Search results for "Familiarization" in Home Design Ideas

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…

Have you noticed that imagination can be more real than reality? You'll want to come sit by us then, just around the corner at Studio 7H. It's imaginary world where very real things happen. Namely, a makeover for a familiar old friend: the furniture collection. Pick the Studio 7H pieces that you love and watch things come together. Great items work the room or go their own way. Just like your best parties. Unplanned, often random, but always perfect. And totally real.
Beautiful symmetry prevails in this landscape dresser. Conceived as a single unit, it’s inspired by the notion of two side-by-side chests. Eight drawers of ample storage for all things (clothing and otherwise).

Hallway leading to guest rooms with interior glow. Emphasis on warmth comfort and familiarity. CVA Photography.
Example of a mid-sized eclectic medium tone wood floor hallway design in Chicago
Example of a mid-sized eclectic medium tone wood floor hallway design in Chicago
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Completed in 2011 this 4 BR, 3 1/2 bath custom home is situated on a very tight urban infill lot in Northern, Virginia. Our clients were relocating to the D.C. area from New England and wanted to retain some of the New England vernacular they were familiar with in their new home. Due to heavy zoning restrictions, stylistic CCR's and a large program of almost 7000 sf, our design response is a modern take on a traditional hipped 4-square.
We intentionally kept the skin and form of the building simple in order to contain cost and allow for a higher level of interior finish. The main level employs our favorite Great Room scheme that merges cooking, eating and entertaining into one seamless space that flows onto an expansive deck overlooking the rear yard. The entry elevation welcomes guests with a traditional front porch and stone path that passes by a small rain garden. The basement accommodates a guest room, media room, exercise area, and full shop while the upper level orients 2 kid's bedrooms, a Jack-n-Jill bath and the master suite toward a territorial view of the rear yard. All of this program is housed beneath a hipped roof that minimizes the scale of the house while presenting a thoughtful appearance toward the street and neighbors.

Our clients wanted their kitchen to feel more connected to the living room, but they also loved the overall layout of their home and didn’t want to make drastic changes. The goal was to create better flow without losing the character of the spaces they already enjoyed. To achieve this, we carried design details from the living room into the kitchen, refreshing the cabinetry with the same style seen in their built-ins. One of the biggest shifts came from removing the wall that once separated the breakfast room from the kitchen. This simple change opened up the walkway, making the two spaces feel like one continuous part of the home while still allowing each area to serve its purpose. To bring a modern touch to the kitchen, we introduced brushed brass fixtures by Kholer, Chloe glossy ceramic subway tile backsplash, and quartz countertops. These thoughtful touches brought warmth, light, and just the right amount of texture. The result is a kitchen that feels open, airy, and timeless, but still familiar.

Situated along the perimeter of the property, this unique home creates a continuous street wall, both preserving plenty of open yard space and maintaining privacy from the prominent street corner. A one-story mudroom connects the garage to the house at the rear of the lot which required a local zoning variance. The resulting L-shaped plan and the central location of a glass-enclosed stair allow natural light to enter the home from multiple sides of nearly every room. The Arts & Crafts inspired detailing creates a familiar yet unique facade that is sympathetic to the character and scale of the neighborhood. A chevron pattern is a key design element on the window bays and doors and continues inside throughout the interior of the home.
2022 NAHB Platinum Best in American Living Award
View more of this home through #BBAModernCraftsman on Instagram.

Family room - mid-sized rustic loft-style carpeted family room idea in Other with beige walls, no fireplace and no tv

In this cozy den, my client knew she didn't want to change much, but she knew something was missing. The furniture was working well, the paint color was just as she liked it, and she did not want anything different or fussy on the windows.
So, what could still be needed to make the room feel finished?
We started by bringing in a new rug-- I wanted something that would add a softness to the sepia-toned palette--and we added a larger ottoman for extra comfort and more table space.
Also new side tables with matching lamps were added to flank the chairs, giving more presence to the symmetry that was already there.
With such a lovely muted palette, texture becomes even more important. The smooth metal tables, rustic wood tray, the louvered screen in the corner all add interest...
The sparkle and style added by the new lighting can't be ignored, the artwork is placed to best show it off, a new armless chair gives a place to sit and purpose to a previously empty corner.....and the beautiful grandmother clock moved from an adjacent room brings a stately bit of height and history to the space. A cozy room has become even more welcoming!

Located in the Rolling Hills community of San Luis Obispo, this single-family residence was renovated and enlarged to suit expanded living and entertaining needs. Surrounded by beautiful Edna Valley, the home was remodeled in the modern farmhouse style.
The house was extended along its axis, and the ceilings in main rooms were vaulted to create a sense of grandeur in the central space. Large windows were added to capture the views of Edna Valley, and give additional light to a previously dimly lit ranch style home. The slider opposite the entry helps to connect the home to the outdoor spaces and leads to the rear patio where a pool and barbecue area await. The owner, an art curator and artist had a vision for the interior transformation, and worked with an interior designer to make it come to life. Many unique touches can be found inside, such as the antique slate farmhouse sink, and large butler’s pantry. The expansive kitchen, living and dining areas are perfect for entertaining guests, or relaxing with family. Vintage furniture and fixtures were paired with contemporary colors and clean lines to create a familiar yet fresh atmosphere.

Situated along the perimeter of the property, this unique home creates a continuous street wall, both preserving plenty of open yard space and maintaining privacy from the prominent street corner. A one-story mudroom connects the garage to the house at the rear of the lot which required a local zoning variance. The resulting L-shaped plan and the central location of a glass-enclosed stair allow natural light to enter the home from multiple sides of nearly every room. The Arts & Crafts inspired detailing creates a familiar yet unique facade that is sympathetic to the character and scale of the neighborhood. A chevron pattern is a key design element on the window bays and doors and continues inside throughout the interior of the home.
2022 NAHB Platinum Best in American Living Award
View more of this home through #BBAModernCraftsman on Instagram.

Dana Gibson partners with Stroheim for a new fabrics and wallcoverings collection debuting in Spring 2014. Inspired by places far-flung and familiar, her collection features ancient ikats, curvaceous ogees, intricate fretwork designs and small-scale coordinates rendered in bold strokes and infused with a distinctly American sensibility. In Dana’s hands, centuries old designs are made fresh and modern to brighten and transform any room.

THE SETUP
Our journey began with a familiar face — Alicia had previously transformed the client’s mother’s home, establishing a trusted relationship that naturally led to this personal project. The client desired a kitchen that truly reflected her own style while facilitating seamless entertaining.
Design Vision:
The original kitchen, segregated from the dining area by a wall, hindered the flow of interaction and space. Our client envisioned a unified area where she could engage with guests in both the kitchen and dining room simultaneously. Moreover, the space lacked a central island, relying instead on a floorplan anchored by cabinetry in a u-shaped layout.
Design Objectives:
Open up the space for an airy design conducive to entertaining large gatherings
Modernize the kitchen to be both stylish and functional
Integrate the design with the home’s new black-framed windows and doors
Relocate the cooktop to a central position to enhance usability and interaction
Design Challenges:
Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room would necessitate the rerouting of existing HVAC ductwork that services the upper floor
Limited pantry space in the existing kitchen
The existing u-shaped layout of the kitchen restricted functionality and storage options
Insufficient space for wine storage
The client desired a raised-furniture look for the island, but without showing a new downdraft vent
THE RENEWED SPACE
Design Solutions:
We added a second HVAC unit to the upper floor and rerouted the existing ductwork in that wall
Created tall pantry pullouts on either side of the fridge to maximize dry goods storage
Designed a long island to facilitate cooking stations and dining moments
Created a stylish open display cabinet for wine
Engineered a dual-design island with a footed floating aesthetic on one side, and a full floor reach on the other to conceal the new downdraft ventilation.
Paired with the newly opened adjacent dining room featuring a wet bar, the kitchen has become a stylish and highly functional space for cooking and entertaining. Following a large baby shower hosted by the client (which seamlessly accommodated an 80-person gathering!), it is clear that the new design not only meets but exceeds the needs for hosting and everyday living. This project was a harmonious blend of the client’s vision and Alicia’s innovative design solutions, resulting in a kitchen that truly embodies personalized elegance and functionality.

Completed in 2011 this 4 BR, 3 1/2 bath custom home is situated on a very tight urban infill lot in Northern, Virginia. Our clients were relocating to the D.C. area from New England and wanted to retain some of the New England vernacular they were familiar with in their new home. Due to heavy zoning restrictions, stylistic CCR's and a large program of almost 7000 sf, our design response is a modern take on a traditional hipped 4-square.
We intentionally kept the skin and form of the building simple in order to contain cost and allow for a higher level of interior finish. The main level employs our favorite Great Room scheme that merges cooking, eating and entertaining into one seamless space that flows onto an expansive deck overlooking the rear yard. The entry elevation welcomes guests with a traditional front porch and stone path that passes by a small rain garden. The basement accommodates a guest room, media room, exercise area, and full shop while the upper level orients 2 kid's bedrooms, a Jack-n-Jill bath and the master suite toward a territorial view of the rear yard. All of this program is housed beneath a hipped roof that minimizes the scale of the house while presenting a thoughtful appearance toward the street and neighbors.

