Example of a transitional girl carpeted and gray floor kids' bedroom design in Richmond with multicolored walls

Example of a large trendy l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Example of a farmhouse u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Example of a danish bedroom design in Phoenix

The new kitchen features custom shaker cabinets, quartz calacatta Laza countertops and backspace and light hardwood floors (all from Spazio LA Tile Gallery), two custom walnut veneer with recessed strip lights, bronze finish fixtures, apron sink and lighting fixtures from Restoration Hardware.

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

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Inspiration for a cottage u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a transitional medium tone wood floor, brown floor, wainscoting and wallpaper powder room remodel in Boston with multicolored walls and a console sink

kate benjamin
Inspiration for a timeless living room library remodel in Detroit with gray walls

What could go possibly wrong? Nothing with Alair as their contractor. Some creativity was required to get these clients the overall feel of the home they wanted without breaking the budget. The end result proves you can still have a big impact on a small budget if you target key areas and spend wisely.

The architect and designer Guy Derwent was approached by his client with a clear and compelling brief: to completely transform a grand Victorian terrace house they were planning to renovate. The client envisioned something far beyond a standard renovation – this was to be a bold and dramatic reimagining of a family home that could grow with them over time. With the property having remained largely untouched for more than fifty years, the architects saw an opportunity to unlock its potential and deliver a contemporary design that would contrast beautifully with its Victorian heritage. The existing layout consisted of a series of small, disconnected rooms to the rear of the house. To respond to the client’s need for openness and flexibility, the architect proposed a radical restructuring of the ground floor: The rear rooms were completely removed Suspended timber floors were lowered by up to two metres to align with the garden Two bold extensions were added The first extension filled in the side return with a London stock brick facade and a glazed roof, while the second – a striking black steel and glass pavilion was glazed on three sides and placed along the garden elevation. This new pavilion redefined the building’s relationship with the garden. Its steel-framed glazing created a seamless dialogue between interior and exterior, offering a sense of immersion in the surrounding landscape. At the heart of the plan sits a dramatic, five-metre-tall dining space that acts as a transition from the original entrance hall into the new addition. A large, circular cast-glass window, framed in steel, provides a visual and spatial link between old and new, allowing light and movement to travel through the depth of the home. Throughout the project, a series of black metal elements were introduced as sculptural interventions – each marking moments of transformation within the house. These included the bespoke steel framed circular window, a custom metal staircase, a cylindrical support column, and the striking steel and glass garden pavilion. Together, they formed a coherent architectural language that underscored the project’s bold intent. Our steel windows and doors played a vital role in delivering the project’s vision. The architects chose steel for its refined sight lines and distinctive material character, which helped bridge the gap between the historical context of the building and the bold new additions. The black steel frames provided a crisp contrast to the pale London stock brick and added definition to the glazed pavilion, reinforcing the sense of architectural precision. In particular, the fine steel profiles of the garden room allowed the extension to feel both lightweight and immersive, blurring the boundary between the house and its garden. The architect drew inspiration from the Bauhaus Movement, particularly the work of Walter Gropius, whose approach to functional beauty and industrial materials informed the design of the garden pavilion. Here, our glazing system was used not just for transparency, but as an expressive architectural element. The carefully proportioned panels help to conceal the roof thickness and reinforce the pavilion’s industrial yet abstract character – a deliberate nod to product design and modernist detailing. Sustainability was an important factor in the selection of materials. Our steel systems, made from 99% recycled content and 100% recyclable, aligned with the project’s broader environmental goals. The architects noted that this commitment to material longevity and circularity was central to their decision to use steel. The durability and recyclability of the windows and doors ensured the project met both aesthetic and ethical criteria. This London terrace house now stands as a celebration of contrast – between heritage and innovation, solidity and transparency, tradition and transformation. Our steel windows and doors were not simply components; they were essential tools in crafting a home that is as bold and expressive as it is functional. The result is a home designed for modern family life, where light, space, and materiality come together in perfect harmony.

Example of a mid-sized classic l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Oklahoma City with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island, an undermount sink, granite countertops, green backsplash and subway tile backsplash

Amy Bartlam
Dedicated laundry room - coastal galley dedicated laundry room idea in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white walls, a stacked washer/dryer and white countertops

Inspiration for a small transitional wood-look tile floor, brown floor and wallpaper powder room remodel in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, an undermount sink, marble countertops, white countertops and a freestanding vanity

Photographed by Laure Joilet
Inspiration for a transitional girl light wood floor nursery remodel in Other with beige walls

White full bath with black accents in coastal pattern
Bathroom - contemporary white tile and ceramic tile dark wood floor and brown floor bathroom idea in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

Joshua Lawrence
Mid-sized danish l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen photo in Vancouver with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and stone slab backsplash

Home bar - contemporary home bar idea in New York