Example of a beach style pool design in Boston

I am so excited to finally share my Spring 2018 One Room Challenge! For those of you who don't know me, I'm Natasha Habermann. I am a full-time interior designer and blogger living in North Salem, NY. Last Fall, I participated as a guest in the Fall 2017 ORC and was selected by Sophie Dow, editor in chief of House Beautiful to participate as a featured designer in the Spring 2018 ORC. I've religiously followed the ORC for years, so being selected as a featured designer was a tremendous honor.

Featured in Dwell, Hacienda Granada is an eclectic modern residence designed by Working Holiday Studio that subtly combines the Spanish influences of a Mexican hacienda with Scandinavian minimalism and features All Weather Architectual Aluminun custom windows and doors. Carlos Nuade and Whitney Brown run Working Holiday, a multi disciplinary creative studio based in Los Angeles that boasts a portfolio of several renovation projects across Southern California. Originally built in 1962, the 2,762-square-foot residence with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths was not the couple’s dream home but they saw potential in its vaulted ceilings, ample-sized kitchen, backyard pool and large garage and more importantly, they found a space where they could infuse with their own personal history and distinct taste. "Our style is very modern and minimalist," Carlos explains. "But we still wanted to include some of the warmth, accents, and tones from traditional Spanish architecture." Carlos and Whitney chose All Weather Series 5000 casement and fixed windows with SDL's to infuse the home with the Hacienda vibe. They replaced the existing patio entry door with expansive Series 8100 Multi Slide Doors that connect to the living and dining room. The couple opened up the kitchen by adding an All Weather Series 7000 French Doors and repositioned the island so you can see into the house when they are cooking. They also reshaped most of the interior doorways, creating arches to enhance the Spanish-Mexican vibe. All Weather was honored to be selected for Hacienda Granada because Carlos and Whitney treat their projects like showrooms and they only bring on brands they like and curate the space accordingly.

For Amanda, once the kitchen process started, her home posed a bit of a design obstacle course. She explains: “A big obstacle we faced was when we started moving a wall. It turned out that everything needed to be rewired and new plumbing had to be installed.” After that issue was addressed, she also had the range vent arrive damaged upon delivery and also encountered several weather-related delays, including leaks in her roof. “I also had some issues with getting new inspiration on Pinterest every few days, and then trying to change the design while [the contractor] was in the middle of the remodel. He did not love that,” she adds. And, of course, she wanted to bring in more light by expanding the window and to close the odd window to the laundry room. This was achieved by expanding the window as she wanted and placing open shelving on either side of the window, which cleverly insured that upper cabinets wouldn’t block out any light. Amanda concludes with some useful advice for other IKEA remodelers who are just starting out with their IKEA kitchen project. “If you feel [overwhelmed] when you see the price tag of cabinets at other stores, go to IKEA. My cabinets ended up costing me about 30% of what I would’ve spent at another store,” she says. She concludes: “My other piece of advice for anybody who wants to do a kitchen remodel is to pick your design and stick with it.” And if any obstacles present themselves – even things outside your control like weather or damaged items – definitely look on the bright side, you’ll have a new IKEA kitchen in no time!

Another beautiful example of how the Arcadia Louvered Roof can cover a deck. This unit is attached to the roof on one side and has two sun shades for more protection and privacy. Sun when you want it, shade when you need it and protection from the rain. The perfect solution for many homeowners that want to enjoy outdoor living more days of the year..

