cabinets in multiple heights, colors and woods such as the cherry wood buffet cabinet with sliding glass doors on both sides. A backlit breakfast counter, a hammered copper hood and chicken wire inserts are part of the effort to make a comfortable, eclectic old fashioned looking Kitchen while containing the latest appliances and storage systems. Awards: This project has won several kitchen and bath awards: Felman Kitchen Awards 2009 St. Louis Homes and Lifestyles Kitchen of the Year – Gold Award 2008-2009 SubZero Wolf Kitchen Design Contest – Regional Winner, Regional Designer’s Choice 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – Pinnacle of Design Award 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – First Place Medium Kitchen 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – Consumer’s Choice Award 2010 K&BB Kitchen of the Year Award Felman Bath Awards 2010 Ladue News Award—Master Bathroom

(c) Alain Jaramillo
Example of a large minimalist master beige tile porcelain tile walk-in shower design in Baltimore with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and granite countertops

(c) Alain Jaramillo
Example of a large minimalist master beige tile and stone tile porcelain tile walk-in shower design in Baltimore with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and granite countertops

(c) Alain Jaramillo
Inspiration for a large modern master beige tile and stone tile porcelain tile walk-in shower remodel in Baltimore with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and granite countertops

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Boston with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops