A simple reorientation of the existing bed opened up this space and made it more functional. Bold Morris and Co wallpaper (Blackthorn in Autumn Colorway) captures the homeowners’ design vibe and spirit while integrating existing pieces from throughout their home complete the design for a look that seems to have evolved over time, just like people!

Tucked away in a quiet corner of a small city, a forested valley, which was previously overgrown with invasive plants, has become the home of a remarkable custom treehouse and native woodland garden. The owner wanted to create a small meadow garden as a place of respite from which to enjoy the woodland. This original concept progressively evolved to include pathways through the space, a pond to attract wildlife, an expanded native woodland garden, a firepit, and finally a treehouse with multiple green roofs. Its unique character and custom detailing are the result of the vision of the owner, the contractor, and the landscape architects. Thousands of native plants have been placed to restore the valley, but not without challenges. A large deer herd regularly visits the garden, as well as a flock of turkeys pecking at the seeds and smaller plants. Despite these nibbling visitors, the garden flourishes, and it is truly a peaceful retreat for the owners and a place of great exploration for their grandchildren.

Entry Stair Photo. "Business in the Front, Party in the Back." This project provided Mark with the opportunity to revisit a project from the first year of his practice. Our clients were the third owners since Mark first worked on this house in 1987. The original project had consisted of a small addition to the rear of an existing single-story (over garage) house. The new owners wanted to completely remodel the house and add two floors. In addition they wanted it to be MODERN. This was a perfect fit for where the firm had evolved to over the years, but the neighbors weren't having it. The neighbors were very organized and didn’t like the idea of a large modern structure in what was a mostly traditional block. We were able to work with the neighbors to agree to a design that was Craftsman on the front and modern on the interior and rear. Because of this dichotomy, we sometimes refer to this as the "Mullet House". We were able to minimize the apparent height of the facade by hiding the top floor behind a dormered roof. Unique features of this house include a stunning roof deck with glass guardrails, a custom stair with a zigzag edge and a guardrail composed of vertical stainless steel tubes and an asymmetrical fireplace composition. Photo by Michael David Rose

Inspiration for an eclectic powder room remodel in Charlotte

Tucked away in a small subdivision, these homeowners have taken their builder-grade backyard and transformed it into a Japanese-inspired oasis. After the initial landscape design and construction by Pacific Garden Design, the homeowners have continued to craft an elegantly evolving landscape. A multi-level deck provides entertaining space as it steps down to the yard. A dry water feature anchors the corner of the yard, while a series of stone benches provide spots for quiet contemplation. The thriving garden area takes advantage of the southern exposure along one side of the yard and offers an opportunity for garden whimsy. Gravel pathways connect the space to the front yard and the natural area behind the property.

In an ever-evolving homestead on the Connecticut River, this bath serves two guest bedrooms as well as the Master. In renovating the original 1983 bathspace and its unusual 6ft by 24ft footprint, our design divides the room's functional components along its length. A deep soaking tub in a Sepele wood niche anchors the primary space. Opposing entries from Master and guest sides access a neutral center area with a sepele cabinet for linen and toiletries. Fluted glass in a black steel frame creates discretion while admitting daylight from a South window in the 6ft by 8ft river-side shower room.

Staircase - transitional staircase idea

When this historic Petoskey home began its life in 1895, its residents couldn't possibly have imagined its future transformation. Only 50 feet from the old train tracks, it started as an apartment building for railroad employees. Throughout the past century, it retained its roots as a multi-family dwelling, but had fallen into despair. In 2013, it was purchased for its great location, charming exterior and its spectacular view of the lake, and recruited J.Cesario Builders to remodel the structure into a single family home. An octagonal, three-story turret with full windows was added to the Northwest corner in order to capture the bay views. The vision would take almost two years to complete, as the original scope of the project evolved from a partial remodel into a total home transformation.

This guest bedroom was designed to evoke the romance and timeless elegance of a grand English estate. Inspired by the refined beauty of Bridgerton, the space features a dramatic scenic wallcovering, rich layered textiles, and classic furnishings that create a sense of old-world charm. Soft, moody tones and antique-inspired details add depth and sophistication, while curated accessories bring a collected feel that appears to have evolved over generations. The result is a luxurious guest retreat that feels both intimate and transportive—offering visitors a stay reminiscent of a stately countryside manor.

In an ever-evolving homestead on the Connecticut River, this bath serves two guest bedrooms as well as the Master. In renovating the original 1983 bathspace and its unusual 6ft by 24ft footprint, our design divides the room's functional components along its length. A deep soaking tub in a Sepele wood niche anchors the primary space. Opposing entries from Master and guest sides access a neutral center area with a sepele cabinet for linen and toiletries. Fluted glass in a black steel frame creates discretion while admitting daylight from a South window in the 6ft by 8ft river-side shower room.

