From Attic to Awesome Many of the classic Tudor homes in Minneapolis are defined as 1 ½ stories. The ½ story is actually an attic; a space just below the roof and with a rough floor often used for storage and little more. The owners were looking to turn their attic into about 900 sq. ft. of functional living/bedroom space with a big bath, perfect for hosting overnight guests. This was a challenging project, considering the plan called for raising the roof and adding two large shed dormers. A structural engineer was consulted, and the appropriate construction measures were taken to address the support necessary from below, passing the required stringent building codes. The remodeling project took about four months and began with reframing many of the roof support elements and adding closed cell spray foam insulation throughout to make the space warm and watertight during cold Minnesota winters, as well as cool in the summer. You enter the room using a stairway enclosed with a white railing that offers a feeling of openness while providing a high degree of safety. A short hallway leading to the living area features white cabinets with shaker style flat panel doors – a design element repeated in the bath. Four pairs of South facing windows above the cabinets let in lots of South sunlight all year long. The 130 sq. ft. bath features soaking tub and open shower room with floor-to-ceiling 2-inch porcelain tiling. The custom heated floor and one wall is constructed using beautiful natural stone. The shower room floor is also the shower’s drain, giving this room an open feeling while providing the ultimate functionality. The other half of the bath consists of a toilet and pedestal sink flanked by two white shaker style cabinets with Granite countertops. A big skylight over the tub and another north facing window brightens this room and highlights the tiling with a shade of green that’s pleasing to the eye. The rest of the remodeling project is simply a large open living/bedroom space. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the room is the way the roof ties into the ceiling at many angles – a necessity because of the way the home was originally constructed. The before and after photos show how the construction method included the maximum amount of interior space, leaving the room without the “cramped” feeling too often associated with this kind of remodeling project. Another big feature of this space can be found in the use of skylights. A total of six skylights – in addition to eight South-facing windows – make this area warm and bright during the many months of winter when sunlight in Minnesota comes at a premium. The main living area offers several flexible design options, with space that can be used with bedroom and/or living room furniture with cozy areas for reading and entertainment. Recessed lighting on dimmers throughout the space balances daylight with room light for just the right atmosphere. The space is now ready for decorating with original artwork and furnishings. How would you furnish this space?

From Attic to Awesome Many of the classic Tudor homes in Minneapolis are defined as 1 ½ stories. The ½ story is actually an attic; a space just below the roof and with a rough floor often used for storage and little more. The owners were looking to turn their attic into about 900 sq. ft. of functional living/bedroom space with a big bath, perfect for hosting overnight guests. This was a challenging project, considering the plan called for raising the roof and adding two large shed dormers. A structural engineer was consulted, and the appropriate construction measures were taken to address the support necessary from below, passing the required stringent building codes. The remodeling project took about four months and began with reframing many of the roof support elements and adding closed cell spray foam insulation throughout to make the space warm and watertight during cold Minnesota winters, as well as cool in the summer. You enter the room using a stairway enclosed with a white railing that offers a feeling of openness while providing a high degree of safety. A short hallway leading to the living area features white cabinets with shaker style flat panel doors – a design element repeated in the bath. Four pairs of South facing windows above the cabinets let in lots of South sunlight all year long. The 130 sq. ft. bath features soaking tub and open shower room with floor-to-ceiling 2-inch porcelain tiling. The custom heated floor and one wall is constructed using beautiful natural stone. The shower room floor is also the shower’s drain, giving this room an open feeling while providing the ultimate functionality. The other half of the bath consists of a toilet and pedestal sink flanked by two white shaker style cabinets with Granite countertops. A big skylight over the tub and another north facing window brightens this room and highlights the tiling with a shade of green that’s pleasing to the eye. The rest of the remodeling project is simply a large open living/bedroom space. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the room is the way the roof ties into the ceiling at many angles – a necessity because of the way the home was originally constructed. The before and after photos show how the construction method included the maximum amount of interior space, leaving the room without the “cramped” feeling too often associated with this kind of remodeling project. Another big feature of this space can be found in the use of skylights. A total of six skylights – in addition to eight South-facing windows – make this area warm and bright during the many months of winter when sunlight in Minnesota comes at a premium. The main living area offers several flexible design options, with space that can be used with bedroom and/or living room furniture with cozy areas for reading and entertainment. Recessed lighting on dimmers throughout the space balances daylight with room light for just the right atmosphere. The space is now ready for decorating with original artwork and furnishings. How would you furnish this space?

