Amy Birrer The kitchen pictured here is in a turn of the century home that still uses the original stove from the 1930’s to heat, cook and bake. The porcelain sink with drain boards are also originals still in use from the 1950’s. The idea here was to keep the original appliances still in use while increasing the storage and work surface space. Although the kitchen is rather large it has many of the issues of an older house in that there are 4 integral entrances into the kitchen, none of which could be rerouted or closed off. It also needed to encompass in-kitchen eating and a space for a dishwasher. The fully integrated dishwasher is raised off the floor and sits on ball and claw feet giving it the look of a freestanding piece of furniture. Elevating a dishwasher is a great way to avoid the constant bending over associated with loading and unloading dishes. The cabinets were designed to resemble an antique breakfront in keeping with the style and age of the house.

A wide arched opening between the Kitchen and Family Room was the solution to the separate, but still “one” issue. The arched opening was an existing design element within the home and Prazak developed the idea to accommodate the requested division. The opening not only gave the two rooms a soft line of demarcation, but also offered space for the two elevations of Kitchen cabinetry to nestle into. The new corner placement of the range provided the NKBA required landing space on either side while the long stretch of countering on the sink wall offers both prep and work areas. The Island has now provided in-Kitchen seating for all the meals for this busy young family. All these revisions, plus a well-thought through lighting plan with several levels of light, add up to a spectacular new home. Our clients are thrilled with all the “new” spaces they gained both inside and outside their home.

A wide arched opening between the Kitchen and Family Room was the solution to the separate, but still “one” issue. The arched opening was an existing design element within the home and Prazak developed the idea to accommodate the requested division. The opening not only gave the two rooms a soft line of demarcation, but also offered space for the two elevations of Kitchen cabinetry to nestle into. The new corner placement of the range provided the NKBA required landing space on either side while the long stretch of countering on the sink wall offers both prep and work areas. The Island has now provided in-Kitchen seating for all the meals for this busy young family. All these revisions, plus a well-thought through lighting plan with several levels of light, add up to a spectacular new home. Our clients are thrilled with all the “new” spaces they gained both inside and outside their home.

This loft was a gut renovation of a two-bedroom loft in a landmark building in the heart of Soho, NYC. Each floor of this building, which had been used to process molasses until in the 1890s, was sloped toward a large central drain designed to evacuate waste. To remedy this issue, we elevated and leveled the floors throughout the apartment. All new plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and rift white oak flooring were installed. Architecture & Interiors: DHD Contractor: Aries Builders www.ariesbuildersnyc.com Photography: Rinze van Brug www.rinze.com

Our clients already had a cottage on Torch Lake that they loved to visit. It was a 1960s ranch that worked just fine for their needs. However, the lower level walkout became entirely unusable due to water issues. After purchasing the lot next door, they hired us to design a new cottage. Our first task was to situate the home in the center of the two parcels to maximize the view of the lake while also accommodating a yard area. Our second task was to take particular care to divert any future water issues. We took necessary precautions with design specifications to water proof properly, establish foundation and landscape drain tiles / stones, set the proper elevation of the home per ground water height and direct the water flow around the home from natural grade / drive. Our final task was to make appealing, comfortable, living spaces with future planning at the forefront. An example of this planning is placing a master suite on both the main level and the upper level. The ultimate goal of this home is for it to one day be at least a 3/4 of the year home and designed to be a multi-generational heirloom. - Jacqueline Southby Photography

Custom build stairway up to back door of house. This customer had a raised wooden deck (as shown in pictures below) and wanted something much closer to ground level. This presented a unique issue, as their back door was elevated high above the bottom concrete grade. We solved this by installing a VERY reinforced stair platform. A notable feature in this project is the way we integrated the firepit into the retaining/seat wall. Creekside Outdoor Living - Dyer, IN Deconstruction: Wood deck and concrete patio Patio/Stepped Walkway: Unilock Brussels (Sierra) Wall/Steps/Firepit: Unilock Old Quarry (Sierra) Coping/Steps: Unilock Ledgestone (Buff)

This loft was a gut renovation of a two-bedroom loft in a landmark building in the heart of Soho, NYC. Each floor of this building, which had been used to process molasses until in the 1890s, was sloped toward a large central drain designed to evacuate waste. To remedy this issue, we elevated and leveled the floors throughout the apartment. All new plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and rift white oak flooring were installed. Architecture & Interiors: DHD Contractor: Aries Builders www.ariesbuildersnyc.com Photography: Rinze van Brug www.rinze.com

This loft was a gut renovation of a two-bedroom loft in a landmark building in the heart of Soho, NYC. Each floor of this building, which had been used to process molasses until in the 1890s, was sloped toward a large central drain designed to evacuate waste. To remedy this issue, we elevated and leveled the floors throughout the apartment. All new plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and rift white oak flooring were installed. Architecture & Interiors: DHD Contractor: Aries Builders www.ariesbuildersnyc.com Photography: Rinze van Brug www.rinze.com

We had so much fun decorating this space. No detail was too small for Nicole and she understood it would not be completed with every detail for a couple of years, but also that taking her time to fill her home with items of quality that reflected her taste and her families needs were the most important issues. As you can see, her family has settled in.

