The owners of this farmhouse were tempted to sell their home and move to Florida. They decided they would stay if they could remodel to accommodate main floor living with a new master suite and an enlarged family room. A design with three additions enabled us to make all the changes they requested. One addition created the master suite, the second was a five-foot bump out in the family room, and the third is a breezeway addition connecting the garage to the main house. Special features include a master bath with a no-threshold shower and floating vanity. Windows are strategically placed throughout to allow views to the outdoor swimming pool.

From Cramped and Awkward to Delightfully Spacious. We recently completed a project for a client in Bronxville NY, who had purchased a newly renovated home. Among its new features was a less than inspiring builder grade kitchen. Nothing in this misguided renovation was to the new owners taste, nor did it function well. Out went the “Box Store” cabinets and laminate counters, as well as the awkward wall that shoved the refrigerator into an odd corner. At our suggestion, the client switched the locations of the family room and the dining room, placing the dining room now as part of the kitchen and allowing for much better flow. The old layout was replaced with a much more workable “L” shape, augmented by a spacious island. The microwave relocated from over the range to a much better placement in the island, enabled us to include a beautiful hood, creating a lovely focal point. Painted Mouser cabinets and granite countertops complete the look. Now the kitchen functions much more efficiently and looks fabulous!

The primary goal of this landscape design project was to create a serene and accessible patio area that is wheelchair friendly, enabling the homeowner to freely navigate, engage with planters, and savor outdoor moments. To achieve this, we removed obtrusive posts and introduced a sturdy steel beam to open up the space, providing an unobstructed pathway. The homeowners expressed a preference for the timeless beauty of natural Pennsylvania bluestone, which we artfully incorporated into the design. Incorporating a water feature into this unique diagonal lot added an extra touch of tranquility to the landscape. Emphasizing sustainability, we predominantly utilized native plants, weaving together all the desired elements. The result is a harmonious outdoor oasis, thoughtfully designed to cater to both aesthetics and accessibility, where the homeowners can cherish the beauty of their surroundings.

From Cramped and Awkward to Delightfully Spacious. We recently completed a project for a client in Bronxville NY, who had purchased a newly renovated home. Among its new features was a less than inspiring builder grade kitchen. Nothing in this misguided renovation was to the new owners taste, nor did it function well. Out went the “Box Store” cabinets and laminate counters, as well as the awkward wall that shoved the refrigerator into an odd corner. At our suggestion, the client switched the locations of the family room and the dining room, placing the dining room now as part of the kitchen and allowing for much better flow. The old layout was replaced with a much more workable “L” shape, augmented by a spacious island. The microwave relocated from over the range to a much better placement in the island, enabled us to include a beautiful hood, creating a lovely focal point. Painted Mouser cabinets and granite countertops complete the look. Now the kitchen functions much more efficiently and looks fabulous!

From Cramped and Awkward to Delightfully Spacious. We recently completed a project for a client in Bronxville NY, who had purchased a newly renovated home. Among its new features was a less than inspiring builder grade kitchen. Nothing in this misguided renovation was to the new owners taste, nor did it function well. Out went the “Box Store” cabinets and laminate counters, as well as the awkward wall that shoved the refrigerator into an odd corner. At our suggestion, the client switched the locations of the family room and the dining room, placing the dining room now as part of the kitchen and allowing for much better flow. The old layout was replaced with a much more workable “L” shape, augmented by a spacious island. The microwave relocated from over the range to a much better placement in the island, enabled us to include a beautiful hood, creating a lovely focal point. Painted Mouser cabinets and granite countertops complete the look. Now the kitchen functions much more efficiently and looks fabulous!

Kitchen in Quiet Luxury | Full Home Furnishing – 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath, 3,372 Square Feet | Project Name: Quiet Luxury | Key Feature: A modern sanctuary for an out of state client to host out of state friends and family. Challenge: The client lived out of state so could only communicate virtually. Solution: Had very open lines of communication which enabled the project to move smoothly as if the client was local. Materials: Lighting: Currey + Company, Four Hands, Arteriors. Rugs: Loloi, J-Leigh Carpets. Mirrors: Uttermost, Four Hands. Wallpaper: Vahallan, Kravet. Drapery: Peter Dunham. Furniture: Four Hands, Bernhardt, Moss Home, Made Goods, Worlds Away, Mr. Brown. Budget: $75k - $150k | Timeline: Completed October 2023.