From Attic to Awesome Many of the classic Tudor homes in Minneapolis are defined as 1 ½ stories. The ½ story is actually an attic; a space just below the roof and with a rough floor often used for storage and little more. The owners were looking to turn their attic into about 900 sq. ft. of functional living/bedroom space with a big bath, perfect for hosting overnight guests. This was a challenging project, considering the plan called for raising the roof and adding two large shed dormers. A structural engineer was consulted, and the appropriate construction measures were taken to address the support necessary from below, passing the required stringent building codes. The remodeling project took about four months and began with reframing many of the roof support elements and adding closed cell spray foam insulation throughout to make the space warm and watertight during cold Minnesota winters, as well as cool in the summer. You enter the room using a stairway enclosed with a white railing that offers a feeling of openness while providing a high degree of safety. A short hallway leading to the living area features white cabinets with shaker style flat panel doors – a design element repeated in the bath. Four pairs of South facing windows above the cabinets let in lots of South sunlight all year long. The 130 sq. ft. bath features soaking tub and open shower room with floor-to-ceiling 2-inch porcelain tiling. The custom heated floor and one wall is constructed using beautiful natural stone. The shower room floor is also the shower’s drain, giving this room an open feeling while providing the ultimate functionality. The other half of the bath consists of a toilet and pedestal sink flanked by two white shaker style cabinets with Granite countertops. A big skylight over the tub and another north facing window brightens this room and highlights the tiling with a shade of green that’s pleasing to the eye. The rest of the remodeling project is simply a large open living/bedroom space. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the room is the way the roof ties into the ceiling at many angles – a necessity because of the way the home was originally constructed. The before and after photos show how the construction method included the maximum amount of interior space, leaving the room without the “cramped” feeling too often associated with this kind of remodeling project. Another big feature of this space can be found in the use of skylights. A total of six skylights – in addition to eight South-facing windows – make this area warm and bright during the many months of winter when sunlight in Minnesota comes at a premium. The main living area offers several flexible design options, with space that can be used with bedroom and/or living room furniture with cozy areas for reading and entertainment. Recessed lighting on dimmers throughout the space balances daylight with room light for just the right atmosphere. The space is now ready for decorating with original artwork and furnishings. How would you furnish this space?

From Attic to Awesome Many of the classic Tudor homes in Minneapolis are defined as 1 ½ stories. The ½ story is actually an attic; a space just below the roof and with a rough floor often used for storage and little more. The owners were looking to turn their attic into about 900 sq. ft. of functional living/bedroom space with a big bath, perfect for hosting overnight guests. This was a challenging project, considering the plan called for raising the roof and adding two large shed dormers. A structural engineer was consulted, and the appropriate construction measures were taken to address the support necessary from below, passing the required stringent building codes. The remodeling project took about four months and began with reframing many of the roof support elements and adding closed cell spray foam insulation throughout to make the space warm and watertight during cold Minnesota winters, as well as cool in the summer. You enter the room using a stairway enclosed with a white railing that offers a feeling of openness while providing a high degree of safety. A short hallway leading to the living area features white cabinets with shaker style flat panel doors – a design element repeated in the bath. Four pairs of South facing windows above the cabinets let in lots of South sunlight all year long. The 130 sq. ft. bath features soaking tub and open shower room with floor-to-ceiling 2-inch porcelain tiling. The custom heated floor and one wall is constructed using beautiful natural stone. The shower room floor is also the shower’s drain, giving this room an open feeling while providing the ultimate functionality. The other half of the bath consists of a toilet and pedestal sink flanked by two white shaker style cabinets with Granite countertops. A big skylight over the tub and another north facing window brightens this room and highlights the tiling with a shade of green that’s pleasing to the eye. The rest of the remodeling project is simply a large open living/bedroom space. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the room is the way the roof ties into the ceiling at many angles – a necessity because of the way the home was originally constructed. The before and after photos show how the construction method included the maximum amount of interior space, leaving the room without the “cramped” feeling too often associated with this kind of remodeling project. Another big feature of this space can be found in the use of skylights. A total of six skylights – in addition to eight South-facing windows – make this area warm and bright during the many months of winter when sunlight in Minnesota comes at a premium. The main living area offers several flexible design options, with space that can be used with bedroom and/or living room furniture with cozy areas for reading and entertainment. Recessed lighting on dimmers throughout the space balances daylight with room light for just the right atmosphere. The space is now ready for decorating with original artwork and furnishings. How would you furnish this space?

