Originally built in 1955, this modest penthouse apartment typified the small, separated living spaces of its era. The design challenge was how to create a home that reflected contemporary taste and the client’s desire for an environment rich in materials and textures. The keys to updating the space were threefold: break down the existing divisions between rooms; emphasize the connection to the adjoining 850-square-foot terrace; and establish an overarching visual harmony for the home through the use of simple, elegant materials. The renovation preserves and enhances the home’s mid-century roots while bringing the design into the 21st century—appropriate given the apartment’s location just a few blocks from the fairgrounds of the 1962 World’s Fair.

GLC Landscaping & Pools enhanced this outdoor space by designing a stunning landscape around an existing inground pool. The project features a custom paver patio, a built-in firepit with a surrounding retaining wall that doubles as seating, and hydrangea plantings set in a decorative rock bed for a clean, low-maintenance finish.

This old home is in dire need of restoration, efficiency upgrades, and some good old fashion TLC. Once a glorious estate, it has been the victim of many unflattering renovations over the past 75 years. By incorporating carefully designed, strategically placed modifications like the large new front porch, we are able to enhance the existing house and bring it back from years of neglect to a state that surpasses its former glory. Carolyn Bates

This tired, unused San Francisco backyard was transformed into a modern, low-maintenance landscape with site-appropriate plantings enhanced by raised planting beds and a lead-free artificial lawn to replace the existing water-thirsty lawn. I created two separate "rooms" to break up the long narrow yard, and specified full range blue stone for the two small patio areas, connected by a curved pattern of rectangular pavers of the same natural stone. The raised concrete rectangular planting beds were incorporated to bring more movement and interest to the landscape along with gravel bed accents alongside. Some of the existing concrete remained, and was stained with a color to compliment the natural stone. These photos were taken over a three year period. Photos: © Landscape Designer, Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design.

The Break Room Remodeling Project for Emerson Company aimed to transform the existing break room into a modern, functional, and aesthetically pleasing space. The comprehensive renovation included countertop replacement, flooring installation, cabinet refurbishment, and a fresh coat of paint. The goal was to create an inviting and comfortable environment that enhanced employee well-being, fostered collaboration, and aligned with Emerson Company's image. Scope of Work: Countertop Replacement, Flooring Installation, Cabinet Refurbishment, Painting, Lighting Enhancement, Furniture and Fixtures, Design and Layout, Timeline and Project Management Benefits and Outcomes: Enhanced Employee Experience, Improved Productivity, Enhanced Company Image, Higher Retention Rates The Break Room Remodeling Project at Emerson Company successfully elevated the break room into a modern and functional space that aligned with the company's values and enhanced the overall work environment.

The Break Room Remodeling Project for Emerson Company aimed to transform the existing break room into a modern, functional, and aesthetically pleasing space. The comprehensive renovation included countertop replacement, flooring installation, cabinet refurbishment, and a fresh coat of paint. The goal was to create an inviting and comfortable environment that enhanced employee well-being, fostered collaboration, and aligned with Emerson Company's image. Scope of Work: Countertop Replacement, Flooring Installation, Cabinet Refurbishment, Painting, Lighting Enhancement, Furniture and Fixtures, Design and Layout, Timeline and Project Management Benefits and Outcomes: Enhanced Employee Experience, Improved Productivity, Enhanced Company Image, Higher Retention Rates The Break Room Remodeling Project at Emerson Company successfully elevated the break room into a modern and functional space that aligned with the company's values and enhanced the overall work environment.

The Break Room Remodeling Project for Emerson Company aimed to transform the existing break room into a modern, functional, and aesthetically pleasing space. The comprehensive renovation included countertop replacement, flooring installation, cabinet refurbishment, and a fresh coat of paint. The goal was to create an inviting and comfortable environment that enhanced employee well-being, fostered collaboration, and aligned with Emerson Company's image. Scope of Work: Countertop Replacement, Flooring Installation, Cabinet Refurbishment, Painting, Lighting Enhancement, Furniture and Fixtures, Design and Layout, Timeline and Project Management Benefits and Outcomes: Enhanced Employee Experience, Improved Productivity, Enhanced Company Image, Higher Retention Rates The Break Room Remodeling Project at Emerson Company successfully elevated the break room into a modern and functional space that aligned with the company's values and enhanced the overall work environment.

The clients wanted to update the entire house to be more current, functional and family-friendly but do it in such a way that it retained and/or enhanced the home's existing mid-century modern vibe.

This shingle style cottage was a complete renovation, enhancing its already charming attributes with new, modern amenities. Renovations included enclosing an existing sunroom, new windows and new roof dormers to gain access to a walk-out roof deck.

