Search results for "Critical considerations" in Home Design Ideas

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER
Project Scope--
The owners of this 1990’s colonial home were seeking to convert the existing space-constricted builder-grade kitchen into a generously-apportioned Tuscan-style country kitchen with lots of natural light, high-end appointments and a warmly textured interior design concept. Among other features they sought a mid-room island that would house critical appliances, complete the work triangle and provide dining counter space for three. They also wanted to include a professional-grade gas range.
Challenges--
Situated between dining room and family room, the existing kitchen was small and poorly planned. The sink faced a blank wall and the appliances were inadequate for the owner’s gourmet cooking ambitions.
To create the desired footprint, the contractor, Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, created a plan that called for consolidating square footage in several rooms adjacent to the kitchen. This entailed removing two load bearing walls– one between the kitchen and dining room, a second separating the kitchen and family room– and shifting loads to newly installed structural supports carefully concealed within the resultant “open” floor plan.
To accommodate new appliances (and work efficiencies) called for by this radically altered space plan, the design located the new professional gas range and other key features in the footprint formerly occupied by the breakfast room, a change that takes advantage of opportunities for a higher cathedral ceiling, better natural lighting and greater space.
Solutions--
With this space plan resolved, the design team could now eliminate a picture window on the west elevation, designing a new elevation to accommodate a stucco cooktop flanked by a pair of custom Palladium windows. A side elevation slider was replaced with a French door.
Infrastructure considerations included introducing gas lines needed for the 48” Viking cooktop range and re-routing plumbing. The 5’ x 9’ granite-surfaced custom designed island includes the primary kitchen sink, a dishwasher, microwave and dining overhang that provided seating for up to four.
On another wall, the design called for installing ceiling flush “beaded” display pantries with open bookcases, and routed-in plumbing for a water fountain, a faucet and an ice-making machine.
Glazed maple and cherry cabinetry increased available storage by over 50%. A recessed space was also created for a built-in vertical wine rack. Style-appropriate terra cotta tiling with mosaic bordering detailing extends into the home’s foyer. Other finishing work elements include crown molding with rounded turn posts and corbels.

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER
Project Scope--
The owners of this 1990’s colonial home were seeking to convert the existing space-constricted builder-grade kitchen into a generously-apportioned Tuscan-style country kitchen with lots of natural light, high-end appointments and a warmly textured interior design concept. Among other features they sought a mid-room island that would house critical appliances, complete the work triangle and provide dining counter space for three. They also wanted to include a professional-grade gas range.
Challenges--
Situated between dining room and family room, the existing kitchen was small and poorly planned. The sink faced a blank wall and the appliances were inadequate for the owner’s gourmet cooking ambitions.
To create the desired footprint, the contractor, Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, created a plan that called for consolidating square footage in several rooms adjacent to the kitchen. This entailed removing two load bearing walls– one between the kitchen and dining room, a second separating the kitchen and family room– and shifting loads to newly installed structural supports carefully concealed within the resultant “open” floor plan.
To accommodate new appliances (and work efficiencies) called for by this radically altered space plan, the design located the new professional gas range and other key features in the footprint formerly occupied by the breakfast room, a change that takes advantage of opportunities for a higher cathedral ceiling, better natural lighting and greater space.
Solutions--
With this space plan resolved, the design team could now eliminate a picture window on the west elevation, designing a new elevation to accommodate a stucco cooktop flanked by a pair of custom Palladium windows. A side elevation slider was replaced with a French door.
Infrastructure considerations included introducing gas lines needed for the 48” Viking cooktop range and re-routing plumbing. The 5’ x 9’ granite-surfaced custom designed island includes the primary kitchen sink, a dishwasher, microwave and dining overhang that provided seating for up to four.
On another wall, the design called for installing ceiling flush “beaded” display pantries with open bookcases, and routed-in plumbing for a water fountain, a faucet and an ice-making machine.
Glazed maple and cherry cabinetry increased available storage by over 50%. A recessed space was also created for a built-in vertical wine rack. Style-appropriate terra cotta tiling with mosaic bordering detailing extends into the home’s foyer. Other finishing work elements include crown molding with rounded turn posts and corbels.

