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Like most of our projects, we can't gush about this reno—a new kitchen and mudroom, ensuite closet and pantry—without gushing about the people who live there. The best projects, we always say, are the ones in which client, contractor and design team are all present throughout, conception to completion, each bringing their particular expertise to the table and forming a cohesive, trustworthy team that is mutually invested in a smooth and successful process. They listen to each other, give the benefit of the doubt to each other, do what they say they'll do. This project exemplified that kind of team, and it shows in the results.
Most obvious is the opening up of the kitchen to the dining room, decompartmentalizing somewhat a century-old bungalow that was originally quite purposefully compartmentalized. As a result, the kitchen had to become a place one wanted to see clear through from the front door. Inset cabinets and carefully selected details make the functional heart of the house equal in elegance to the more "public" gathering spaces, with their craftsman depth and detail. An old back porch was converted to interior space, creating a mudroom and a much-needed ensuite walk-in closet. A new, larger deck went on: Phase One of an extensive design for outdoor living, that we all hope will be realized over the next few years. Finally, a duplicative back stairwell was repurposed into a walk-in pantry.
Modernizing often means opening spaces up for more casual living and entertaining, and/or making better use of dead space. In this re-conceptualized old house, we did all of that, creating a back-of-the-house that is now bright and cheerful and new, while carefully incorporating meaningful vintage and personal elements.
The best result of all: the clients are thrilled. And everyone who went in to the project came out of it friends.
Contractor: Stumpner Building Services
Cabinetry: Stoll’s Woodworking
Photographer: Gina Rogers

Photo: Christopher Lee Foto
This is an example of a drought-tolerant backyard landscaping in Los Angeles.
This is an example of a drought-tolerant backyard landscaping in Los Angeles.
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Like many projects, this began with a discussion about reconfiguring the island and refinishing the cabinets. Then the clients asked if I could change their sink (undermounted below granite), add a second dishwasher, and replace her double oven. When they realized the extent of those requests, they decided they might as well replace the cabinets and get the quality, storage, and finishes they wanted. They desired traditional styling with a French motif, and luxurious, yet durable finishes that would complement her eggplant/gold/green fabrics.
To avoid more expense, we kept the existing windows and retained the existing placement of major appliances (except the cooktop which we moved slightly for better function). I relocated the microwave to the island so that we could install a built-in, larger refrigerator.
I reconfigured the layout to better accommodate the needs of this large family – they have six children and three dogs. Everyone has breakfast, takes lunches, has dinner at home daily, and even the dog food is cooked from scratch. There are great organizational accessories in the cabinets. The full-extension quiet-close dovetail drawers minimize noise and feel like fine furniture. The cabinet and countertop finishes are extremely durable. Even the Iroko wood eating counter is easily maintained using an oil-wax that repels stains.
The island shape provides seating for three as well as room for the cooktop, warming drawer, microwave drawer, and generous storage. The sprawling countertop works well for their volume of food preparation. The desk area now functions with proper phone and electrical outlets, file drawers, and enough counter.
The choice of flooring was critical – the kitchen is part of a great room that flows into a large entry hall. The existing travertine, tile, and carpet did not wear well. I selected durable porcelain tiles that resemble limestone and wood and created a European-inspired woven design in the entry. A simpler version of the same materials in the kitchen and an inset real wood into the seating area create flow between the rooms.
To create more visual interest, I removed non-critical soffits. The remaining soffits were clad with wood so it appears that all is part of the cabinet design. The mixture of glazed cherry and black rubbed-through-paint on cherry finishes are enhanced by the dramatic black and gold veins in the creamy granite counter. We retained the straw and plaster walls that create an old-world feeling.
The custom mahogany and iron pantry door balanced the design and completed this truly unique space. Pewter cabinet hardware and patterned glass accentuate the motif. Many of the cabinet accountrements are made from a compo material and recreate historical French mouldings. The remaining adornments are hand-carved wood.
On top of beauty and function, the cabinet boxes are made from environmentally-friendly, no formaldehyde-added agriboard. So we have traditional design, ornate mouldings, multi-step finishes, and are still nice to the earth and my clients!
My scope of work encompassed the complete design process: from design concepts, through working drawings, materials specifications, purchasing, and project administration.
Ed Gohlich - photographer