From Attic to Awesome Many of the classic Tudor homes in Minneapolis are defined as 1 ½ stories. The ½ story is actually an attic; a space just below the roof and with a rough floor often used for storage and little more. The owners were looking to turn their attic into about 900 sq. ft. of functional living/bedroom space with a big bath, perfect for hosting overnight guests. This was a challenging project, considering the plan called for raising the roof and adding two large shed dormers. A structural engineer was consulted, and the appropriate construction measures were taken to address the support necessary from below, passing the required stringent building codes. The remodeling project took about four months and began with reframing many of the roof support elements and adding closed cell spray foam insulation throughout to make the space warm and watertight during cold Minnesota winters, as well as cool in the summer. You enter the room using a stairway enclosed with a white railing that offers a feeling of openness while providing a high degree of safety. A short hallway leading to the living area features white cabinets with shaker style flat panel doors – a design element repeated in the bath. Four pairs of South facing windows above the cabinets let in lots of South sunlight all year long. The 130 sq. ft. bath features soaking tub and open shower room with floor-to-ceiling 2-inch porcelain tiling. The custom heated floor and one wall is constructed using beautiful natural stone. The shower room floor is also the shower’s drain, giving this room an open feeling while providing the ultimate functionality. The other half of the bath consists of a toilet and pedestal sink flanked by two white shaker style cabinets with Granite countertops. A big skylight over the tub and another north facing window brightens this room and highlights the tiling with a shade of green that’s pleasing to the eye. The rest of the remodeling project is simply a large open living/bedroom space. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the room is the way the roof ties into the ceiling at many angles – a necessity because of the way the home was originally constructed. The before and after photos show how the construction method included the maximum amount of interior space, leaving the room without the “cramped” feeling too often associated with this kind of remodeling project. Another big feature of this space can be found in the use of skylights. A total of six skylights – in addition to eight South-facing windows – make this area warm and bright during the many months of winter when sunlight in Minnesota comes at a premium. The main living area offers several flexible design options, with space that can be used with bedroom and/or living room furniture with cozy areas for reading and entertainment. Recessed lighting on dimmers throughout the space balances daylight with room light for just the right atmosphere. The space is now ready for decorating with original artwork and furnishings. How would you furnish this space?

An Arts & Crafts Bungalow is one of my favorite styles of homes. We have quite a few of them in our Stockton Mid-Town area. And when C&L called us to help them remodel their 1923 American Bungalow, I was beyond thrilled. As per usual, when we get a new inquiry, we quickly Google the project location while we are talking to you on the phone. My excitement escalated when I saw the Google Earth Image of the sweet Sage Green bungalow in Mid-Town Stockton. "Yes, we would be interested in working with you," I said trying to keep my cool. But what made it even better was meeting C&L and touring their home, because they are the nicest young couple, eager to make their home period perfect. Unfortunately, it had been slightly molested by some bad house-flippers, and we needed to bring the bathroom back to it "roots." We knew we had to banish the hideous brown tile and cheap vanity quickly. But C&L complained about the condensation problems and the constant fight with mold. This immediately told me that improper remodeling had occurred and we needed to remedy that right away. The Before: Frustrations with a Botched Remodel The bathroom needed to be brought back to period appropriate design with all the functionality of a modern bathroom. We thought of things like marble countertop, white mosaic floor tiles, white subway tile, board and batten molding, and of course a fabulous wallpaper. This small (and only) bathroom on a tight budget required a little bit of design sleuthing to figure out how we could get the proper look and feel. Our goal was to determine where to splurge and where to economize and how to complete the remodel as quickly as possible because C&L would have to move out while construction was going on. The Process: Hard Work to Remedy Design and Function During our initial design study, (which included 2 hours in the owners’ home), we noticed framed images of William Morris Arts and Crafts textile patterns and knew this would be our design inspiration. We presented C&L with three options and they quickly selected the Pimpernel Design Concept. We had originally selected the Black and Olive colors with a black vanity, mirror, and black and white floor tile. C&L liked it but weren’t quite sure about the black, We went back to the drawing board and decided the William & Co Pimpernel Wallpaper in Bayleaf and Manilla color with a softer gray painted vanity and mirror and white floor tile was more to their liking. After the Design Concept was approved, we went to work securing the building permit, procuring all the elements, and scheduling our trusted tradesmen to perform the work. We did uncover some shoddy work by the flippers such as live electrical wires hidden behind the wall, plumbing venting cut-off and buried in the walls (hence the constant dampness), the tub barely balancing on two fence boards across the floor joist, and no insulation on the exterior wall. All of the previous blunders were fixed and the bathroom put back to its previous glory. We could feel the house thanking us for making it pretty again. The After Reveal: Cohesive Design Decisions We selected a simple white subway tile for the tub/shower. This is always classic and in keeping with the style of the house. We selected a pre-fab vanity and mirror, but they look rich with the quartz countertop. There is much more storage in this small vanity than you would think. The Transformation: A Period Perfect Refresh We began the remodel just as the pandemic reared and stay-in-place orders went into effect. As C&L were already moved out and living with relatives, we got the go-ahead from city officials to get the work done (after all, how can you shelter in place without a bathroom?). All our tradesmen were scheduled to work so that only one crew was on the job site at a time. We stayed on the original schedule with only a one week delay. The end result is the sweetest little bathroom I've ever seen (and I can't wait to start work on C&L's kitchen next). Thank you for joining me in this project transformation. I hope this inspired you to think about being creative with your design projects, determining what works best in keeping with the architecture of your space, and carefully assessing how you can have the best life in your home.

