Example of a tuscan beige two-story stucco exterior home design in Los Angeles

Kitchens are about the details, and not making everything in white makes those details stand out! Warming up a white kitchen with countertop materials and two-tone cabinets differentiates the areas within a kitchen...

This “pole” house from the early 1970s—which commands a panoramic view of Bishop’s Peak and across the valley to Cuesta Ridge—had gone through a few remodels but by 2014 was ready for some tender loving care and the owners were ready to take on the task. The redesign draws from the original “bones” of the house by maintaining and expanding the view shed from inside the house, and differentiating the existing and new forms with alternate materials and colors that blend in with the surrounding natural environment. A new bridge entrance was created to expose some existing boulders and provide for a dramatic sense of entry, while the new entry roof and exterior walls were reconfigured to create a large roof overhang. A new roof deck on the main level will afford the owners new outdoor space with the expansive view off the living area and main bedroom. The owners are performing a lot of the work themselves along with other skilled trade persons.

- IRVING SOFA. Seating system distinguished by a solid and essential line; high from the ground, characterized by a bridge-shaped foot in aluminium cast that confers lightness and dynamism. A piping in the same fabric chosen for the cover gives a touch of elegance to the model. The cover can be completely and easily removed with the exception of the leather cover. Frame made of solid and plywood, padded with non-deformable expanded polyurethane of differentiated density, and sprung with interwoven elastic belts. Cotton lining coupled with polyester fibre. Bridge-shaped feet in bronzed painted aluminium cast as standard, or in polished aluminium cast upon request. Available in many modules, compositions, fabrics, leathers and colors. https://cassoni.com/Irving-sofa-02

The guest house underwent a massive renovation, transforming a dated space with small rooms into an open, modern, multi-functional area for entertaining, working, and hosting guests. The original galley layout was changed to a long wall with black leather granite countertops and a backsplash in herringbone natural stone. The island is a dark stained walnut with a durable quartz countertop, echoed by the frameless cabinetry painted in a black matte finish. Soft satin brass accents are complemented by the chandelier. The coffee/wine bar area is differentiated by open shelving and a wood plank backsplash painted with walnut shelves to anchor it as a separate area. Full SubZero columns add true functionality to this guest house, so much so that the homeowners lived here while renovating their main house.

When we call this kitchen, dining area and bathroom "Tiny but Luxe," we mean it literally: this kitchen is a walk-through galley that's hardly more than 125 square feet, and the bathroom is quite small as well. So in order to make this tiny home feel more spacious, we opened the wall to the living room to allow light to flow through the living spaces to the dining nook, and over the new peninsula we designed a custom wine rack to create a differentiation of spaces. With a carefully heightened archway between the nook and kitchen, and a new matching arched opening between kitchen and living space, there is a beautiful, and natural openness now even as we were careful to delineate the spaces. A custom banquette in a beautiful hunter green and gorgeous wallpaper draw the eye to the dining area, and also create a feeling of a larger space.

Expanding and updating the kitchen was our top priority – the new layout was designed to straddle the original house and the addition, creating work zones rather than the traditional work triangle. The modified galley layout more than doubled their countertop area and storage space. Extending the kitchen into the addition took full advantage of the vaulted ceilings and light-filled space. To improve flow and connectivity, we opened up a wall between the old kitchen and the front entry hall providing a straight path from front door to the new mudroom/drop zone and kitchen beyond. A door from the dining room into the kitchen was shifted to allow for a more generous kitchen. The beautifully veined Calacatta Eiffel quartz counters and backsplash provide visual contrast with the black cabinetry and keep the space from feeling too heavy. A continuous ledge and floating shelves replace traditional uppers for a more open and modern feel. Stained wood is used throughout, from the bench top, to shelving, trim and custom millwork; it brings in a natural element and helps unite all of the spaces. A hood with a custom Venetian plaster finish is flanked by vintage inspired sconces and provides a stunning focal point in the room. A deep nook is home to a ‘bubble box’ that dispenses cold sparkling or still water on demand – the marble tile backsplash further differentiates this beverage zone. The brushed brass hardware stands out against the dark cabinets and adds a touch of warmth. With seating for three at the counter and the inclusion of a breakfast area banquette (with drawers), the home is ideal for family time and relaxed gatherings with friends.

