Search results for "Favored choice" in Home Design Ideas

In the early days of the global pandemic of 2021, my client decided to leave a more densely populated city environment in favor of a more suburban atmosphere with fewer people, where things are less crowded. They found a Tudor-style home built in the 1980s and set about updating it to make it their own. When my client contacted me, one of her top priorities in the home was a complete kitchen renovation for which she already had some very clear ideas. She came to the project with colors and overall feel so it was a delight to collaborate with her to bring her vision to life.
The original kitchen was wedged between a large two-story entry hall at the front, and a spacious beamed family room at the rear. Dated dark red oak and heavy 1980s cabinetry weighed down the room, and my client desperately wanted light and lightness. Working with Lewis Construction, we took down the walls that closed the kitchen off from the family room and the resulting space allowed for a generous island. We worked together to refine a cabinet color and a wood stain for the custom cabinetry by Schmitz Woodworks, and a tone of countertop material that would be a perfect compliment to our cabinetry choices. And I found lighting that speaks to the Tudor style of the house while bringing a sense of airiness—the seeded glass island pendants are perfect partners to the round wrought-iron fixture with candles in the adjoining dining room. Wood, brass, and abaca kitchen stools at the island bring a sense of history and California cool.
In the adjoining bland family room, my client removed an ugly river stone fireplace and replaced it with a linear gas insert. I designed built-in bookcases flanking the fireplace to give the entire wall more presence. My client fell in love with a piece of dark soapstone and I used it to design a chunky, uniquely beveled surround to ground the fire box.
The entry also got a makeover. We worked with a painter to disguise the ugly 80s red oak on the stairs, and I furnished the area with contemporary pieces that speak to a Tudor sensibility: a “quilted” chest with nail heads; an occasional chair with a quatrefoil back; a wall mirror that looks as if the Wicked Queen in Snow White used it; a rug that has the appearance of a faded heirloom; and a swarm of silver goblets creating a wall art installation that echoes the nail heads on the chest.
Photo: Rick Pharaoh

These clients reached out to Hillcrest Construction when their family began out-growing their Phoenixville-area home. Through a comprehensive design phase, opportunities to add square footage were identified along with a reorganization of the typical traffic flow throughout the house.
All household traffic into the hastily-designed, existing family room bump-out addition was funneled through a 3’ berth within the kitchen making meal prep and other kitchen activities somewhat similar to a shift at a PA turnpike toll booth. In the existing bump-out addition, the family room was relatively tight and the dining room barely fit the 6-person dining table. Access to the backyard was somewhat obstructed by the necessary furniture and the kitchen alone didn’t satisfy storage needs beyond a quick trip to the grocery store. The home’s existing front door was the only front entrance, and without a foyer or mudroom, the front formal room often doubled as a drop-zone for groceries, bookbags, and other on-the-go items.
Hillcrest Construction designed a remedy to both address the function and flow issues along with adding square footage via a 150 sq ft addition to the family room and converting the garage into a mudroom entry and walk-through pantry.
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The project’s addition was not especially large but was able to facilitate a new pathway to the home’s rear family room. The existing brick wall at the bottom of the second-floor staircase was opened up and created a new, natural flow from the second-floor bedrooms to the front formal room, and into the rear family hang-out space- all without having to cut through the often busy kitchen. The dining room area was relocated to remove it from the pathway to the door to the backyard. Additionally, free and clear access to the rear yard was established for both two-legged and four-legged friends.
The existing chunky slider door was removed and in its place was fabricated and installed a custom centerpiece that included a new gas fireplace insert with custom brick surround, two side towers for display items and choice vinyl, and two base cabinets with metal-grated doors to house a subwoofer, wifi equipment, and other stow-away items. The black walnut countertops and mantle pop from the white cabinetry, and the wall-mounted TV with soundbar complete the central A/V hub. The custom cabs and tops were designed and built at Hillcrest’s custom shop.
The farmhouse appeal was completed with distressed engineered hardwood floors and craftsman-style window and door trim throughout.
-
Another major component of the project was the conversion of the garage into a pantry+mudroom+everyday entry.
The clients had used their smallish garage for storage of outdoor yard and recreational equipment. With those storage needs being addressed at the exterior, the space was transformed into a custom pantry and mudroom. The floor level within the space was raised to meet the rest of the house and insulated appropriately. A newly installed pocket door divided the dining room area from the designed-to-spec pantry/beverage center. The pantry was designed to house dry storage, cleaning supplies, and dry bar supplies when the cleaning and shopping are complete. A window seat with doggie supply storage below was worked into the design to accommodate the existing elevation of the original garage window.
A coat closet and a small set of steps divide the pantry from the mudroom entry. The mudroom entry is marked with a striking combo of the herringbone thin-brick flooring and a custom hutch. Kids returning home from school have a designated spot to hang their coats and bookbags with two deep drawers for shoes. A custom cherry bench top adds a punctuation of warmth. The entry door and window replaced the old overhead garage doors to create the daily-used informal entry off the driveway.
With the house being such a favorable area, and the clients not looking to pull up roots, Hillcrest Construction facilitated a collaborative experience and comprehensive plan to change the house for the better and make it a home to grow within.