Our clients bought two adjacent rowhomes as investment properties, and we designed and completed a gut renovation of each property. This project includes a 3rd-floor addition and a rear addition across the back. This gut remodel creates contemporary living on the bustling 13th street corridor in the sought-after Columbia Heights neighborhood. On the first-floor large French doors lead from the kitchen to the private rear wood deck, enabling indoor-outdoor living. Additionally, the main floor has a covered patio at the front entrance. A new front entryway to the basement created with all new hardscaping and stairs features a patio and space for bike storage.

Danish Modern is one of the several types of Modern design style. Popularized in Denmark from the 1940s-1970s, Danish modern furniture design was a collaboration between the principles of modern architecture and the high-quality cabinetmaking for which the Danes were known. Simple, elegant, airy, and featuring clean, sweeping lines, the furnishings are inherently warm and beautiful. This open dining room is a collection of vintage Danish modern furniture dating from the early 1970s. The authentic pieces were located at different auction houses and specialty consigners around the country to create a cohesive look the homeowners were seeking. The solid teak sideboard features a lighted upper display cabinet (removable) showcasing the homeowners’ collection of art including Nambé, Murano, Vietri sul Mare, and Blenko. The lower cabinet consists of two sliding doors on either end offering plentiful storage. In between are a bank of five felt-lined drawers for items such as silverware, trays and linens. With graceful rounded corners and rich, warm teak woodgrain, the dining room table is a perfect match to the sideboard. Two leaves tightly drop in and enable expansion with seating capacity for 14 people. Mixing up dining chairs adds interest and variety. The curvaceous and timeless Arne Jacobsen (the Danish designer) Series 7 chair in black is the perfect pairing for this dynamic design. Crowning the space is the airy, translucent classic Nelson bubble lamp, keeping in line with the Modernist theme.

This Inner Suburban Cottage is located in Tighes Hill, Newcastle, formerly an industrial area but due to it's proximity to the city is now becoming popular with young families and professionals seeking the inner city lifestyle. The client brief was to replace a rundown two bedroom miners cottage with a modern home for a family of three children and two adults on a 320sqm corner block. The design solution delivered the main house containing open living, dining, kitchen, three bedrooms, main bathroom, laundry and double garage. The large parents retreat comprising of a combined spacious bedroom, lounge and sitting area, seperate kitchen and generous ensuite is located above the double garage, connects to the house via an internal stairway and features a separate entrance to enable the space to be utilised as self-contained guest lodging. The street front facade reflects the original miners cottage with weatherboards, front porch and skillion roof while beyond the street frontage, a stylish transition to finishes such as Colorbond Nail Strip cladding and timber paneling relfect the contemporary style of the young family. Passive solar design was incorporated with north-oriented living, dining, kitchen areas featuring polished concrete slab for thermal mass. Cross-ventilation has been incorporated into the design with strategic window placement throughout. The seamless transition from indoor living areas to covered outdoor entertaining area is achieved through the polished concrete slab continuing from indoors to outdoors, at one level and large sliding stacker doors with screens.

The owners of this farmhouse were tempted to sell their home and move to Florida. They decided they would stay if they could remodel to accommodate main floor living with a new master suite and an enlarged family room. A design with three additions enabled us to make all the changes they requested. One addition created the master suite, the second was a five-foot bump out in the family room, and the third is a breezeway addition connecting the garage to the main house. Special features include a master bath with a no-threshold shower and floating vanity. Windows are strategically placed throughout to allow views to the outdoor swimming pool.

The owners of this farmhouse were tempted to sell their home and move to Florida. They decided they would stay if they could remodel to accommodate main floor living with a new master suite and an enlarged family room. A design with three additions enabled us to make all the changes they requested. One addition created the master suite, the second was a five-foot bump out in the family room, and the third is a breezeway addition connecting the garage to the main house. Special features include a master bath with a no-threshold shower and floating vanity. Windows are strategically placed throughout to allow views to the outdoor swimming pool.

