The Fairy Tale Cottage is a small cottage house plan with a loft and screened porches. The exterior has a mix of shake, board and batten, arched gables and porches giving it a true fairy tale cottage look and feel. Inside the home you will find a living room, kitchen and dining room all open to each other creating a living large feeling and allowing you to easily converse with your family and guests. The family room is vaulted with a stone fireplace and access to the covered and screened porch. On the upper level you will find a loft open to below, one bedroom and a bunk room. A spiral staircase leads to a tower room that you can use as an office or dining space with views from above. On the lower level you will find a guest bedroom, recreation room and a theater room. Contact us today to make this fairy tale cottage become your reality.

A family cottage in the Gatineau hills infused with Canadiana shifts its way over the edge of a cliff to command views of the adjacent lake. The retreat is gently embedded in the Canadian Shield; the sleeping quarters firmly set in the rock while the cantilevered family room dramatically emerges from this stone base. The modest entry visible from the road leads to an orchestrated, tranquil path entering from the forest-side of the house and moving through the space as it opens up onto the lakeside. The house illustrates a warm approach to modernism; white oak boards wrap from wall to floor enhancing the elongated shape of the house and slabs of silver maple create the bathroom vanity. On the exterior, the main volume is wrapped with open-joint eastern white cedar while the stairwell is encased in steel; both are left unfinished to age with the elements. On the lower level, the dormitory style sleeping quarters are again embedded into the rock. Access to the exterior is provided by a walkout from the lower level recreation room, allowing the family to easily explore nature. Natural cooling is provided by cool air rising from the lake, passing in through the lakeside openings and out through the clerestory windows on the forest elevation. The expanse of windows engages the ephemeral foliage from the treetops to the forest floor. The softness and shadows of the filtered forest light fosters an intimate relationship between the exterior and the interior.

When this 6,000-square-foot vacation home suffered water damage in its family room, the homeowners decided it was time to update the interiors at large. They wanted an elegant, sophisticated, and comfortable style that served their lives but also required a design that would preserve and enhance various existing details. To begin, we focused on the timeless and most interesting aspects of the existing design. Details such as Spanish tile floors in the entry and kitchen were kept, as were the dining room's spirited marine-blue combed walls, which were refinished to add even more depth. A beloved lacquered linen coffee table was also incorporated into the great room's updated design. To modernize the interior, we looked to the home's gorgeous water views, bringing in colors and textures that related to sand, sea, and sky. In the great room, for example, textured wall coverings, nubby linen, woven chairs, and a custom mosaic backsplash all refer to the natural colors and textures just outside. Likewise, a rose garden outside the master bedroom and study informed color selections there. We updated lighting and plumbing fixtures and added a mix of antique and new furnishings. In the great room, seating and tables were specified to fit multiple configurations – the sofa can be moved to a window bay to maximize summer views, for example, but can easily be moved by the fireplace during chillier months. Project designed by Boston interior design Dane Austin Design. Dane serves Boston, Cambridge, Hingham, Cohasset, Newton, Weston, Lexington, Concord, Dover, Andover, Gloucester, as well as surrounding areas. For more about Dane Austin Design, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/oyster-harbors-estate