McKeesport Downtown Housing, formerly a YMCA, is an 84-unit SRO for people at risk of homelessness. The old brick and terracotta building was important historically for McKeesport. The decision to design the project to Passive House criteria actually went a long way to making the pro-forma work. This project was the first large scale retrofit to be designed to meet Passive House Standards in the US. Another major concern of the project team was to maintain the historic charm of the building.
Space was at a premium and a reorganization of space allowed for making larger resident rooms. Through a community process with various stakeholders, amenities were identified and added to the project, including a community room, a bike storage area, exterior smoking balconies, single-user rest rooms, a bed bug room for non-toxic treatment of bed bugs, and communal kitchens to provide healthy options for food. The renovation includes new additional lighting, air-conditioning, make-up air and ventilation systems, an elevator, and cooking facilities. A cold-weather shelter, 60-day emergency housing, bridge housing, and section 8 apartment rentals make up the housing programs within the shelter. Thoughtful Balance designed the interiors, and selected the furniture for durability and resistance to bed bugs.
The project team worked closely with Zola Windows to specify a unique uPVC window that not only offers passive house performance levels at an affordable cost, but also harmonizes with the building’s historic aesthetic. Zola’s American Heritage SDH (simulated double hung) from the popular, budget-friendly Thermo uPVC line was specified for the project. The windows implemented in this project feature a lower tilt & turn window and a fixed upper for maximum airtightness and thermal performance. The implementation of these windows helped the project team achieve a very significant energy consumption reduction of at least 75%.
Photographer: Alexander Denmarsh

Our clients wanted to utilize this particular area of their home and really give it a function. It has been many things over the years: bonus room, dining area, etc. The kitchen is the natural gathering spot. They wanted to create a space that was an extension of the kitchen for entertaining and serving family and friends.
Architect, Cynthia Karegeannes was hired to draw up plans for a mudroom to corral the couple’s two dogs and stash the pet’s leashes, treats, etc. A large butler pantry was imagined with a full size refrigerator, prep sink, dishwasher and custom cabinetry to have items handy for entertaining. Innovative Construction, helped finalize the details and implemented the plans for the new addition. Interior Designer, Beth Weltlich with The House Dressing worked with homeowners, to select materials and finishes to unify the areas of the existing kitchen and the new spaces. A custom banquette was created with room under the staircase so that all of the space could be utilized. Furniture and accessories are still in the works as the homeowners let the area evolve to see exactly what their needs are. A collaborative effort-for sure!
The challenges included creating three separate areas (mudroom, banquette and butler pantry) with storage and versatility in one existing space. Having this additional space that was not always utilized, the homeowners feel the new addition will become an integral part of the families' living area.

Designing a home that truly embodies indoor-outdoor living requires a thoughtful approach, and this project was no exception.
From the start, the focus was on flow—how each space functioned individually and as part of the greater whole. The heart of the home, the kitchen and living area, was designed to maximize natural light and openness, creating a welcoming space for both daily life and entertaining. A soothing palette of warm neutrals, layered textures, and deep blue accents brought a refined yet relaxed feel, striking the perfect balance between sophistication and comfort.
The seamless transition to the outdoor living areas was key, with an expansive patio, various seating areas, and a covered space for year-round enjoyment. Every detail, from tile selections to lighting, was carefully curated to reflect a timeless coastal aesthetic.
The result? A home that feels as good as it looks—warm, inviting, and perfectly in sync with the way our clients live.

McKeesport Downtown Housing, formerly a YMCA, is an 84-unit SRO for people at risk of homelessness. The old brick and terracotta building was important historically for McKeesport. The decision to design the project to Passive House criteria actually went a long way to making the pro-forma work. This project was the first large scale retrofit to be designed to meet Passive House Standards in the US. Another major concern of the project team was to maintain the historic charm of the building.
Space was at a premium and a reorganization of space allowed for making larger resident rooms. Through a community process with various stakeholders, amenities were identified and added to the project, including a community room, a bike storage area, exterior smoking balconies, single-user rest rooms, a bed bug room for non-toxic treatment of bed bugs, and communal kitchens to provide healthy options for food. The renovation includes new additional lighting, air-conditioning, make-up air and ventilation systems, an elevator, and cooking facilities. A cold-weather shelter, 60-day emergency housing, bridge housing, and section 8 apartment rentals make up the housing programs within the shelter. Thoughtful Balance designed the interiors, and selected the furniture for durability and resistance to bed bugs.
The project team worked closely with Zola Windows to specify a unique uPVC window that not only offers passive house performance levels at an affordable cost, but also harmonizes with the building’s historic aesthetic. Zola’s American Heritage SDH (simulated double hung) from the popular, budget-friendly Thermo uPVC line was specified for the project. The windows implemented in this project feature a lower tilt & turn window and a fixed upper for maximum airtightness and thermal performance. The implementation of these windows helped the project team achieve a very significant energy consumption reduction of at least 75%.
Photographer: Alexander Denmarsh

