Believed to be the oldest building in Excelsior Minnesota, this humble brick structure has transformed, been moved, and housed countless people over its 162 years. Affectionately known as ‘The Beehive’, it was built in 1857 and began as the original Excelsior schoolhouse. It was moved to its’ current location in the 1880’s and became a 23-room dormitory for Northwestern Christian College, followed by a boarding house, and finally apartments (in addition to the rumors of more sordid activities in the early 20th century!). After being in the same family for several decades, the owner wanted to transform the building one more time to make it her own home. Citydeskstudio worked closely with her and the Excelsior Historic Preservation Commission on the design. She now occupies the main floor, with additional units above and below for rental and for family. The design celebrates the stout and blocky character of the building with a new modern expansion off the back. There, the building steps and expands outwards in glassy boxes of charred cedar. Inside, the original structure was repaired and uncovered where possible, and previous poorly done modifications were corrected. The center piece of this more open and light-filled home is a rich modern kitchen in walnut, travertine, and steel. The old character remains ever present and is essential to the spirit of The Beehive’s latest transformation. This multigenerational home’s design honors the legacy of the property, marrying the original Excelsior schoolhouse with a beautiful, modern, contextually-sensitive remodel and addition. Project Team: Ben Awes, AIA, Principal-In-Charge Chris Bach Nate Dodge

This beach home was originally built in 1936. It's a great property, just steps from the sand, but it needed a major overhaul from the foundation to a new copper roof. Inside, we designed and created an open concept living, kitchen and dining area, perfect for hosting or lounging. The result? A home remodel that surpassed the homeowner's dreams. Outside, adding a custom shower and quality materials like Trex decking added function and style to the exterior. And with panoramic views like these, you want to spend as much time outdoors as possible!

The only new construction direct Intracoastal home for sale in the entire Palm Beach Estate Section. Never lived in before, the only modern waterfront home currently for sale on all of Palm Beach Island. One of only two on all of Palm Beach Island with direct Intracoastal frontage and two docks on both the front and back yards.17,190 square feet of total indoor-outdoor living space on .89 acres. Includes $2,000,000 worth of personal property, furnishings, art, sculptures in the listing price.

The design of this residence began as a collaboration between Alka Construction and Rush Dixon Architects to continue Fulton Neighborhood’s “unique modern living” approach to the built environment. The collective goal was to create a “lowcountry modern” aesthetic that responds to the site. Prior to the commencement of construction the current homeowner purchased the property; we were then able to customize the design to their priorities and preferences.

We updated this 1907 two-story family home for re-sale. We added modern design elements and amenities while retaining the home’s original charm in the layout and key details. The aim was to optimize the value of the property for a prospective buyer, within a reasonable budget. New French doors from kitchen and a rear bedroom open out to a new bi-level deck that allows good sight lines, functional outdoor living space, and easy access to a garden full of mature fruit trees. French doors from an upstairs bedroom open out to a private high deck overlooking the garden. The garage has been converted to a family room that opens to the garden. The bathrooms and kitchen were remodeled the kitchen with simple, light, classic materials and contemporary lighting fixtures. New windows and skylights flood the spaces with light. Stained wood windows and doors at the kitchen pick up on the original stained wood of the other living spaces. New redwood picture molding was created for the living room where traces in the plaster suggested that picture molding has originally been. A sweet corner window seat at the living room was restored. At a downstairs bedroom we created a new plate rail and other redwood trim matching the original at the dining room. The original dining room hutch and woodwork were restored and a new mantel built for the fireplace. We built deep shelves into space carved out of the attic next to upstairs bedrooms and added other built-ins for character and usefulness. Storage was created in nooks throughout the house. A small room off the kitchen was set up for efficient laundry and pantry space. We provided the future owner of the house with plans showing design possibilities for expanding the house and creating a master suite with upstairs roof dormers and a small addition downstairs. The proposed design would optimize the house for current use while respecting the original integrity of the house. Photography: John Hayes, Open Homes Photography https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/classic-craftsman-update/

Carmichael Ave: Custom Modern Home Build We’re excited to finally share pictures of one of our favourite customer’s project. The Rahimi brothers came into our showroom and consulted with Jodi for their custom home build. At Castle Kitchens, we are able to help all customers including builders with meeting their budget and providing them with great designs for their end customer. We worked closely with the builder duo by looking after their project from design to installation. The final outcome was a design that ensured the best layout, balance, proportion, symmetry, designed to suit the style of the property. Our kitchen design team was a great resource for our customers with regard to mechanical and electrical input, colours, appliance selection, accessory suggestions, etc. We provide overall design services! The project features walnut accents all throughout the house that help add warmth into a modern space allowing it be welcoming. Castle Kitchens was ultimately able to provide great design at great value to allow for a great return on the builders project. We look forward to showcasing another project with Rahimi brothers that we are currently working on soon for 2017, so stay tuned!

Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.

