In this project, we added 1,100 sf to this home for a convenient In-law suite. The bedroom and other living areas feature white walls with white trim, grey hardwood flooring, and bay windows with white trim for lots of natural lighting supplemented by recessed lighting in strategic locations long the tray ceiling.

When the developer found this brownstone on the Upper Westside he immediately researched and found its potential for expansion. We were hired to maximize the existing brownstone and turn it from its current existence as 5 individual apartments into a large luxury single family home. The existing building was extended 16 feet into the rear yard and a new sixth story was added along with an occupied roof. The project was not a complete gut renovation, the character of the parlor floor was maintained, along with the original front facade, windows, shutters, and fireplaces throughout. A new solid oak stair was built from the garden floor to the roof in conjunction with a small supplemental passenger elevator directly adjacent to the staircase. The new brick rear facade features oversized windows; one special aspect of which is the folding window wall at the ground level that can be completely opened to the garden. The goal to keep the original character of the brownstone yet to update it with modern touches can be seen throughout the house. The large kitchen has Italian lacquer cabinetry with walnut and glass accents, white quartz counters and backsplash and a Calcutta gold arabesque mosaic accent wall. On the parlor floor a custom wetbar, large closet and powder room are housed in a new floor to ceiling wood paneled core. The master bathroom contains a large freestanding tub, a glass enclosed white marbled steam shower, and grey wood vanities accented by a white marble floral mosaic. The new forth floor front room is highlighted by a unique sloped skylight that offers wide skyline views. The house is topped off with a glass stair enclosure that contains an integrated window seat offering views of the roof and an intimate space to relax in the sun.

THE PROBLEM Our client came to use with a kitchen that was outdated, didn't flow well or use space efficiently and wasn't offering the best views of their bucolic backyard. Their stately colonial home in a beautiful West Newbury neighborhood was in need of an overhaul. THE SOLUTION The primary focus was creating a more open and accessible L-shaped layout with oversized island and seating for 4-5 people. The appliances were relocated to optimal placements and allowed for a full 48" range, double ovens, appliances cabinetry with hidden microwave, in-island beverage center as well as dishwasher. We were even able to supplement the walk-in pantry with a free standing pantry for additional storage. In addition to a kitchen that performed better, we also increased the amount of natural light in the space with a larger window and through use of materials and paint, such as updating the trim to white, which reflects the light throughout the space. Rather than replace the hardwood floors, we simply refinished the existing oak floors.

Credenza from St Crox collection, wooden shelf in middle of wall opposite office entrance, Cadet wall heater (supplemental heat) in left side of photo

photos by Pedro Marti The owner’s of this apartment had been living in this large working artist’s loft in Tribeca since the 70’s when they occupied the vacated space that had previously been a factory warehouse. Since then the space had been adapted for the husband and wife, both artists, to house their studios as well as living quarters for their growing family. The private areas were previously separated from the studio with a series of custom partition walls. Now that their children had grown and left home they were interested in making some changes. The major change was to take over spaces that were the children’s bedrooms and incorporate them in a new larger open living/kitchen space. The previously enclosed kitchen was enlarged creating a long eat-in counter at the now opened wall that had divided off the living room. The kitchen cabinetry capitalizes on the full height of the space with extra storage at the tops for seldom used items. The overall industrial feel of the loft emphasized by the exposed electrical and plumbing that run below the concrete ceilings was supplemented by a grid of new ceiling fans and industrial spotlights. Antique bubble glass, vintage refrigerator hinges and latches were chosen to accent simple shaker panels on the new kitchen cabinetry, including on the integrated appliances. A unique red industrial wheel faucet was selected to go with the integral black granite farm sink. The white subway tile that pre-existed in the kitchen was continued throughout the enlarged area, previously terminating 5 feet off the ground, it was expanded in a contrasting herringbone pattern to the full 12 foot height of the ceilings. This same tile motif was also used within the updated bathroom on top of a concrete-like porcelain floor tile. The bathroom also features a large white porcelain laundry sink with industrial fittings and a vintage stainless steel medicine display cabinet. Similar vintage stainless steel cabinets are also used in the studio spaces for storage. And finally black iron plumbing pipe and fittings were used in the newly outfitted closets to create hanging storage and shelving to complement the overall industrial feel. Pedro Marti