Some driveways are built to serve. Others are built to welcome. Beacon Hill Flagstone® brings the warmth of natural stone and the confidence of lasting strength into one seamless surface that does both.
Unilock Beacon Hill Flagstone® is known for its rich surface texture and soft blended colors. Designed to echo the look of natural flagstone, it is produced with EnduraColor™ technology for superior wear resistance and long-term beauty. Its relaxed, random appearance makes it perfect for driveways, front entrances, and landscape transitions.
Picture a gentle curve leading to your home, bordered by lush greens and guided by warm stone underfoot. The pattern feels familiar. The finish feels grounded. And the space as a whole feels like it belongs—both to nature and to the people who live there.
This is not just about curb appeal. It is about creating an arrival experience that feels peaceful, established, and built for everyday life.
Let’s explore how this material can bring your outdoor story to life.
Schedule your consultation today: 516-522-8249

A small enclosed kitchen is very common in many homes such as the home that we remodeled here.
Opening a wall to allow natural light to penetrate the space is a must. When budget is important the solution can be as you see in this project - the wall was opened and removed but a structural post remained and it was incorporated in the design.
The blue modern flat paneled cabinets was a perfect choice to contras the very familiar gray scale color scheme but it’s still compliments it since blue is in the correct cold color spectrum.
Notice the great black windows and the fantastic awning window facing the pool. The awning window is great to be able to serve the exterior sitting area near the pool.
Opening the wall also allowed us to compliment the kitchen with a nice bar/island sitting area without having an actual island in the space.
The best part of this kitchen is the large built-in pantry wall with a tall wine fridge and a lovely coffee area that we built in the sitting area made the kitchen expend into the breakfast nook and doubled the area that is now considered to be the kitchen.

Located in the Rolling Hills community of San Luis Obispo, this single-family residence was renovated and enlarged to suit expanded living and entertaining needs. Surrounded by beautiful Edna Valley, the home was remodeled in the modern farmhouse style.
The house was extended along its axis, and the ceilings in main rooms were vaulted to create a sense of grandeur in the central space. Large windows were added to capture the views of Edna Valley, and give additional light to a previously dimly lit ranch style home. The slider opposite the entry helps to connect the home to the outdoor spaces and leads to the rear patio where a pool and barbecue area await. The owner, an art curator and artist had a vision for the interior transformation, and worked with an interior designer to make it come to life. Many unique touches can be found inside, such as the antique slate farmhouse sink, and large butler’s pantry. The expansive kitchen, living and dining areas are perfect for entertaining guests, or relaxing with family. Vintage furniture and fixtures were paired with contemporary colors and clean lines to create a familiar yet fresh atmosphere.

GOAT designed the St. Roch Avenue Shotgun House as an affordable single-family housing prototype. To date, three homes have been constructed in New Orleans by SBP with teams of volunteers.
The houses were designed to continue the evolution of the city’s residential architecture while responding to the concerns of neighborhood residents regarding context, familiarity, and affordability. The resulting three homes, built on the same block in the Milneburg neighborhood of Gentilly, establish a case study in how modern architecture can meet the challenges of neighborhood revitalization with sensitivity. By relating to the scale, rhythm and texture of the traditional New Orleans neighborhood, the St. Roch Avenue Shotgun is reminiscent of a traditional New Orleans home. By incorporating modern materials and construction methods, vaulting interior spaces, adjusting the historic shotgun layout, and adding some contemporary flair, it functions like a modern home.

This beloved seaside home received a thoughtful, multi-phase expansion designed around one simple goal: more room for family. The project included a new attached 2-car garage with a finished suite above — featuring a kitchenette and in-unit laundry — plus a structural addition to the right side of the home that opened up the kitchen, dining, and living areas. Exterior decks were updated with modern materials, the landscaping was reimagined from the ground up, and the entire interior was remodeled and refreshed. The result is a home that feels both brand new and deeply familiar.

If you are familiar with our work, at Berry Design Build, you know that to us each project is more than just sticks and mortar. Each home, each client, each family we have the privilege to work with becomes part of our team. We believe in the value of excellence, the importance of commitment, and the significance of delivery. This renovation, along with many, is very close to our hearts because it’s one of the few instances where we get to exercise more than just the Design Build division of our company. This particular client had been working with Berry for many years to find that lifetime home. Through many viewings, agent caravans, and lots of offers later she found a house worth calling home. Although not perfectly to her personality (really what home is until you make it yours) she asked our Design Build division to come in and renovate some areas: including the kitchen, hall bathroom, master bathroom, and most other areas of the house; i.e. paint, hardwoods, and lighting. Each project comes with its challenges, but we were able to combine her love of mid-century modern furnishings with the character of the already existing 1962 ranch.
Photos by Nicole Cosentino
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