This West Chester rancher had a rather dilapidated back porch that served as the principal entrance to the house. Meanwhile, the stairway to the basement went through the kitchen, cutting 4’ from the width of this room. When Derek and Abbey wanted to spruce up the porch, we saw an opportunity to move the basement stairway out of the kitchen. Design Criteria: - Replace 3-season porch with 4-season mudroom. - Move basement stairway from kitchen to mudroom. Special Features: - Custom stair railing of maple and mahogany. - Custom built-ins and coat rack. - Narrow Fishing Rod closet cleverly tucked under the stairs

This West Chester rancher had a rather dilapidated back porch that served as the principal entrance to the house. Meanwhile, the stairway to the basement went through the kitchen, cutting 4’ from the width of this room. When Derek and Abbey wanted to spruce up the porch, we saw an opportunity to move the basement stairway out of the kitchen. Design Criteria: - Replace 3-season porch with 4-season mudroom. - Move basement stairway from kitchen to mudroom. Special Features: - Custom stair railing of maple and mahogany. - Custom built-ins and coat rack. - Narrow Fishing Rod closet cleverly tucked under the stairs

Just one of many sitting areas in this home, this family room's custom furnishings and accessories provides a formal look with a casual feel. Design Connection, Inc. provided; Space plans, custom cabinet designs, furniture, wall art, lamps, and project management to ensure all aspects of this space met the firm’s high criteria.

This project is a simple update of a hall bathroom in a 100 year old West Chester row home. The space had last been updated in the 80’s, and needed a facelift. The client had a vision of a tranquil space with a spa-vibe and modern, beachy colors. But a tight budget required very careful planning. Design Criteria - Design a light, modern/transitional style bathroom. - Update all the fixtures and finishes - Bring it in on a tight budget. Special Features: - Subway tile and glass mosaic tub surround. - Granite-topped vanity. - Re-enameled the original cast iron tub as a less expensive alternative to a replacement.

This old farmhouse (ca. late 18th century) has undergone many renovations over the years. Spring Creek Design added its stamp in 2008, with a small mudroom addition and a complete interior renovation. The addition encompasses a 1st floor mudroom with extensive cabinetry and closetry. Upon entering the space from the driveway, cabinet and countertop space is provided to accommodate incoming grocery bags. Next in line are a series of “lockers” and cubbies - just right for coats, hats and book bags. Further inside is a wrap-around window seat with cedar shoe racks beneath. A stainless steel dog feeding station rounds out the amenities - all built atop a natural Vermont slate floor. On the lower level, the addition features a full bathroom and a “Dude Pod” - a compact work and play space for the resident code monkey. Outfitted with a stand-up desk and an electronic drum kit, one needs only emerge for Mountain Dew refills and familial visits. Within the existing space, we added an ensuite bathroom for the third floor bedroom. The second floor bathroom and first floor powder room were also gutted and remodeled. The master bedroom was extensively remodeled - given a vaulted ceiling and a wall of floor-to-roof built-ins accessed with a rolling ladder. An extensive, multi-level deck and screen house was added to provide outdoor living space, with secure, dry storage below. Design Criteria: - Update house with a high sustainability standard. - Provide bathroom for daughters’ third floor bedroom. - Update remaining bathrooms - Update cramped, low ceilinged master bedroom - Provide mudroom/entryway solutions. - Provide a window seating space with good visibility of back and side yards – to keep an eye on the kids at play. - Replace old deck with a updated deck/screen porch combination. - Update sitting room with a wood stove and mantle. Special Features: - Insulated Concrete Forms used for Dude Pod foundation. - Soy-based spray foam insulation used in the addition and master bedroom. - Paperstone countertops in mudroom. - Zero-VOC paints and finishes used throughout the project. - All decking and trim for the deck/screen porch is made from 100% recycled HDPE (milk jugs, soda, water bottles) - High efficiency combination washer/dryer.

design: Studio TOOP, 2008 location: Amersfoort, NL status: built in 2010, Vaate Hoveniers and DIY photos: Jolanthe Lalkens, 2012 This design is based on a series of concentric circles in alternating benches and walls. This makes the garden graphically interesting from above and allows for a large amount of integrated seating (both important criteria for the design). Contrasting with this clean graphic element is the rough texture of the broken cement pavers and the organic lines of the planting beds. The existing field maple is used as a focal point and gives the garden an intimate, mature quality. Despite that there is only one tree, the garden feels somehow like the woods.

As the most energy-intensive room in the house, the kitchen is optimal for focusing efforts towards eco-sustainability. Without limiting variety, Elis M Kitchens offers solely sustainable products by guaranteeing that all its furniture complies with or falls below the E1 emission category. Manufactured under the highest international quality standards, Elis M Kitchens products also meet the strict chemical regulation criteria, per the Tox Proof sign.