A wide arched opening between the Kitchen and Family Room was the solution to the separate, but still “one” issue. The arched opening was an existing design element within the home and Prazak developed the idea to accommodate the requested division. The opening not only gave the two rooms a soft line of demarcation, but also offered space for the two elevations of Kitchen cabinetry to nestle into. The new corner placement of the range provided the NKBA required landing space on either side while the long stretch of countering on the sink wall offers both prep and work areas. The Island has now provided in-Kitchen seating for all the meals for this busy young family. All these revisions, plus a well-thought through lighting plan with several levels of light, add up to a spectacular new home. Our clients are thrilled with all the “new” spaces they gained both inside and outside their home.

Custom build stairway up to back door of house. This customer had a raised wooden deck (as shown in pictures below) and wanted something much closer to ground level. This presented a unique issue, as their back door was elevated high above the bottom concrete grade. We solved this by installing a VERY reinforced stair platform. A notable feature in this project is the way we integrated the firepit into the retaining/seat wall. Creekside Outdoor Living - Dyer, IN Deconstruction: Wood deck and concrete patio Patio/Stepped Walkway: Unilock Brussels (Sierra) Wall/Steps/Firepit: Unilock Old Quarry (Sierra) Coping/Steps: Unilock Ledgestone (Buff)

Custom build stairway up to back door of house. This customer had a raised wooden deck (as shown in pictures below) and wanted something much closer to ground level. This presented a unique issue, as their back door was elevated high above the bottom concrete grade. We solved this by installing a VERY reinforced stair platform. A notable feature in this project is the way we integrated the firepit into the retaining/seat wall. Creekside Outdoor Living - Dyer, IN Deconstruction: Wood deck and concrete patio Patio/Stepped Walkway: Unilock Brussels (Sierra) Wall/Steps/Firepit: Unilock Old Quarry (Sierra) Coping/Steps: Unilock Ledgestone (Buff)

This loft was a gut renovation of a two-bedroom loft in a landmark building in the heart of Soho, NYC. Each floor of this building, which had been used to process molasses until in the 1890s, was sloped toward a large central drain designed to evacuate waste. To remedy this issue, we elevated and leveled the floors throughout the apartment. All new plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and rift white oak flooring were installed. Architecture & Interiors: DHD Contractor: Aries Builders www.ariesbuildersnyc.com Photography: Rinze van Brug www.rinze.com

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

Custom build stairway up to back door of house. This customer had a raised wooden deck (as shown in pictures below) and wanted something much closer to ground level. This presented a unique issue, as their back door was elevated high above the bottom concrete grade. We solved this by installing a VERY reinforced stair platform. A notable feature in this project is the way we integrated the firepit into the retaining/seat wall. Creekside Outdoor Living - Dyer, IN Deconstruction: Wood deck and concrete patio Patio/Stepped Walkway: Unilock Brussels (Sierra) Wall/Steps/Firepit: Unilock Old Quarry (Sierra) Coping/Steps: Unilock Ledgestone (Buff)

Custom build stairway up to back door of house. This customer had a raised wooden deck (as shown in pictures below) and wanted something much closer to ground level. This presented a unique issue, as their back door was elevated high above the bottom concrete grade. We solved this by installing a VERY reinforced stair platform. A notable feature in this project is the way we integrated the firepit into the retaining/seat wall. Creekside Outdoor Living - Dyer, IN Deconstruction: Wood deck and concrete patio Patio/Stepped Walkway: Unilock Brussels (Sierra) Wall/Steps/Firepit: Unilock Old Quarry (Sierra) Coping/Steps: Unilock Ledgestone (Buff)

This loft was a gut renovation of a two-bedroom loft in a landmark building in the heart of Soho, NYC. Each floor of this building, which had been used to process molasses until in the 1890s, was sloped toward a large central drain designed to evacuate waste. To remedy this issue, we elevated and leveled the floors throughout the apartment. All new plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and rift white oak flooring were installed. Architecture & Interiors: DHD Contractor: Aries Builders www.ariesbuildersnyc.com Photography: Rinze van Brug www.rinze.com

Custom build stairway up to back door of house. This customer had a raised wooden deck (as shown in pictures below) and wanted something much closer to ground level. This presented a unique issue, as their back door was elevated high above the bottom concrete grade. We solved this by installing a VERY reinforced stair platform. A notable feature in this project is the way we integrated the firepit into the retaining/seat wall. Creekside Outdoor Living - Dyer, IN Deconstruction: Wood deck and concrete patio Patio/Stepped Walkway: Unilock Brussels (Sierra) Wall/Steps/Firepit: Unilock Old Quarry (Sierra) Coping/Steps: Unilock Ledgestone (Buff)

Finishing details - We lifted this center tower on the vanity on stone for both the look and the function. When water splashes on the counter it won't get absorbed into the cabinetry. Photos by Blackstock Photography