From Attic to Awesome Many of the classic Tudor homes in Minneapolis are defined as 1 ½ stories. The ½ story is actually an attic; a space just below the roof and with a rough floor often used for storage and little more. The owners were looking to turn their attic into about 900 sq. ft. of functional living/bedroom space with a big bath, perfect for hosting overnight guests. This was a challenging project, considering the plan called for raising the roof and adding two large shed dormers. A structural engineer was consulted, and the appropriate construction measures were taken to address the support necessary from below, passing the required stringent building codes. The remodeling project took about four months and began with reframing many of the roof support elements and adding closed cell spray foam insulation throughout to make the space warm and watertight during cold Minnesota winters, as well as cool in the summer. You enter the room using a stairway enclosed with a white railing that offers a feeling of openness while providing a high degree of safety. A short hallway leading to the living area features white cabinets with shaker style flat panel doors – a design element repeated in the bath. Four pairs of South facing windows above the cabinets let in lots of South sunlight all year long. The 130 sq. ft. bath features soaking tub and open shower room with floor-to-ceiling 2-inch porcelain tiling. The custom heated floor and one wall is constructed using beautiful natural stone. The shower room floor is also the shower’s drain, giving this room an open feeling while providing the ultimate functionality. The other half of the bath consists of a toilet and pedestal sink flanked by two white shaker style cabinets with Granite countertops. A big skylight over the tub and another north facing window brightens this room and highlights the tiling with a shade of green that’s pleasing to the eye. The rest of the remodeling project is simply a large open living/bedroom space. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the room is the way the roof ties into the ceiling at many angles – a necessity because of the way the home was originally constructed. The before and after photos show how the construction method included the maximum amount of interior space, leaving the room without the “cramped” feeling too often associated with this kind of remodeling project. Another big feature of this space can be found in the use of skylights. A total of six skylights – in addition to eight South-facing windows – make this area warm and bright during the many months of winter when sunlight in Minnesota comes at a premium. The main living area offers several flexible design options, with space that can be used with bedroom and/or living room furniture with cozy areas for reading and entertainment. Recessed lighting on dimmers throughout the space balances daylight with room light for just the right atmosphere. The space is now ready for decorating with original artwork and furnishings. How would you furnish this space?

This outdoor media room and kitchen had to meet the needs of a Houston family needing kid space and adult space. The kids wanted an outdoor audio visual area watch TV and movies. The grownups wanted an outdoor kitchen, bar and grilling area where they could enjoy themselves while watching the kids. And they all wanted a covered patio with places to sit between dips in the pool. However, the family had very limited space between the back of their house and their pool, and no room for anything in either of the side yards: Stringent homeowner association rules also required that any home modifications match the existing home's architecture, color and finishing materials. The pitch of the roof also had to be such that it didn't overlap the bottom of the second-story windows above. So here's what we came up with: A 40-foot-long by 11-foot- deep roof extension off the back of the house (longer than most, but with good engineering specs and design work, we were able to preserve the structural integrity): At one end of the covered patio below is a 12-foot by 8-foot outdoor living room with a custom audio-visual cabinet. At the other is an L-shaped, 8-foot-square outdoor kitchen island with a built-in commercial-grade RCS grill, a 4-by-8-foot outdoor refrigerator and a outdoor icemaker. Keeping in line with the existing home's beige siding, white trim and brown accent façade, we helped the homeowner choose appropriate finishing materials: Austin Western limestone (mostly white with beige accents) for the TV cabinet, kitchen island and column supports; Old English travertine (beige) for the countertops) and white, fluted columns. The Old English travertine countertop has a raised back for a bar with counter seating. The diamond-pattern tile backsplash also features inset fleur de lis accents. The family is more than pleased with the results - two outdoor rooms with two different functions - all within the same covered outdoor living space!

