This young and active family needed a change. Their closed off and dated kitchen didn't work with their lifestyle. They wanted room to entertain and an updated look. We took the wall down between the kitchen and dining room. We removed the U-shaped kitchen and added a huge island. Tons of drawers, pantries and so much countertop! A small coffee area. Gorgeous, lit floating shelves. And don't forget the bar area in the dining room. Now their space is open, bright with so much room for entertaining!

This active family purchased their home and began remodeling before moving in. The out-dated kitchen had oak cabinets and 4" orange tile on the countertops that had to go! (see before photos) It was replaced with a light and bright eat in kitchen. The expansive island provides ample counter space not only for baking and eating, but homework and crafts. Cabinetry with convenient access to blind corners, thoughtful layout for function and storage created a kitchen that is truly the heart of their home. The laundry room is clean and fresh with larger cabinets and a relocated laundry sink under the window. The family room fireplace was also updated with new surround and custom bookcases. PHOTOS: Designer's Edge

Keyes Road is a two-storey, semi-detached red brick house dating to around 1890-1910. The focus of our work was on the ground floor where we were asked to improve the layout and use of the main living areas of the house, for an active family of four. Important to the design was to maximise the quality and amount of light as well as connection to the garden and flow to the rest of the house. Our proposal introduces three single storey extensions, comprising a central, large space that extends the main outrigger of the house. To each side are smaller volumes, affording a full width kitchen. While defining a series of discrete volumes, it was important for us to ensure that the kitchen, living, family and dining rooms that are interconnecting and continuous. The result is a big space punctuated by a series of differently sized arches, defining spaces to ensure their intimacy. It was important for our client to have a sense of warmth and comfort - perhaps not dissimilar to the qualities of a hotel lobby. The colour scheme of the rooms are warm white painted plaster, natural wood flooring with black, bronze and brass accents. Indirect and carefully placed light fittings pulls together the atmosphere of the rooms - particularly in the evenings. Externally, we felt it important to differentiate the extensions from the main house by using a dark, charcoal grey brick. This sets up a contrasting yet complimentary relationship to the rich red coloured brick house. The facets of the brick play with light and depth as do the graduated brick arches. During the design process, we grappled with floor levels, the direction of sunlight, and care to not encroach on the neighbouring properties. As the house is in a conservation area, we worked closely with our trusted planning advisor. Throughout, we pursued a sensitive design strategy, using pitched roofs, matching materials and careful detailing. Internally, many of the original details are intact. This has enabled us to create an eclectic ensemble of elements, colours and materials varying in age and period.

This active family purchased their home and began remodeling before moving in. The out-dated kitchen had oak cabinets and 4" orange tile on the countertops that had to go! (see before photos) It was replaced with a light and bright eat in kitchen. The expansive island provides ample counter space not only for baking and eating, but homework and crafts. Cabinetry with convenient access to blind corners, thoughtful layout for function and storage created a kitchen that is truly the heart of their home. The laundry room is clean and fresh with larger cabinets and a relocated laundry sink under the window. The family room fireplace was also updated with new surround and custom bookcases. PHOTOS: Designer's Edge

The Rivercourt Condominiums feature 24 residences on four levels with panoramic views of the Milwaukee River. The floor plans for each of these homes create a contemporary and inviting atmosphere capitalizing on a connection to the outdoors via sliding glass doors which open onto large balconies for outdoor living space. The use of corner glazing and eight-foot tall windows within the rooms provide framed views of nature and the nearby Milwaukee River. Two landscaped courtyards provide natural sunlight to all sides of the building and encourage residents to take full advantage of their proximity to the river’s edge. Residents enjoy pedestrian activity on the neighborhood river walk, as well as rowing and boating on the Milwaukee River. Completion Date July 2004