Many families ponder the idea of adding extra living space for a few years before they are actually ready to remodel. Then, all-of-the sudden, something will happen that makes them realize that they can’t wait any longer. In the case of this remodeling story, it was the snowstorm of 2016 that spurred the homeowners into action. As the family was stuck in the house with nowhere to go, they longed for more space. The parents longed for a getaway spot for themselves that could also double as a hangout area for the kids and their friends. As they considered their options, there was one clear choice…to renovate the detached garage. The detached garage previously functioned as a workshop and storage room and offered plenty of square footage to create a family room, kitchenette, and full bath. It’s location right beside the outdoor kitchen made it an ideal spot for entertaining and provided an easily accessible bathroom during the summertime. Even the canine family members get to enjoy it as they have their own personal entrance, through a bathroom doggie door. Our design team listened carefully to our client’s wishes to create a space that had a modern rustic feel and found selections that fit their aesthetic perfectly. To set the tone, Blackstone Oak luxury vinyl plank flooring was installed throughout. The kitchenette area features Maple Shaker style cabinets in a pecan shell stain, Uba Tuba granite countertops, and an eye-catching amber glass and antique bronze pulley sconce. Rather than use just an ordinary door for the bathroom entry, a gorgeous Knotty Alder barn door creates a stunning focal point of the room. The fantastic selections continue in the full bath. A reclaimed wood double vanity with a gray washed pine finish anchors the room. White, semi-recessed sinks with chrome faucets add some contemporary accents, while the glass and oil-rubbed bronze mini pendant lights are a balance between both rustic and modern. The design called for taking the shower tile to the ceiling and it really paid off. A sliced pebble tile floor in the shower is curbed with Uba Tuba granite, creating a clean line and another accent detail. The new multi-functional space looks like a natural extension of their home, with its matching exterior lights, new windows, doors, and sliders. And with winter approaching and snow on the way, this family is ready to hunker down and ride out the storm in comfort and warmth. When summer arrives, they have a designated bathroom for outdoor entertaining and a wonderful area for guests to hang out. It was a pleasure to create this beautiful remodel for our clients and we hope that they continue to enjoy it for many years to come.

Add rustic charm and keep your coats, gloves and hats organized with this practical wall hanging unit; 36" wide is perfect for any space. Versatile bench with shelf can be used as a coffee table, entryway or mudroom bench for putting on/removing shoes or anywhere you need extra seating/storage.Storage Coat Hook hangs easily with French Cleat system. No assembly required.This piece of furniture is made using reclaimed timber. No piece is exactly alike; subtle imperfections are part of the wood's character. The bench measures 36Wx9dx14h and the coat hook measures 36wx9dx14h.

The solid wood door accessing the parking lot offers a second separate lockable entry and wood delivery can easily be driven up to the door and unloaded directly into the covered shed

This graceful 1929 brick Tudor exudes an old-world elegance befitting its prestigious address. Recent updates give this sun-filled beauty a chic, new feel. The effortlessly elegant living room is highlighted by rich wood paneling, a stunning beamed ceiling and a signature fireplace. The adjoining all-season sun room with cathedral ceiling, built-ins and fireplace provides picture perfect views of the beautiful grounds. The neutral kitchen adjoins a formal dining room with French doors and leads to an expansive stone patio. A flexible den can easily double as an office or homework space. The master includes a walk-in closet and en-suite bath. Two generous second floor bedrooms share a hall bath. The versatile third floor includes a bedroom, full bathroom and office or children's space. Two car attached garage. Captivating exterior features including an arched entry, stone walls, slate roof, and copper gutters complete this enchanting English Tudor in a prestigious estate neighborhood.

A complete metamorphosis was needed to bring out the buried treasure hidden beneath this yard, and a family of five rattlesnakes had to find a new home! Here’s the short list of the awkward elements that had to be remedied: First, the neighbors’ living room window peered perpetually (like, all the time) and directly into the yard with no privacy whatsoever. None. Second, the vast deep end swallowed up the patio and provided no place for furniture, or walking. Only tripping and treading water was allowed. Third, the sunken lawn must have been an arena of some sort! Intentionally excavated from natural grade a full -42″ from the patio, for no good reason. Fourth, the not-worth-a-visit ramada was the focal point for the entire yard. See it up close! It’s gone. Fifth, the spa was shoved against the farthest wall and provided no invitation. It was so bad, it never had a photo taken! See the statue peeing between the two short columns? It’s over there. Peeing in the corner as all little boys are want to do. Sixth, the bbq and fire place were non-functional and equally uninviting, and here’s a better view of just how crowded the furniture is. Don’t fall in! Last, we will not mention the boulder pile droppings distributed around the yard. Oops! Sorry. The first order of business was to spend several weeks tearing out everything but the pool shell. Then another few weeks were spent wheelbarrowing in a few hundred yards of top soil (there was no access) to fill the matador pit flush to a more relatable -18″. The large gaping trough was then discretely hidden with large removable stones, so it was out of sight but still serviceable. Second, the neighbor was screened instantly with a row of mature Texas Ebony trees in a raised planter, that also housed a sculptural ironwood tree as the focal point of the property, soon to be reflected in the pool’s richer Midnight Blue pebble tec finish. A hundred or so yards of shotcrete filled not only the reclaimed deep end, but also created a sun shelf and spa ledge, now the focal jewel in the foreground as a 360 overflow vanishing edge spa clad in Pewter glass tile from Oceanside Glass, and viewed from all the interior living spaces. The BBQ was tucked around the corner out of sight but still easy access. The fireplace for two gave way to a large inviting built in banco, with a splashes of colorful fabrics to draw one out. The fire pit serves about 10 people easily, for hours at a time. Last but not least, the foreground of the pool became a sweeping entry shelf extending the full length of the pool, bedecked with fiberoptic starlights and six glowing bubblers set low, to just barely break the surface of the water, giving a lovely and tranquil sound while sleeping away with all retractable doors wide open. Simple. Serene. Self-evident. That is the remedy. If your project needs a similar touch, more or less, drop me a line and we’ll figure out a plan.