In the early days of the global pandemic of 2021, my client decided to leave a more densely populated city environment in favor of a more suburban atmosphere with fewer people, where things are less crowded. They found a Tudor-style home built in the 1980s and set about updating it to make it their own. When my client contacted me, one of her top priorities in the home was a complete kitchen renovation for which she already had some very clear ideas. She came to the project with colors and overall feel so it was a delight to collaborate with her to bring her vision to life.
The original kitchen was wedged between a large two-story entry hall at the front, and a spacious beamed family room at the rear. Dated dark red oak and heavy 1980s cabinetry weighed down the room, and my client desperately wanted light and lightness. Working with Lewis Construction, we took down the walls that closed the kitchen off from the family room and the resulting space allowed for a generous island. We worked together to refine a cabinet color and a wood stain for the custom cabinetry by Schmitz Woodworks, and a tone of countertop material that would be a perfect compliment to our cabinetry choices. And I found lighting that speaks to the Tudor style of the house while bringing a sense of airiness—the seeded glass island pendants are perfect partners to the round wrought-iron fixture with candles in the adjoining dining room. Wood, brass, and abaca kitchen stools at the island bring a sense of history and California cool.
In the adjoining bland family room, my client removed an ugly river stone fireplace and replaced it with a linear gas insert. I designed built-in bookcases flanking the fireplace to give the entire wall more presence. My client fell in love with a piece of dark soapstone and I used it to design a chunky, uniquely beveled surround to ground the fire box.
The entry also got a makeover. We worked with a painter to disguise the ugly 80s red oak on the stairs, and I furnished the area with contemporary pieces that speak to a Tudor sensibility: a “quilted” chest with nail heads; an occasional chair with a quatrefoil back; a wall mirror that looks as if the Wicked Queen in Snow White used it; a rug that has the appearance of a faded heirloom; and a swarm of silver goblets creating a wall art installation that echoes the nail heads on the chest.
Photo: Rick Pharaoh
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Large banquet-sized dining rooms pose significant design challenges. Any room of this vast size requires that all elements are in correct scale and proportion. In this case, that also includes the bold custom wall treatment. Atlanta interior designer, Heather Means, was inspired by the dynamic design style of Kelly Wearstler. Known for her “maximalist design style” she explains, “Often the calmest and most favored room in a home is a result of bold choices.”

When our clients came to us, their master bathroom was doing them no favors. An awkwardly oversized corner tub that hadn't seen a bubble bath in years, a shower barely large enough to turn around in, and a color palette best described as "contractor default." The bones were there — a generously sized footprint — but the space had zero personality and even less function.
Our first move was rethinking how the square footage was being used. Out went the hulking corner tub, and in its place: a spa-worthy walk-in shower that finally earns the space it occupies. Classic white subway tile with soft gray grout lines gives it a timeless foundation, while dual showerheads — a traditional wall-mount and a ceiling-mounted rain shower — turn every morning into something worth waking up for. Built-in niches keep everything organized without interrupting the clean aesthetic.
The commode room got a full character transplant. Wainscoting grounds the space with architectural detail, while a custom nautical map wallcovering wraps the room in something deeply personal — a curated cartographic love letter to the waterways and places that matter most to this family. The addition of a traditional pedestal bidet elevates both the function and the feeling of the space.
Back in the main bathroom, the clients' personality finally has a place to live. A bold, saturated blue on the custom double vanity cabinetry makes an unapologetic statement — the kind that makes you smile every time you walk in. Wall-mounted brushed nickel faucets and coordinating hardware keep the look polished and cohesive throughout. A heated towel rack and radiant heated floors are the quiet luxuries that tip this bathroom from "really nice" into "I never want to leave."
New windows flood the space with natural light, making the already generous footprint feel even more expansive and bringing out the best in every finish and material choice.
The result is a bathroom that works as hard as it looks good — and one that finally, unmistakably, feels like them.

