Nestled off of the kitchen and near the garage, this laundry room is both ample and beautiful. Folding tables, upper cabinets, and a space to hang whatever your heart desires makes this laundry room convenient and user friendly. Vinyl flooring gives the allusion of tile while providing a practical and cost-effective way to add a bit of personality to an otherwise utilitarian space!

Fresh, fun, and alive, this space has become a favorite hangout for the homeowner. Whether she is baking, entertaining friends, or just sitting at her table enjoying a nice pot of afternoon tea, she is thrilled with her new kitchen and the joy it brings to anyone who stops by.

Photography by Caryn B. Davis Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Photo: Caela McKeever © 2015 Houzz
Example of a trendy staircase design in Seattle

Two-tone cabinetry and brass hardware complete this gorgeous, open-concept, new kitchen in Hudson County, NJ. Designer-sourced hardware and lighting. Jenn Air stainless steel appliance upgrades. Quartz calcatta-look counter tops. Stainless steel under mount sink. 4" hardwood plank flooring stained in Jacobean by Minwax. Beveled white subway tile with bright white grout. Photos by Sameer Abdel Khalik (contact designer for contact info).

Inspiration for a large southwestern master multicolored tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile bathroom remodel in Denver with raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, an undermount sink, solid surface countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Rob Karosis
Bathroom - small traditional white tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile bathroom idea in New York with a two-piece toilet and white walls

Example of a transitional bathroom design in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, solid surface countertops and white countertops

Great Room. The Sater Design Collection's luxury, Craftsman home plan "Prairie Pine Court" (Plan #7083). saterdesign.com
Example of a large arts and crafts open concept dark wood floor family room library design in Miami with gray walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

custom front entry door in Sapele Mahogany, but field painted. Two decorative ring pull bars, one small deadbolt, all in brass. Did you know you don't have to have traditional entry door hardware? Sometimes it can be more cost effective to forego tubular entry sets and have a single deadbolt, pulls, roller catches, and cremone bolts installed. (Depending on your selections, of course.) The windows are operable casements that are wood primed. Window and Door Pros, LLC of Charlotte was pleased to partner with Urban Building Group on this project!

The homeowner of this old, detached garage wanted to create a functional living space with a kitchen, bathroom and second-story bedroom, while still maintaining a functional garage space. We salvaged hickory wood for the floors and built custom fir cabinets in the kitchen with patchwork tile backsplash and energy efficient appliances. As a historical home but without historical requirements, we had fun blending era-specific elements like traditional wood windows, French doors, and wood garage doors with modern elements like solar panels on the roof and accent lighting in the stair risers. In preparation for the next phase of construction (a full kitchen remodel and addition to the main house), we connected the plumbing between the main house and carriage house to make the project more cost-effective. We also built a new gate with custom stonework to match the trellis, expanded the patio between the main house and garage, and installed a gas fire pit to seamlessly tie the structures together and provide a year-round outdoor living space.

Duffey replaced a tight spiral staircase with a more easily navigable staircase made from reclaimed wood and metal railing.
Urban staircase photo in Atlanta

Composite deck and rail system with vinyl lattice privacy screen. This deck was a deck makeover. We were able to remove the old railings and decking while keeping the existing structure intact. This can be a cost effective option if you already have a deck that is just no longer appealing.

Shed (flat) roof portico adds great curb appeal and protection on a budget. Designed and built by Georgia Front Porch.
Inspiration for a small timeless front porch remodel in Atlanta with a roof extension

Example of a small minimalist single-wall kitchen design in San Francisco with gray cabinets, granite countertops and no island

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Trex Elevations is manufactured of dual-coated, galvanized steel, which offers superior aesthetics, durability, longevity and stability when compared to traditional wood substructures. In addition, the product does not warp, twist, split or decay, allowing contractors to benefit from reduced callbacks and increased homeowner satisfaction. As the material is easy to cut and easy to build, it’s also more efficient and cost-effective for professionals to specify than pressure-treated lumber.

Elegant home design photo in Sacramento