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

Sommerhus is a private retreat for two empty-nesters. The clients purchased the previous cabin after falling in love with its location on a private, lakefront peninsula. However, this beautiful site was a challenging site to build on, due to its position sandwiched between the lake and protected wet land. The clients disliked the old cabin because it could only be used in the summer months, due to its lack of both insulation and heat. In addition, it was too small for their needs. They wanted to build a new, larger retreat, but were met with yet another constraint: the new cabin would be limited to the previous cabin’s small footprint. Thus, they decided to approach an architect to design their dream cabin. As the clients described, “We visited Denmark for a family wedding in 2015, and while biking near Gilleleje, a fishing village on the Baltic Sea, we fell in love with the aesthetic of ‘Sommerhus’: dark exteriors, clean, simple lines, and lots of windows.” We set out to design a cabin that fit this aesthetic while also meeting the site’s constraints. The clients were committed to keeping all existing trees on their site. In addition, zoning codes required the new retreat to stay within the previous cabin's small footprint. Thus, to maximize the square footage of the cabin without removing trees or expanding the footprint, the new structure had to grow vertically. At the same time, the clients wanted to be good neighbors. To them, this meant that their cabin should disappear into the woods, especially when viewed from the lake. To accomplish both these requests, the architect selected a dark exterior metal façade that would visually retreat into the trees. The metal siding is a modern, low-maintenance, and cost-effective solution, especially when compared to traditional wood siding. Warm wood on the soffits of the large roof overhang contrast with the metal siding. Sommerhus's resulting exterior is just as the clients’ requested: boldly modern yet respectful of the serene surroundings. The homeowners desired a beach-house-inspired interior, full of light and warmth, in contrast to the dark exterior. As the homeowner explained, “I wanted it to feel like a porch inside.” To achieve this, the living room has two walls of sliding glass doors that connect to the wrap-around porch. This creates a beautiful, indoor-outdoor living space. The crisp and bright kitchen also connects to the porch with the window that opens to an outdoor counter - perfect for passing food and drinks to those lounging on the porch. The kitchen is open to the rest of the first-floor entertaining space, and brings a playful, beach-house feel to the cabin. After the completion of the project, the homeowners remarked, “Working with Christopher and Eric [of CSA] was a wonderful experience. We absolutely love our home, and each season on the lake is more special than the last.”

Meet Kim: a partner in a downtown law firm. To say that she is short on time is a giant understatement. In the rare event she has a free moment, she wants to spend it with her kids, not fussing over home decor. That’s my cue! Kim is my favorite type of client. She didn’t know where to go or what to do. She leaned on me to explain and articulate design and style. She looked to me to make her home a mirror of her best self. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Fantastic human giving me a blank slate? Yes please! While Kim’s traditional home had a great layout and good bones, it needed updating to make it contemporary and fresh. It needed fixtures and knobs from this century. It needed a Lulu DK roman shade in the powder room. It needed a durable, snuggle-ready sofa with tufting and little patterns of texture. It needed drapery with small-scale drama. Throw in a Thomas O’ Brian cocktail table, and now there’s no shortage of conversation pieces. Little spaces make me happy – they are the most intimate snapshot of your entire home’s aesthetic – and this house has some good ones. I couldn’t wait to work with the nooks and crannies of this house. Kim’s sitting room, a small den off of the master bedroom, morphed into a craveable cozy space, a quiet adult respite from the occasional chaos of raising a family. The kitchen evolved into something quite unique: playful yet modest, dressed-up but centered. We used a favorite Lucy Rose fabric and Galbraith & Paul pillows to work perfectly with a fresh color palette selected during a prior-to-me renovation. A locally made kitchen farm table fit right in with the high-fashioned quirky blend of color, texture, and pattern. High-End + Color = Fun + Functional This is how we articulated Kim’s style and personality. She trusted me with her inner self, allowing me to get to know her and her real, everyday life. I built her a special space to reflect the beautiful life she made for herself. Nothing too fancy or off-limits to little hands, nothing too stuffy (snore!). Everything 100% HER. #nailedit See more Safferstone stuff at www.safferstone.com. Connect with us on Facebook, get inspired on Pinterest, and share modern musings on life & design on Instagram. Or, send us a love note at hello@safferstone.com. Photo: Angie Seckinger