McKeesport Downtown Housing, formerly a YMCA, is an 84-unit SRO for people at risk of homelessness. The old brick and terracotta building was important historically for McKeesport. The decision to design the project to Passive House criteria actually went a long way to making the pro-forma work. This project was the first large scale retrofit to be designed to meet Passive House Standards in the US. Another major concern of the project team was to maintain the historic charm of the building.
Space was at a premium and a reorganization of space allowed for making larger resident rooms. Through a community process with various stakeholders, amenities were identified and added to the project, including a community room, a bike storage area, exterior smoking balconies, single-user rest rooms, a bed bug room for non-toxic treatment of bed bugs, and communal kitchens to provide healthy options for food. The renovation includes new additional lighting, air-conditioning, make-up air and ventilation systems, an elevator, and cooking facilities. A cold-weather shelter, 60-day emergency housing, bridge housing, and section 8 apartment rentals make up the housing programs within the shelter. Thoughtful Balance designed the interiors, and selected the furniture for durability and resistance to bed bugs.
The project team worked closely with Zola Windows to specify a unique uPVC window that not only offers passive house performance levels at an affordable cost, but also harmonizes with the building’s historic aesthetic. Zola’s American Heritage SDH (simulated double hung) from the popular, budget-friendly Thermo uPVC line was specified for the project. The windows implemented in this project feature a lower tilt & turn window and a fixed upper for maximum airtightness and thermal performance. The implementation of these windows helped the project team achieve a very significant energy consumption reduction of at least 75%.
Photographer: Alexander Denmarsh

Sia Moore's design objective for Pivora, was to create a Mediterranean, luxurious and a boho-chic modern restaurant design. The restaurant is a two-storey space, composed of ground floor with the main hall and a mezzanine with dishwashing unit, electrical room and staff room. For the ground floor, the space was divided into two zones - the main dining room and the bar with three elliptical seafood showcase, refrigerators, wine racks and wall-mounted divided into two parts with the main hall on the ground floor and the banquet hall on the first floor. The restaurant space was originally built as one-storey area. However, during the design stage, building a mezzanine was proposed to client to provide a dining area with high ceiling and spacious feeling. Electrical and mechanical rooms, staff room and dishwashing unit was then located to the mezzanine floor, which was covered by glass film with an attempt to conceal the space from the gazes of guest dining area.
Capturing the Mediterranean Spirit
The restaurant is filled with rough unprocessed surfaces - complex brickwork, terrazzo flooring, exposed ceiling design. Many of the decoration details implies the seafood and organic life. Connotations that are vastly related to marine theme appear in the paintings or large elliptical seafood showcase and in the large kitchen window where the fresh food is cooked in front of the dining tables, and in the emerald green bar tiles, that is inspired by the colors of the fascinating underwater habitat.
Reflecting the vibrant and energetic spirit of the Mediterranean culture, Pivora presents a warm seafood restaurant experience. From its custom design wooden furniture and bar decorations to the brickworks on the wall of main dining room and its boho-chic lighting solutions completed by indoor plants hanging over the ceiling are aiming to set the mood for a comfortable dining experience; an experience in which the joy rises with sharing. Not to forget, Pivora offers a wide selection of local shrimps, sea bass and a large assortment of white wines from all around the world.

