Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

This Cobble Hill Brownstone for a family of five is a fun and captivating design, the perfect blend of the wife’s love of English country style and the husband’s preference for modern. The young power couple, her the co-founder of Maisonette and him an investor, have three children and a dog, requiring that all the surfaces, finishes and, materials used throughout the home are both beautiful and durable to make every room a carefree space the whole family can enjoy. The primary design challenge for this project was creating both distinct places for the family to live their day to day lives and also a whole floor dedicated to formal entertainment. The clients entertain large dinners on a monthly basis as part of their profession. We solved this by adding an extension on the Garden and Parlor levels. This allowed the Garden level to function as the daily family operations center and the Parlor level to be party central. The kitchen on the garden level is large enough to dine in and accommodate a large catering crew. On the parlor level, we created a large double parlor in the front of the house; this space is dedicated to cocktail hour and after-dinner drinks. The rear of the parlor is a spacious formal dining room that can seat up to 14 guests. The middle "library" space contains a bar and facilitates access to both the front and rear rooms; in this way, it can double as a staging area for the parties. The remaining three floors are sleeping quarters for the family and frequent out of town guests. Designing a row house for private and public functions programmatically returns the building to a configuration in line with its original design. This project was published in Architectural Digest. Photography by Sam Frost

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

Like most growing families, this client wanted to lure everyone outside. And when the family went outdoors, they were hoping to find flamboyant color, delicious fragrance, freshly grilled food, fun play-spaces, and comfy entertaining areas waiting. Privacy was an imperative. Seems basic enough. But a heap of challenges stood in the way between what they were given upon arrival and the family's ultimate dreamscape. Primary among the impediments was the fact that the house stands on a busy corner lot. Plus, the breakneck slope was definitely not playground-friendly. Fortunately, Westover Landscape Design rode to the rescue and literally leveled the playing field. Furthermore, flowing from space to space is a thoroughly enjoyable, ever-changing journey given the blossom-filled, year-around-splendiferous gardens that now hug the walkway and stretch out to the property lines. Soft evergreen hedges and billowing flowering shrubs muffle street noise, giving the garden within a sense of embrace. A fully functional (and frequently used) convenient outdoor kitchen/dining area/living room expand the house's floorplan into a relaxing, nature-infused on-site vacationland. Mission accomplished. With the addition of the stunning old-world stone fireplace and pergola, this amazing property is a welcome retreat for year round enjoyment. Mission accomplished. Rob Cardillo for Westover Landscape Design, Inc.

This was a complete gut & redesign of a master bathroom in Littleton, Colorado, with a goal of modern luxury spa. I believe that was achieved, and my clients couldn't be any happier with how it turned out! Carrera marble floors are heated, which run into the closet to the right side. Custom doors were made for the closet and toilet rooms, recessed lighting in the ceiling in both spaces, and fabulous new light fixtures to add a gorgeous and warm atmosphere. Solid white quartz counters add an additional touch of luxurious clean, simple lines. I wanted teak walls in this space. However, maintenance is quite a frequent challenge, so we settled on ceramic tile, which turned out to be above & beyond stunning! It is also extremely durable and virtually maintenance-free. The frameless shower allows the gorgeous cuts of Carrera marble to beautifully show, in addition to the "wood" accent.

Remodel and addition of a single-family rustic log cabin. This project was a fun challenge of preserving the original structure’s character while revitalizing the space and fusing it with new, more modern additions. Every surface in this house was attended to, creating a unified and contemporary, yet cozy, mountain aesthetic. This was accomplished through preserving and refurbishing the existing log architecture and exposed timber ceilings and blending new log veneer assemblies with the original log structure. Finish carpentry was paramount in handcrafting new floors, custom cabinetry, and decorative metal stairs to interact with the existing building. The centerpiece of the house is a two-story tall, custom stone and metal patinaed, double-sided fireplace that meets the ceiling and scribes around the intricate log purlin structure seamlessly above. Three sides of this house are surrounded by ponds and streams. Large wood decks and a cedar hot tub were constructed to soak in the Teton views. Particular effort was made to preserve and improve landscaping that is frequently enjoyed by moose, elk, and bears that also live in the area.