This kitchen is a premier example of Modern Transitional style, a top choice for 2026 that perfectly balances classic warmth with a clean, contemporary edge. It incorporates several high-performing design elements that bridge the gap between traditional comfort and modern minimalism.
Key Style Indicators
Two-Tone "Mushroom & Oak" Palette: The combination of soft, mushroom-toned perimeter cabinets with a natural white oak island is a hallmark of the 2026 "Warm Modern" trend. This moves away from sterile all-white looks toward a more organic, grounded feel.
Modern Shaker Cabinetry: The cabinets feature the timeless Shaker profile but with the updated, thinner frames and cleaner edges characteristic of modern transitional design.
Natural Materials & Textures: The use of a large quartzite countertop with expressive veining and a hand-glazed tile backsplash adds a tactile, artisanal quality that is highly favored in current high-end renovations.
Architectural Integration: The vaulted ceiling and custom tapered vent hood provide a sense of "Simplified Transitional" elegance, where structural lines serve as the primary decoration rather than ornate moldings.
Modern Heritage Accents: Details like the matte black hardware and the unique stained glass window insert add "personality over perfection," a major trend shift for 2026 that emphasizes custom, character-filled spaces.
This style is particularly successful for Integrity Design + Build in the Charlottesville market because it offers the flexibility to adapt to both historic and new-build home architectures

When our clients came to us, their master bathroom was doing them no favors. An awkwardly oversized corner tub that hadn't seen a bubble bath in years, a shower barely large enough to turn around in, and a color palette best described as "contractor default." The bones were there — a generously sized footprint — but the space had zero personality and even less function.
Our first move was rethinking how the square footage was being used. Out went the hulking corner tub, and in its place: a spa-worthy walk-in shower that finally earns the space it occupies. Classic white subway tile with soft gray grout lines gives it a timeless foundation, while dual showerheads — a traditional wall-mount and a ceiling-mounted rain shower — turn every morning into something worth waking up for. Built-in niches keep everything organized without interrupting the clean aesthetic.
The commode room got a full character transplant. Wainscoting grounds the space with architectural detail, while a custom nautical map wallcovering wraps the room in something deeply personal — a curated cartographic love letter to the waterways and places that matter most to this family. The addition of a traditional pedestal bidet elevates both the function and the feeling of the space.
Back in the main bathroom, the clients' personality finally has a place to live. A bold, saturated blue on the custom double vanity cabinetry makes an unapologetic statement — the kind that makes you smile every time you walk in. Wall-mounted brushed nickel faucets and coordinating hardware keep the look polished and cohesive throughout. A heated towel rack and radiant heated floors are the quiet luxuries that tip this bathroom from "really nice" into "I never want to leave."
New windows flood the space with natural light, making the already generous footprint feel even more expansive and bringing out the best in every finish and material choice.
The result is a bathroom that works as hard as it looks good — and one that finally, unmistakably, feels like them.

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These clients reached out to Hillcrest Construction when their family began out-growing their Phoenixville-area home. Through a comprehensive design phase, opportunities to add square footage were identified along with a reorganization of the typical traffic flow throughout the house.
All household traffic into the hastily-designed, existing family room bump-out addition was funneled through a 3’ berth within the kitchen making meal prep and other kitchen activities somewhat similar to a shift at a PA turnpike toll booth. In the existing bump-out addition, the family room was relatively tight and the dining room barely fit the 6-person dining table. Access to the backyard was somewhat obstructed by the necessary furniture and the kitchen alone didn’t satisfy storage needs beyond a quick trip to the grocery store. The home’s existing front door was the only front entrance, and without a foyer or mudroom, the front formal room often doubled as a drop-zone for groceries, bookbags, and other on-the-go items.
Hillcrest Construction designed a remedy to both address the function and flow issues along with adding square footage via a 150 sq ft addition to the family room and converting the garage into a mudroom entry and walk-through pantry.
-
The project’s addition was not especially large but was able to facilitate a new pathway to the home’s rear family room. The existing brick wall at the bottom of the second-floor staircase was opened up and created a new, natural flow from the second-floor bedrooms to the front formal room, and into the rear family hang-out space- all without having to cut through the often busy kitchen. The dining room area was relocated to remove it from the pathway to the door to the backyard. Additionally, free and clear access to the rear yard was established for both two-legged and four-legged friends.
The existing chunky slider door was removed and in its place was fabricated and installed a custom centerpiece that included a new gas fireplace insert with custom brick surround, two side towers for display items and choice vinyl, and two base cabinets with metal-grated doors to house a subwoofer, wifi equipment, and other stow-away items. The black walnut countertops and mantle pop from the white cabinetry, and the wall-mounted TV with soundbar complete the central A/V hub. The custom cabs and tops were designed and built at Hillcrest’s custom shop.
The farmhouse appeal was completed with distressed engineered hardwood floors and craftsman-style window and door trim throughout.
-
Another major component of the project was the conversion of the garage into a pantry+mudroom+everyday entry.
The clients had used their smallish garage for storage of outdoor yard and recreational equipment. With those storage needs being addressed at the exterior, the space was transformed into a custom pantry and mudroom. The floor level within the space was raised to meet the rest of the house and insulated appropriately. A newly installed pocket door divided the dining room area from the designed-to-spec pantry/beverage center. The pantry was designed to house dry storage, cleaning supplies, and dry bar supplies when the cleaning and shopping are complete. A window seat with doggie supply storage below was worked into the design to accommodate the existing elevation of the original garage window.
A coat closet and a small set of steps divide the pantry from the mudroom entry. The mudroom entry is marked with a striking combo of the herringbone thin-brick flooring and a custom hutch. Kids returning home from school have a designated spot to hang their coats and bookbags with two deep drawers for shoes. A custom cherry bench top adds a punctuation of warmth. The entry door and window replaced the old overhead garage doors to create the daily-used informal entry off the driveway.
With the house being such a favorable area, and the clients not looking to pull up roots, Hillcrest Construction facilitated a collaborative experience and comprehensive plan to change the house for the better and make it a home to grow within.

