Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

After building their first home this Bloomfield couple didn't have any immediate plans on building another until they saw this perfect property for sale. It didn't take them long to make the decision on purchasing it and moving forward with another building project. With the wife working from home it allowed them to become the general contractor for this project. It was a lot of work and a lot of decision making but they are absolutely in love with their new home. It is a dream come true for them and I am happy they chose me and Dillman & Upton to help them make it a reality. Cabinetry: Perimeter- Mid Continent, Thomas door, Maple, Antique White Island- Mid Continent, Thomas door, Cherry, Fireside Black Glaze Photo By: Kate Benjamin

This 8200 square foot home is a unique blend of modern, fanciful, and timeless. The original 4200 sqft home on this property, built by the father of the current owners in the 1980s, was demolished to make room for this full basement multi-generational home. To preserve memories of growing up in this home we salvaged many items and incorporated them in fun ways.

This 1920’s brick colonial had over thirty years of deferred maintenance when the current owners acquired the property. An extensive remodel saw the structure taken down to the studs and seismically retrofitted. During construction the house was insulated and the electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems were replaced.

Spruce Log Cabin on Down-sloping lot, 3800 Sq. Ft 4 bedroom 4.5 Bath, with extensive decks and views. Main Floor Master. Rent this cabin 6 miles from Breckenridge Ski Resort for a weekend or a week: https://www.riverridgerentals.com/breckenridge/vacation-rentals/apres-ski-cabin/

Currently the home is configured for a residence with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and an updated kitchen. The property ​is actually ​zoned Commercial Planned Development, which permits mixed use. A fenced, concrete area located at the back of the home is set up for any number of uses: basketball court, Airstream trailer parking, raised gardening beds, plenty of room for projects, storage and off-street parking. ​This charming cottage is a perfect surf shack too and a place to call home sweet home!

This 8200 square foot home is a unique blend of modern, fanciful, and timeless. The original 4200 sqft home on this property, built by the father of the current owners in the 1980s, was demolished to make room for this full basement multi-generational home. To preserve memories of growing up in this home we salvaged many items and incorporated them in fun ways.

This 8200 square foot home is a unique blend of modern, fanciful, and timeless. The original 4200 sqft home on this property, built by the father of the current owners in the 1980s, was demolished to make room for this full basement multi-generational home. To preserve memories of growing up in this home we salvaged many items and incorporated them in fun ways.

This 8200 square foot home is a unique blend of modern, fanciful, and timeless. The original 4200 sqft home on this property, built by the father of the current owners in the 1980s, was demolished to make room for this full basement multi-generational home. To preserve memories of growing up in this home we salvaged many items and incorporated them in fun ways.

This 8200 square foot home is a unique blend of modern, fanciful, and timeless. The original 4200 sqft home on this property, built by the father of the current owners in the 1980s, was demolished to make room for this full basement multi-generational home. To preserve memories of growing up in this home we salvaged many items and incorporated them in fun ways.

Gibeon Photography
Inspiration for a rustic backyard stone patio kitchen remodel with no cover

Pool cabanas at the far end of the pool. The cabanas have a bathroom, lounge area, kitchen and a wet bar with a kegerator.
Farmhouse pool photo in New York

During excavation for this new modern home, large granite boulders rose to the surface from the primordial hillside. Instead of displacing these monoliths from the site from which they were created, they were arranged to define space. A circle of boulders stand guard around a custom built fire pit, providing protection from the wind while offering a place to climb or sit. The extended landscape view from the lawn is kept intact by the introduction of a ha-ha, a traditional landscape feature, that hides the productive garden and keeps it from breaking the view. Native and drought tolerant plantings hug the outer edges of the property for minimal use of irrigation and to visually blend into the surrounding hillside. This project also features a custom ipe bench with integrated lighting, waterjet address numbers with night lighting, and hardscape that complements the form and materiality of the architecture to create a harmonious transition into the horizontal plane. Photography: Louie Jeon Photography

The sun influences every natural process on earth. It drives wether systems, wind patterns and ocean currents. We don't need solar panels to harvest solar energy. We can do it passively by orienting elements on our property to warm us in winter and cool us in summer.

This 8200 square foot home is a unique blend of modern, fanciful, and timeless. The original 4200 sqft home on this property, built by the father of the current owners in the 1980s, was demolished to make room for this full basement multi-generational home. To preserve memories of growing up in this home we salvaged many items and incorporated them in fun ways.

Purchased by the current owner in 2013, this property had been gutted to exposed brick and subfloors, leaving nothing but an open shell behind. While an extensive remodeling project was undertaken across the property as a whole, a brand-new cozy cocoon was meticulously crafted within the property’s cellar. Originally described as "A cold, dark, damp cellar where people kept mechanical equipment and not much else," this below-ground level is now a premier swim/spa/steam/sauna oasis. A Grand ARDA for indoor living goes to Dixon Projects Designer: Dixon Projects From: New York, New York

This home is truly waterfront living at its finest. This new, from-the-ground-up custom home highlights the modernity and sophistication of its owners. Featuring relaxing interior hues of blue and gray and a spacious open floor plan on the first floor, this residence provides the perfect weekend getaway. Falcon Industries oversaw all aspects of construction on this new home - from framing to custom finishes - and currently maintains the property for its owners.

Our clients wanted to create a backyard that would grow with their young family as well as with their extended family and friends. Entertaining was a huge priority! This family-focused backyard was designed to equally accommodate play and outdoor living/entertaining. The outdoor living spaces needed to accommodate a large number of people – adults and kids. Urban Oasis designed a deck off the back door so that the kitchen could be 36” height, with a bar along the outside edge at 42” for overflow seating. The interior space is approximate 600 sf and accommodates both a large dining table and a comfortable couch and chair set. The fire pit patio includes a seat wall for overflow seating around the fire feature (which doubles as a retaining wall) with ample room for chairs. The artificial turf lawn is spacious enough to accommodate a trampoline and other childhood favorites. Down the road, this area could be used for bocce or other lawn games. The concept is to leave all spaces large enough to be programmed in different ways as the family’s needs change. A steep slope presents itself to the yard and is a focal point. Planting a variety of colors and textures mixed among a few key existing trees changed this eyesore into a beautifully planted amenity for the property. Jimmy White Photography

Alycia Marie Photography
Dining room - farmhouse dining room idea in Boston