Our masterfully constructed French Antique locker organizes the most chaotic entryway or mudroom in style by keeping everything within easy reach: coats, schoolbags and hats can be easily hung on the hooks and smaller items hidden in the cabinet. Choose the exact size needed for your entryway. Our benches provide the ideal sitting spots and extra storage in their drawers, and our optional mirrors guarantee that you are ready for the day!

With tapered columns and exquisite custom cabinetry, the Mission style front entrance could easily double as a family room. Photos by Craig Thompson. Resources: Architectural and interior design: Designs by Brenda Ceurvorst; Contractor and Custom woodwork: Orrin Macik, Macik Custom Woodworking & Contracting LLC

This larger home, constructed on Martha’s Vineyard, is a collection of informal, dormered gable components and grounding one-story, shed-roof elements that reduce its overall scale. Designed to take advantage of a gently sloping up-Island property, this 5500 sq. ft. (not including finished basement) six-bedroom home includes staggered floor levels that climb from the front of the site to the rear. Generous, open living space on the entry level -- anchored on the west end by a fireplace and on the east end by the kitchen -- borders a dining area that’s nestled under a roof which also shelters the adjacent wrap-around porch. A deck off the rear of the dining space extends around the kitchen and is easily accessible from the nearby family room, too. Bedrooms occupy the other above-grade levels, including, at the upper-most level, the master suite comprised of a study, roof deck, master bath, walk-in closets and the master bedroom. A clean-lined interior of warm neutrals sets a soothing tone in which the Island landscape is welcomed through expansive windows, porches and decks. Clad in white cedar shingles with a red cedar roof, the West Tisbury House will softly weather in-tune with its meadow site. Katie Hutchison Studio collaborated with Geoffrey Koper Architect of Yarmouth Port, Mass. on the West Tisbury House. Kitchen fit-out and interior finishes, fixtures, and furnishings by others. photo by Katie Hutchison

A timber frame porch with a custom-made wooden entry door welcomes guests to the Tom and Melinda Kolar’s lake cabin This Florida couple finds peaceful respite in a hybrid log and timber home on the shores of Tennessee’s Douglas Lake. Melinda is originally from Hendersonville, North Carolina and since leaving she has missed the changing of the seasons that occur there. When Tom and Melinda’s two children both enrolled in Tennessee colleges (son at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and daughter at Carson Newman University) the Kolars decided to look for some property, ideally between the two college towns. They wanted to build a family get-together home for holidays and summers. “What is came down to,” says Tom, “is yes we definitely, went around to a lot of log and timber home builders in the region.” The Kolar’s wanted a rustic-style wooden home not a conventional stick-frame and drywall house. Tom says “Hearthstone was hands down the most professional, and equally important, least pushy of all the companies we met with. They presented their product and building options in a knowledgeable, streamlined manner and escorted us to some of the custom homes they had built nearby. Hearthstone didn’t have to sell u on their product, the craftsmanship spoke for itself.” “We specialist in contracting for out of town clients who need a certain degree of total project management,” says Hearthstone’s Jobe Leonard. “Our design, accounting, construction, and subcontracting services make us unique from other log and timber home producers in the immediate vicinity,” says Leonard. The Kolars aimed to create a family-friendly livable outdoor space that would flow easily from interior to exterior. They chose a large hand-hewn 6”x14” log profile married with a two-story Easter white pine timber frame. The overall process for building the Kolar home went very smoothly. After a two-to-three-month design process, the foundation construction was started. The Kolar’s really appreciated the streamlined fashion in which the project unfolded. Melinda furnished the lake house with a mix of antiques and rustic furniture from nearby towns such as Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Now, their family enjoys spending time here during all four seasons. Melinda and Tom say there is one thing they are certain of: If another wood home project is in the picture, they have their log and timber company already figured out.