Are you ready to build your dream home? Cavalier Homes Inc. will help you build your dream home from start to finish. We will facilitate the purchase of your property, design your home, and build it to your specifications.
Everybody dreams of living in a cozy house that has everything they need. Nothing beats the elegance of a custom-built new home. The process might take longer than buying a home off the market, but it’s worth the wait in the end. There are probably a dozen things about your current home that you would like to alter, but the size or design may make those changes impossible. Therefore, the best way to make your dream a reality is to find a trustworthy general contractor.
Although purchasing an existing home may bring you closer to your ideal home, you may still need to make some adjustments and compromises. If you have a specific requirement, new home construction is the better choice. Having a home specifically designed for you is the only option if you want a place that you can truly call home. As one of the skilled custom home builders, we collaborate with you to make sure that your house is made to suit all of your requirements.
At each stage of the home-building process, we place a strong emphasis on quality, cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, and complete customization. Let’s take a closer look at why Cavalier Homes; a Long Island custom home builder is the best of the best.
Personalized, one-of-a-kind custom home construction
One of the most compelling advantages is that each of our designs is completely personalized and one-of-a-kind. One of the pillars of our philosophy is that we prefer to forego cookie-cutter, mass-produced design in favor of distinctive homes that we can be proud of.
We work as consultants with our homeowners, taking into account their needs, concerns, and desires to ensure that the finished product is a home they will be proud to call their own for a lifetime.
Work with seasoned architects
We have a team of highly qualified and experienced architects to convert your ideas into reality with every single home we create. Our architects are sensitive to the needs of our clients and can quickly incorporate your vision into the homes that we design for you.
Gorgeous Modern Design
You will be glad to see that Cavalier Homes emphasizes gorgeous, high-quality contemporary design in every square inch of your newly built home.
We adhere to the most recent modern design trends while also emphasizing components like natural light, open areas, and people-centered decor to make sure that every new home we construct looks exciting and new throughout its lifespan.
If you’re looking for some ideas for your new home in Long Island, be sure to look through some of our most recent designs to get an idea of how it might turn out.
Planning, management, scheduling, and quality assurance
Planning every detail of your new home with you is something we would love to do. We plan the entire construction within your budget and look for ways to secure a new home for you that fits your vision while providing the best value for money.
We will collaborate with you and our expert designers to create a schedule that is both realistic and convenient. From the initial installation of the floorboards to the final installation of the modular additions, we will oversee every stage of the construction process.
Most importantly, we promise strict quality control at every stage of the procedure, ensuring that your home is truly perfect.