The Santa Lucia Estate is located on a private reserve in Upper Carmel Valley situated on a gentle grassland ridge with dramatic views of the surrounding valleys and coastal range. The house is not immediately visible and is approached from below by a winding drive and the initial view of the house is revealed through a masonry gateway surrounded by curvilinear walls made from local stone that enclose a protected forecourt. The forms of the house are expressed in two materials, stucco and dry stack stone veneer to differentiate the elements, to reflect the vernacular of the Monterey regional style, and to give the house the appearance of having various elements that have been added over time. The entry façade and the arched arcade of the entry court are symmetrical, and that formality gives way to asymmetrical enclosing wings. The building elements are placed to reflect both the Owner’s program and to fit in the topography of the site. A dominant gabled roof centers the composition of the front façade and creates space and light for the Entry Foyer and to the Dining and Living areas that open to the views on the opposite side. The Garage is located on the right of the forecourt, and the three arched openings reiterate the arches of the French doors in the main arcade. This wing contains a second story floor and traditional decorative timber balcony with views of the surrounding landscape. The main hallway that runs the length of the house is located at the entry court, forming and enfilade from which the formal living spaces and outdoor terraces are located on the opposite southeast side. The placement of these rooms allows a transition from indoor to outdoor terraces that takes advantage of protection from the prevailing wind, provides optimal solar exposure, and orients the living spaces toward the dramatic view corridor down the Potrero Valley. Two roof towers at either end of the longitudinal ridge anchor the building and provide space, focal point and daylight to the interior. A stone Caretaker’s Cottage is located down slope from the main residence.

The entry is warm and inviting to the rest of the home. The hallway leads to the office. The doors to the office are unique and a differentiated from the other rooms. An easy and elegant way to define the space.

We collaborated with our clients to design an extensive home renovation for their southeastern Ontario farmhouse, infusing it with a Modern Craftsman flair. Both the main and second levels will undergo complete transformations. The existing enclosed porch will be expanded both vertically and horizontally with a new second-storey addition and 28’x19’ bump-out across the back of the home. Large and abundant windows throughout will give the home a light and airy atmosphere. On the main level, relocating the stairs will create an expansive open-concept living, dining, and kitchen space, perfect for entertaining family and friends. The living area will be anchored by a modern fireplace, complete with custom millwork filling the entire wall on both sides. Easy access to the backyard patio through triple sliding doors from the dining area will make indoor-outdoor living effortless. The kitchen will boast plentiful counter space, a sizable island seating four, and lots of storage in the walk-in pantry. A new private corner office offers two views of the picturesque rural property. The new front entry will feature a covered exterior and a spacious interior, warmly welcoming visitors. Upstairs, the transformation continues with a luxurious primary suite featuring a cathedral ceiling and a partial wall to differentiate the sleeping and seating areas. Storage will not be an issue in the substantial walk-in closet. The ensuite cleverly offers a separate toilet room along with the 60” soaker tub, oversized shower, and two-sink vanity. Two additional bedrooms will have walk-in closets, one with an ensuite bathroom, and the fourth bedroom will have a wall of closet space. A main bathroom and linen closet will complete the second floor. The exterior will combine pre-finished wood and stone, with simple wood accents at the entryways. Full ICF construction from the foundation to the top of the two-storey walls will ensure the home is highly energy-efficient.

Example of a transitional home bar design in Other

Kitchens are about the details, and not making everything in white makes those details stand out! Warming up a white kitchen with countertop materials and two-tone cabinets differentiates the areas within a kitchen...