A custom stained mudroom was built to match the family's kitchen. Organized drawers, shoe pull-outs, and adjustable shelving make mornings go much more smoothly!

Previous homeowner had removed the hall closet for more hallway space. New owner needed storage space for the kids to hang coats and drop off school books. The lower drawers are easily accessible by the children and the upper cabinets by adults. The bench seat was a perfect match to the wood flooring.

When local business owners with four kids and an extended family decided to build their custom home with OakWood, they knew what they wanted – a luxurious yet functional space. This kitchen was designed with the intention of considering the fast-paced lives the family members while also looking to provide a space where everyone can interact and spend time together. Not only was this spacious kitchen inspired by a love of cooking, it was configured to easily facilitate informal dining for the whole large family. A large window behind the main sink brings natural light into the space but also provides a nice view into the backyard so mom can be in the kitchen and see the kids in the backyard. The kitchen was also designed with a variety of entry points; clients can access the kitchen from their sunroom, mudroom, formal dining area and more. As a result, the space is a central space for the family. Directly adjacent to this space is the informal dining area and a desk with a computer which allows the clients to work while still being present for the comings and goings of everyone in this family space. Although two colours and textures are used for the cabinetry, there is harmony created between them as a result of the raised panel being used. The cloudy glass backsplash not only breaks up the light toned cabinetry but also adds a glossy finish that contrasts with the smooth wood finishes. Seagrove quartz is present on both the counter and island. This highly detailed quartz adds a great deal of texture and also helps to guide the viewer’s eye around the space. Pendant lights placed above the island help to draw attention toward the center of the space while also mimicking the glass seen in the cabinetry. This project was a finalist for the GOHBA Awards in the category Traditional Custom Kitchen and was also featured in the Fall issue of LUXE Magazine Ottawa. You can read the full story here: https://console.virtualpaper.com/luxe/luxe-fall-2020/#42/

This "Dream" room was designed for a young girl, which she can easily grow into with a few simple changes in bedding and accents. Cole & Son's Woods and Stars was selected as a feature wall in a pretty pale blue, a nod to the surrounding woods and adding an ethereal touch. The ceiling was painted to match the walls, for a fully enveloped feeling. Rainbows and Unicorns abound in this fantasy forest. A secret playroom hides behind the spare closet's doors, with a dreamy sky overhead, complete with a fluffy cloud pendant. The loveseat pulls out into a twin bed for sleep overs.

Like many tract homes, this house had a kitchen that was relegated to the back of the house and somewhat cut off from the rest of the space. The homeowners used the entire back stretch of the house as their main habitat and workspace, and wanted to achieve a more unified, updated look. To achieve their goals, we removed the wall at the far end of the kitchen, which had separated the adjacent dining room. We also removed a smaller support wall which had blocked the view from the family room into the kitchen. The entire lower level of the home now has a circular flow which connects the family room, kitchen and dining room, as well as the formal living room and entry at the front of the house. To further open and modernize the space, the brick was removed from the stove area, making way for a beautiful custom hood and lighting fixture. A 48″ range replaced the cook top and wall ovens, making room for the refrigerator which had previously sat against the removed wall to the dining room. A pot filler allows convenience while cooking. Center stage is the gorgeous backsplash and slab – white with dramatic vein detail. To complete the entire great room concept, the family room was converted into a combination sitting room/office with attractive shelving and a beverage fridge. The computer, hidden behind the cabinet, easily converts the room from an office to an entertaining space as desired.