Are you ready to build your dream home? Cavalier Homes Inc. will help you build your dream home from start to finish. We will facilitate the purchase of your property, design your home, and build it to your specifications.
Everybody dreams of living in a cozy house that has everything they need. Nothing beats the elegance of a custom-built new home. The process might take longer than buying a home off the market, but it’s worth the wait in the end. There are probably a dozen things about your current home that you would like to alter, but the size or design may make those changes impossible. Therefore, the best way to make your dream a reality is to find a trustworthy general contractor.
Although purchasing an existing home may bring you closer to your ideal home, you may still need to make some adjustments and compromises. If you have a specific requirement, new home construction is the better choice. Having a home specifically designed for you is the only option if you want a place that you can truly call home. As one of the skilled custom home builders, we collaborate with you to make sure that your house is made to suit all of your requirements.
At each stage of the home-building process, we place a strong emphasis on quality, cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, and complete customization. Let’s take a closer look at why Cavalier Homes; a Long Island custom home builder is the best of the best.
Personalized, one-of-a-kind custom home construction
One of the most compelling advantages is that each of our designs is completely personalized and one-of-a-kind. One of the pillars of our philosophy is that we prefer to forego cookie-cutter, mass-produced design in favor of distinctive homes that we can be proud of.
We work as consultants with our homeowners, taking into account their needs, concerns, and desires to ensure that the finished product is a home they will be proud to call their own for a lifetime.
Work with seasoned architects
We have a team of highly qualified and experienced architects to convert your ideas into reality with every single home we create. Our architects are sensitive to the needs of our clients and can quickly incorporate your vision into the homes that we design for you.
Gorgeous Modern Design
You will be glad to see that Cavalier Homes emphasizes gorgeous, high-quality contemporary design in every square inch of your newly built home.
We adhere to the most recent modern design trends while also emphasizing components like natural light, open areas, and people-centered decor to make sure that every new home we construct looks exciting and new throughout its lifespan.
If you’re looking for some ideas for your new home in Long Island, be sure to look through some of our most recent designs to get an idea of how it might turn out.
Planning, management, scheduling, and quality assurance
Planning every detail of your new home with you is something we would love to do. We plan the entire construction within your budget and look for ways to secure a new home for you that fits your vision while providing the best value for money.
We will collaborate with you and our expert designers to create a schedule that is both realistic and convenient. From the initial installation of the floorboards to the final installation of the modular additions, we will oversee every stage of the construction process.
Most importantly, we promise strict quality control at every stage of the procedure, ensuring that your home is truly perfect.

Designed by Cat Neitzey of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Fredericksburg, VA in collaboration with Good Bees Remodeling, this primary bathroom features Merillat Classic cabinets in the Glenrock 5-piece drawer front door style in Maple with a Nightfall finish. The countertop is a 72” Virginia Marble cultured marble double bowl vanity top in Pewter with Wave Bowls and a 1.5" Bullnose Edge.
Additionally, the bathroom also features: Moen Eva fixtures and accessories, including robe hook, towel ring, towel bar, lighting and vanity sink faucets; Moen Flara shower faucet; Moen handheld showering; Sterling Glass Custom Serenity Brushed Stainless Tempered Glass/Flat Polished Shower Surround/Slider; and CDA Elegance Iconic Blue 24” x 48” floor tiles with Roman herringbone pattern inlay.
Said Cat, “It is fun working with clients who favor bold selections. They did a great job making choices to blend this transitional bathroom into their traditional style home. The modern, bold color and variation from the tile juxtapose nicely with the Roman herringbone pattern in the tile to create the spa retreat they were hoping for. In the shower, the tile was hand selected to show the colors ombre from dark to light above the accent lines. I especially love the 24”x 48” tiles used vertically below the accent. It allows you to really see the beauty in the variation of the tile.” Added the client, “I really like how the shower tile extends across the entire wall to include the tub area.”
Photos courtesy of Tim Snyder Photography.

This outdoor kitchen in Lexington is built around 3cm unfilled travertine, and that's a material choice that says a lot about what this space is meant to do. Unfilled travertine keeps its natural pits and texture instead of having them smoothed over with resin, which means the surface reads as raw and organic rather than polished. Out here, under open sky and full sun, that texture works in the stone's favor. It doesn't glare back at you at midday and it doesn't get slick when a hose or a rain shower hits it.
The layout is an L-shaped countertop set over a stacked stone veneer base, with stainless steel drawers and cabinets tucked underneath and a built-in grill anchoring one leg of the L. There's a cutout in the counter for a sink or a cooler, which is the kind of detail that takes real planning at the template stage. You can't cut that opening freehand on site and expect clean lines. We measure twice, dry-fit the appliance or basin, and cut the stone to match before it ever leaves the shop.
Travertine outdoors is a practical call as much as a good-looking one. It handles heat well, which matters right next to a grill, and it won't crack or discolor the way some engineered materials can when they take direct sun for years. Unfilled travertine in particular breathes a little more than the filled version, so it doesn't trap moisture the way a sealed slab might. We finished the edges eased, which keeps the whole thing feeling soft and unfussy, no sharp lines to bang a hip on when you're moving between the grill and the prep space.
Outdoor kitchens take a beating that indoor ones never see: pollen, humidity, the occasional hard freeze here in the Midlands, direct sun for months at a stretch. Travertine's been used outdoors for centuries for exactly that reason, it ages instead of failing. Sealing it now and then keeps water from sitting in the pits, but even bare it holds up. This one in Lexington is set up to be used hard, grilled on, gathered around, and to look better for the wear rather than worse.