It shouldn’t be shocking that Mid-westerns are the last to experience the trends trickling in from the east and west coasts. While contemporary styles in white and grey have been flooding their homes over the past 3-5 years, homeowners in the Midwest seem to choose warmer hues in transitional styles.
When brainstorming what our next display should encompass, we decided to blend the trends we see emerging in the Midwest with a cool, fun edge. Transitioning modern to Minnesota involves warmer colors, texture and depth to design. Flat panel doors in an off-white paired with a rich and earthy textured melamine encompass just that. Mixing metals, especially with gold is becoming increasingly popular. The display is shown blending stainless steel with fun, accessories in gold.
Homeowners are beginning to like both the ease and the look of simplicity. As shown in our display, they are pairing flat-panel doors with a c-channel to take the place of knobs and pulls. Quartz countertops in a 2 cm (3/4”) thickness are almost always paired with this style, sometimes in a matte finish as they are a new trend and also reduce glare. This dark brown, almost black matte quartz top is shown contrasting against the glossy warm-white base cabinets in the display.
Who hasn’t been on their hands and knees digging countlessly for the matching container and lid? Interior cabinet accessories save time and energy. Some trends in kitchen organization that the display incorporates include hands-free waste bins, knife/utensil pull-outs, container organizers, corner pull-outs, pull-out towel bars, Keurig cup organizers and dishware drawers. Having an organized kitchen is an upgrade but it without a doubt keeps us sane.
What’s a space that doesn’t ignite a spark of interest? Have fun with it! In this space the existing circular soffit was designed around, yet celebrated. A bubble mosaic backsplash layered with bubble glass doors and decorative spheres are a fun way to play with shape. With bold light fixtures being a big trend for 2017, finding the perfect statement fixture for the space was the icing on the cake. Color can always personalize a space. In this case, the Pantone color of the year, Greenery #15-0343, became an inspiration when selecting accessories.
Anyone with a sense of humor will appreciate the golden “man handle”. After all, we all love a great conversation piece.

McKeesport Downtown Housing, formerly a YMCA, is an 84-unit SRO for people at risk of homelessness. The old brick and terracotta building was important historically for McKeesport. The decision to design the project to Passive House criteria actually went a long way to making the pro-forma work. This project was the first large scale retrofit to be designed to meet Passive House Standards in the US. Another major concern of the project team was to maintain the historic charm of the building.
Space was at a premium and a reorganization of space allowed for making larger resident rooms. Through a community process with various stakeholders, amenities were identified and added to the project, including a community room, a bike storage area, exterior smoking balconies, single-user rest rooms, a bed bug room for non-toxic treatment of bed bugs, and communal kitchens to provide healthy options for food. The renovation includes new additional lighting, air-conditioning, make-up air and ventilation systems, an elevator, and cooking facilities. A cold-weather shelter, 60-day emergency housing, bridge housing, and section 8 apartment rentals make up the housing programs within the shelter. Thoughtful Balance designed the interiors, and selected the furniture for durability and resistance to bed bugs.
The project team worked closely with Zola Windows to specify a unique uPVC window that not only offers passive house performance levels at an affordable cost, but also harmonizes with the building’s historic aesthetic. Zola’s American Heritage SDH (simulated double hung) from the popular, budget-friendly Thermo uPVC line was specified for the project. The windows implemented in this project feature a lower tilt & turn window and a fixed upper for maximum airtightness and thermal performance. The implementation of these windows helped the project team achieve a very significant energy consumption reduction of at least 75%.
Photographer: Alexander Denmarsh

McKeesport Downtown Housing, formerly a YMCA, is an 84-unit SRO for people at risk of homelessness. The old brick and terracotta building was important historically for McKeesport. The decision to design the project to Passive House criteria actually went a long way to making the pro-forma work. This project was the first large scale retrofit to be designed to meet Passive House Standards in the US. Another major concern of the project team was to maintain the historic charm of the building.
Space was at a premium and a reorganization of space allowed for making larger resident rooms. Through a community process with various stakeholders, amenities were identified and added to the project, including a community room, a bike storage area, exterior smoking balconies, single-user rest rooms, a bed bug room for non-toxic treatment of bed bugs, and communal kitchens to provide healthy options for food. The renovation includes new additional lighting, air-conditioning, make-up air and ventilation systems, an elevator, and cooking facilities. A cold-weather shelter, 60-day emergency housing, bridge housing, and section 8 apartment rentals make up the housing programs within the shelter. Thoughtful Balance designed the interiors, and selected the furniture for durability and resistance to bed bugs.
The project team worked closely with Zola Windows to specify a unique uPVC window that not only offers passive house performance levels at an affordable cost, but also harmonizes with the building’s historic aesthetic. Zola’s American Heritage SDH (simulated double hung) from the popular, budget-friendly Thermo uPVC line was specified for the project. The windows implemented in this project feature a lower tilt & turn window and a fixed upper for maximum airtightness and thermal performance. The implementation of these windows helped the project team achieve a very significant energy consumption reduction of at least 75%.
Photographer: Alexander Denmarsh