The Atwater Mudroom is a practical and organized space designed to keep belongings tidy and easily accessible. The mudroom features clean white walls that create a fresh and inviting atmosphere. The hardwood floor adds warmth and durability to the space. Black hooks are strategically placed along the walls, providing a convenient spot to hang coats, bags, and other items. The white wall trim adds a touch of elegance and serves as a visual contrast against the white walls. The Atwater Mudroom is both functional and stylish, providing a designated area for storing and organizing belongings while maintaining a clean and cohesive aesthetic.

The clients enjoy entertaining guests in their home. They enjoy sports events, but don't necessarily enjoy the hustle 'n bustle of going to the stadium, finding a place to park, and in the case of football, freezing to death. They much prefer sharing the ambiance of their comfortable home, offering snacks and drinks from the bar, and enjoying a round of pool during intermissions and halftime, or watching halftime shows on a state-of-the-art home theater. These clients were so committed to this enterprise, they dedicated their 3,000 sq’ basement, except those areas already used for utility, storage, and mechanical needs, the renovation.To make sure the clients' every wish was met, a complete entertainment area was designed and constructed with ease of movement, lighting, and safety in mind. The area would include a home theater with totally wireless controls, a pool room, and a social area replete with a commercial-grade wet bar. The home theater consists of a screen within a custom cabinet system that also houses the complete audio-visual equipment center. Speakers are nestled in custom benches with the sound cones discretely hidden behind fabric panels. The motor for the panel that hides the screen when not in use is behind a similar fabric panel.The furniture style cabinet has Shaker style doors with walnut peg inlays and leaded glass panels. There are multiple lighting "scenes" for ambiance; low-voltage lighting inside the crown molding, and recessed can lights are discretely placed so that they can provide an extra level of illumination when required.The pool room was walled with a custom wainscot paneling with clear cherry stiles and rails finished with a clear satin lacquer. The panels are of Madagascar ebony with a light satin stain and a clear lacquer finish. A custom cue rack was constructed from clear cherry and backed with the Madagascar ebony panel.Drink rails were custom fabricated from cherry and custom crown molding was fabricated to match the rest of the house. The space is lit with a combination of recessed lights and a series of hidden lights behind crown molding for dramatic effect. The bar area is topped with a custom crown detail to contain the lighting. The bar is constructed in the same manner and fashion as the theater and pool rooms with Shaker style cabinetry with square walnut peg in the door corners and decorative leaded glass door fronts with more than enough front and back bar space to serve and enjoy drinks and snacks. Entry behind the bar is through custom, bi-directional butler doors. A custom bottle display and storage area takes up the bottom half of the bar's back wall. And, for the sake of convenience, a full size automatic dishwasher is installed under the bar for cleaning glasses and stemware. The bar is also tricked out with an espresso machine, its own flat screen TV and AmX video controller. The bar is lit with puck lights in the upper cabinets that illuminate downward through glass shelves, and low-voltage lighting is used behind the bottle display. The bar itself is lit by a series of earthen tone pendant lights.All three areas complement each other and are in total harmony with the remainder of the house. Moldings were matched, carpeting styles were chosen to complement rather than compromise, and muted, natural colors and textures were chosen that complement the surroundings. There is a seamless transition between the newer areas of the home and those already in everyday use. The entire area is a nebula of electrons operating servos, quietly opening and closing hidden switches, mysteriously dimming and brightening lights, and not only creating an alluring atmosphere, but one that is programmable, available at the touch of a finger to a heat sensitive screen, for an individual, or a group. At a single touch the lights in the theater and bar areas dim as the theater screen lowers into viewing position. Not only does the AMX controller open and close shades and window treatments to facilitate better viewing, but on an entirely different level it controls the very access to the property. It opens and closes entryways, external doors and gates as well.None of this magic came easily. Electrical circuits were at a premium. Over heating plagued the AV rack, and pesky rays of light seemed to creep in where and when they were least welcome. An exhaust fan was installed in the AV cabinet to dissipate the heat. New electrical outlets were scheduled and placed while others were moved. The bar area received custom wire chases hidden within the cabinetry. Exterior roll-a-way shutters, all controlled from the AMX controller, were installed and programmed as the answer to those pesky light rays.