Stone - Aspen Country Ledgestone & Aspen Dressed Fieldstone Blend Country Ledgestone is easy to install and offers an extensive color palette that helps differentiate one ledgestone from another. Explore Country Ledgestone: https://www.culturedstone.com/products/country-ledgestone#aspen The rugged look of Dressed Fieldstone complements any natural environment. Its rich texture and range of color enhance a multitude of architectural designs. Explore Dressed Fieldstone: https://www.culturedstone.com/products/dressed-fieldstone#aspen

When our client purchased his mother’s home, the house he grew up in, he knew it was time to update while incorporating his preferred contemporary style. Enter remodeling specialists, Renovisions, who were hired to customize his new look. The main challenge came with creating a more open floor plan. The kitchen was part of one large room, so making this new space unique and awe-inspiring while differentiating from the surrounding dining room was the goal in mind. Renovisions accomplished this goal by first removing the walls between the dining room and kitchen to open up the space The idea was to draw your eye into the room with some interesting elements such as a 2-tier island, a functional and creative pull-out storage cabinet, sleek looking stainless steel GE appliances and glass mosaic tiles with stunning stainless steel backsplash in a Harlequin pattern. Cement colored quartz countertops in a suede finish and 12” x 24” larger format textured porcelain floor tile in a varied pattern completed the modern look. Contemporary designs boast simplicity by focusing on clean lines and an uncluttered look. This is exactly what our client wanted and the contemporary styled frameless cherry cabinetry with a medium dark stain infused a masculine vibe.

