ASID Design Excellence First Place Residential – Kitchen and Bathroom: Michael Merrill Design Studio was approached three years ago by the homeowner to redesign her kitchen. Although she was dissatisfied with some aspects of her home, she still loved it dearly. As we discovered her passion for design, we began to rework her entire home--room by room, top to bottom.

Approaching this project, I was faced with the challenge of an extensive collection within one home. The interior spatial architecture was proportionately large, but the rooms were filled with furnishings to fill the spaces; this resulted in a cluttered environment. My vision was to edit to the best and get rid of the rest.

This smart kitchen renovation in Silver Spring, Maryland, involved removing three walls and a centrally located powder room and a closet. The powder room was relocated into the original closet area, and the patio door moved nearby. The main window was enlarged to create an anchor and focal point for the new kitchen as well as to enhance the view onto the lovely backyard. An angled island keeps the room feeling spacious and open, and a corner pantry was designed so as not to lose precious storage space.

BELLA DECKS / SNELL & Associates LLC / Frank Snell
Living room - traditional living room idea in Detroit

BELLA DECKS / SNELL & Associates LLC / Frank Snell
Example of a classic bedroom design in Detroit

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept concrete floor and gray floor living room remodel in Montreal with gray walls and no fireplace

The horizontal linear elements of the vanity, light fixtures and tile texture are repeated to evoke Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style use of long low lines. The bulkiness of the solid surface material nicely balances the mass of the reclaimed stone sink. Arnal Photography

Shaker style overlay Candelight Cabinetry with painted upper cabinets and White Oak base cabinets. Renovation includes all new appliances with a Jenn-Air down-draft stove at the island, a Franke blackfire clay sink, Cambria quartz counter tops, Teragren bamboo floor, tiled backsplash and an all new floor to ceiling walk-thru pantry. WIth Jackie Flynn at 279 Design.

Approaching this project, I was faced with the challenge of an extensive collection within one home. The interior spatial architecture was proportionately large, but the rooms were filled with furnishings to fill the spaces; this resulted in a cluttered environment. My vision was to edit to the best and get rid of the rest.

This smart kitchen renovation in Silver Spring, Maryland, involved removing three walls and a centrally located powder room and a closet. The powder room was relocated into the original closet area, and the patio door moved nearby. The main window was enlarged to create an anchor and focal point for the new kitchen as well as to enhance the view onto the lovely backyard. An angled island keeps the room feeling spacious and open, and a corner pantry was designed so as not to lose precious storage space.

Mid-sized minimalist loft-style concrete floor and gray floor living room photo in Montreal with no fireplace

This luxurious master en-suite bathroom design is directly influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘Falling Water’ residence. The Douglas Fir tray ceiling, along with the grooming counter and its falling transition to the bench seat, are inspired by the flow of cascading water. Arnal Photography

Approaching this project, I was faced with the challenge of an extensive collection within one home. The interior spatial architecture was proportionately large, but the rooms were filled with furnishings to fill the spaces; this resulted in a cluttered environment. My vision was to edit to the best and get rid of the rest.

View from the living room to the home office. Children use this desk (beyond planter) to do homework in plain sight of the kitchen.
Mid-sized minimalist formal and open concept carpeted living room photo in San Diego with white walls

Photography by Bill Dellinger
Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped ceramic tile eat-in kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Kitchen - 1950s kitchen idea in Los Angeles

Approaching this project, I was faced with the challenge of an extensive collection within one home. The interior spatial architecture was proportionately large, but the rooms were filled with furnishings to fill the spaces; this resulted in a cluttered environment. My vision was to edit to the best and get rid of the rest.

Photo Credit: N. Leonard
Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Great room - small mid-century modern concrete floor and gray floor great room idea in Montreal with gray walls and no fireplace