[Our Clients] We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldn’t wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. [Kitchen] The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. [Dining Room] The dining room had once been the home’s living room, but we had other plans in mind. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. [Living Room] We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs you’ve ever sat in. [Master Suite] This home didn’t originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that you’d never want to leave. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. [Hall Bathroom] The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. [Office] We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. And voila! We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood.

White crisp subway tile accented with a contrasting band of black tile create interest in this basement bathroom. Photo: Pete Eckert
Example of a transitional white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor and white floor bathroom design in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, blue walls, an undermount sink and brown countertops

The client’s request was quite common - a typical 2800 sf builder home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, living space, and den. However, their desire was for this to be “anything but common.” The result is an innovative update on the production home for the modern era, and serves as a direct counterpoint to the neighborhood and its more conventional suburban housing stock, which focus views to the backyard and seeks to nullify the unique qualities and challenges of topography and the natural environment. The Terraced House cautiously steps down the site’s steep topography, resulting in a more nuanced approach to site development than cutting and filling that is so common in the builder homes of the area. The compact house opens up in very focused views that capture the natural wooded setting, while masking the sounds and views of the directly adjacent roadway. The main living spaces face this major roadway, effectively flipping the typical orientation of a suburban home, and the main entrance pulls visitors up to the second floor and halfway through the site, providing a sense of procession and privacy absent in the typical suburban home. Clad in a custom rain screen that reflects the wood of the surrounding landscape - while providing a glimpse into the interior tones that are used. The stepping “wood boxes” rest on a series of concrete walls that organize the site, retain the earth, and - in conjunction with the wood veneer panels - provide a subtle organic texture to the composition. The interior spaces wrap around an interior knuckle that houses public zones and vertical circulation - allowing more private spaces to exist at the edges of the building. The windows get larger and more frequent as they ascend the building, culminating in the upstairs bedrooms that occupy the site like a tree house - giving views in all directions. The Terraced House imports urban qualities to the suburban neighborhood and seeks to elevate the typical approach to production home construction, while being more in tune with modern family living patterns. Overview: Elm Grove Size: 2,800 sf, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Completion Date: September 2014 Services: Architecture, Landscape Architecture Interior Consultants: Amy Carman Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary slate floor and gray floor open concept kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, flat-panel cabinets, no island and quartzite countertops

In south Seattle, a tiny backyard garden needed a makeover to add usability and create a sitting area for entertaining. Raised garden beds for edible plants provide the transition between the existing deck and new patio below, eliminating the need for a railing. A firepit provides the focal point for the new patio. Angles create drama and direct flow to the steel stairs and gate. Installed June, 2014. Photography: Mark S. Garff ASLA, LLA

Photograpy by Liz Linder ( http://www.lizlinder.com/).
Small transitional backyard brick patio photo in Boston

Bathroom - transitional bathroom idea in Austin

Photo: Corynne Pless © 2013 Houzz
Example of a cottage kitchen design in New York with open cabinets and distressed cabinets

Large minimalist l-shaped porcelain tile eat-in kitchen photo in Austin with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, green backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Baxter Imaging
Example of a transitional l-shaped kitchen design in Phoenix with raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, paneled appliances and limestone backsplash

Inspiration for a farmhouse landscaping in Boston.

Architect- Sema Architects
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional green two-story wood flat roof remodel with a pergola

Transitional carpeted entryway photo in New York with a white front door

©Melissa Clark Photography
Mid-sized mountain style backyard stone patio photo in DC Metro with a fire pit and no cover

Rift Sawn cabinets Granite countertops Red Oak flooring Farmkid studios
Elegant l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen photo in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This open concept living space is ideal for entertaining as guests can easily flow from the kitchen to the living area, all of which provide rich Intracoastal views.

Jim Walters combined the rugged drama of stacked stone with the serenity of polished walnut travertine. The floating vanity of horizontal macassar ebony features a slab of Black Beauty granite, bronze faucets. and countertop-to-ceiling mirrors trimmed in macassar ebony. Photography by James Brady

Steve Lerum
Inspiration for a contemporary white tile and stone slab bathroom remodel in Los Angeles with a vessel sink, flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets

Example of a mid-sized trendy l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor enclosed kitchen design in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, white countertops and solid surface countertops