Marilyn Peryer, Photography This project was unique because we had to custom fit the beds and the linen cabinet in the exact width of the wall. We also had to fit one of the units around an existing receptacle. The solution is perfect because we made the project look like it was built with the condominium. We're also able to enhance the resale value at same time.

Working around existing oak cabinets and a ceramic tile floor, we decided to enhance the room with new bronze pendant lights and fans, new granite countertops and ceramic tile backsplash with bronze trim details, as well as new stainless steel appliances.

The key design driver for the project was to create a simple but contemporary extension that responded to the existing dramatic topography in the property’s rear garden. The concept was to provide a single elegant form, cantilevering out into the tree canopies and over the landscape. Conceived as a house within the tree canopies the extension is clad in sweet chestnut which enhances the relationship to the surrounding mature trees. Large sliding glass panels link the inside spaces to its unique environment. Internally the design successfully resolves the Client’s brief to provide an open plan and fluid layout, that subtly defines distinct living and dining areas. The scheme was completed in April 2016

Remember "Three's Company"? One of our latest projects brings together an existing, handsome roof cover (let's call him "Jack") with two sassy, new pergolas ("Chrissie" and "Janet"). Form and functionality were greatly enhanced by expanding the original undersized concrete slab with richly stained concrete.

Kitchen interior Perched on the highest property in Rancho Santa Fe, this residence is an authentic “Lillian Rice” home listed on the National Registry of Historical Homes. Preserving original design intent, scale and detail were the primary focus for the project team. Renovation to the existing Main House and designing a new Carriage House and Pool House were the tasks at hand. Additionally, extensive site and landscaping enhancements were accomplished. The natural blending of land and building led to the great success of this project. This delightful home embodies the character and spirit of the Rancho Santa Fe Covenant and was awarded the Lily Award for outstanding architectural Design by the Rancho Santa Fe Association Phillip Ritterman Photography

Working around existing oak cabinets and a ceramic tile floor, we decided to enhance the room with new bronze pendant lights and fans, new granite countertops and ceramic tile backsplash with bronze trim details, as well as new stainless steel appliances.

This front elevation gains pleasing depth with a new portico protecting a Provia door with a lever door handle and a keyless lock option, for further accessibility. The new look was enhanced with soft grayish-greens (to compliment the red tones of the door and brick) for the portico, and the new coats of paint on the existing shutters and siding of the garage wing. New landscaping completes the transformation to a warmer welcome.

This shingle style cottage was a complete renovation, enhancing its already charming attributes with new, modern amenities. Renovations included enclosing an existing sunroom, new windows and new roof dormers to gain access to a walk-out roof deck.

My busy, family-centric clients wanted to avoid any major construction and keep the original cabinetry and counters in the kitchen. Working withing the room’s existing confines, the overall objective was to enhance the aesthetic of each space. We repainted the existing bland cabinetry an inviting Wedgewood gray by Benjamin Moore to draw the eye to the cabinetry and away from the dated granite counter tops. We replaced the existing commonplace pendants with larger brass and white glass statement globes that have subtle yet detailed metal bands with brass rivets. The hardware on the cabinets was replaced with French-inspired brass knobs and pulls.

A young couple with three small children purchased this full floor loft in Tribeca in need of a gut renovation. The existing apartment was plagued with awkward spaces, limited natural light and an outdated décor. It was also lacking the required third child’s bedroom desperately needed for their newly expanded family. StudioLAB aimed for a fluid open-plan layout in the larger public spaces while creating smaller, tighter quarters in the rear private spaces to satisfy the family’s programmatic wishes. 3 small children’s bedrooms were carved out of the rear lower level connected by a communal playroom and a shared kid’s bathroom. Upstairs, the master bedroom and master bathroom float above the kid’s rooms on a mezzanine accessed by a newly built staircase. Ample new storage was built underneath the staircase as an extension of the open kitchen and dining areas. A custom pull out drawer containing the food and water bowls was installed for the family’s two dogs to be hidden away out of site when not in use. All wall surfaces, existing and new, were limited to a bright but warm white finish to create a seamless integration in the ceiling and wall structures allowing the spatial progression of the space and sculptural quality of the midcentury modern furniture pieces and colorful original artwork, painted by the wife’s brother, to enhance the space. The existing tin ceiling was left in the living room to maximize ceiling heights and remain a reminder of the historical details of the original construction. A new central AC system was added with an exposed cylindrical duct running along the long living room wall. A small office nook was built next to the elevator tucked away to be out of site.