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations

Sia Moore's design objective for Pivora, was to create a Mediterranean, luxurious and a boho-chic modern restaurant design. The restaurant is a two-storey space, composed of ground floor with the main hall and a mezzanine with dishwashing unit, electrical room and staff room. For the ground floor, the space was divided into two zones - the main dining room and the bar with three elliptical seafood showcase, refrigerators, wine racks and wall-mounted divided into two parts with the main hall on the ground floor and the banquet hall on the first floor. The restaurant space was originally built as one-storey area. However, during the design stage, building a mezzanine was proposed to client to provide a dining area with high ceiling and spacious feeling. Electrical and mechanical rooms, staff room and dishwashing unit was then located to the mezzanine floor, which was covered by glass film with an attempt to conceal the space from the gazes of guest dining area.
Capturing the Mediterranean Spirit
The restaurant is filled with rough unprocessed surfaces - complex brickwork, terrazzo flooring, exposed ceiling design. Many of the decoration details implies the seafood and organic life. Connotations that are vastly related to marine theme appear in the paintings or large elliptical seafood showcase and in the large kitchen window where the fresh food is cooked in front of the dining tables, and in the emerald green bar tiles, that is inspired by the colors of the fascinating underwater habitat.
Reflecting the vibrant and energetic spirit of the Mediterranean culture, Pivora presents a warm seafood restaurant experience. From its custom design wooden furniture and bar decorations to the brickworks on the wall of main dining room and its boho-chic lighting solutions completed by indoor plants hanging over the ceiling are aiming to set the mood for a comfortable dining experience; an experience in which the joy rises with sharing. Not to forget, Pivora offers a wide selection of local shrimps, sea bass and a large assortment of white wines from all around the world.

It shouldn’t be shocking that Mid-westerns are the last to experience the trends trickling in from the east and west coasts. While contemporary styles in white and grey have been flooding their homes over the past 3-5 years, homeowners in the Midwest seem to choose warmer hues in transitional styles.
When brainstorming what our next display should encompass, we decided to blend the trends we see emerging in the Midwest with a cool, fun edge. Transitioning modern to Minnesota involves warmer colors, texture and depth to design. Flat panel doors in an off-white paired with a rich and earthy textured melamine encompass just that. Mixing metals, especially with gold is becoming increasingly popular. The display is shown blending stainless steel with fun, accessories in gold.
Homeowners are beginning to like both the ease and the look of simplicity. As shown in our display, they are pairing flat-panel doors with a c-channel to take the place of knobs and pulls. Quartz countertops in a 2 cm (3/4”) thickness are almost always paired with this style, sometimes in a matte finish as they are a new trend and also reduce glare. This dark brown, almost black matte quartz top is shown contrasting against the glossy warm-white base cabinets in the display.
Who hasn’t been on their hands and knees digging countlessly for the matching container and lid? Interior cabinet accessories save time and energy. Some trends in kitchen organization that the display incorporates include hands-free waste bins, knife/utensil pull-outs, container organizers, corner pull-outs, pull-out towel bars, Keurig cup organizers and dishware drawers. Having an organized kitchen is an upgrade but it without a doubt keeps us sane.
What’s a space that doesn’t ignite a spark of interest? Have fun with it! In this space the existing circular soffit was designed around, yet celebrated. A bubble mosaic backsplash layered with bubble glass doors and decorative spheres are a fun way to play with shape. With bold light fixtures being a big trend for 2017, finding the perfect statement fixture for the space was the icing on the cake. Color can always personalize a space. In this case, the Pantone color of the year, Greenery #15-0343, became an inspiration when selecting accessories.
Anyone with a sense of humor will appreciate the golden “man handle”. After all, we all love a great conversation piece.

