Attractive living as an architectural experiment: a 136-year-old water tower, a listed building with a spectacular 360-degree panorama view over the City of London. The task, to transform it into a superior residence, initially seemed an absolute impossibility. But when the owners came across architect Mike Collier, they had found a partner who was to make the impossible possible. The tower, which had been empty for decades, underwent radical renovation work and was extended by a four-storey cube containing kitchen, dining and living room - connected by glazed tunnels and a lift shaft. The kitchen, realised by Enclosure Interiors in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, with furniture from LEICHT is the very heart of living in this new building. Shiny white matt-lacquered kitchen fronts (AVANCE-LR), tone-on-tone with the worktops, reflect the light in the room and thus create expanse and openness. The surface of the handle-less kitchen fronts has a horizontal relief embossing; depending on the light incidence, this results in a vitally structured surface. The free-standing preparation isle with its vertical side panels with a seamlessly integrated sink represents the transition between kitchen and living room. The fronts of the floor units facing the dining table were extended to the floor to do away with the plinth typical of most kitchens. Ceiling-high tall units on the wall provide plenty of storage space; the electrical appliances are integrated here invisible to the eye. Floor units on a high plinth which thus appear to be floating form the actual cooking centre within the kitchen, attached to the wall. A range of handle-less wall units concludes the glazed niche at the top. LEICHT international: “Architecture and kitchen” in the centre of London. www.LeichtUSA.com

This major kitchen remodeling project in Palo Alto included opening up the kitchen and dining areas to create a more fluid and functional space, as well as replacing the central staircase. The kitchen base cabinets from the Aran Cucine’s Doga collection in Graphite with white and frosted glass upper cabinets. A ceiling mounted glass cabinet on stainless steel rods floats between the kitchen and dining areas and is integrated with an under cabinet light. Vertical cabinets in the dining room from the Miro collection in Iguana Green.

When full-time Massachusetts residents contemplate building a second home in Telluride, Colorado the question immediately arises; does it make most sense to hire a regionally based Rocky Mountain architect or a sea level architect conveniently located for all of the rigorous collaboration required for successful bespoke home design. Determined to prove the latter true, Siemasko + Verbridge accompanied the potential client as they scoured the undulating Telluride landscape in search of the perfect house site. The selected site’s harmonious balance of untouched meadow rising up to meet the edge of an aspen grove and the opposing 180 degree view of Wilson’s Range spoke to everyone. A plateau just beyond a fork in the meadow provided a natural flatland, requiring little excavation and yet the right amount of upland slope to capture the views. The intrinsic character of the site was only enriched by an elk trail and snake-rail fence. Establishing the expanse of Wilson’s range would be best served by rejecting the notion of selected views, the central sweeping curve of the roof inverts a small saddle in the range with which it is perfectly aligned. The soaring wave of custom windows and the open floor plan make the relatively modest house feel sizable despite its footprint of just under 2,000 square feet. Officially a two bedroom home, the bunk room and loft allow the home to comfortably sleep ten, encouraging large gatherings of family and friends. The home is completely off the grid in response to the unique and fragile qualities of the landscape. Great care was taken to respect the regions vernacular through the use of mostly native materials and a palette derived from the terrain found at 9,820 feet above sea level. Photographer: Gibeon Photography

When full-time Massachusetts residents contemplate building a second home in Telluride, Colorado the question immediately arises; does it make most sense to hire a regionally based Rocky Mountain architect or a sea level architect conveniently located for all of the rigorous collaboration required for successful bespoke home design. Determined to prove the latter true, Siemasko + Verbridge accompanied the potential client as they scoured the undulating Telluride landscape in search of the perfect house site. The selected site’s harmonious balance of untouched meadow rising up to meet the edge of an aspen grove and the opposing 180 degree view of Wilson’s Range spoke to everyone. A plateau just beyond a fork in the meadow provided a natural flatland, requiring little excavation and yet the right amount of upland slope to capture the views. The intrinsic character of the site was only enriched by an elk trail and snake-rail fence. Establishing the expanse of Wilson’s range would be best served by rejecting the notion of selected views, the central sweeping curve of the roof inverts a small saddle in the range with which it is perfectly aligned. The soaring wave of custom windows and the open floor plan make the relatively modest house feel sizable despite its footprint of just under 2,000 square feet. Officially a two bedroom home, the bunk room and loft allow the home to comfortably sleep ten, encouraging large gatherings of family and friends. The home is completely off the grid in response to the unique and fragile qualities of the landscape. Great care was taken to respect the regions vernacular through the use of mostly native materials and a palette derived from the terrain found at 9,820 feet above sea level. Photographer: Gibeon Photography