Remodel and addition of a single-family rustic log cabin. This project was a fun challenge of preserving the original structure’s character while revitalizing the space and fusing it with new, more modern additions. Every surface in this house was attended to, creating a unified and contemporary, yet cozy, mountain aesthetic. This was accomplished through preserving and refurbishing the existing log architecture and exposed timber ceilings and blending new log veneer assemblies with the original log structure. Finish carpentry was paramount in handcrafting new floors, custom cabinetry, and decorative metal stairs to interact with the existing building. The centerpiece of the house is a two-story tall, custom stone and metal patinaed, double-sided fireplace that meets the ceiling and scribes around the intricate log purlin structure seamlessly above. Three sides of this house are surrounded by ponds and streams. Large wood decks and a cedar hot tub were constructed to soak in the Teton views. Particular effort was made to preserve and improve landscaping that is frequently enjoyed by moose, elk, and bears that also live in the area.

Remodel and addition of a single-family rustic log cabin. This project was a fun challenge of preserving the original structure’s character while revitalizing the space and fusing it with new, more modern additions. Every surface in this house was attended to, creating a unified and contemporary, yet cozy, mountain aesthetic. This was accomplished through preserving and refurbishing the existing log architecture and exposed timber ceilings and blending new log veneer assemblies with the original log structure. Finish carpentry was paramount in handcrafting new floors, custom cabinetry, and decorative metal stairs to interact with the existing building. The centerpiece of the house is a two-story tall, custom stone and metal patinaed, double-sided fireplace that meets the ceiling and scribes around the intricate log purlin structure seamlessly above. Three sides of this house are surrounded by ponds and streams. Large wood decks and a cedar hot tub were constructed to soak in the Teton views. Particular effort was made to preserve and improve landscaping that is frequently enjoyed by moose, elk, and bears that also live in the area.

Remodel and addition of a single-family rustic log cabin. This project was a fun challenge of preserving the original structure’s character while revitalizing the space and fusing it with new, more modern additions. Every surface in this house was attended to, creating a unified and contemporary, yet cozy, mountain aesthetic. This was accomplished through preserving and refurbishing the existing log architecture and exposed timber ceilings and blending new log veneer assemblies with the original log structure. Finish carpentry was paramount in handcrafting new floors, custom cabinetry, and decorative metal stairs to interact with the existing building. The centerpiece of the house is a two-story tall, custom stone and metal patinaed, double-sided fireplace that meets the ceiling and scribes around the intricate log purlin structure seamlessly above. Three sides of this house are surrounded by ponds and streams. Large wood decks and a cedar hot tub were constructed to soak in the Teton views. Particular effort was made to preserve and improve landscaping that is frequently enjoyed by moose, elk, and bears that also live in the area.

Our Clients, the proud owners of a landmark 1860’s era Italianate home, desired to greatly improve their daily ingress and egress experience. With a growing young family, the lack of a proper entry area and attached garage was something they wanted to address. They also needed a guest suite to accommodate frequent out-of-town guests and visitors. But in the homeowner’s own words, “He didn’t want to be known as the guy who ‘screwed up’ this beautiful old home”. Our design challenge was to provide the needed space of a significant addition, but do so in a manner that would respect the historic home. Our design solution lay in providing a “hyphen”: a multi-functional daily entry breezeway connector linking the main house with a new garage and in-law suite above.

Remodel and addition of a single-family rustic log cabin. This project was a fun challenge of preserving the original structure’s character while revitalizing the space and fusing it with new, more modern additions. Every surface in this house was attended to, creating a unified and contemporary, yet cozy, mountain aesthetic. This was accomplished through preserving and refurbishing the existing log architecture and exposed timber ceilings and blending new log veneer assemblies with the original log structure. Finish carpentry was paramount in handcrafting new floors, custom cabinetry, and decorative metal stairs to interact with the existing building. The centerpiece of the house is a two-story tall, custom stone and metal patinaed, double-sided fireplace that meets the ceiling and scribes around the intricate log purlin structure seamlessly above. Three sides of this house are surrounded by ponds and streams. Large wood decks and a cedar hot tub were constructed to soak in the Teton views. Particular effort was made to preserve and improve landscaping that is frequently enjoyed by moose, elk, and bears that also live in the area.