A contemporary kitchen designer's dream - with or without handles, wall hanging or floor mounted, the System Collection offers an extensive selection of standard elements and finishes to fit a wide range of modern kitchen layouts and flexible kitchen design budgets. Minimalism to the max.
The System Collection allows the ancient and universal function of cooking to be a fun and fulfilling experience to participate in. While the System Collection does focus on the aesthetics of design and the materials used, the driving force behind the design has and will always be enjoying the kitchen and the pleasure of cooking. The System Collection is a modern kitchen that is easy and only creates light barriers between the living areas.
One of the unique features of the System Collection is its ease of maintenance, making it one of the most hygienic contemporary kitchens available. System Collection’s ergonomic design gives it an extremely high rate of flexibility. Superior usage of space, ease of reaching every corner, top-notch organization and beautiful forms that follow superb function.
Whether your goal is a contemporary Italian kitchen design or a large modern suburban kitchen, the System Collection offers endless design options - textured melamine with matching edges, hundreds of laminate colors (matte or glossy) with or without aluminum edges, eco wood with aluminum edges, painted glass, and the entire range of Pedini lacquer colors (matte, textured and high gloss).

The new kitchen layout maximizes countertop and storage space as well as enhances overall functionality,
To add visual interest to the large space we used two toned cabinets – classic white along the perimeter and a deep blue to distinguish the two islands and tall pantry. Brushed brass accents echo the original brass hardware and fixtures throughout the home. A kitchen this large needed a statement when it came to the countertops so we selected a stunning Nuvolato quartzite with distinctive veining that complements the blue cabinets. We restored and refinished the original Heart of Pine floors, letting the natural character of the wood shine through. A custom antique Heart of Pine wood top was commissioned for the fixed island – the warmth of wood was preferable to stone for the informal seating area. The second island serves as both prep area and staging space for dinners and events. This mobile island can be pushed flush with the stationary island to provide a generous area for the caterers to expedite service.

Like many projects, this began with a discussion about reconfiguring the island and refinishing the cabinets. Then the clients asked if I could change their sink (undermounted below granite), add a second dishwasher, and replace her double oven. When they realized the extent of those requests, they decided they might as well replace the cabinets and get the quality, storage, and finishes they wanted. They desired traditional styling with a French motif, and luxurious, yet durable finishes that would complement her eggplant/gold/green fabrics.
To avoid more expense, we kept the existing windows and retained the existing placement of major appliances (except the cooktop which we moved slightly for better function). I relocated the microwave to the island so that we could install a built-in, larger refrigerator.
I reconfigured the layout to better accommodate the needs of this large family – they have six children and three dogs. Everyone has breakfast, takes lunches, has dinner at home daily, and even the dog food is cooked from scratch. There are great organizational accessories in the cabinets. The full-extension quiet-close dovetail drawers minimize noise and feel like fine furniture. The cabinet and countertop finishes are extremely durable. Even the Iroko wood eating counter is easily maintained using an oil-wax that repels stains.
The island shape provides seating for three as well as room for the cooktop, warming drawer, microwave drawer, and generous storage. The sprawling countertop works well for their volume of food preparation. The desk area now functions with proper phone and electrical outlets, file drawers, and enough counter.
The choice of flooring was critical – the kitchen is part of a great room that flows into a large entry hall. The existing travertine, tile, and carpet did not wear well. I selected durable porcelain tiles that resemble limestone and wood and created a European-inspired woven design in the entry. A simpler version of the same materials in the kitchen and an inset real wood into the seating area create flow between the rooms.
To create more visual interest, I removed non-critical soffits. The remaining soffits were clad with wood so it appears that all is part of the cabinet design. The mixture of glazed cherry and black rubbed-through-paint on cherry finishes are enhanced by the dramatic black and gold veins in the creamy granite counter. We retained the straw and plaster walls that create an old-world feeling.
The custom mahogany and iron pantry door balanced the design and completed this truly unique space. Pewter cabinet hardware and patterned glass accentuate the motif. Many of the cabinet accountrements are made from a compo material and recreate historical French mouldings. The remaining adornments are hand-carved wood.
On top of beauty and function, the cabinet boxes are made from environmentally-friendly, no formaldehyde-added agriboard. So we have traditional design, ornate mouldings, multi-step finishes, and are still nice to the earth and my clients!
My scope of work encompassed the complete design process: from design concepts, through working drawings, materials specifications, purchasing, and project administration.
Ed Gohlich - photographer