©Finished Basement Company Walk-up bar with open display shelving.
Mid-sized elegant look-out carpeted and brown floor basement photo in Denver with yellow walls

We removed a wall between the old kitchen and an adjacent and underutilized sunroom. By expanding the kitchen and opening it up to the dining room, we improved circulation and made this house a more welcoming place to to entertain friends and family. Photos: Jenn Verrier Photography

Nantucket Architectural Photography
Bathroom - large coastal master white tile and ceramic tile light wood floor bathroom idea in Boston with white walls

Glenn Layton Homes, LLC, "Building Your Coastal Lifestyle"
Example of a mid-sized beach style beige two-story wood house exterior design in Jacksonville with a hip roof

Many people can’t see beyond the current aesthetics when looking to buy a house, but this innovative couple recognized the good bones of their mid-century style home in Golden’s Applewood neighborhood and were determined to make the necessary updates to create the perfect space for their family. In order to turn this older residence into a modern home that would meet the family’s current lifestyle, we replaced all the original windows with new, wood-clad black windows. The design of window is a nod to the home’s mid-century roots with modern efficiency and a polished appearance. We also wanted the interior of the home to feel connected to the awe-inspiring outside, so we opened up the main living area with a vaulted ceiling. To add a contemporary but sleek look to the fireplace, we crafted the mantle out of cold rolled steel. The texture of the cold rolled steel conveys a natural aesthetic and pairs nicely with the walnut mantle we built to cap the steel, uniting the design in the kitchen and the built-in entryway. Everyone at Factor developed rich relationships with this beautiful family while collaborating through the design and build of their freshly renovated, contemporary home. We’re grateful to have the opportunity to work with such amazing people, creating inspired spaces that enhance the quality of their lives.

Remodel or Sell? When our client inherited the home he grew up in he knew he didn't want to sell it. Instead, he decided to remodel and create a place to raise his own family. Schroeder Design/Build completed a whole house remodel that included opening up the main areas of the home, a master bathroom, and bringing the electrical and plumbing up-to-date throughout.

John Hanncock
Elegant carpeted bedroom photo in Richmond with brown walls

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

Timmerman Photography This project is located up on the hillside of Paradise Valley and was built with great view of the valley in mind. We built the home with many floor-to-ceilings and negative-edge pool to capitalize on its great hillside location. It was a challenging home build because it was located on rock. We used specialized equipment so it would appear the home had settled there naturally without leaving a disruption around the home.

We used shiny white cabinets, steel for the fridge and bar stools, and a beautiful gray stone for the counters, to make this Evanston kitchen lovely, yet unassuming. Project designed by Skokie renovation firm, Chi Renovation & Design - general contractors, kitchen and bath remodelers, and design & build company. They serve the Chicago area and its surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on the North Side and North Shore. You'll find their work from the Loop through Lincoln Park, Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, and all the way up to Lake Forest. For more about Chi Renovation & Design, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/