Not everyone would see the hidden beauty in the Yonkers property destined for the wrecking ball in 2000. But one family took the serious fixer-upper under their wing. Crumbling walls, overgrown maples (indeed, saplings were busting through the brick walls), and deer living in the basement was the state of affairs when Westover Landscape Design initially arrived on the scene. A year of intensive, meticulous, thoughtful renovation by the homeowner followed while the house was brought up to speed. When the last construction machine finally rumbled out, that’s when Robert Welsch and his crew began their odyssey. The goal was to honor the newly restored relic and deliver it into the future with fitting surroundings. “We wanted to bring that treasure back to life,” Robert Welsch explains. Working closely with the homeowner as well as the city of Yonkers to guide the restoration, their first feat was to install a proper drainage system with catchments capable of keeping storm water from the massive roof flowing away. Before anything was visible on the surface, extensive work was accomplished underground. Meanwhile, a plan was drafted to honor the era of the house. Westover chose bluestone as the primary path material for its easy maintenance and simplicity when laying the swank configuration of pathways around the house and outward to an entertaining pavilion. By cleverly hemming the bluestone with period brick that echoes the building material for the house for continuity, the result is a smart and sophisticated finish to a promenade that constantly draws the family and their pets outdoors. Brick was also used to rebuild the walled gardens for the much-needed privacy in a close-knit Yonkers community. And a graceful wrought iron gate enhances the arrival experience. But walls and gates were not the only element to screen and reveal views—plant selection was critical. Few landscapers would go the extra mile to find period perfect plants for a 19th Century restoration, but Robert Welsch saw the importance of authenticity in creating the mood. He repeated large trees—such as an exquisite London plane tree in the front yard—to balance the expression in the back. Recognizing the need for immediate stature, he selected a weeping willow to gain instant volume, giving the landscape a sense of deep roots. A weeping Camperdown elm adds sophisticated drama to the walled stroll gardens. Hydrangeas were incorporated for their billowy stature, easy maintenance, and long blooming season. Similarly, all the plants in residence play their part in the display that goes beyond the usual spring fling to extend throughout the growing season—offering visual interest even when they are not performing. From spring bulbs to autumn perennials, there is never a dull moment. Meanwhile, every step along the way was a collaboration working hand-in-hand with the homeowner and the city to make certain that the historic landmark status of the property was upheld and honored. The result goes beyond a landscape that is just old faithful. It adds life to the picture, creating a jewel-like setting for the newly proud house. In a word, it is sublime. By planting wisely and using sustainable elements, the restored house and its surroundings are ready for the next generation and beyond. This Yonkers gem remains meticulously groomed under the watchful eye and skill of Westover Landscape Design’s team of gardeners—It’s a keeper.

Design by Exodus Group Installed by Exodus Construction, LLC Granite from Luxus Marble and Granite Tile from RI Tile
Transitional bathroom photo in Providence

Margie Haggerty of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Wilmington, NC, partnered with Aberle Construction LLC to design a coastal modern bathroom remodel. The space features Masterpiece Cabinetry in the Epic door style with a Caribbean finish, paired with Arctic White quartz vanity tops and shower wall cap. The bathroom includes 2" Concepts Cove Blue Mosaic floor tile, 12x24 Satin White wall and shower tile, Kohler Alteo fixtures and Verdera lighted mirror, and heated tile floors. The client shared, “Margie made the whole process easy, and we’re very happy with everything. The hardest part was figuring out how to upgrade the bathroom while staying within the existing space. Even though the new shower isn’t much bigger, it feels more spacious. We love the floating vanity and toilet, and the lighted medicine cabinet is fantastic. My husband especially loves the heated floor.” Margie explained, “This was my second project with these clients, and I was excited to work with them again. The main challenge was the limited space in the original 1960s bathroom and not removing any walls. The clients wanted a larger, more accessible shower and liked the idea of a wet room. While we didn’t gain square footage, using soft whites, pale blues, a floating vanity, and a floating toilet helped the space feel larger. The heated tile floors completed the design.” Margie added, “I truly enjoyed this project and working with the clients. They were easy to work with, made selections quickly, and communication between Reico, the client, and the contractor was seamless.” Photos courtesy of Images by Joanna Photography.

Margie Haggerty of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Wilmington, NC, partnered with Aberle Construction LLC to design a coastal modern bathroom remodel. The space features Masterpiece Cabinetry in the Epic door style with a Caribbean finish, paired with Arctic White quartz vanity tops and shower wall cap. The bathroom includes 2" Concepts Cove Blue Mosaic floor tile, 12x24 Satin White wall and shower tile, Kohler Alteo fixtures and Verdera lighted mirror, and heated tile floors. The client shared, “Margie made the whole process easy, and we’re very happy with everything. The hardest part was figuring out how to upgrade the bathroom while staying within the existing space. Even though the new shower isn’t much bigger, it feels more spacious. We love the floating vanity and toilet, and the lighted medicine cabinet is fantastic. My husband especially loves the heated floor.” Margie explained, “This was my second project with these clients, and I was excited to work with them again. The main challenge was the limited space in the original 1960s bathroom and not removing any walls. The clients wanted a larger, more accessible shower and liked the idea of a wet room. While we didn’t gain square footage, using soft whites, pale blues, a floating vanity, and a floating toilet helped the space feel larger. The heated tile floors completed the design.” Margie added, “I truly enjoyed this project and working with the clients. They were easy to work with, made selections quickly, and communication between Reico, the client, and the contractor was seamless.” Photos courtesy of Images by Joanna Photography.