This client’s vision for their kitchen/hearth room remodel was to create a harmonious space for gathering and socializing with family and friends. Without the before and after photos, you would scarcely believe this was the same home.
This huge home renovation perfectly illustrates that Dimensions In Wood’s expert team can handle every aspect of your remodeling project. Plumbing, flooring, electrical wiring, custom cabinets, structural engineering, appliances, windows, interior and exterior doors, entertainment and more. Contact us today to discuss Translating Your Visions into Reality
The client was interested in new appliance technology, cabinetry to the ceiling, and an Island large enough to seat 3. They also wanted a built-in breakfast nook, improved pantry space, more functional storage on either side of their fireplace, and a built-in appearance for the TV above the mantel. The original built-in desk was not used, and they preferred for that space to serve as a small bar area with refrigeration and a place to store their printer. We designed several plans for the space before selecting the final layout.
The new design required the removal of the soffit over the old sink, as well as a small wall beside the old refrigerator. The wall beside the stairwell had to be shortened 13 inches and a new beam installed to carry the load of the home’s 2nd story to gain enough space for the large central island. The existing closet pantry walls were also reconfigured as per the new plan.
This serves as a great reminder that Dimensions In Wood is much more than just custom cabinets.
Central to the entire custom kitchen is an 8-foot Walnut island. The huge island, which comfortably seats three, is topped with Essenza Blue quartzite. The stone’s natural striations are beautiful. Quartzite is harder than granite, and less likely to stain than other stones because of its density. The couple had to look through multiple slabs to find a piece they LOVED. The island’s custom Walnut cabinetry, built to resemble a piece of custom furniture, was stained Bronzed Walnut by Sherwin Williams.
The 4-foot Galley Workstation in the island, handles all the kitchen’s prep, serving, and cleanup needs. The Galley’s culinary tools include an upper tier cutting board, upper tier drying rack, 2 lower tier platforms, 11″ colander with non-slip handles, and 11” mixing bowl with lid and non-slip bottom. Learn more about the amazing Galley Workstation here. A Waterstone gantry faucet in a pewter finish combines a pull-down sprayer for maximum mobility and a articulated swivel spout. A water tap with reverse osmosis filter provides the highest quality drinking water. To keep a clean and sleek counter we installed a raised air switch for the garbage disposal and integrated soap dispenser. The island also houses the Thermador Sapphire 7-Program Dishwasher with a hidden touch control panel and a custom Walnut wood front. The cabinetry under the Galley Workstation features a trash roll out, as well as storage for the culinary tools.
Shortening the stairwell wall, and reframing around the stairs, which included shortening the handrail, also made room for a bi-fold door walk-in pantry with extra roll out storage and space for a small microwave. Above the panty doors is a remote controlled, electric motor powered, lift up cabinet door which hides a flat screen TV, used while the family is cooking.
To the right of the walk-in pantry is cold food storage. The Thermador, 30-inch Freedom Collection refrigerator and 24-inch built-in freezer column with internal ice maker are covered with matching cabinetry fronts. An open display space was designed above the units, creating an aesthetically beautiful wall. To the right of the refrigerator & freezer columns is a tall cabinet designed for the built-in Thermador steam and convection oven. The convention steam oven is a relatively new technology for homes, but its versatility and food quality is amazing. To the right of this is a pull-out appliance pantry which provides easy access and storage for a stand mixer, blender, and any other appliance you do not want to clutter the counter.
The most visible wall of the kitchen features the 36-inch Thermador Professional Series Harmony Gas Range with Griddle. Between the range and custom designed wood hood, a framed mosaic tile accent in the backsplash, creates a focal point. To clear the air, the Professional Series Thermador 42-inch ventilation insert provides excellent exhaust capabilities, as well as providing multi-level, vivid LED lights for beautiful illumination.
The wall cabinetry symmetrically flanks the custom hood, utilizing deeper wall cabinetry on each end, allowing for storage of oversized dishware. The base cabinetry on this wall is made up of drawers, except for the corner, which is a Kesseböhmer LeMans II. This specially designed shelf system allows ease of access in underutilized blind corners. The dual action articulation system with soft close mechanism ensures a smooth open and close.
Rounding the corner to the outside wall, the base cabinetry was built to a narrower depth, providing additional space for the island, as well as easier access to the new larger pass-thru window which serves the screen porch. The client selected Black Vermont granite countertops with an ogee edge to contrast the Linen White painted cabinetry.
The door to the screen porch was replaced with a Marvin Exterior Door with a raised panel at the bottom of the 3⁄4 glass door.
Marvin Windows replaced the other windows in the space increasing the energy efficiency and value of the home. To establish the breakfast nook, a bench with drawers and an upholstered seat was built into the bay area of the room.
Custom bookshelves were built with open shelves, cabinet doors, and drawers on either side of the fireplace. A new stone hearth and fireplace surround were installed. Above the existing mantel we built a recessed space for the flat screen television hiding all wiring inside the walls for a completely clean look.
The space that was once a desk was transformed into a bar area. The glass shelves and glass cabinet front liquor cabinet stand out. But this bar area has hidden secrets. Tucked beneath the black granite is a Thermador under-counter double drawer refrigerator with matching wood front panels. They blend in perfectly with the cabinets. A wireless printer is easily accessed on a slide out drawer. Plus, what looks like merely wooden panels on the wall are concealing recessed storage for more bottles and glasses!
Overhead recessed lighting and speaker system provide illumination and entertainment through the entire space.
This luxury home had original, solid oak flooring through most of the first floor which the homeowner obviously wanted to keep but were in desperate need of repair and refinishing. Our master craftsmen wove in new wood flooring to match the old where needed, particularly where walls had been changed and where the floor was damaged. We sanded the floors, smoothing away years of wear and tear. The entire wood floor was then uniformly stained, making it impossible to differentiate where any repairs were made.
If this renovation has inspired you, then contact us today! There is no limit to our Dimensions.