Project Feature in: Luxe Magazine & Luxury Living Brickell From skiing in the Swiss Alps to water sports in Key Biscayne, a relocation for a Chilean couple with three small children was a sea change. “They’re probably the most opposite places in the world,” says the husband about moving from Switzerland to Miami. The couple fell in love with a tropical modern house in Key Biscayne with architecture by Marta Zubillaga and Juan Jose Zubillaga of Zubillaga Design. The white-stucco home with horizontal planks of red cedar had them at hello due to the open interiors kept bright and airy with limestone and marble plus an abundance of windows. “The light,” the husband says, “is something we loved.” While in Miami on an overseas trip, the wife met with designer Maite Granda, whose style she had seen and liked online. For their interview, the homeowner brought along a photo book she created that essentially offered a roadmap to their family with profiles, likes, sports, and hobbies to navigate through the design. They immediately clicked, and Granda’s passion for designing children’s rooms was a value-added perk that the mother of three appreciated. “She painted a picture for me of each of the kids,” recalls Granda. “She said, ‘My boy is very creative—always building; he loves Legos. My oldest girl is very artistic— always dressing up in costumes, and she likes to sing. And the little one—we’re still discovering her personality.’” To read more visit: https://maitegranda.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/LX_MIA11_HOM_Maite_12.compressed.pdf Rolando Diaz

Modern Wall Unit Lyrics 14 by Up Huppe Made in Canada The Lyrics by Up Huppe is a modular line of wall units made out of a specially selected American walnut veneer and lacquered in a blend of micro-textured lacquer. The collection is equipped with the highest quality hardware, and the drawers, which are specially treated and stained to match the exterior, are able to close gently and silently due to the invisible, self-closing slow-motion slides. All the modules within the Lyric line can be set on a base, placed on the floor or hung on a wall to allow for the creation of unique configurations, with plenty of storage space within the modules to make them functional as well. The black smoked glass front of the TV base units are made so that they do not interrupt any wireless device signal, and the cut-outs on the back and the adjustable shelves of each unit help provide maximum ventilation for any electronics. Designed by Joel Dupras and manufactured in Canada by a passionate and professional team, the Lyrics line guarantees the highest build quality for each of its units. The Lyrics line offers flexibility with its design, providing you with the option to create your own composition through the many different units available, or giving you the option to choose from the many different pre-designed compositions available. Features: Designed by Joel Dupras Modular line which allows for unique composition building Veneered wood structure available in a natural, smoky, chocolate, espresso or tobacco walnut finish TV base units feature cut-outs for wires and a black smoked glass front to prevent wireless device disruption Front of the closed units and the T-shaped Top available in several lacquered finishes Drawers are fully finished and equipped with invisible self-closing slow-motion slides Optional LED Light can be ordered for the TV back panel (for the extra charge) The starting price is for the Lyrics Wall Unit Composition 14 in a Tobacco Walnut and Amber Lacquered finish as shown in the main picture. (Glass Front TV Base W60" + Glass Front TV Base W30" + T-shaped Sliding Top W60" + TV Back Panel + 9046B Bookcase + 9046C Bookcase + 9061A Bookcase + 9061D Bookcase). Dimensions: Wall Unit: W132" x D21.5" x H61.5" Individual Components: TV Base W60": W60" x D21.5" x H15.5" Glass Front TV Base W30" W30" x D21.5" x H15.5" T-shaped Sliding Top: W60" x D17" x H17.6" TV Back Panel: W60" x D2" x H44" 9046B Bookcase: W17.2" x D15.7" x H46" 9046C Bookcase: W12.7" x D15.7" x H46" 9061A Bookcase: W12.7" x D15.7" x H61.5" 9061D Bookcase: W17.0" x D15.7" x H61.5"

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

APEX received the Gold 2017 Minnesota Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award for Additions up to $250,000 for this St. Paul, MN project. The new kitchen in the 1912 home features restored vintage appliances and fixtures, custom cabinetry and table, and custom-cut commercial tile floor. Modern conveniences cleverly hidden. Small bump-out squared the space, enhanced the south-facing view of the charming yard and made room for a new portico, mudroom and and main-level bath. Photographed by: Patrick O'Loughlin

Erika Barczak, By Design Interiors Inc. Photo Credit: Daniel Angulo www.danielangulo.com Builder: Wamhoff Design Build www.wamhoffdesignbuild.com After knocking down walls to open up the space and adding skylights, a bright, airy kitchen with abundant natural light was created. The lighting, counter stools and soapstone countertops give the room an urban chic, semi-industrial feel but the warmth of the wooden beams and the wood flooring make sure that the space is not cold. A secondary, smaller island was put on wheels in order to have a movable and highly functional prep space.