Margie Haggerty of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Wilmington, NC, partnered with Aberle Construction LLC to design a coastal modern bathroom remodel. The space features Masterpiece Cabinetry in the Epic door style with a Caribbean finish, paired with Arctic White quartz vanity tops and shower wall cap. The bathroom includes 2" Concepts Cove Blue Mosaic floor tile, 12x24 Satin White wall and shower tile, Kohler Alteo fixtures and Verdera lighted mirror, and heated tile floors. The client shared, “Margie made the whole process easy, and we’re very happy with everything. The hardest part was figuring out how to upgrade the bathroom while staying within the existing space. Even though the new shower isn’t much bigger, it feels more spacious. We love the floating vanity and toilet, and the lighted medicine cabinet is fantastic. My husband especially loves the heated floor.” Margie explained, “This was my second project with these clients, and I was excited to work with them again. The main challenge was the limited space in the original 1960s bathroom and not removing any walls. The clients wanted a larger, more accessible shower and liked the idea of a wet room. While we didn’t gain square footage, using soft whites, pale blues, a floating vanity, and a floating toilet helped the space feel larger. The heated tile floors completed the design.” Margie added, “I truly enjoyed this project and working with the clients. They were easy to work with, made selections quickly, and communication between Reico, the client, and the contractor was seamless.” Photos courtesy of Images by Joanna Photography.

Margie Haggerty of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Wilmington, NC, partnered with Aberle Construction LLC to design a coastal modern bathroom remodel. The space features Masterpiece Cabinetry in the Epic door style with a Caribbean finish, paired with Arctic White quartz vanity tops and shower wall cap. The bathroom includes 2" Concepts Cove Blue Mosaic floor tile, 12x24 Satin White wall and shower tile, Kohler Alteo fixtures and Verdera lighted mirror, and heated tile floors. The client shared, “Margie made the whole process easy, and we’re very happy with everything. The hardest part was figuring out how to upgrade the bathroom while staying within the existing space. Even though the new shower isn’t much bigger, it feels more spacious. We love the floating vanity and toilet, and the lighted medicine cabinet is fantastic. My husband especially loves the heated floor.” Margie explained, “This was my second project with these clients, and I was excited to work with them again. The main challenge was the limited space in the original 1960s bathroom and not removing any walls. The clients wanted a larger, more accessible shower and liked the idea of a wet room. While we didn’t gain square footage, using soft whites, pale blues, a floating vanity, and a floating toilet helped the space feel larger. The heated tile floors completed the design.” Margie added, “I truly enjoyed this project and working with the clients. They were easy to work with, made selections quickly, and communication between Reico, the client, and the contractor was seamless.” Photos courtesy of Images by Joanna Photography.

Gregg Waller of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Wilmington, NC collaborated with JC Hazelton Builders to design a farmhouse inspired kitchen featuring Green Forest and Masterpiece cabinetry. The kitchen features Green Forest cabinets in the Park Place door style with a White finish for the perimeter, complemented with an island in the Masterpiece door style Turner in Maple with a Shortbread finish. Appliances and countertops were provided by others. The client expressed their appreciation saying, “I literally love every aspect of our kitchen. It is exactly what we wanted. We did not have to sacrifice our vision which was a welcome experience. Gregg was so helpful in hearing what we wanted and then delivering. His knowledge about the products available really helped us achieve our design goals. He created digital examples of our kitchen, laundry and bathrooms which helped us in making our final decision.” “The biggest challenge that I faced was creating the look the client wanted in their new home while staying within a budget that was set prior to our introduction. I decided that Green Forest Park Place cabinets would be the best choice for the majority of the project. Masterpiece cabinets were needed to get the exact color that the client wanted for the kitchen island,” explained Gregg. “My favorite part of the design is the range wall. I like the way the warm wood tones of the hood balance the white shaker cabinets and brick backsplash. The clients were an absolute pleasure to work with. The excellent communication that I received from the client throughout definitely helped in the successful completion of the project!” Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

Gregg Waller of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Wilmington, NC collaborated with JC Hazelton Builders to design a farmhouse inspired kitchen featuring Green Forest and Masterpiece cabinetry. The kitchen features Green Forest cabinets in the Park Place door style with a White finish for the perimeter, complemented with an island in the Masterpiece door style Turner in Maple with a Shortbread finish. Appliances and countertops were provided by others. The client expressed their appreciation saying, “I literally love every aspect of our kitchen. It is exactly what we wanted. We did not have to sacrifice our vision which was a welcome experience. Gregg was so helpful in hearing what we wanted and then delivering. His knowledge about the products available really helped us achieve our design goals. He created digital examples of our kitchen, laundry and bathrooms which helped us in making our final decision.” “The biggest challenge that I faced was creating the look the client wanted in their new home while staying within a budget that was set prior to our introduction. I decided that Green Forest Park Place cabinets would be the best choice for the majority of the project. Masterpiece cabinets were needed to get the exact color that the client wanted for the kitchen island,” explained Gregg. “My favorite part of the design is the range wall. I like the way the warm wood tones of the hood balance the white shaker cabinets and brick backsplash. The clients were an absolute pleasure to work with. The excellent communication that I received from the client throughout definitely helped in the successful completion of the project!” Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