Designed by Bryan Anderson This kitchen renovation was driven by a desire to create a space for semi-formal dining in a small eat-in kitchen. By removing an imposing central island with range, and expanding a perimeter dropped soffit, we created a well-proportioned space in which to center a table for gathering. The expanded soffit cleaned up awkward angles at the ceiling and implies a thickness to the wall from which the kitchen is carved out. Small, flexible appliances enable full cooking potential, and modular cabinets provide highly functional features in minimal space. Ebony stained base cabinets recede, white-washed upper cabinets and panels reflect light, large-format ceramic counters and backsplash withstand culinary abuse, European oak flooring and accents provide warmth, and all combine under a ceiling of metallic paper to envelop users and guests in functional comfort. Construction by Showcase Renovations, Inc. and cabinetry by Puustelli USA Photographs by Troy Thies

2014 Saratoga Showcase of Homes model - the Frisco. This home features a unique "sleeping porch". The access is from the Master Suite. Photo credit: Randall Perry

Our clients bought two adjacent rowhomes as investment properties, and we designed and completed a gut renovation of each property. This project includes a 3rd-floor addition and a rear addition across the back. This gut remodel creates contemporary living on the bustling 13th street corridor in the sought-after Columbia Heights neighborhood. On the first-floor large French doors lead from the kitchen to the private rear wood deck, enabling indoor-outdoor living. Additionally, the main floor has a covered patio at the front entrance. A new front entryway to the basement created with all new hardscaping and stairs features a patio and space for bike storage.

Dining Room in Quiet Luxury | Full Home Furnishing – 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath, 3,372 Square Feet | Project Name: Quiet Luxury | Key Feature: A modern sanctuary for an out of state client to host out of state friends and family. Challenge: The client lived out of state so could only communicate virtually. Solution: Had very open lines of communication which enabled the project to move smoothly as if the client was local. Materials: Lighting: Currey + Company, Four Hands, Arteriors. Rugs: Loloi, J-Leigh Carpets. Mirrors: Uttermost, Four Hands. Wallpaper: Vahallan, Kravet. Drapery: Peter Dunham. Furniture: Four Hands, Bernhardt, Moss Home, Made Goods, Worlds Away, Mr. Brown. Budget: $75k - $150k | Timeline: Completed October 2023.

Our clients bought two adjacent rowhomes as investment properties, and we designed and completed a gut renovation of each property. This project includes a 3rd-floor addition and a rear addition across the back. This gut remodel creates contemporary living on the bustling 13th street corridor in the sought-after Columbia Heights neighborhood. On the first-floor large French doors lead from the kitchen to the private rear wood deck, enabling indoor-outdoor living. Additionally, the main floor has a covered patio at the front entrance. A new front entryway to the basement created with all new hardscaping and stairs features a patio and space for bike storage.

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Eric Roth Photo

The primary goal of this landscape design project was to create a serene and accessible patio area that is wheelchair friendly, enabling the homeowner to freely navigate, engage with planters, and savor outdoor moments. To achieve this, we removed obtrusive posts and introduced a sturdy steel beam to open up the space, providing an unobstructed pathway. The homeowners expressed a preference for the timeless beauty of natural Pennsylvania bluestone, which we artfully incorporated into the design. Incorporating a water feature into this unique diagonal lot added an extra touch of tranquility to the landscape. Emphasizing sustainability, we predominantly utilized native plants, weaving together all the desired elements. The result is a harmonious outdoor oasis, thoughtfully designed to cater to both aesthetics and accessibility, where the homeowners can cherish the beauty of their surroundings.

HIGH PERFORMANCE ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE SACRED SPACES The professionals at Barrett Studio Architects always come up with the most functional design and appealing aesthetics while also achieving high performance structural integrity resulting in minimal maintenance and graceful aging. This is an understatement when it comes to the St. Walburga Abbey (featured in the New York Times and recipient of the Faith & Form Millennium Award for Religious Architecture). As a subcontractor to GH Phipps, our ICF expertise helped during the various expansions to the facility. Phase Four resulted in a new high mountain plains two-story, 20-room living quarters, as well as an addition to the main Sanctuary. Our team installed 12” ICF wall systems from the footings to the roof. The ICF block we used contains recycled content (not virgin foam) enabling the building to achieve R-50+ and a 4-hour fire ratings.