We used: Custom cherry cabinetry in Arts & Crafts Shaker style by Kabinart in Boulder and Espresso stains. Liberty Hardware Venetian bronze 1-1/2" cabinet knobs. KitchenAid Architect II Series 22 CF counter-depth French door refrigerator. KitchenAid Architect Series II 27" convection single wall oven. KitchenAid 36" 6-burner dual fuel freestanding commercial-style range. KitchenAid Architect II Series 24" dishwasher. Sharp Insight Pro Series 24" built-in microwave drawer (Model #KB6524PS). Crystorama Solaris 12" wide pendant lights in English bronze. Granite countertops in Brown Fantasy. 3"x6" polished marble backsplash.
Paint colors:
Walls: Glidden Silver Cloud 30YY 63/024
Ceilings/Trims/Doors: Glidden Swan White GLC23
Robert B. Narod Photography
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A Modern home that wished for more warmth...
An addition and reconstruction of approx. 750sq. area.
That included new kitchen, office, family room and back patio cover area.
The custom-made kitchen cabinets are semi-inset / semi-frameless combination.
The door style was custom build with a minor bevel at the edge of each door.
White oak was used for the frame, drawers and most of the cabinet doors with some doors paint white for accent effect.
The island "legs" or water fall sides if you wish and the hood enclosure are Tambour wood paneling.
These are 3/4" half round wood profile connected together for a continues pattern.
These Tambour panels, the wicker pendant lights and the green live walls inject a bit of an Asian fusion into the design mix.
The floors are polished concrete in a dark brown finish to inject additional warmth vs. the standard concrete gray most of us familiar with.
A huge 16' multi sliding door by La Cantina was installed, this door is aluminum clad (wood finish on the interior of the door).

Gorgeous master bath with dramatic retro "wave" tile. Peak Photography
Example of a 1950s bathroom design in Los Angeles
Example of a 1950s bathroom design in Los Angeles

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER
Project Scope--
The owners of this 1990’s colonial home were seeking to convert the existing space-constricted builder-grade kitchen into a generously-apportioned Tuscan-style country kitchen with lots of natural light, high-end appointments and a warmly textured interior design concept. Among other features they sought a mid-room island that would house critical appliances, complete the work triangle and provide dining counter space for three. They also wanted to include a professional-grade gas range.
Challenges--
Situated between dining room and family room, the existing kitchen was small and poorly planned. The sink faced a blank wall and the appliances were inadequate for the owner’s gourmet cooking ambitions.
To create the desired footprint, the contractor, Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, created a plan that called for consolidating square footage in several rooms adjacent to the kitchen. This entailed removing two load bearing walls– one between the kitchen and dining room, a second separating the kitchen and family room– and shifting loads to newly installed structural supports carefully concealed within the resultant “open” floor plan.
To accommodate new appliances (and work efficiencies) called for by this radically altered space plan, the design located the new professional gas range and other key features in the footprint formerly occupied by the breakfast room, a change that takes advantage of opportunities for a higher cathedral ceiling, better natural lighting and greater space.
Solutions--
With this space plan resolved, the design team could now eliminate a picture window on the west elevation, designing a new elevation to accommodate a stucco cooktop flanked by a pair of custom Palladium windows. A side elevation slider was replaced with a French door.
Infrastructure considerations included introducing gas lines needed for the 48” Viking cooktop range and re-routing plumbing. The 5’ x 9’ granite-surfaced custom designed island includes the primary kitchen sink, a dishwasher, microwave and dining overhang that provided seating for up to four.
On another wall, the design called for installing ceiling flush “beaded” display pantries with open bookcases, and routed-in plumbing for a water fountain, a faucet and an ice-making machine.
Glazed maple and cherry cabinetry increased available storage by over 50%. A recessed space was also created for a built-in vertical wine rack. Style-appropriate terra cotta tiling with mosaic bordering detailing extends into the home’s foyer. Other finishing work elements include crown molding with rounded turn posts and corbels.