Remodel and addition of a single-family rustic log cabin. This project was a fun challenge of preserving the original structure’s character while revitalizing the space and fusing it with new, more modern additions. Every surface in this house was attended to, creating a unified and contemporary, yet cozy, mountain aesthetic. This was accomplished through preserving and refurbishing the existing log architecture and exposed timber ceilings and blending new log veneer assemblies with the original log structure. Finish carpentry was paramount in handcrafting new floors, custom cabinetry, and decorative metal stairs to interact with the existing building. The centerpiece of the house is a two-story tall, custom stone and metal patinaed, double-sided fireplace that meets the ceiling and scribes around the intricate log purlin structure seamlessly above. Three sides of this house are surrounded by ponds and streams. Large wood decks and a cedar hot tub were constructed to soak in the Teton views. Particular effort was made to preserve and improve landscaping that is frequently enjoyed by moose, elk, and bears that also live in the area.

Remodel and addition of a single-family rustic log cabin. This project was a fun challenge of preserving the original structure’s character while revitalizing the space and fusing it with new, more modern additions. Every surface in this house was attended to, creating a unified and contemporary, yet cozy, mountain aesthetic. This was accomplished through preserving and refurbishing the existing log architecture and exposed timber ceilings and blending new log veneer assemblies with the original log structure. Finish carpentry was paramount in handcrafting new floors, custom cabinetry, and decorative metal stairs to interact with the existing building. The centerpiece of the house is a two-story tall, custom stone and metal patinaed, double-sided fireplace that meets the ceiling and scribes around the intricate log purlin structure seamlessly above. Three sides of this house are surrounded by ponds and streams. Large wood decks and a cedar hot tub were constructed to soak in the Teton views. Particular effort was made to preserve and improve landscaping that is frequently enjoyed by moose, elk, and bears that also live in the area.

The expansive basement entertainment area features a tv room, a kitchenette and a custom bar for entertaining. The custom entertainment center and bar areas feature bright blue cabinets with white oak accents. Lucite and gold cabinet hardware adds a modern touch. The sitting area features a comfortable sectional sofa and geometric accent pillows that mimic the design of the kitchenette backsplash tile. The kitchenette features a beverage fridge, a sink, a dishwasher and an undercounter microwave drawer. The large island is a favorite hangout spot for the clients' teenage children and family friends. The convenient kitchenette is located on the basement level to prevent frequent trips upstairs to the main kitchen. The custom bar features lots of storage for bar ware, glass display cabinets and white oak display shelves. Locking liquor cabinets keep the alcohol out of reach for the younger generation.

Remodel and addition of a single-family rustic log cabin. This project was a fun challenge of preserving the original structure’s character while revitalizing the space and fusing it with new, more modern additions. Every surface in this house was attended to, creating a unified and contemporary, yet cozy, mountain aesthetic. This was accomplished through preserving and refurbishing the existing log architecture and exposed timber ceilings and blending new log veneer assemblies with the original log structure. Finish carpentry was paramount in handcrafting new floors, custom cabinetry, and decorative metal stairs to interact with the existing building. The centerpiece of the house is a two-story tall, custom stone and metal patinaed, double-sided fireplace that meets the ceiling and scribes around the intricate log purlin structure seamlessly above. Three sides of this house are surrounded by ponds and streams. Large wood decks and a cedar hot tub were constructed to soak in the Teton views. Particular effort was made to preserve and improve landscaping that is frequently enjoyed by moose, elk, and bears that also live in the area.