THE PROBLEM Our client came to use with a kitchen that was outdated, didn't flow well or use space efficiently and wasn't offering the best views of their bucolic backyard. Their stately colonial home in a beautiful West Newbury neighborhood was in need of an overhaul. THE SOLUTION The primary focus was creating a more open and accessible L-shaped layout with oversized island and seating for 4-5 people. The appliances were relocated to optimal placements and allowed for a full 48" range, double ovens, appliances cabinetry with hidden microwave, in-island beverage center as well as dishwasher. We were even able to supplement the walk-in pantry with a free standing pantry for additional storage. In addition to a kitchen that performed better, we also increased the amount of natural light in the space with a larger window and through use of materials and paint, such as updating the trim to white, which reflects the light throughout the space. Rather than replace the hardwood floors, we simply refinished the existing oak floors.

The Lincoln House is a residence in Rye Brook, NY. The project consisted of a complete gut renovation to a landmark home designed and built by architect Wilson Garces, a student of Mies van der Rohe, in 1961. The post and beam, mid-century modern house, had great bones and a super solid foundation integrated into the existing bedrock, but needed many updates in order to make it 21st-century modern and sustainable. All single pane glass panels were replaced with insulated units that consisted of two layers of tempered glass with low-e coating. New Runtal baseboard radiators were installed throughout the house along with ductless Mitsubishi City-Multi units, concealed in cabinetry, for air-conditioning and supplemental heat. All electrical systems were updated and LED recessed lighting was used to lower utility costs and create an overall general lighting, which was accented by warmer-toned sconces and pendants throughout. The roof was replaced and pitched to new interior roof drains, re-routed to irrigate newly planted ground cover. All insulation was replaced with spray-in foam to seal the house from air infiltration and to create a boundary to deter insects. Aside from making the house more sustainable, it was also made more modern by reconfiguring and updating all bathroom fixtures and finishes. The kitchen was expanded into the previous dining area to take advantage of the continuous views along the back of the house. All appliances were updated and a double chef sink was created to make cooking and cleaning more enjoyable. The mid-century modern home is now a 21st century modern home, and it made the transition beautifully! Photographed by: Maegan Walton

Key to renovating this 4-story urban townhouse was introducing supplemental skylights and light wells. The living room on the second floor benefits not only from having light on three sides, but features a living “green wall” that uses plants to passively balance the humidity of the house, and actively filter the air. Photo: Tom Crane Photography

This loft is situated in the former International Tailoring Company Building in New York’s East Village. The clients bought a top-floor loft and an abandoned mechanical room directly above it. Our task was to combine the rooftop space with the loft to create a cohesive triplex apartment. We achieved this by carefully opening up the roof’s 100-year-old structural members to install a staircase connecting the existing loft to the additional upper two levels. On the main floor, the first run of the staircase is located in the apartment's entry and is made of a sculptural form of dark oak. The second run of the staircase is more open, allowing light from the top level's many windows to filter into the spaces below. The existing main loft was gut-renovated to create a more open space. The open kitchen/living space was strategically positioned to be surrounded by the building’s huge industrial steel windows, taking advantage of the apartment's high vantage over Union Square. Opposite the windows, custom woodwork serves to unify the kitchen with the living room. The built-in spans the full width of the apartment with dark textured oak panels concealing the appliances, the TV, and creating ample storage. The blackened steel paneled backsplash and chunky black granite countertops complete the dark color palette used in the kitchen. Throughout the apartment, a play of dark and light elements creates a distinctive atmosphere. In the open living areas, the light pouring in from the large windows contrasts with the dark colors selected for the built environment. The more private spaces, such as the bedroom, have a darker feel, with walls and ceilings painted in a deep purple that borders on black alongside more dark oak custom built-ins. The dining room functions as a bridge between the public and private spaces, with walls and ceiling painted in the same moody purple and a vintage mirrored tile accent wall reflecting natural light from the adjacent room’s windows. The middle floor, which has fewer windows, is painted bright white to enhance light in the home office located there.. On the penthouse level, panoramic views were achieved by installing new floor-to-ceiling sliding glass panels, supplementing the existing industrial steel windows, and opening onto an adjacent roof terrace. The top floor functions as a lounge overlooking the city and includes unique custom features, such as a steel multi-drop lighting fixture above the stairs, hanging glass and steel shelving, and a built-in wet bar. Here again, dark-colored finishes and materials are used as a counterpoint to the abundant light entering the space. A future plan for the apartment is to create a private roof garden on top of the penthouse with an outdoor stair connecting it to the roof terrace below.

