The old brick steps were crumbling apart. We made the new landing wider, and extended it farther from the house, with the steps larger as well. The steps are pinned to the house with rebar dowels to prevent settling and movement. We used about 1.5 yards of concrete, colored inegrally with Solomon Slate color, and a Brickform Light Gray Release agent.

The back patio is one of our favorite spaces. The upper section feathers a fireplace with seating for 12+. The fireplace was over sized and raised a few inches above the normal height so it would broadcast heat farther out. The lower section host the built in grilling area and dining table. The patio is heavily reinforces concrete with a custom overlay application thus allowing us to control the texture and color of the top surface. This is definitely a high-heel friendly patio.

Lakehouse Living Room Photography: Colette Forer
Inspiration for a large contemporary enclosed medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Calgary with gray walls, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Picture standing farther back in the family room showing the screen installed and both sides completely closed with the bifold doors completely open. Stunning crown molding as well.

Jake Boyd
Inspiration for a transitional dining room remodel in Other

This is an example of a front yard retaining wall landscape in Philadelphia.

Living room - craftsman living room idea in Orange County

Inspiration for a timeless living room remodel in New York with a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a media wall

Bathroom photo in Other

Constructed in two phases, this renovation, with a few small additions, touched nearly every room in this late ‘50’s ranch house. The owners raised their family within the original walls and love the house’s location, which is not far from town and also borders conservation land. But they didn’t love how chopped up the house was and the lack of exposure to natural daylight and views of the lush rear woods. Plus, they were ready to de-clutter for a more stream-lined look. As a result, KHS collaborated with them to create a quiet, clean design to support the lifestyle they aspire to in retirement. To transform the original ranch house, KHS proposed several significant changes that would make way for a number of related improvements. Proposed changes included the removal of the attached enclosed breezeway (which had included a stair to the basement living space) and the two-car garage it partially wrapped, which had blocked vital eastern daylight from accessing the interior. Together the breezeway and garage had also contributed to a long, flush front façade. In its stead, KHS proposed a new two-car carport, attached storage shed, and exterior basement stair in a new location. The carport is bumped closer to the street to relieve the flush front facade and to allow access behind it to eastern daylight in a relocated rear kitchen. KHS also proposed a new, single, more prominent front entry, closer to the driveway to replace the former secondary entrance into the dark breezeway and a more formal main entrance that had been located much farther down the facade and curiously bordered the bedroom wing. Inside, low ceilings and soffits in the primary family common areas were removed to create a cathedral ceiling (with rod ties) over a reconfigured semi-open living, dining, and kitchen space. A new gas fireplace serving the relocated dining area -- defined by a new built-in banquette in a new bay window -- was designed to back up on the existing wood-burning fireplace that continues to serve the living area. A shared full bath, serving two guest bedrooms on the main level, was reconfigured, and additional square footage was captured for a reconfigured master bathroom off the existing master bedroom. A new whole-house color palette, including new finishes and new cabinetry, complete the transformation. Today, the owners enjoy a fresh and airy re-imagining of their familiar ranch house. Photos by Katie Hutchison

The bedroom had super heavy drapery that darkened the room and took up too much space. In addition, a wood-burning fireplace encroached farther than was desirable. We switched this out to electric (who wants the hassle of a wood-burning fireplace in the bedroom?!) and designed a clean and modern surround and mantle with a flat, more minimal presence in the room. This bright, dreamy master bedroom features comfortable, warm details and sleek, modern design choices. We elevated the space with new furniture from RH, handsome window treatments, and newly appointed artwork for a bright and cheerful room that exudes comfort. It's the perfect environment to unwind, read a good book, and get a good night's sleep.

Example of a large transitional freestanding desk light wood floor, beige floor, coffered ceiling and wainscoting home office library design in Atlanta with green walls

Taking the updated backyard design a step farther, we added a custom cedar pergola. The pergola was built using 6 × 6 posts and the entire structure was stained in walnut to add contrast to the soft colors of the deck, and home. The use of larger posts gives the pergola a “beefier” more substantial look. We did have to brace the pergola against the fence to ensure no uplift and to strengthen the support due to the span.

In this project we remodeled the entire house completely and we added a master bathroom with laundry, a walk-in closet and we extended the kitchen farther out. In the main house we remodeled the kitchen, the guest bathroom, the 2 bedrooms and the living room. We added Led lights all over the place with it's own dimmers. We installed new vinyl wood planks floors. We upgraded the electric box and re-wired the house. We also installed new windows and doors throughout the house and replaced the entire roof shingles. Took us 3 month to complete the job.

