Benjamin Benschneider
Inspiration for a large modern staircase remodel in Seattle

© Jeff Herr Photography
Example of a classic kitchen design in Atlanta with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash

Example of a classic dark wood floor kitchen design in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

A PLACE TO GATHER Location: Eagan, MN, USA This family of five wanted an inviting space to gather with family and friends. Mom, the primary cook, wanted a large island with more organized storage – everything in its place – and a crisp white kitchen with the character of an older home. Challenges: Design an island that could accommodate this family of five for casual weeknight dinners. Create more usable storage within the existing kitchen footprint. Design a better transition between the upper cabinets on the 8-foot sink wall and the adjoining 9-foot cooktop wall. Make room for more counter space around the cooktop. It was poorly lit, cluttered with small appliances and confined by the tall oven cabinet. Solutions: A large island, that seats 5 comfortably, replaced the small island and kitchen table. This allowed for more storage including cookbook shelves, a heavy-duty roll out shelf for the mixer, a 2-bin recycling center and a bread drawer. Tall pantries with decorative grilles were placed between the kitchen and family room. These created ample storage and helped define each room, making each one feel larger, yet more intimate. A space intentionally separates the upper cabinets on the sink wall from those on the cooktop wall. This created symmetry on the sink wall and made room for an appliance garage, which keeps the countertops uncluttered. Moving the double ovens to the former pantry location made way for more usable counter space around the cooktop and a dramatic focal point with the hood, cabinets and marble backsplash. Special Features: Custom designed corbels and island legs lend character. Gilt open lanterns, antiqued nickel grilles on the pantries, and the soft linen shade at the kitchen sink add personality and charm. The unique bronze hardware with a living finish creates the patina of an older home. A walnut island countertop adds the warmth and feel of a kitchen table. This homeowner truly understood the idea of living with the patina of marble. Her grandmother’s marble-topped antique table inspired the Carrara countertops. The result is a highly organized kitchen with a light, open feel that invites you to stay a while. Liz Schupanitz Designs Photographed by: Andrea Rugg

The homeowners desired an outdoor space that felt more rustic than their refined interior spaces, but still related architecturally to their house. Cement plaster support arbor columns provide enough of visual tie to the existing house exterior. Oversized wood beams and rafter members provide a unique outdoor atmosphere. Structural bolts and hardware were minimized for a cleaner appearance. Structural connections and supports were engineered to meet California's stringent earthquake standards. Ali Atri Photography

Photography by Andrea Calo
Mid-sized trendy medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Austin with white walls and a ribbon fireplace

Transitional deck photo in Orange County

A custom fireplace is the visual focus of this craftsman style home's living room while the U-shaped kitchen and elegant bedroom showcase gorgeous pendant lights. Project completed by Wendy Langston's Everything Home interior design firm, which serves Carmel, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, and Indianapolis. For more about Everything Home, click here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/

All windows were re-positioned strategically to take full advantage of the view, for example, the living room new windows were positioned to take full advantage of the beautiful views of the property. The linear layout of the new windows in the living room was designed to frame and echo the panoramic view of the beautiful pond, farm fields, tree lines and the Adirondack mountains seen beyond As part of architectural and interiors design, here Mitra paid careful attention to use green building products as much as possible, which was done by selecting and using environmentally friendly and low VOC emission products, as well as sing salvaged products where possible, and using as much local products as possible. Aside from using green building products as much as possible, another very important goal of this project was to dramatically improve and maximize the energy efficiency of this home. To meet the specific and mechanical needs, a team of independent expert energy efficient consultants was assembled at the early phase of the design, so that energy solutions were studied and evaluated to the fullest. After extensive energy audits and study of the existing conditions and after extensive evaluation and brainstorming between all parties, Mitra compiled all the information and findings and incorporated them in her design solutions. In short, during construction, extensive energy upgrading measures were achieved by constructing a tight insulating envelope on the interior sides of all exterior walls and roofs, installing the most efficient heating and cooling system along with the introduction of a geothermal system installation. All windows and doors were replaced by state of the art and modern design energy efficient product available in the market which also visually modernized the design and maximized the beautiful westerly view of the landscape outside. To further address the energy efficiency of this project Mitra designed a concrete and steel and concrete fireplace box for it so that it can act as a chase for the mechanical needs of this new super energy efficient fireplace unit. - Photo credit: Susan Teare

Our individualized approach to decorating includes evaluating a property, listening to the homeowner’s unique wants and needs for the season, and then creating a customized decorating plan that matches each homeowner’s personality and love for the holidays.

The patterned floor continues into the laundry room where double sets of appliances and plenty of countertops and storage helps the family manage household demands.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary brown one-story wood exterior home remodel in San Francisco with a mixed material roof

Our individualized approach to decorating includes evaluating a property, listening to the homeowner’s unique wants and needs for the season, and then creating a customized decorating plan that matches each homeowner’s personality and love for the holidays.

PRE-TEEN BEDROOMS Time Frame: 6 Weeks // Budget: $10,000 // Design Fee: $2,500 Here is a small project I took on over the summer to help a past client design her young son’s bedrooms. She didn’t want to spend a lot of money, knowing that someday her boys will want to change their rooms, but also wanted to create something that they would like now, and could grow in to. She had a Feng Sui expert evaluate the space first. Going off of the expert’s advice, I came up with space plans for each room that adhered to Feng Sui. I designed the rooms based off the boy’s favorite colors. New furniture, custom window coverings, paint and decor were selected to give the boy’s each a special room of their own.

Trendy open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Philadelphia with white walls, a hanging fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Ron Rosenzweig
Example of a large transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Miami with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and blue cabinets

Photo: Jim Westphalen
Kitchen - rustic galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Burlington with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

4x8 Pinyon Studio SHED - these are a great way to store anything from lawn tools to art supplies or athletic gear. The Pinyon comes flat packed and is shipped as a DIY installation - a 1-2 day project depending on your building experience. One owner had his up in just 3 hours! Many choose to install their Pinyon against the side of their home. Pictured here: a Pinyon sits perpendicular to it's big brother, a 10x12 Studio Shed home office.

Inspiration for a mediterranean exterior home remodel in Los Angeles