Henry Fechtman
Inspiration for a large mediterranean master multicolored tile and porcelain tile medium tone wood floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Santa Barbara with shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, a two-piece toilet, beige walls, a drop-in sink and tile countertops

The open concept kitchen in this transitional home retains an old world feel with the heavy stacked stone fireplace, but adds modern touches with contemporary art pieces and architectural detail. The custom kitchen cabinetry is echoed in the fireplace stack and mantle, and the wrapped wooden columns.

Main bedroom luxury ensuite with Caesarstone benchtop, suspended vanity in George Fethers veneer, double mirrored shaving cabinets from Reece and Criteria Collection wall light against green and white square wall tiles with the green tile repeated on the floor.

This West Chester rancher had a rather dilapidated back porch that served as the principal entrance to the house. Meanwhile, the stairway to the basement went through the kitchen, cutting 4’ from the width of this room. When Derek and Abbey wanted to spruce up the porch, we saw an opportunity to move the basement stairway out of the kitchen. Design Criteria: - Replace 3-season porch with 4-season mudroom. - Move basement stairway from kitchen to mudroom. Special Features: - Custom stair railing of maple and mahogany. - Custom built-ins and coat rack. - Narrow Fishing Rod closet cleverly tucked under the stairs

This West Chester rancher had a rather dilapidated back porch that served as the principal entrance to the house. Meanwhile, the stairway to the basement went through the kitchen, cutting 4’ from the width of this room. When Derek and Abbey wanted to spruce up the porch, we saw an opportunity to move the basement stairway out of the kitchen. Design Criteria: - Replace 3-season porch with 4-season mudroom. - Move basement stairway from kitchen to mudroom. Special Features: - Custom stair railing of maple and mahogany. - Custom built-ins and coat rack. - Narrow Fishing Rod closet cleverly tucked under the stairs

Platted as a legal lot-of-record in the area’s original subdivision in 1910, the site remained undeveloped due to steep terrain and difficulties crossing the creek for access. Additionally all areas of the site are within the creek’s 25’, 50’ and 75’ riparian stream buffers. By necessity, the house, with considerable jurisdictional involvement, was constructed entirely within the 75’ stream buffer. Bridge/drive design complying with City of Atlanta Watershed regulations and State of Georgia EPD criteria was an essential component in realizing the project.

Located beside the gormet kitchen, this breakfast nook with window bench is the perfect place for my clients' family to begin their day. Design Connection, Inc. provided; Space plans, custom cabinet designs, furniture, wall art, lamps, and project management to ensure all aspects of this space met the firm’s high criteria.

Michelle BeVard
Mid-sized asian master carpeted bedroom photo in San Francisco with blue walls and no fireplace

This custom built beach house posed many challenged including the specific design criteria, space requirements, and limited wall space as 75% of the walls are glass. The AV closet was built into the stair spandrel, space that would have otherwise been unused. Certain walls were thickened allowing recessed TVs to sit perfectly flush with the wall. The automated buttons throughout the house control functions such as Welcome, Goodnight, & Party Mode. The home automation was designed for anyone to be able to walk into the house and use the system.

Tim & Elissa have a beautiful home in the most desirable Wyomissing neighborhood. Broad sidewalks under stately oaks, with nearby parks makes it a perfect place to raise a growing family. But their 2-bedroom mid-century rancher was becoming a squeeze. They asked Spring Creek Design to come up with a cost-effective solution to their space problem, while also tackling some of the home’s aged infrastructure. Design Criteria: - Increase living space by adding a new 2nd storey Master Suite. - Enhance livability with an open floorplan on the first floor. - Improve the connection to the outdoors. - Update basics systems with new windows, HVAC and insulation. - Update interior with paint & refinished floors. Special Features: - Bright, mid-century modern design is true to the home’s vintage. - Custom steel cable railings at both stairways. - New open plan creates strong connections between kitchen, living room, dining room and deck. - High-performance Pella windows throughout, including a new triple-panel slider to the deck.

Our Client color questionnaire helps us develop custom color palettes for each project. How do you create a scheme to meet their criteria for the following: Soft inviting medium toned colors, Moderate level of color contrasts, Luminosity and glow, and Understated and non-clichéd femininity. Utilizing a palette of ten colors for this classic Stick-style Victorian adorned by a plentitude of unique wood ornamentation, a contrast of hue was used to accentuate the multi-story bay windows and the entry portal. A neutral color on the body of the building remains in the background as color contrasts bring the ornaments to life. Judicious use of 23 karat gold leaf added the sparkle the Clients were seeking. Photos: Michael Capulong

Designed by Dale Mulfinger, Jody McGuire This new lake home takes advantage of the stunning landscape of Lake Superior. The compact floor plans minimize the site impact. The expressive building form blends the structure into the language of the cliff. The home provides a serene perch to view not only the big lake, but also to look back into the North Shore. With triple pane windows and careful details, this house surpasses the airtightness criteria set by the international Passive House Association, to keep life cozy on the North Shore all year round. Construction by Dale Torgersen Photography by Corey Gaffer