We updated this 1907 two-story family home for re-sale. We added modern design elements and amenities while retaining the home’s original charm in the layout and key details. The aim was to optimize the value of the property for a prospective buyer, within a reasonable budget. New French doors from kitchen and a rear bedroom open out to a new bi-level deck that allows good sight lines, functional outdoor living space, and easy access to a garden full of mature fruit trees. French doors from an upstairs bedroom open out to a private high deck overlooking the garden. The garage has been converted to a family room that opens to the garden. The bathrooms and kitchen were remodeled the kitchen with simple, light, classic materials and contemporary lighting fixtures. New windows and skylights flood the spaces with light. Stained wood windows and doors at the kitchen pick up on the original stained wood of the other living spaces. New redwood picture molding was created for the living room where traces in the plaster suggested that picture molding has originally been. A sweet corner window seat at the living room was restored. At a downstairs bedroom we created a new plate rail and other redwood trim matching the original at the dining room. The original dining room hutch and woodwork were restored and a new mantel built for the fireplace. We built deep shelves into space carved out of the attic next to upstairs bedrooms and added other built-ins for character and usefulness. Storage was created in nooks throughout the house. A small room off the kitchen was set up for efficient laundry and pantry space. We provided the future owner of the house with plans showing design possibilities for expanding the house and creating a master suite with upstairs roof dormers and a small addition downstairs. The proposed design would optimize the house for current use while respecting the original integrity of the house. Photography: John Hayes, Open Homes Photography https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/classic-craftsman-update/

Working with a creative deck builder Seattle residents can think of, there are possibilities for neglected outdoor corners to be transformed. We evaluate the current use of the property and the changes that homeowners want to make at Redrra Deck Builder for each project. A strategically placed deck can create comfortable seating areas, link garden paths or be a welcoming spot to enjoy the outdoors. Visit: https://redrra.com/

Our clients lived in a wonderful home they designed and built which they referred to as their dream home until this property they admired for many years became available. Its location on a point with spectacular ocean views made it impossible to resist. This 40-year-old home was state of the art for its time. It was perfectly sited but needed to be renovated to accommodate their lifestyle and make use of current materials. Thus began the 3-year journey. They decided to capture one of the most exquisite views of Boston’s North Shore and do a full renovation inside and out. This project was a complete gut renovation with the addition of a guest suite above the garage and a new front entry.

We updated this 1907 two-story family home for re-sale. We added modern design elements and amenities while retaining the home’s original charm in the layout and key details. The aim was to optimize the value of the property for a prospective buyer, within a reasonable budget. New French doors from kitchen and a rear bedroom open out to a new bi-level deck that allows good sight lines, functional outdoor living space, and easy access to a garden full of mature fruit trees. French doors from an upstairs bedroom open out to a private high deck overlooking the garden. The garage has been converted to a family room that opens to the garden. The bathrooms and kitchen were remodeled the kitchen with simple, light, classic materials and contemporary lighting fixtures. New windows and skylights flood the spaces with light. Stained wood windows and doors at the kitchen pick up on the original stained wood of the other living spaces. New redwood picture molding was created for the living room where traces in the plaster suggested that picture molding has originally been. A sweet corner window seat at the living room was restored. At a downstairs bedroom we created a new plate rail and other redwood trim matching the original at the dining room. The original dining room hutch and woodwork were restored and a new mantel built for the fireplace. We built deep shelves into space carved out of the attic next to upstairs bedrooms and added other built-ins for character and usefulness. Storage was created in nooks throughout the house. A small room off the kitchen was set up for efficient laundry and pantry space. We provided the future owner of the house with plans showing design possibilities for expanding the house and creating a master suite with upstairs roof dormers and a small addition downstairs. The proposed design would optimize the house for current use while respecting the original integrity of the house. Photography: John Hayes, Open Homes Photography https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/classic-craftsman-update/

Believed to be the oldest building in Excelsior Minnesota, this humble brick structure has transformed, been moved, and housed countless people over its 162 years. Affectionately known as ‘The Beehive’, it was built in 1857 and began as the original Excelsior schoolhouse. It was moved to its’ current location in the 1880’s and became a 23-room dormitory for Northwestern Christian College, followed by a boarding house, and finally apartments (in addition to the rumors of more sordid activities in the early 20th century!). After being in the same family for several decades, the owner wanted to transform the building one more time to make it her own home. Citydeskstudio worked closely with her and the Excelsior Historic Preservation Commission on the design. She now occupies the main floor, with additional units above and below for rental and for family. The design celebrates the stout and blocky character of the building with a new modern expansion off the back. There, the building steps and expands outwards in glassy boxes of charred cedar. Inside, the original structure was repaired and uncovered where possible, and previous poorly done modifications were corrected. The center piece of this more open and light-filled home is a rich modern kitchen in walnut, travertine, and steel. The old character remains ever present and is essential to the spirit of The Beehive’s latest transformation. This multigenerational home’s design honors the legacy of the property, marrying the original Excelsior schoolhouse with a beautiful, modern, contextually-sensitive remodel and addition. Project Team: Ben Awes, AIA, Principal-In-Charge Chris Bach Nate Dodge