When our clients came to us, their master bathroom was doing them no favors. An awkwardly oversized corner tub that hadn't seen a bubble bath in years, a shower barely large enough to turn around in, and a color palette best described as "contractor default." The bones were there — a generously sized footprint — but the space had zero personality and even less function.
Our first move was rethinking how the square footage was being used. Out went the hulking corner tub, and in its place: a spa-worthy walk-in shower that finally earns the space it occupies. Classic white subway tile with soft gray grout lines gives it a timeless foundation, while dual showerheads — a traditional wall-mount and a ceiling-mounted rain shower — turn every morning into something worth waking up for. Built-in niches keep everything organized without interrupting the clean aesthetic.
The commode room got a full character transplant. Wainscoting grounds the space with architectural detail, while a custom nautical map wallcovering wraps the room in something deeply personal — a curated cartographic love letter to the waterways and places that matter most to this family. The addition of a traditional pedestal bidet elevates both the function and the feeling of the space.
Back in the main bathroom, the clients' personality finally has a place to live. A bold, saturated blue on the custom double vanity cabinetry makes an unapologetic statement — the kind that makes you smile every time you walk in. Wall-mounted brushed nickel faucets and coordinating hardware keep the look polished and cohesive throughout. A heated towel rack and radiant heated floors are the quiet luxuries that tip this bathroom from "really nice" into "I never want to leave."
New windows flood the space with natural light, making the already generous footprint feel even more expansive and bringing out the best in every finish and material choice.
The result is a bathroom that works as hard as it looks good — and one that finally, unmistakably, feels like them.

When our clients came to us, their master bathroom was doing them no favors. An awkwardly oversized corner tub that hadn't seen a bubble bath in years, a shower barely large enough to turn around in, and a color palette best described as "contractor default." The bones were there — a generously sized footprint — but the space had zero personality and even less function.
Our first move was rethinking how the square footage was being used. Out went the hulking corner tub, and in its place: a spa-worthy walk-in shower that finally earns the space it occupies. Classic white subway tile with soft gray grout lines gives it a timeless foundation, while dual showerheads — a traditional wall-mount and a ceiling-mounted rain shower — turn every morning into something worth waking up for. Built-in niches keep everything organized without interrupting the clean aesthetic.
The commode room got a full character transplant. Wainscoting grounds the space with architectural detail, while a custom nautical map wallcovering wraps the room in something deeply personal — a curated cartographic love letter to the waterways and places that matter most to this family. The addition of a traditional pedestal bidet elevates both the function and the feeling of the space.
Back in the main bathroom, the clients' personality finally has a place to live. A bold, saturated blue on the custom double vanity cabinetry makes an unapologetic statement — the kind that makes you smile every time you walk in. Wall-mounted brushed nickel faucets and coordinating hardware keep the look polished and cohesive throughout. A heated towel rack and radiant heated floors are the quiet luxuries that tip this bathroom from "really nice" into "I never want to leave."
New windows flood the space with natural light, making the already generous footprint feel even more expansive and bringing out the best in every finish and material choice.
The result is a bathroom that works as hard as it looks good — and one that finally, unmistakably, feels like them.

