Search results for "Familiarization" in Home Design Ideas

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.

Full basement finish with the challenge of several odd placed support poles. We added a full bathroom. Added egress window for a bedroom. Coretec flooring and carpet. Custom shower wall tile and a play space underneath the stairs finished for the kids. Who wouldn't want to spend time in this basement? Pool table. Ping pong. Pinball. Big screen TV and entertainment center. Custom framed storage for the poles with a separate custom framed beverage center. Turned out fantastic!
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Slipped Shed Studio
South Dartmouth
Builder: Scoop Jones
design team:
Tim Hess, Design Principal
Nathan Sawyer, Justin Mellow
all for DSA Architects
photographs: Tim Hess
This simple painting studio includes living quarters for an artist and frequent weekend guests. A familiar vocabulary of traditional forms and materials slants gently toward the sun and views up the Slocum River. The cantilevered roof and upper story shelter the glass from high summer sun.The concrete floor absorbs energy from low winter sun during the daytime to release it at night. Walls of exposed studs inside are wrapped and sealed with a continuous plane of insulation applied outside the structural sheathing.

Our introduction to the Tahoe site was in late winter, on a clear sunny day with filtered light and long shadows through snow-laden fir and pine bows. It made a strong impression, stored for future consideration but the impetus for the design came soon after the spring snow melt. A powerful sense of horizontal layering of vegetation and various stages of decomposing downed timber on the two-acre site, juxtaposed with pine and fir trees and the dense canopy of the surrounding forest. The site is located near the historic 1960 Olympic Nordic track, situated on the edge of wetlands and seasonal streams.
The homeowners were previous clients and dreamt of having a retreat in the Sierras away from their home base in Berkeley, CA. Among skiers, bike riders, hikers, and boaters, they found the ideal central location for their home base near Lake Tahoe.
The home is organized as a series of linked spaces, each providing a unique sensory experience and connection to different parts of the site, both vertically and horizontally. The design includes extensive use of glass to create a true indoor/outdoor connection and maximize natural light. At the center of the site are two large fir trees, which the building respectfully wraps around in an L shape to create a focal point in the landscaped courtyard.
A refined, context-driven palette of natural materials including cedar, oak, fir, and steel is used to harmoniously blend in among the surroundings. The construction includes advanced details such as thermally broken steel beams supporting layered roof planes engineered to hold snow rather than shed it. Designed to resist significant load, we exposed the steel structure as a recurring element in the interior spaces. The resulting columns and support beams contribute to the familiar design aspects of each room and provide a better understanding of how the building was constructed. The second floor features cantilevered volumes that reach out into the nearby evergreen limbs, likening the experience to being in a tree house. The house incorporates features such as radiant heating, solar panels, and operable windows for passive cooling. Fire safety measures include the use of naturally fire-resistant materials, a Class A roof construction, sprinklers, and drought-tolerant landscaping beyond the defensible space.

The Motus kitchen and living, designed by Vittore Niolu, brings together function and entertainment, privacy and familiarity.The idea of kitchen and living room evolves in total creative liberty. A brand new proposal that allows an infinite number of configurations: surprising not only in its unusual lines but also in its essential and elegant design with details that reveal a new identity of the environment we work and live in today.

Transforming this long-standing home on Bradgate Rd required more than a simple update—it called for a careful balance between renewal, structure, and respect for what was already there.
The existing brick bungalow had strong bones, but the exterior was deteriorating, the carport was underutilized, and key interior spaces no longer supported the homeowners’ needs. Having lived in the home for decades, the goal wasn’t to start over—it was to rework the home into a more functional, comfortable space that could support the years ahead.
The scope included a full exterior masonry refresh, where the front layer of brick was removed and replaced while maintaining the integrity of the original structure. The carport was fully enclosed and integrated into the home as a garage, and a new roof tied everything together with consistent detailing and long-term performance in mind.
Inside, the layout was carefully reworked to introduce a new primary ensuite and completely renovate the main bathroom. Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems were updated throughout, with a focus on accessibility, ease of use, and everyday comfort.
The result is a home that feels both familiar and elevated—where thoughtful construction and refined design come together to support long-term living without compromising character.

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.

Example of a small classic master carpeted bedroom design in Other with white walls

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.

The galley kitchen is a familiar style in the older homes of southern California, we reconfigured the division of space by moving the wall between the laundry area and the kitchen this allowed us to gain additional need space at low expense. The color scheme was whites and light gray for the contrast.
The unique stone farmhouse sink acts as a centerpiece of the kitchen. the quartz reflection counter and the glass tile backsplash utilizing all the natural light coming in to reflect it all over and creates a light and bright feeling as you walk through the space. To add warmth to the kitchen and tie it to the rest of the house we used ceramic tiles mimicking wood look and texture.
Photography: Shimrit Shalev

Here shown is the walnut interior of the glass cabinets in the kitchen.
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.