Kitchen with mixed hardwood flooring from 1880s barn. Exposed original Hemlock beams and ceiling components. Authentic bead board (vertical) Douglas Fir walls (painted). Custom Quarter Sawn White Oak inset shaker cabinets, drawers, and pull-outs (furniture style). Quarter Sawn White Oak kitchen trim. Granite countertops. Island and peninsula. Large Marvin Ultimate Signature casement window systems (French Casement). Miele dishwasher. 1 hp Insinkerator garbage disposal. Large Ruvati stainless sink with offset drain. California faucet (farm bridge design). Part of the meticulous restoration of Giant View, a historic 1940s Adirondack camp compound on 20 private acres in Keene Valley, NY. This legacy High Peaks estate is currently available for acquisition. Architectural inquiries and private viewing arrangements are welcome. For additional details, the property listing is available on the Merrill L. Thomas agency website at www.adirondackestates.com (MLS# 202597); email: dominika@adirondackestates.com

Welcome home to the Harry Tritle House, an historic Spanish Mission style property in the coveted Alvarado historic neighborhood. This estate has a long history in Phoenix. Built in 1928 for Harry, the son of territorial governor F.A. Tritle, this home has seen the growth and development of Phoenix and stands as a proud statement of historic preservation done well. You will marvel at the incredible woodwork, the coved ceilings, the luxurious grounds and the attention to detail and respect for this home's origin. The current owners have added just the right touches, including a beautiful pool. You can have all this, as well as easy access to downtown, transportation corridors, shopping, entertainment and a peaceful urban neighborhood. Call for a special showing appointment. See more at http://getyourphx.com/get_your_phx_listings/

Carmichael Ave: Custom Modern Home Build We’re excited to finally share pictures of one of our favourite customer’s project. The Rahimi brothers came into our showroom and consulted with Jodi for their custom home build. At Castle Kitchens, we are able to help all customers including builders with meeting their budget and providing them with great designs for their end customer. We worked closely with the builder duo by looking after their project from design to installation. The final outcome was a design that ensured the best layout, balance, proportion, symmetry, designed to suit the style of the property. Our kitchen design team was a great resource for our customers with regard to mechanical and electrical input, colours, appliance selection, accessory suggestions, etc. We provide overall design services! The project features walnut accents all throughout the house that help add warmth into a modern space allowing it be welcoming. Castle Kitchens was ultimately able to provide great design at great value to allow for a great return on the builders project. We look forward to showcasing another project with Rahimi brothers that we are currently working on soon for 2017, so stay tuned!

Custom Silver Maple cabinetry. Granite countertop. Marvin Ultimate Signature awning windows. Ruvati sink. California faucet set. Part of the meticulous restoration of Giant View, a historic 1940s Adirondack camp compound on 20 private acres in Keene Valley, NY. This legacy High Peaks estate is currently available for acquisition. Architectural inquiries and private viewing arrangements are welcome. For additional details, the property listing is available on the Merrill L. Thomas agency website at www.adirondackestates.com (MLS# 202597); email: dominika@adirondackestates.com

Situated on a treed 70 acres of land in a rural setting, this unique property built for the current owners is primarily surrounded by farm fields, and much of the South boundary is on the North Castor River. A quick commute to downtown Ottawa, the custom bungalow is within close proximity to shopping and amenities. Presently operating under Managed Forest designation. Heated triple garage, heated 1700sq ft workshop and coverall barn.

We updated this 1907 two-story family home for re-sale. We added modern design elements and amenities while retaining the home’s original charm in the layout and key details. The aim was to optimize the value of the property for a prospective buyer, within a reasonable budget. New French doors from kitchen and a rear bedroom open out to a new bi-level deck that allows good sight lines, functional outdoor living space, and easy access to a garden full of mature fruit trees. French doors from an upstairs bedroom open out to a private high deck overlooking the garden. The garage has been converted to a family room that opens to the garden. The bathrooms and kitchen were remodeled the kitchen with simple, light, classic materials and contemporary lighting fixtures. New windows and skylights flood the spaces with light. Stained wood windows and doors at the kitchen pick up on the original stained wood of the other living spaces. New redwood picture molding was created for the living room where traces in the plaster suggested that picture molding has originally been. A sweet corner window seat at the living room was restored. At a downstairs bedroom we created a new plate rail and other redwood trim matching the original at the dining room. The original dining room hutch and woodwork were restored and a new mantel built for the fireplace. We built deep shelves into space carved out of the attic next to upstairs bedrooms and added other built-ins for character and usefulness. Storage was created in nooks throughout the house. A small room off the kitchen was set up for efficient laundry and pantry space. We provided the future owner of the house with plans showing design possibilities for expanding the house and creating a master suite with upstairs roof dormers and a small addition downstairs. The proposed design would optimize the house for current use while respecting the original integrity of the house. Photography: John Hayes, Open Homes Photography https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/classic-craftsman-update/

Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.