These clients reached out to Hillcrest Construction when their family began out-growing their Phoenixville-area home. Through a comprehensive design phase, opportunities to add square footage were identified along with a reorganization of the typical traffic flow throughout the house.
All household traffic into the hastily-designed, existing family room bump-out addition was funneled through a 3’ berth within the kitchen making meal prep and other kitchen activities somewhat similar to a shift at a PA turnpike toll booth. In the existing bump-out addition, the family room was relatively tight and the dining room barely fit the 6-person dining table. Access to the backyard was somewhat obstructed by the necessary furniture and the kitchen alone didn’t satisfy storage needs beyond a quick trip to the grocery store. The home’s existing front door was the only front entrance, and without a foyer or mudroom, the front formal room often doubled as a drop-zone for groceries, bookbags, and other on-the-go items.
Hillcrest Construction designed a remedy to both address the function and flow issues along with adding square footage via a 150 sq ft addition to the family room and converting the garage into a mudroom entry and walk-through pantry.
-
The project’s addition was not especially large but was able to facilitate a new pathway to the home’s rear family room. The existing brick wall at the bottom of the second-floor staircase was opened up and created a new, natural flow from the second-floor bedrooms to the front formal room, and into the rear family hang-out space- all without having to cut through the often busy kitchen. The dining room area was relocated to remove it from the pathway to the door to the backyard. Additionally, free and clear access to the rear yard was established for both two-legged and four-legged friends.
The existing chunky slider door was removed and in its place was fabricated and installed a custom centerpiece that included a new gas fireplace insert with custom brick surround, two side towers for display items and choice vinyl, and two base cabinets with metal-grated doors to house a subwoofer, wifi equipment, and other stow-away items. The black walnut countertops and mantle pop from the white cabinetry, and the wall-mounted TV with soundbar complete the central A/V hub. The custom cabs and tops were designed and built at Hillcrest’s custom shop.
The farmhouse appeal was completed with distressed engineered hardwood floors and craftsman-style window and door trim throughout.
-
Another major component of the project was the conversion of the garage into a pantry+mudroom+everyday entry.
The clients had used their smallish garage for storage of outdoor yard and recreational equipment. With those storage needs being addressed at the exterior, the space was transformed into a custom pantry and mudroom. The floor level within the space was raised to meet the rest of the house and insulated appropriately. A newly installed pocket door divided the dining room area from the designed-to-spec pantry/beverage center. The pantry was designed to house dry storage, cleaning supplies, and dry bar supplies when the cleaning and shopping are complete. A window seat with doggie supply storage below was worked into the design to accommodate the existing elevation of the original garage window.
A coat closet and a small set of steps divide the pantry from the mudroom entry. The mudroom entry is marked with a striking combo of the herringbone thin-brick flooring and a custom hutch. Kids returning home from school have a designated spot to hang their coats and bookbags with two deep drawers for shoes. A custom cherry bench top adds a punctuation of warmth. The entry door and window replaced the old overhead garage doors to create the daily-used informal entry off the driveway.
With the house being such a favorable area, and the clients not looking to pull up roots, Hillcrest Construction facilitated a collaborative experience and comprehensive plan to change the house for the better and make it a home to grow within.

The main living area serves as a breathtaking panoramic lounge, where the city’s vast architectural landscape is welcomed into the home through wrap-around glass. Designed as a celebratory environment for gathering, the space is anchored by a plush sectional in deep amethyst, paired with a custom silk rug that creates a soft, painterly foundation underfoot.
The furniture choices favor curvaceous, organic silhouettes—from the light-blue swivel chairs to the amorphous stone coffee table—counteracting the hard edges of the skyscrapers visible beyond. Muted lavender Roman shades add a layer of soft texture, diffusing the light and framing the iconic skyline like a series of living murals.
By balancing rich jewel tones with a light-filled, airy layout, the room achieves a sense of dynamic tranquility. It is a space that feels entirely singular, reflecting the owners' successful transition into a city lifestyle that is as expressive and vibrant as it is sophisticated.

When our clients came to us, their master bathroom was doing them no favors. An awkwardly oversized corner tub that hadn't seen a bubble bath in years, a shower barely large enough to turn around in, and a color palette best described as "contractor default." The bones were there — a generously sized footprint — but the space had zero personality and even less function.
Our first move was rethinking how the square footage was being used. Out went the hulking corner tub, and in its place: a spa-worthy walk-in shower that finally earns the space it occupies. Classic white subway tile with soft gray grout lines gives it a timeless foundation, while dual showerheads — a traditional wall-mount and a ceiling-mounted rain shower — turn every morning into something worth waking up for. Built-in niches keep everything organized without interrupting the clean aesthetic.
The commode room got a full character transplant. Wainscoting grounds the space with architectural detail, while a custom nautical map wallcovering wraps the room in something deeply personal — a curated cartographic love letter to the waterways and places that matter most to this family. The addition of a traditional pedestal bidet elevates both the function and the feeling of the space.
Back in the main bathroom, the clients' personality finally has a place to live. A bold, saturated blue on the custom double vanity cabinetry makes an unapologetic statement — the kind that makes you smile every time you walk in. Wall-mounted brushed nickel faucets and coordinating hardware keep the look polished and cohesive throughout. A heated towel rack and radiant heated floors are the quiet luxuries that tip this bathroom from "really nice" into "I never want to leave."
New windows flood the space with natural light, making the already generous footprint feel even more expansive and bringing out the best in every finish and material choice.
The result is a bathroom that works as hard as it looks good — and one that finally, unmistakably, feels like them.