Example of a country exterior home design in Detroit

Transitional kitchen photo in Toronto

This client’s vision for their kitchen/hearth room remodel was to create a harmonious space for gathering and socializing with family and friends. Without the before and after photos, you would scarcely believe this was the same home. This huge home renovation perfectly illustrates that Dimensions In Wood’s expert team can handle every aspect of your remodeling project. Plumbing, flooring, electrical wiring, custom cabinets, structural engineering, appliances, windows, interior and exterior doors, entertainment and more. Contact us today to discuss Translating Your Visions into Reality The client was interested in new appliance technology, cabinetry to the ceiling, and an Island large enough to seat 3. They also wanted a built-in breakfast nook, improved pantry space, more functional storage on either side of their fireplace, and a built-in appearance for the TV above the mantel. The original built-in desk was not used, and they preferred for that space to serve as a small bar area with refrigeration and a place to store their printer. We designed several plans for the space before selecting the final layout. The new design required the removal of the soffit over the old sink, as well as a small wall beside the old refrigerator. The wall beside the stairwell had to be shortened 13 inches and a new beam installed to carry the load of the home’s 2nd story to gain enough space for the large central island. The existing closet pantry walls were also reconfigured as per the new plan. This serves as a great reminder that Dimensions In Wood is much more than just custom cabinets. Central to the entire custom kitchen is an 8-foot Walnut island. The huge island, which comfortably seats three, is topped with Essenza Blue quartzite. The stone’s natural striations are beautiful. Quartzite is harder than granite, and less likely to stain than other stones because of its density. The couple had to look through multiple slabs to find a piece they LOVED. The island’s custom Walnut cabinetry, built to resemble a piece of custom furniture, was stained Bronzed Walnut by Sherwin Williams. The 4-foot Galley Workstation in the island, handles all the kitchen’s prep, serving, and cleanup needs. The Galley’s culinary tools include an upper tier cutting board, upper tier drying rack, 2 lower tier platforms, 11″ colander with non-slip handles, and 11” mixing bowl with lid and non-slip bottom. Learn more about the amazing Galley Workstation here. A Waterstone gantry faucet in a pewter finish combines a pull-down sprayer for maximum mobility and a articulated swivel spout. A water tap with reverse osmosis filter provides the highest quality drinking water. To keep a clean and sleek counter we installed a raised air switch for the garbage disposal and integrated soap dispenser. The island also houses the Thermador Sapphire 7-Program Dishwasher with a hidden touch control panel and a custom Walnut wood front. The cabinetry under the Galley Workstation features a trash roll out, as well as storage for the culinary tools. Shortening the stairwell wall, and reframing around the stairs, which included shortening the handrail, also made room for a bi-fold door walk-in pantry with extra roll out storage and space for a small microwave. Above the panty doors is a remote controlled, electric motor powered, lift up cabinet door which hides a flat screen TV, used while the family is cooking. To the right of the walk-in pantry is cold food storage. The Thermador, 30-inch Freedom Collection refrigerator and 24-inch built-in freezer column with internal ice maker are covered with matching cabinetry fronts. An open display space was designed above the units, creating an aesthetically beautiful wall. To the right of the refrigerator & freezer columns is a tall cabinet designed for the built-in Thermador steam and convection oven. The convention steam oven is a relatively new technology for homes, but its versatility and food quality is amazing. To the right of this is a pull-out appliance pantry which provides easy access and storage for a stand mixer, blender, and any other appliance you do not want to clutter the counter. The most visible wall of the kitchen features the 36-inch Thermador Professional Series Harmony Gas Range with Griddle. Between the range and custom designed wood hood, a framed mosaic tile accent in the backsplash, creates a focal point. To clear the air, the Professional Series Thermador 42-inch ventilation insert provides excellent exhaust capabilities, as well as providing multi-level, vivid LED lights for beautiful illumination. The wall cabinetry symmetrically flanks the custom hood, utilizing deeper wall cabinetry on each end, allowing for storage of oversized dishware. The base cabinetry on this wall is made up of drawers, except for the corner, which is a Kesseböhmer LeMans II. This specially designed shelf system allows ease of access in underutilized blind corners. The dual action articulation system with soft close mechanism ensures a smooth open and close. Rounding the corner to the outside wall, the base cabinetry was built to a narrower depth, providing additional space for the island, as well as easier access to the new larger pass-thru window which serves the screen porch. The client selected Black Vermont granite countertops with an ogee edge to contrast the Linen White painted cabinetry. The door to the screen porch was replaced with a Marvin Exterior Door with a raised panel at the bottom of the 3⁄4 glass door. Marvin Windows replaced the other windows in the space increasing the energy efficiency and value of the home. To establish the breakfast nook, a bench with drawers and an upholstered seat was built into the bay area of the room. Custom bookshelves were built with open shelves, cabinet doors, and drawers on either side of the fireplace. A new stone hearth and fireplace surround were installed. Above the existing mantel we built a recessed space for the flat screen television hiding all wiring inside the walls for a completely clean look. The space that was once a desk was transformed into a bar area. The glass shelves and glass cabinet front liquor cabinet stand out. But this bar area has hidden secrets. Tucked beneath the black granite is a Thermador under-counter double drawer refrigerator with matching wood front panels. They blend in perfectly with the cabinets. A wireless printer is easily accessed on a slide out drawer. Plus, what looks like merely wooden panels on the wall are concealing recessed storage for more bottles and glasses! Overhead recessed lighting and speaker system provide illumination and entertainment through the entire space. This luxury home had original, solid oak flooring through most of the first floor which the homeowner obviously wanted to keep but were in desperate need of repair and refinishing. Our master craftsmen wove in new wood flooring to match the old where needed, particularly where walls had been changed and where the floor was damaged. We sanded the floors, smoothing away years of wear and tear. The entire wood floor was then uniformly stained, making it impossible to differentiate where any repairs were made. If this renovation has inspired you, then contact us today! There is no limit to our Dimensions.

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.

The new exterior differentiates the gables, giving a balcony to one, shuttered windows to another, and a flower box to another. A pergola scales down the tall wall above the garage, and a balcony does the same above the main entry door. Careful finish carpentry and craftsmanship are evident.