This “ farm house “ actually is one of the oldest homes in Sonoma, dating back to the 1860’s.
The interior reflects the clients desire for a rustic, causal, but sophisticated retreat from San Francisco living.
Antique Japanese furniture mixes with English country and South Western rustic to create a blending of styles that “ feel “ like nothing you have seen before, but that is somehow familiar.
Earth tones predominate, but highlights of crimson, emerald green and wheat gold make playful appearances at every turn.

Second homes and vacation homes are such fun projects for us and when Portland residents Leslie and Phil found their dream house on the fairway in central Oregon, they asked us to help them make it feel like home. Updates to carpet and paint refreshed the palette for new furnishings, and the homeowners requested we use their treasured art and accessories to truly create that “homey” feeling. We “shopped” their Portland home for items that would work with the rooms we’d designed throughout the house, and the result was immediately familiar and welcoming. We also collaborated on custom stair railings and new island brackets with local master Downtown Ornamental Iron and redesigned a rustic slab fireplace mantel with a local craftsman. We’ve enjoyed additional projects with Leslie and Phil in their Portland home and returned to Bend to refresh the kitchen with quartz slab countertops, a bold black tile backsplash and new appliances. We aren’t surprised to hear this “vacation home” has become their primary residence much sooner than they’d planned!

Looks familiar? We used similar patterns in varying color ways and materials to create cohesiveness within this fab condo. We designed a space where our client- a hip, young, artistic couple- can chillax stylishly.
According to the man of the house “it’s a real pad!”….kudos to the client always being right!
Photo Credit: Misheck Chimaliro

Living beyond the walls of your home turned out to be quite fabulous for this Avon, Connecticut family thanks to the artistic envision of Michael Gotowala and his talented Preferred Properties crew.
Outdoor Living designer and master builder of outdoor kitchens Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE by PREFERRED PROPERTIES reveals to us the insight of multi level outdoor living beyond the walls of your home outdoors. The secret to success for this trendy outdoor living lifestyle is to understand the family members lifestyle indoors and portray that familiar lifestyle outdoors. This equates to endless hours of quality time spent outdoors. Gotowala's artistic display of outdoor living fabulously can be for entertaining large catered gatherings or intimate outdoor kitchens for fun with family and friends. The Difference in Outdoor Living and Living outdoors fabulously begins with a fabulous design and ends with meticulous workmanship. For more outdoor kitchen inspiration see our website where Great Outdoor kitchen ideas begin. THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE at www.OUTDOORKITCHENDESIGNER.com

The homeowners love to entertain, and they wanted an open and airy space for doing so. Key elements of this transitional design brought this dream space to life for these homeowners.
The fire lounge area at mid-level steals the show in this space – with stadium seating around the fire feature, there is plenty of room for those large gatherings, yet the area still feels cozy and inviting. Having no rails at all was key to the design. It gave the entire outdoor space that open and airy feel the homeowner’s wanted. Notice how the space was brilliantly designed to echo the shape of the house.
This space is completed with a NatureKast galley kitchen, covered with an Equinox louvered roof to keep the showers away while grilling. Not familiar with the Equinox Louvered Roof System? Think pergola on steroids! Open or close it with just the touch of a button – it’s that simple. And Deck Remodelers is the exclusive dealer of Equinox Louvered Roofs in NY, NJ and CT.
Call today to inquire about your own Party Central! Serving most of NJ, Westchester and Rockland Counties in NY, and lower Fairfield County in CT, we’ve got you covered! If you are looking for a modern, traditional or transitional deck builder, call the experts at Deck Remodelers! 973.729.2125

This lovely little modern farmhouse is located at the base of the foothills in one of Boulder’s most prized neighborhoods. Tucked onto a challenging narrow lot, this inviting and sustainably designed 2400 sf., 4 bedroom home lives much larger than its compact form. The open floor plan and vaulted ceilings of the Great room, kitchen and dining room lead to a beautiful covered back patio and lush, private back yard. These rooms are flooded with natural light and blend a warm Colorado material palette and heavy timber accents with a modern sensibility. A lyrical open-riser steel and wood stair floats above the baby grand in the center of the home and takes you to three bedrooms on the second floor. The Master has a covered balcony with exposed beamwork & warm Beetle-kill pine soffits, framing their million-dollar view of the Flatirons.
Its simple and familiar style is a modern twist on a classic farmhouse vernacular. The stone, Hardie board siding and standing seam metal roofing create a resilient and low-maintenance shell. The alley-loaded home has a solar-panel covered garage that was custom designed for the family’s active & athletic lifestyle (aka “lots of toys”). The front yard is a local food & water-wise Master-class, with beautiful rain-chains delivering roof run-off straight to the family garden.
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