This was a complete gut & redesign of a master bathroom in Littleton, Colorado, with a goal of modern luxury spa. I believe that was achieved, and my clients couldn't be any happier with how it turned out! Carrera marble floors are heated, which run into the closet to the right side. Custom doors were made for the closet and toilet rooms, recessed lighting in the ceiling in both spaces, and fabulous new light fixtures to add a gorgeous and warm atmosphere. Solid white quartz counters add an additional touch of luxurious clean, simple lines. I wanted teak walls in this space. However, maintenance is quite a frequent challenge, so we settled on ceramic tile, which turned out to be above & beyond stunning! It is also extremely durable and virtually maintenance-free. The frameless shower allows the gorgeous cuts of Carrera marble to beautifully show, in addition to the "wood" accent.

Like most growing families, this client wanted to lure everyone outside. And when the family went outdoors, they were hoping to find flamboyant color, delicious fragrance, freshly grilled food, fun play-spaces, and comfy entertaining areas waiting. Privacy was an imperative. Seems basic enough. But a heap of challenges stood in the way between what they were given upon arrival and the family's ultimate dreamscape. Primary among the impediments was the fact that the house stands on a busy corner lot. Plus, the breakneck slope was definitely not playground-friendly. Fortunately, Westover Landscape Design rode to the rescue and literally leveled the playing field. Furthermore, flowing from space to space is a thoroughly enjoyable, ever-changing journey given the blossom-filled, year-around-splendiferous gardens that now hug the walkway and stretch out to the property lines. Soft evergreen hedges and billowing flowering shrubs muffle street noise, giving the garden within a sense of embrace. A fully functional (and frequently used) convenient outdoor kitchen/dining area/living room expand the house's floorplan into a relaxing, nature-infused on-site vacationland. Mission accomplished. With the addition of the stunning old-world stone fireplace and pergola, this amazing property is a welcome retreat for year round enjoyment. Mission accomplished. Rob Cardillo for Westover Landscape Design, Inc.

The existing U-shaped kitchen was tucked away in a small corner while the dining table was swimming in a room much too large for its size. The client’s needs and the architecture of the home made it apparent that the perfect design solution for the home was to swap the spaces. The homeowners entertain frequently and wanted the new layout to accommodate a lot of counter seating, a bar/buffet for serving hors d’oeuvres, an island with prep sink, and all new appliances. They had a strong preference that the hood be a focal point and wanted to go beyond a typical white color scheme even though they wanted white cabinets. While moving the kitchen to the dining space gave us a generous amount of real estate to work with, two of the exterior walls are occupied with full-height glass creating a challenge how best to fulfill their wish list. We used one available wall for the needed tall appliances, taking advantage of its height to create the hood as a focal point. We opted for both a peninsula and island instead of one large island in order to maximize the seating requirements and create a barrier when entertaining so guests do not flow directly into the work area of the kitchen. This also made it possible to add a second sink as requested. Lastly, the peninsula sets up a well-defined path to the new dining room without feeling like you are walking through the kitchen. We used the remaining fourth wall for the bar/buffet. Black cabinetry adds strong contrast in several areas of the new kitchen. Wire mesh wall cabinet doors at the bar and gold accents on the hardware, light fixtures, faucets and furniture add further drama to the concept. The focal point is definitely the black hood, looking both dramatic and cohesive at the same time.

This was a complete gut & redesign of a master bathroom in Littleton, Colorado, with a goal of modern luxury spa. I believe that was achieved, and my clients couldn't be any happier with how it turned out! Carrera marble floors are heated, which run into the closet to the right side. Custom doors were made for the closet and toilet rooms, recessed lighting in the ceiling in both spaces, and fabulous new light fixtures to add a gorgeous and warm atmosphere. Solid white quartz counters add an additional touch of luxurious clean, simple lines. I wanted teak walls in this space. However, maintenance is quite a frequent challenge, so we settled on ceramic tile, which turned out to be above & beyond stunning! It is also extremely durable and virtually maintenance-free. The frameless shower allows the gorgeous cuts of Carrera marble to beautifully show, in addition to the "wood" accent.