The brief:
Our clients own an apartment in a mansion block overlooking Clapham Common. They wanted to modernise and bring the apartment up to date and had a few goals:
To change the existing small cellular spaces in the apartment to create a new open-plan room
To extend into the loft and create a new master bedroom suite
To create a roof terrace for some much-needed private outdoor space
The key to the brief was to ensure a good connection between the different levels of the apartment and ensure natural light could flood into all spaces. The apartment is in a conservation area, which was an important consideration.
The solution:
We changed the primary room space to run from the front to the back of the building. This change created the large kitchen dining living space our clients wanted, an area with good natural light throughout and at all times of the day.
We created a master bedroom suite in the loft space, with generous room size and lots of natural light.
The limitations of the building’s form meant that a critical aspect to creating these larger living spaces was carefully considered smaller areas, including the bathrooms and a pocket utility room. The circulation space was carefully considered, too, with the landings used for storage in the form of new joinery.
The stairs were vital in the design. Creating an in-between/half level meant we made the most of the flat roof extension for a bedroom suite and terrace. It also helped natural light get into the centre of the apartment, creating a clear connection between the different floors.
The stairs also help to mark the difference between the existing and the new. We shifted the design from a minimalist take on traditional metal balustraded stairs to open tread steel stairs with a glazed balustrade.
Externally, we kept the design quite simple and in keeping with the context. By adding dormers to the front and back, we created a sculptural and fun loft space.
The result:
A spacious, light and luxurious apartment for our clients Gareth and Mary in a Clapham Common Conservation area.
We asked about their experience with Granit, and we are pleased with their response:
Our experience overall is very good, even with the unexpected difficulties created by Covid.
If you are thinking of appointing an architect and interior design firm, Granit should be seriously considered.

The brief:
Our clients own an apartment in a mansion block overlooking Clapham Common. They wanted to modernise and bring the apartment up to date and had a few goals:
To change the existing small cellular spaces in the apartment to create a new open-plan room
To extend into the loft and create a new master bedroom suite
To create a roof terrace for some much-needed private outdoor space
The key to the brief was to ensure a good connection between the different levels of the apartment and ensure natural light could flood into all spaces. The apartment is in a conservation area, which was an important consideration.
The solution:
We changed the primary room space to run from the front to the back of the building. This change created the large kitchen dining living space our clients wanted, an area with good natural light throughout and at all times of the day.
We created a master bedroom suite in the loft space, with generous room size and lots of natural light.
The limitations of the building’s form meant that a critical aspect to creating these larger living spaces was carefully considered smaller areas, including the bathrooms and a pocket utility room. The circulation space was carefully considered, too, with the landings used for storage in the form of new joinery.
The stairs were vital in the design. Creating an in-between/half level meant we made the most of the flat roof extension for a bedroom suite and terrace. It also helped natural light get into the centre of the apartment, creating a clear connection between the different floors.
The stairs also help to mark the difference between the existing and the new. We shifted the design from a minimalist take on traditional metal balustraded stairs to open tread steel stairs with a glazed balustrade.
Externally, we kept the design quite simple and in keeping with the context. By adding dormers to the front and back, we created a sculptural and fun loft space.
The result:
A spacious, light and luxurious apartment for our clients Gareth and Mary in a Clapham Common Conservation area.
We asked about their experience with Granit, and we are pleased with their response:
Our experience overall is very good, even with the unexpected difficulties created by Covid.
If you are thinking of appointing an architect and interior design firm, Granit should be seriously considered.