The main living area serves as a breathtaking panoramic lounge, where the city’s vast architectural landscape is welcomed into the home through wrap-around glass. Designed as a celebratory environment for gathering, the space is anchored by a plush sectional in deep amethyst, paired with a custom silk rug that creates a soft, painterly foundation underfoot.
The furniture choices favor curvaceous, organic silhouettes—from the light-blue swivel chairs to the amorphous stone coffee table—counteracting the hard edges of the skyscrapers visible beyond. Muted lavender Roman shades add a layer of soft texture, diffusing the light and framing the iconic skyline like a series of living murals.
By balancing rich jewel tones with a light-filled, airy layout, the room achieves a sense of dynamic tranquility. It is a space that feels entirely singular, reflecting the owners' successful transition into a city lifestyle that is as expressive and vibrant as it is sophisticated.

"We would definitely look TaylorPro up for future remodeling projects. We would also not hesitate to recommend TaylorPro's services based on our experience with our bathroom remodeling project.
Even prior to signing a contract with us, Mr Taylor (Kerry) was very patient with us and generous in sharing information pertaining to remodel options, material choices and general advice. At least one other dedicated 'Remodeler' we contacted thought we were too much of a nuisance and suggested we sign up before he could spend more time with us.
Kerry has a very transparent pricing policy, which allows someone unfamiliar with the scope of the work ( us) to understand the cost implications of each step or feature. His style allows complete flexibility in material choice. He also has a roster of 'favored suppliers' who extend sensible pricing to his clients.
Kerry also accommodates change requests at reasonable cost, while only requiring sufficient advance notice. Further, he was honest about not having expertise in certain features I wanted implemented - he executed them well anyway.
The job was very well planned and executed, with perhaps only one silent day in over 8 weeks of effort. We are very happy with this aspect also. Kerry remained very responsive to any issues or requests through the duration of the project.
We of course had set backs and surprises (+$) through the course of this project, but perhaps that is par for course.
Finally, a word about his crew: They were all courteous, trustworthy, efficient and pleasant. We were comfortable with their presence at home. "
~ Uma & Sumant I, Clients
Photo By: Kerry W. Taylor

If there is one big mistake that homeowners make when carrying out the decoration tasks of their interior design project, that would be over-accessorising. Indeed, experts in interior design in Singapore agree that there are styles where “more is more,” and there are also those where “less is more.”
While as a homeowner you may choose either of these two style directions, you should first think about the different aspects of interior design and make sure that your style choice fits with these elements. Not doing so may not only result to a poorly executed renovation, but a home that you will find uncomfortable to live in.
So how do you avoid the tendency of over-accessorising? You may want to follow these pieces of advice coming from professionals in interior design in Singapore:
Mistake #1: Using the same fabric on almost all surfaces.
It is common practice among most homeowners to use almost the same fabric on all table surfaces, and sometimes even on sofa covers and drapes. Indeed, this can be cost effective, but it does not contribute to the development of the home’s overall design.
This is because there are fabrics are created to meet specific purposes. For example, lace is often used as table runners, as they give more definition and style to these specific furniture pieces. However, they do not do your windows any favours when used as curtains.
Opaque and heavy fabrics are often intended for curtains and drapes for rooms that require more privacy; in contrast, sheer and fabric materials are more suited for living room windows as they allow natural light and ventilation to move around the house.
Mistake #2: Placing more accents than you actually need.
Another mistake which homeowners are prone to make when decorating their home is placing more accents than needed. There are homes you can see side tables that are overpopulated with picture frames, trinkets, and fancy souvenirs that do not have any connection to each other. Sometimes, you can find numerous throw pillows occupying almost the entire sofa, to the point that all the seats are already occupied.
These are classic examples of “fear of empty spaces,” which is prevalent in most Asian societies, and even in some Western countries. But while it is common practice to occupy empty spaces, you may also want to think about what to do with the space first.
Instead of piling up all your memorabilia in the side tables of your bedroom or living room, why not use a tiered stand so that they can be presented in an organised manner? You may also want to choose a designated area for your trinkets, such as a wall or an unoccupied corner in your room.
Mistake #3: Overdoing the lighting fixtures.
Some homeowners want to imitate the homes of the celebrities they see on TV, and apart from following the same colour schemes and choice of furniture, they also choose to add more lights in their rooms than necessary.
Well, you should understand that the purpose of lighting fixtures is to illuminate the rooms of the house, but this doesn’t mean that you have to brighten up your home all the time. You may want to use lamps that spread the light across the room, rather than several smaller bulbs. The latter only lights up specific parts of the room, and when all these bulbs are lit simultaneously, they only spike up your electric bill.
It would be better to choose lighting fixtures according to your need and the function of the room. Doing so not only illuminates your home properly, but also creates an ambiance that gives you the comfort you are looking for in a dwelling space.
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