It’s been said that when you dream about a house, the basement represents your subconscious level. Perhaps that was true in the past, when basements were often neglected. But in most of today’s new builds and remodels, lower levels are becoming valuable living spaces. If you’re looking at building or renovating, opening up that lower level with sufficient light can add square footage and value to your home. In addition, having access to bright indoor areas can help combat cabin fever, which peaks in late winter. Looking at the photos here, you’d never know what you’re seeing is a lower level. That’s because a smart builder knew that bringing natural light into the space was key. Our job, in furnishing the space, was to make the most of that light. The off-white walls and light grey carpet provide a good base. A grey sectional sofa with clean, modern lines easily fits into the spacious room. It’s an ideal piece to encourage people to spend time together. The strong, forgiving linen resists staining, and like a blank canvas this true neutral allows for accessorizing with various throws and pillows depending on the season. The cream-colored throw echoes the light colors in the space, while the nubby pillow adds a textured contrast.

Designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle, the exercise room showcases an energetic focal wall and top-of-the-line exercise equipment. Located off the covered porch in the home's lower level, the energetic exercise room offers state-of-the-art equipment and lots of natural light.

Family room library - mid-sized modern enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room library idea in San Francisco with green walls, no fireplace and no tv

Designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle, the exercise room showcases an energetic focal wall and top-of-the-line exercise equipment. Located off the covered porch in the home's lower level, the energetic exercise room offers state-of-the-art equipment and lots of natural light.

Designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle, the exercise room showcases an energetic focal wall and top-of-the-line exercise equipment. Located off the covered porch in the home's lower level, the energetic exercise room offers state-of-the-art equipment and lots of natural light.

Custom patio lighting and outdoor lighting make this large, custom curved patio perfect for summer nights outdoors. French doors lead into the home, while two outdoor dining tables and an outdoor kitchen with built-in grill and stainless steel sink encourage outdoor dining.

Our days at the beach house are softer and easier. The choice of oak as a primary material in a home can encourage the relaxed life. Oaks’ durability, and environmental sustainability, allow for cabinets and furniture which require minimum care and upkeep. Through creative staining, and artfully crafted details, oak eases and engages the eye. Custom designed cabinetry fulfills the promise of oak’s great heritage.

The T-Rex Skull Climber encourages children to use their imaginations, and is perfect for a small back yard space. Dimensions are 60"L x 30"W x 42"H
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The intermingling of plants is encouraged for a relaxed appearance in a soothing color palette.
Photo of a traditional partial sun backyard landscaping in Chicago for summer.

Designed with entertaining in mind, this finished basement combines comfort and functionality with elegant transitional design. The expansive seating arrangement encourages conversation while maintaining clear circulation throughout the room.

We worked with a family of six to create a light-filled “tree house” on two levels entering across bridges from an existing drive, gardens, and walks privately nestled below the accessing street. The owner envisioned a residence that felt open, full of light, and captured connections between family and private spaces vertically and horizontally. The owners wanted egalitarian spaces to encourage peaceful cohabitation between three generations living in the home.

Majlis is the traditional name for for Living rooms in Arab homes - this is the area where even in modern homes, the design style will be tradional arabic with touches of arabesques or fret work. The setting is generally placed all around the room symmetrically to encourage interaction between people.

Well-traveled. Relaxed. Timeless. Our well-traveled clients were soon-to-be empty nesters when they approached us for help reimagining their Presidio Heights home. The expansive Spanish-Revival residence originally constructed in 1908 had been substantially renovated 8 year prior, but needed some adaptations to better suit the needs of a family with three college-bound teens. We evolved the space to be a bright, relaxed reflection of the family’s time together, revising the function and layout of the ground-floor rooms and filling them with casual, comfortable furnishings and artifacts collected abroad. One of the key changes we made to the space plan was to eliminate the formal dining room and transform an area off the kitchen into a casual gathering spot for our clients and their children. The expandable table and coffee/wine bar means the room can handle large dinner parties and small study sessions with similar ease. The family room was relocated from a lower level to be more central part of the main floor, encouraging more quality family time, and freeing up space for a spacious home gym. In the living room, lounge-worthy upholstery grounds the space, encouraging a relaxed and effortless West Coast vibe. Exposed wood beams recall the original Spanish-influence, but feel updated and fresh in a light wood stain. Throughout the entry and main floor, found artifacts punctate the softer textures — ceramics from New Mexico, religious sculpture from Asia and a quirky wall-mounted phone that belonged to our client’s grandmother.

In this Assignment we were encouraged to draw inspiration from the analytical process of an event. Pocket Park Pavilion is intended as a walkway and space for art display with the purpose of engaging community with local artists.

A custom built deck will encourage backyard entertaining and time spent outdoors with family. #patiorooms #sunrooms #deckbuilders #decks #threeseasonrooms #beautifulhomes #RIpatioroomcontractors #MApatioroomcontractors #RIdeckbuilder

Other areas of the home feature natural textures and a softer palette to encourage rest
Bathroom - transitional bathroom idea in Atlanta

One thing we encourage homeowners to do is to consider all the uses they want for their porch. These homeowners wanted both a seating area and an eating area. The unique shape allows for both all in one space.

Photo Credit: Mike Kaskel, Kaskel Photo
Inspiration for a large timeless galley dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island