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER
Project Scope--
The owners of this 1990’s colonial home were seeking to convert the existing space-constricted builder-grade kitchen into a generously-apportioned Tuscan-style country kitchen with lots of natural light, high-end appointments and a warmly textured interior design concept. Among other features they sought a mid-room island that would house critical appliances, complete the work triangle and provide dining counter space for three. They also wanted to include a professional-grade gas range.
Challenges--
Situated between dining room and family room, the existing kitchen was small and poorly planned. The sink faced a blank wall and the appliances were inadequate for the owner’s gourmet cooking ambitions.
To create the desired footprint, the contractor, Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, created a plan that called for consolidating square footage in several rooms adjacent to the kitchen. This entailed removing two load bearing walls– one between the kitchen and dining room, a second separating the kitchen and family room– and shifting loads to newly installed structural supports carefully concealed within the resultant “open” floor plan.
To accommodate new appliances (and work efficiencies) called for by this radically altered space plan, the design located the new professional gas range and other key features in the footprint formerly occupied by the breakfast room, a change that takes advantage of opportunities for a higher cathedral ceiling, better natural lighting and greater space.
Solutions--
With this space plan resolved, the design team could now eliminate a picture window on the west elevation, designing a new elevation to accommodate a stucco cooktop flanked by a pair of custom Palladium windows. A side elevation slider was replaced with a French door.
Infrastructure considerations included introducing gas lines needed for the 48” Viking cooktop range and re-routing plumbing. The 5’ x 9’ granite-surfaced custom designed island includes the primary kitchen sink, a dishwasher, microwave and dining overhang that provided seating for up to four.
On another wall, the design called for installing ceiling flush “beaded” display pantries with open bookcases, and routed-in plumbing for a water fountain, a faucet and an ice-making machine.
Glazed maple and cherry cabinetry increased available storage by over 50%. A recessed space was also created for a built-in vertical wine rack. Style-appropriate terra cotta tiling with mosaic bordering detailing extends into the home’s foyer. Other finishing work elements include crown molding with rounded turn posts and corbels.

The brief:
Our clients own an apartment in a mansion block overlooking Clapham Common. They wanted to modernise and bring the apartment up to date and had a few goals:
To change the existing small cellular spaces in the apartment to create a new open-plan room
To extend into the loft and create a new master bedroom suite
To create a roof terrace for some much-needed private outdoor space
The key to the brief was to ensure a good connection between the different levels of the apartment and ensure natural light could flood into all spaces. The apartment is in a conservation area, which was an important consideration.
The solution:
We changed the primary room space to run from the front to the back of the building. This change created the large kitchen dining living space our clients wanted, an area with good natural light throughout and at all times of the day.
We created a master bedroom suite in the loft space, with generous room size and lots of natural light.
The limitations of the building’s form meant that a critical aspect to creating these larger living spaces was carefully considered smaller areas, including the bathrooms and a pocket utility room. The circulation space was carefully considered, too, with the landings used for storage in the form of new joinery.
The stairs were vital in the design. Creating an in-between/half level meant we made the most of the flat roof extension for a bedroom suite and terrace. It also helped natural light get into the centre of the apartment, creating a clear connection between the different floors.
The stairs also help to mark the difference between the existing and the new. We shifted the design from a minimalist take on traditional metal balustraded stairs to open tread steel stairs with a glazed balustrade.
Externally, we kept the design quite simple and in keeping with the context. By adding dormers to the front and back, we created a sculptural and fun loft space.
The result:
A spacious, light and luxurious apartment for our clients Gareth and Mary in a Clapham Common Conservation area.
We asked about their experience with Granit, and we are pleased with their response:
Our experience overall is very good, even with the unexpected difficulties created by Covid.
If you are thinking of appointing an architect and interior design firm, Granit should be seriously considered.