lisa pétrole
Trendy dining room photo in Toronto

Gareth Gardner
Example of a trendy medium tone wood floor living room design in London with white walls and a wood stove

In this project, we added 1,100 sf to this home for a convenient In-law suite. The bedroom and other living areas feature white walls with white trim, grey hardwood flooring, and bay windows with white trim for lots of natural lighting supplemented by recessed lighting in strategic locations long the tray ceiling.

This bright and light kitchen project required us extending the kitchen into the dinette area and removing a window to get a better flow. Luckily there were 3 large windows, so we decided removing one wouldn't significantly decrease the amount of natural light. It was a good trade for form and function. We were able to increase the work surfaces to create a much more useable kitchen that fit all the necessities and even had room for extra. We added pull outs and functional accessories to make it an easy to use space. We supplemented the natural light with a solar tube and plenty of installed light with 2 sizes of adjustable output and temperature ceiling cans for layers of light.

This home office space is a multi-purpose room. It is also used as a sewing and ironing room as well it has a large pantry to supplement the kitchen storage. The colours are kept neutral to expand the space and make a restful area in the home.

Closed storage in the vanity and medicine cabinet is supplemented by open niches for function and display.
Alcove shower - contemporary 3/4 ceramic tile alcove shower idea with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white walls, an integrated sink, solid surface countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

THE PROBLEM Our client came to use with a kitchen that was outdated, didn't flow well or use space efficiently and wasn't offering the best views of their bucolic backyard. Their stately colonial home in a beautiful West Newbury neighborhood was in need of an overhaul. THE SOLUTION The primary focus was creating a more open and accessible L-shaped layout with oversized island and seating for 4-5 people. The appliances were relocated to optimal placements and allowed for a full 48" range, double ovens, appliances cabinetry with hidden microwave, in-island beverage center as well as dishwasher. We were even able to supplement the walk-in pantry with a free standing pantry for additional storage. In addition to a kitchen that performed better, we also increased the amount of natural light in the space with a larger window and through use of materials and paint, such as updating the trim to white, which reflects the light throughout the space. Rather than replace the hardwood floors, we simply refinished the existing oak floors.

Example of a minimalist formal medium tone wood floor living room design in Moscow with brown walls

This bright and light kitchen project required us extending the kitchen into the dinette area and removing a window to get a better flow. Luckily there were 3 large windows, so we decided removing one wouldn't significantly decrease the amount of natural light. It was a good trade for form and function. We were able to increase the work surfaces to create a much more useable kitchen that fit all the necessities and even had room for extra. We added pull outs and functional accessories to make it an easy to use space. We supplemented the natural light with a solar tube and plenty of installed light with 2 sizes of adjustable output and temperature LED ceiling cans for layers of light.

In this project, we added 1,100 sf to this home for a convenient In-law suite. The bedroom and other living areas feature white walls with white trim, grey hardwood flooring, and bay windows with white trim for lots of natural lighting supplemented by recessed lighting in strategic locations long the tray ceiling.