A couple wanted a weekend retreat without spending a majority of their getaway in an automobile. Therefore, a lot was purchased along the Rocky River with the vision of creating a nearby escape less than five miles away from their home. This 1,300 sf 24’ x 24’ dwelling is divided into a four square quadrant with the goal to create a variety of interior and exterior experiences while maintaining a rather small footprint. Typically, when going on a weekend retreat one has the drive time to decompress. However, without this, the goal was to create a procession from the car to the house to signify such change of context. This concept was achieved through the use of a wood slatted screen wall which must be passed through. After winding around a collection of poured concrete steps and walls one comes to a wood plank bridge and crosses over a Japanese garden leaving all the stresses of the daily world behind. The house is structured around a nine column steel frame grid, which reinforces the impression one gets of the four quadrants. The two rear quadrants intentionally house enclosed program space but once passed through, the floor plan completely opens to long views down to the mouth of the river into Lake Erie. On the second floor the four square grid is stacked with one quadrant removed for the two story living area on the first floor to capture heightened views down the river. In a move to create complete separation there is a one quadrant roof top office with surrounding roof top garden space. The rooftop office is accessed through a unique approach by exiting onto a steel grated staircase which wraps up the exterior facade of the house. This experience provides an additional retreat within their weekend getaway, and serves as the apex of the house where one can completely enjoy the views of Lake Erie disappearing over the horizon. Visually the house extends into the riverside site, but the four quadrant axis also physically extends creating a series of experiences out on the property. The Northeast kitchen quadrant extends out to become an exterior kitchen & dining space. The two-story Northwest living room quadrant extends out to a series of wrap around steps and lounge seating. A fire pit sits in this quadrant as well farther out in the lawn. A fruit and vegetable garden sits out in the Southwest quadrant in near proximity to the shed, and the entry sequence is contained within the Southeast quadrant extension. Internally and externally the whole house is organized in a simple and concise way and achieves the ultimate goal of creating many different experiences within a rationally sized footprint. Photo: Sergiu Stoian

Large transitional attached three-car garage photo in Philadelphia

Outdoor Dining and entertaining continues to be fabulous in the Hamptons. This Euro Outdoor Kitchen by The Outdoor Kitchen Design Store in Southampton clearly depicts living beyond the walls of your home Fabulously. The Caliber Grill Rockwell model is clearly unique with its hood rolling back into the cabinetry. Farther to the right past the outdoor refrigerator and ice machine is the EVO grill which diversifies the cooking experience outdoors. The Evo offers a generous 30" cast iron surface allowing you to cook omelets, crepes, french toast, grilled sandwiches, fajitas, luncheon sandwiches, scampi, swordfish and chicken fillets. With this fully equipped outdoor kitchen you can cook anything outdoors that you would normally cook indoors. Time to get Outdoors and entertain Fabulously with friends and family. Elevate your outdoor living lifestyle with this contemporary Outdoor Kitchen.

Constructed in two phases, this renovation, with a few small additions, touched nearly every room in this late ‘50’s ranch house. The owners raised their family within the original walls and love the house’s location, which is not far from town and also borders conservation land. But they didn’t love how chopped up the house was and the lack of exposure to natural daylight and views of the lush rear woods. Plus, they were ready to de-clutter for a more stream-lined look. As a result, KHS collaborated with them to create a quiet, clean design to support the lifestyle they aspire to in retirement. To transform the original ranch house, KHS proposed several significant changes that would make way for a number of related improvements. Proposed changes included the removal of the attached enclosed breezeway (which had included a stair to the basement living space) and the two-car garage it partially wrapped, which had blocked vital eastern daylight from accessing the interior. Together the breezeway and garage had also contributed to a long, flush front façade. In its stead, KHS proposed a new two-car carport, attached storage shed, and exterior basement stair in a new location. The carport is bumped closer to the street to relieve the flush front facade and to allow access behind it to eastern daylight in a relocated rear kitchen. KHS also proposed a new, single, more prominent front entry, closer to the driveway to replace the former secondary entrance into the dark breezeway and a more formal main entrance that had been located much farther down the facade and curiously bordered the bedroom wing. Inside, low ceilings and soffits in the primary family common areas were removed to create a cathedral ceiling (with rod ties) over a reconfigured semi-open living, dining, and kitchen space. A new gas fireplace serving the relocated dining area -- defined by a new built-in banquette in a new bay window -- was designed to back up on the existing wood-burning fireplace that continues to serve the living area. A shared full bath, serving two guest bedrooms on the main level, was reconfigured, and additional square footage was captured for a reconfigured master bathroom off the existing master bedroom. A new whole-house color palette, including new finishes and new cabinetry, complete the transformation. Today, the owners enjoy a fresh and airy re-imagining of their familiar ranch house. Photos by Katie Hutchison

From builder standard to designer upgrade. A recent project of ours in Harrison NY had us taking an adequate builder designed kitchen to something much more special. The original layout led to traffic jams while entertaining and valuable storage was lost due to the fact that the cabinets did not go to the ceiling. The new design moves the refrigerator out of the traffic pattern that often lead to gridlock in previous years as well as providing ample storage for trays and baking sheets in the slim pantry. Grillwork doors allow for airflow from the air-conditioning vents, while still allowing for cabinets to the ceiling. A professional grade range replaces the old smaller model, with a heavy-duty hood to assure complete ventilation no matter what the cook creates. The microwave moves farther down the work triangle to assure that the heating of a cup of coffee or bag of popcorn need never interfere with the chef again. Equally of value is the island mini-frig not just to chill the occasional bottle of wine, but to keep the kids sodas out the main refrigerator. And then there is the desk/ command central area. The formerly blank wall where no piece of furniture seemed to fit, because of the radiator, has become an efficient home office. With room for two people to work, grown-ups can search Food Network for recipes while the kids do their homework – problem area solved!