The brief:
Our clients own an apartment in a mansion block overlooking Clapham Common. They wanted to modernise and bring the apartment up to date and had a few goals:
To change the existing small cellular spaces in the apartment to create a new open-plan room
To extend into the loft and create a new master bedroom suite
To create a roof terrace for some much-needed private outdoor space
The key to the brief was to ensure a good connection between the different levels of the apartment and ensure natural light could flood into all spaces. The apartment is in a conservation area, which was an important consideration.
The solution:
We changed the primary room space to run from the front to the back of the building. This change created the large kitchen dining living space our clients wanted, an area with good natural light throughout and at all times of the day.
We created a master bedroom suite in the loft space, with generous room size and lots of natural light.
The limitations of the building’s form meant that a critical aspect to creating these larger living spaces was carefully considered smaller areas, including the bathrooms and a pocket utility room. The circulation space was carefully considered, too, with the landings used for storage in the form of new joinery.
The stairs were vital in the design. Creating an in-between/half level meant we made the most of the flat roof extension for a bedroom suite and terrace. It also helped natural light get into the centre of the apartment, creating a clear connection between the different floors.
The stairs also help to mark the difference between the existing and the new. We shifted the design from a minimalist take on traditional metal balustraded stairs to open tread steel stairs with a glazed balustrade.
Externally, we kept the design quite simple and in keeping with the context. By adding dormers to the front and back, we created a sculptural and fun loft space.
The result:
A spacious, light and luxurious apartment for our clients Gareth and Mary in a Clapham Common Conservation area.
We asked about their experience with Granit, and we are pleased with their response:
Our experience overall is very good, even with the unexpected difficulties created by Covid.
If you are thinking of appointing an architect and interior design firm, Granit should be seriously considered.

The brief:
Our clients own an apartment in a mansion block overlooking Clapham Common. They wanted to modernise and bring the apartment up to date and had a few goals:
To change the existing small cellular spaces in the apartment to create a new open-plan room
To extend into the loft and create a new master bedroom suite
To create a roof terrace for some much-needed private outdoor space
The key to the brief was to ensure a good connection between the different levels of the apartment and ensure natural light could flood into all spaces. The apartment is in a conservation area, which was an important consideration.
The solution:
We changed the primary room space to run from the front to the back of the building. This change created the large kitchen dining living space our clients wanted, an area with good natural light throughout and at all times of the day.
We created a master bedroom suite in the loft space, with generous room size and lots of natural light.
The limitations of the building’s form meant that a critical aspect to creating these larger living spaces was carefully considered smaller areas, including the bathrooms and a pocket utility room. The circulation space was carefully considered, too, with the landings used for storage in the form of new joinery.
The stairs were vital in the design. Creating an in-between/half level meant we made the most of the flat roof extension for a bedroom suite and terrace. It also helped natural light get into the centre of the apartment, creating a clear connection between the different floors.
The stairs also help to mark the difference between the existing and the new. We shifted the design from a minimalist take on traditional metal balustraded stairs to open tread steel stairs with a glazed balustrade.
Externally, we kept the design quite simple and in keeping with the context. By adding dormers to the front and back, we created a sculptural and fun loft space.
The result:
A spacious, light and luxurious apartment for our clients Gareth and Mary in a Clapham Common Conservation area.
We asked about their experience with Granit, and we are pleased with their response:
Our experience overall is very good, even with the unexpected difficulties created by Covid.
If you are thinking of appointing an architect and interior design firm, Granit should be seriously considered.