Gregg Waller of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Wilmington, NC collaborated with JC Hazelton Builders to design a farmhouse inspired kitchen featuring Green Forest and Masterpiece cabinetry. The kitchen features Green Forest cabinets in the Park Place door style with a White finish for the perimeter, complemented with an island in the Masterpiece door style Turner in Maple with a Shortbread finish. Appliances and countertops were provided by others. The client expressed their appreciation saying, “I literally love every aspect of our kitchen. It is exactly what we wanted. We did not have to sacrifice our vision which was a welcome experience. Gregg was so helpful in hearing what we wanted and then delivering. His knowledge about the products available really helped us achieve our design goals. He created digital examples of our kitchen, laundry and bathrooms which helped us in making our final decision.” “The biggest challenge that I faced was creating the look the client wanted in their new home while staying within a budget that was set prior to our introduction. I decided that Green Forest Park Place cabinets would be the best choice for the majority of the project. Masterpiece cabinets were needed to get the exact color that the client wanted for the kitchen island,” explained Gregg. “My favorite part of the design is the range wall. I like the way the warm wood tones of the hood balance the white shaker cabinets and brick backsplash. The clients were an absolute pleasure to work with. The excellent communication that I received from the client throughout definitely helped in the successful completion of the project!” Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

Gregg Waller of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Wilmington, NC collaborated with JC Hazelton Builders to design a farmhouse inspired kitchen featuring Green Forest and Masterpiece cabinetry. The kitchen features Green Forest cabinets in the Park Place door style with a White finish for the perimeter, complemented with an island in the Masterpiece door style Turner in Maple with a Shortbread finish. Appliances and countertops were provided by others. The client expressed their appreciation saying, “I literally love every aspect of our kitchen. It is exactly what we wanted. We did not have to sacrifice our vision which was a welcome experience. Gregg was so helpful in hearing what we wanted and then delivering. His knowledge about the products available really helped us achieve our design goals. He created digital examples of our kitchen, laundry and bathrooms which helped us in making our final decision.” “The biggest challenge that I faced was creating the look the client wanted in their new home while staying within a budget that was set prior to our introduction. I decided that Green Forest Park Place cabinets would be the best choice for the majority of the project. Masterpiece cabinets were needed to get the exact color that the client wanted for the kitchen island,” explained Gregg. “My favorite part of the design is the range wall. I like the way the warm wood tones of the hood balance the white shaker cabinets and brick backsplash. The clients were an absolute pleasure to work with. The excellent communication that I received from the client throughout definitely helped in the successful completion of the project!” Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

Featured in Dwell, Hacienda Granada is an eclectic modern residence designed by Working Holiday Studio that subtly combines the Spanish influences of a Mexican hacienda with Scandinavian minimalism and features All Weather Architectual Aluminun custom windows and doors. Carlos Nuade and Whitney Brown run Working Holiday, a multi disciplinary creative studio based in Los Angeles that boasts a portfolio of several renovation projects across Southern California. Originally built in 1962, the 2,762-square-foot residence with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths was not the couple’s dream home but they saw potential in its vaulted ceilings, ample-sized kitchen, backyard pool and large garage and more importantly, they found a space where they could infuse with their own personal history and distinct taste. "Our style is very modern and minimalist," Carlos explains. "But we still wanted to include some of the warmth, accents, and tones from traditional Spanish architecture." Carlos and Whitney chose All Weather Series 5000 casement and fixed windows with SDL's to infuse the home with the Hacienda vibe. They replaced the existing patio entry door with expansive Series 8100 Multi Slide Doors that connect to the living and dining room. The couple opened up the kitchen by adding an All Weather Series 7000 French Doors and repositioned the island so you can see into the house when they are cooking. They also reshaped most of the interior doorways, creating arches to enhance the Spanish-Mexican vibe. All Weather was honored to be selected for Hacienda Granada because Carlos and Whitney treat their projects like showrooms and they only bring on brands they like and curate the space accordingly.