One of the most popular hardwood floor finishing which offers Tom & Peter Flooring is provided by WOCA. If you’ve decided that you want a natural looking wooden floor that is lacquer-free, then the likelihood is that you’ve chosen oil as your way of protecting your wood and making your floor look great at the same time. WOCA for wood flooring comes in various forms and is a great way of making sure that your wood is protected, but at the same time looks natural. A highly popular as well as effective way of treating wood floors, oils effectively penetrate into the wood and in some cases harden into the surface of the floor to stop damage and to maintain the wood in its optimum condition. WOCA Oil finish hardwood flooring has taken the United States market by in 2014 and shows no signs of slowing down in 2016 and now. Here are some of the most common questions we have regarding this type of finish which we will I’m to answer in today’s my blog: Is oil finish as durable as traditional factory urethane finishes with aluminum oxide? When it comes to durability, oil finish flooring tackles the issue with a completely different method. The penetrating oil serves as protection from moisture and wear while allowing the user to feel the wood grains in their bare feet. If compared directly to factory finished aluminum oxide finish, the oil finish flooring will not perform as well to abrasion and impact. However, the beauty of this finish is the fact that it will camouflage any scratches which will inevitably accumulate over time. Will this finish evaporate over time and will this be harmful for indoor air quality? Another concern for oil finished floors its effect on indoor air quality. For on-site applications, some varieties suggest several coats which typically require the residents to be out of the home due to mild odors. However, there are factory finished UV-cured or single coat applications which lessen the downtime. Despite the odors produced during the drying process, oil finish floors rank amongst the lowest for VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions. Certain brands even boast true zero VOC. This fact alone makes oil finished floors one of the best options for green building solutions. “WOCA products are certified by independent laboratories, the German Institute for Biological Building Materials, and are in accordance with DIN–Norm 53–160. WOCA WoodCare Denmark products meet or exceed the most stringent U.S. standards for volatile organic compounds.” –WOCA Oil Finish Manufacture Does this type of finish require additional maintenance which I am not familiar with? For weekly cleaning, oiled floors use a special cleaner which contains an oil and soap mixture. After a period of 12-18 months some oil may evaporate causing the wood grains to appear dry. An additional layer of oil can be reapplied to keep the floor looking fresh. Although oil finished floors require more involvement in periodic maintenance in high traffic areas, this maintenance can be done much easier than the equivalent of an onsite sand and refinish. WOCA Master Color Oil contains pigment, which provides a single-step hardwood floor staining process. Laying down the stain and the finish in one step. This product comes 14 different colors, from Black to Extra White, and you can mix them freely to create various color palettes that will meet the demands of any job. Below are some pictures of the finished job…

Gwendolyn Lanstrum
Inspiration for a craftsman bathroom remodel in Cleveland

Tucked away in a small subdivision, these homeowners have taken their builder-grade backyard and transformed it into a Japanese-inspired oasis. After the initial landscape design and construction by Pacific Garden Design, the homeowners have continued to craft an elegantly evolving landscape. A multi-level deck provides entertaining space as it steps down to the yard. A dry water feature anchors the corner of the yard, while a series of stone benches provide spots for quiet contemplation. The thriving garden area takes advantage of the southern exposure along one side of the yard and offers an opportunity for garden whimsy. Gravel pathways connect the space to the front yard and the natural area behind the property.

This kitchen remodel, designed for a young, active family, transformed a traditional twin home into an open-plan living space. The dual-tone kitchen, with cherry wood and white finishes, incorporates a Montessori-inspired, adjustable pegboard system that evolves with the children's needs. The removal of a butler staircase created space for extra storage and a cozy coffee station, while clearing out an awkward dining room bathroom allowed for a bar and a new powder room, enhancing functionality and flow throughout the home.

Opportunity: The unusual shape of this space, low ceilings, and poorly located appliances combined to make guests feel cramped and unsure of where to sit in this kitchen. The access doors to the exterior deck begged for more space to make for a more natural flow from the inside out. And the adjacent TV area off of the kitchen felt neglected and disjointed. With some holistic thinking and beautiful details, we were able to turn this awkward space into a focal point of a warm and cozy home. RESULT: The range backsplash became our piece de resistance and our focus on creating a cohesive design of the spaces. A blue/gray and white theme with gold accents evolved and combined to bring it all together.

In this luxury condo, the great room concept allowed for an open floor. We added Venetian plaster to give this new construction an evolved. Our client wanted a warm sophisticated environment for entertainment and importantly inviting for family liiving. Kaskel

An amazing master bedroom featuring contrasting patterns with a classic sleek finish. Marilynn created a cozy space by keeping it clean and simple. She used various room-brightening colors to evolve the energy of the room to cool, calm, and collected.