The brief:
Our clients own an apartment in a mansion block overlooking Clapham Common. They wanted to modernise and bring the apartment up to date and had a few goals:
To change the existing small cellular spaces in the apartment to create a new open-plan room
To extend into the loft and create a new master bedroom suite
To create a roof terrace for some much-needed private outdoor space
The key to the brief was to ensure a good connection between the different levels of the apartment and ensure natural light could flood into all spaces. The apartment is in a conservation area, which was an important consideration.
The solution:
We changed the primary room space to run from the front to the back of the building. This change created the large kitchen dining living space our clients wanted, an area with good natural light throughout and at all times of the day.
We created a master bedroom suite in the loft space, with generous room size and lots of natural light.
The limitations of the building’s form meant that a critical aspect to creating these larger living spaces was carefully considered smaller areas, including the bathrooms and a pocket utility room. The circulation space was carefully considered, too, with the landings used for storage in the form of new joinery.
The stairs were vital in the design. Creating an in-between/half level meant we made the most of the flat roof extension for a bedroom suite and terrace. It also helped natural light get into the centre of the apartment, creating a clear connection between the different floors.
The stairs also help to mark the difference between the existing and the new. We shifted the design from a minimalist take on traditional metal balustraded stairs to open tread steel stairs with a glazed balustrade.
Externally, we kept the design quite simple and in keeping with the context. By adding dormers to the front and back, we created a sculptural and fun loft space.
The result:
A spacious, light and luxurious apartment for our clients Gareth and Mary in a Clapham Common Conservation area.
We asked about their experience with Granit, and we are pleased with their response:
Our experience overall is very good, even with the unexpected difficulties created by Covid.
If you are thinking of appointing an architect and interior design firm, Granit should be seriously considered.

The brief:
Our clients own an apartment in a mansion block overlooking Clapham Common. They wanted to modernise and bring the apartment up to date and had a few goals:
To change the existing small cellular spaces in the apartment to create a new open-plan room
To extend into the loft and create a new master bedroom suite
To create a roof terrace for some much-needed private outdoor space
The key to the brief was to ensure a good connection between the different levels of the apartment and ensure natural light could flood into all spaces. The apartment is in a conservation area, which was an important consideration.
The solution:
We changed the primary room space to run from the front to the back of the building. This change created the large kitchen dining living space our clients wanted, an area with good natural light throughout and at all times of the day.
We created a master bedroom suite in the loft space, with generous room size and lots of natural light.
The limitations of the building’s form meant that a critical aspect to creating these larger living spaces was carefully considered smaller areas, including the bathrooms and a pocket utility room. The circulation space was carefully considered, too, with the landings used for storage in the form of new joinery.
The stairs were vital in the design. Creating an in-between/half level meant we made the most of the flat roof extension for a bedroom suite and terrace. It also helped natural light get into the centre of the apartment, creating a clear connection between the different floors.
The stairs also help to mark the difference between the existing and the new. We shifted the design from a minimalist take on traditional metal balustraded stairs to open tread steel stairs with a glazed balustrade.
Externally, we kept the design quite simple and in keeping with the context. By adding dormers to the front and back, we created a sculptural and fun loft space.
The result:
A spacious, light and luxurious apartment for our clients Gareth and Mary in a Clapham Common Conservation area.
We asked about their experience with Granit, and we are pleased with their response:
Our experience overall is very good, even with the unexpected difficulties created by Covid.
If you are thinking of appointing an architect and interior design firm, Granit should be seriously considered.

The brief:
Our clients own an apartment in a mansion block overlooking Clapham Common. They wanted to modernise and bring the apartment up to date and had a few goals:
To change the existing small cellular spaces in the apartment to create a new open-plan room
To extend into the loft and create a new master bedroom suite
To create a roof terrace for some much-needed private outdoor space
The key to the brief was to ensure a good connection between the different levels of the apartment and ensure natural light could flood into all spaces. The apartment is in a conservation area, which was an important consideration.
The solution:
We changed the primary room space to run from the front to the back of the building. This change created the large kitchen dining living space our clients wanted, an area with good natural light throughout and at all times of the day.
We created a master bedroom suite in the loft space, with generous room size and lots of natural light.
The limitations of the building’s form meant that a critical aspect to creating these larger living spaces was carefully considered smaller areas, including the bathrooms and a pocket utility room. The circulation space was carefully considered, too, with the landings used for storage in the form of new joinery.
The stairs were vital in the design. Creating an in-between/half level meant we made the most of the flat roof extension for a bedroom suite and terrace. It also helped natural light get into the centre of the apartment, creating a clear connection between the different floors.
The stairs also help to mark the difference between the existing and the new. We shifted the design from a minimalist take on traditional metal balustraded stairs to open tread steel stairs with a glazed balustrade.
Externally, we kept the design quite simple and in keeping with the context. By adding dormers to the front and back, we created a sculptural and fun loft space.
The result:
A spacious, light and luxurious apartment for our clients Gareth and Mary in a Clapham Common Conservation area.
We asked about their experience with Granit, and we are pleased with their response:
Our experience overall is very good, even with the unexpected difficulties created by Covid.
If you are thinking of appointing an architect and interior design firm, Granit should be seriously considered.