This custom luxury kitchen was designed with one priority in mind: creating an effortless workflow that supports cooking, entertaining, and everyday living. Every element was carefully planned to ensure each workstation flows naturally into the next, allowing multiple people to cook, gather, and socialize comfortably without compromising functionality.
The spacious layout is centered around **two custom islands**, creating dedicated zones for food preparation, serving, casual dining, and entertaining. The generous circulation space between the islands, appliance wall, and cooking area provides an efficient kitchen work triangle while maintaining an open, inviting atmosphere.
The cooking station features a **Wolf GR484DG 48-inch Gas Range with Dual Infrared Griddle**, offering professional-grade performance for everything from weeknight dinners to large family gatherings. Above the range, a handcrafted **custom white oak vent hood** conceals the powerful **Zephyr Monsoon I AK9246BS 46-inch liner hood with 1,200 CFM**, delivering exceptional ventilation while preserving the clean architectural design.
The refrigeration area was designed for convenience and organization with a fully integrated **Sub-Zero Designer Series 30-inch panel-ready refrigerator (DET3050CIID)** and a **Sub-Zero Designer Series 18-inch dual-zone wine and beverage column (DEC1850W/L)**. Hidden behind custom cabinetry panels, these appliances maintain a seamless appearance while providing world-class food preservation and perfectly controlled wine storage.
Every cabinet in the kitchen was **custom built from white oak**, showcasing the natural beauty of the wood grain while maximizing storage with thoughtfully designed drawers, pantry storage, and appliance integration. The kitchen is finished with dramatic natural stone countertops that provide both durability and timeless elegance.
The cooking area is highlighted by the striking **Anatolia Tile Soho Collection 2" x 12" Retro Black Matte** backsplash, installed vertically from the countertop to the ceiling. Its rich matte finish creates texture and visual depth while beautifully framing the custom vent hood and Wolf range.
Underfoot, the **KALEIDO NERO 24" x 48" porcelain flooring** anchors the entire space with large-format slabs that create clean lines and a sophisticated contemporary feel. The dark porcelain flooring contrasts beautifully with the warm white oak cabinetry, adding depth while offering exceptional durability for a busy family kitchen.
From the dual islands and handcrafted cabinetry to the premium **Wolf**, **Sub-Zero**, and **Zephyr** appliances, every detail was selected to create a kitchen that is as functional as it is beautiful. The result is a timeless luxury space where exceptional craftsmanship, premium materials, and thoughtful design come together to support the way the homeowners live, cook, and entertain every day.
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