The brief:
Our clients own an apartment in a mansion block overlooking Clapham Common. They wanted to modernise and bring the apartment up to date and had a few goals:
To change the existing small cellular spaces in the apartment to create a new open-plan room
To extend into the loft and create a new master bedroom suite
To create a roof terrace for some much-needed private outdoor space
The key to the brief was to ensure a good connection between the different levels of the apartment and ensure natural light could flood into all spaces. The apartment is in a conservation area, which was an important consideration.
The solution:
We changed the primary room space to run from the front to the back of the building. This change created the large kitchen dining living space our clients wanted, an area with good natural light throughout and at all times of the day.
We created a master bedroom suite in the loft space, with generous room size and lots of natural light.
The limitations of the building’s form meant that a critical aspect to creating these larger living spaces was carefully considered smaller areas, including the bathrooms and a pocket utility room. The circulation space was carefully considered, too, with the landings used for storage in the form of new joinery.
The stairs were vital in the design. Creating an in-between/half level meant we made the most of the flat roof extension for a bedroom suite and terrace. It also helped natural light get into the centre of the apartment, creating a clear connection between the different floors.
The stairs also help to mark the difference between the existing and the new. We shifted the design from a minimalist take on traditional metal balustraded stairs to open tread steel stairs with a glazed balustrade.
Externally, we kept the design quite simple and in keeping with the context. By adding dormers to the front and back, we created a sculptural and fun loft space.
The result:
A spacious, light and luxurious apartment for our clients Gareth and Mary in a Clapham Common Conservation area.
We asked about their experience with Granit, and we are pleased with their response:
Our experience overall is very good, even with the unexpected difficulties created by Covid.
If you are thinking of appointing an architect and interior design firm, Granit should be seriously considered.

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER
Project Scope--
The owners of this 1990’s colonial home were seeking to convert the existing space-constricted builder-grade kitchen into a generously-apportioned Tuscan-style country kitchen with lots of natural light, high-end appointments and a warmly textured interior design concept. Among other features they sought a mid-room island that would house critical appliances, complete the work triangle and provide dining counter space for three. They also wanted to include a professional-grade gas range.
Challenges--
Situated between dining room and family room, the existing kitchen was small and poorly planned. The sink faced a blank wall and the appliances were inadequate for the owner’s gourmet cooking ambitions.
To create the desired footprint, the contractor, Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, created a plan that called for consolidating square footage in several rooms adjacent to the kitchen. This entailed removing two load bearing walls– one between the kitchen and dining room, a second separating the kitchen and family room– and shifting loads to newly installed structural supports carefully concealed within the resultant “open” floor plan.
To accommodate new appliances (and work efficiencies) called for by this radically altered space plan, the design located the new professional gas range and other key features in the footprint formerly occupied by the breakfast room, a change that takes advantage of opportunities for a higher cathedral ceiling, better natural lighting and greater space.
Solutions--
With this space plan resolved, the design team could now eliminate a picture window on the west elevation, designing a new elevation to accommodate a stucco cooktop flanked by a pair of custom Palladium windows. A side elevation slider was replaced with a French door.
Infrastructure considerations included introducing gas lines needed for the 48” Viking cooktop range and re-routing plumbing. The 5’ x 9’ granite-surfaced custom designed island includes the primary kitchen sink, a dishwasher, microwave and dining overhang that provided seating for up to four.
On another wall, the design called for installing ceiling flush “beaded” display pantries with open bookcases, and routed-in plumbing for a water fountain, a faucet and an ice-making machine.
Glazed maple and cherry cabinetry increased available storage by over 50%. A recessed space was also created for a built-in vertical wine rack. Style-appropriate terra cotta tiling with mosaic bordering detailing extends into the home’s foyer. Other finishing work elements include crown molding with rounded turn posts and corbels.

The brief:
Our clients own an apartment in a mansion block overlooking Clapham Common. They wanted to modernise and bring the apartment up to date and had a few goals:
To change the existing small cellular spaces in the apartment to create a new open-plan room
To extend into the loft and create a new master bedroom suite
To create a roof terrace for some much-needed private outdoor space
The key to the brief was to ensure a good connection between the different levels of the apartment and ensure natural light could flood into all spaces. The apartment is in a conservation area, which was an important consideration.
The solution:
We changed the primary room space to run from the front to the back of the building. This change created the large kitchen dining living space our clients wanted, an area with good natural light throughout and at all times of the day.
We created a master bedroom suite in the loft space, with generous room size and lots of natural light.
The limitations of the building’s form meant that a critical aspect to creating these larger living spaces was carefully considered smaller areas, including the bathrooms and a pocket utility room. The circulation space was carefully considered, too, with the landings used for storage in the form of new joinery.
The stairs were vital in the design. Creating an in-between/half level meant we made the most of the flat roof extension for a bedroom suite and terrace. It also helped natural light get into the centre of the apartment, creating a clear connection between the different floors.
The stairs also help to mark the difference between the existing and the new. We shifted the design from a minimalist take on traditional metal balustraded stairs to open tread steel stairs with a glazed balustrade.
Externally, we kept the design quite simple and in keeping with the context. By adding dormers to the front and back, we created a sculptural and fun loft space.
The result:
A spacious, light and luxurious apartment for our clients Gareth and Mary in a Clapham Common Conservation area.
We asked about their experience with Granit, and we are pleased with their response:
Our experience overall is very good, even with the unexpected difficulties created by Covid.
If you are thinking of appointing an architect and interior design firm, Granit should be seriously considered.

The brief:
Our clients own an apartment in a mansion block overlooking Clapham Common. They wanted to modernise and bring the apartment up to date and had a few goals:
To change the existing small cellular spaces in the apartment to create a new open-plan room
To extend into the loft and create a new master bedroom suite
To create a roof terrace for some much-needed private outdoor space
The key to the brief was to ensure a good connection between the different levels of the apartment and ensure natural light could flood into all spaces. The apartment is in a conservation area, which was an important consideration.
The solution:
We changed the primary room space to run from the front to the back of the building. This change created the large kitchen dining living space our clients wanted, an area with good natural light throughout and at all times of the day.
We created a master bedroom suite in the loft space, with generous room size and lots of natural light.
The limitations of the building’s form meant that a critical aspect to creating these larger living spaces was carefully considered smaller areas, including the bathrooms and a pocket utility room. The circulation space was carefully considered, too, with the landings used for storage in the form of new joinery.
The stairs were vital in the design. Creating an in-between/half level meant we made the most of the flat roof extension for a bedroom suite and terrace. It also helped natural light get into the centre of the apartment, creating a clear connection between the different floors.
The stairs also help to mark the difference between the existing and the new. We shifted the design from a minimalist take on traditional metal balustraded stairs to open tread steel stairs with a glazed balustrade.
Externally, we kept the design quite simple and in keeping with the context. By adding dormers to the front and back, we created a sculptural and fun loft space.
The result:
A spacious, light and luxurious apartment for our clients Gareth and Mary in a Clapham Common Conservation area.
We asked about their experience with Granit, and we are pleased with their response:
Our experience overall is very good, even with the unexpected difficulties created by Covid.
If you are thinking of appointing an architect and interior design firm, Granit should be seriously considered.
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