This outdoor media room and kitchen had to meet the needs of a Houston family needing kid space and adult space. The kids wanted an outdoor audio visual area watch TV and movies. The grownups wanted an outdoor kitchen, bar and grilling area where they could enjoy themselves while watching the kids. And they all wanted a covered patio with places to sit between dips in the pool. However, the family had very limited space between the back of their house and their pool, and no room for anything in either of the side yards: Stringent homeowner association rules also required that any home modifications match the existing home's architecture, color and finishing materials. The pitch of the roof also had to be such that it didn't overlap the bottom of the second-story windows above. So here's what we came up with: A 40-foot-long by 11-foot- deep roof extension off the back of the house (longer than most, but with good engineering specs and design work, we were able to preserve the structural integrity): At one end of the covered patio below is a 12-foot by 8-foot outdoor living room with a custom audio-visual cabinet. At the other is an L-shaped, 8-foot-square outdoor kitchen island with a built-in commercial-grade RCS grill, a 4-by-8-foot outdoor refrigerator and a outdoor icemaker. Keeping in line with the existing home's beige siding, white trim and brown accent façade, we helped the homeowner choose appropriate finishing materials: Austin Western limestone (mostly white with beige accents) for the TV cabinet, kitchen island and column supports; Old English travertine (beige) for the countertops) and white, fluted columns. The Old English travertine countertop has a raised back for a bar with counter seating. The diamond-pattern tile backsplash also features inset fleur de lis accents. The family is more than pleased with the results - two outdoor rooms with two different functions - all within the same covered outdoor living space!

This outdoor media room and kitchen had to meet the needs of a Houston family needing kid space and adult space. The kids wanted an outdoor audio visual area watch TV and movies. The grownups wanted an outdoor kitchen, bar and grilling area where they could enjoy themselves while watching the kids. And they all wanted a covered patio with places to sit between dips in the pool. However, the family had very limited space between the back of their house and their pool, and no room for anything in either of the side yards: Stringent homeowner association rules also required that any home modifications match the existing home's architecture, color and finishing materials. The pitch of the roof also had to be such that it didn't overlap the bottom of the second-story windows above. So here's what we came up with: A 40-foot-long by 11-foot- deep roof extension off the back of the house (longer than most, but with good engineering specs and design work, we were able to preserve the structural integrity): At one end of the covered patio below is a 12-foot by 8-foot outdoor living room with a custom audio-visual cabinet. At the other is an L-shaped, 8-foot-square outdoor kitchen island with a built-in commercial-grade RCS grill, a 4-by-8-foot outdoor refrigerator and a outdoor icemaker. Keeping in line with the existing home's beige siding, white trim and brown accent façade, we helped the homeowner choose appropriate finishing materials: Austin Western limestone (mostly white with beige accents) for the TV cabinet, kitchen island and column supports; Old English travertine (beige) for the countertops) and white, fluted columns. The Old English travertine countertop has a raised back for a bar with counter seating. The diamond-pattern tile backsplash also features inset fleur de lis accents. The family is more than pleased with the results - two outdoor rooms with two different functions - all within the same covered outdoor living space!

This outdoor media room and kitchen had to meet the needs of a Houston family needing kid space and adult space. The kids wanted an outdoor audio visual area watch TV and movies. The grownups wanted an outdoor kitchen, bar and grilling area where they could enjoy themselves while watching the kids. And they all wanted a covered patio with places to sit between dips in the pool. However, the family had very limited space between the back of their house and their pool, and no room for anything in either of the side yards: Stringent homeowner association rules also required that any home modifications match the existing home's architecture, color and finishing materials. The pitch of the roof also had to be such that it didn't overlap the bottom of the second-story windows above. So here's what we came up with: A 40-foot-long by 11-foot- deep roof extension off the back of the house (longer than most, but with good engineering specs and design work, we were able to preserve the structural integrity): At one end of the covered patio below is a 12-foot by 8-foot outdoor living room with a custom audio-visual cabinet. At the other is an L-shaped, 8-foot-square outdoor kitchen island with a built-in commercial-grade RCS grill, a 4-by-8-foot outdoor refrigerator and a outdoor icemaker. Keeping in line with the existing home's beige siding, white trim and brown accent façade, we helped the homeowner choose appropriate finishing materials: Austin Western limestone (mostly white with beige accents) for the TV cabinet, kitchen island and column supports; Old English travertine (beige) for the countertops) and white, fluted columns. The Old English travertine countertop has a raised back for a bar with counter seating. The diamond-pattern tile backsplash also features inset fleur de lis accents. The family is more than pleased with the results - two outdoor rooms with two different functions - all within the same covered outdoor living space!

This outdoor media room and kitchen had to meet the needs of a Houston family needing kid space and adult space. The kids wanted an outdoor audio visual area watch TV and movies. The grownups wanted an outdoor kitchen, bar and grilling area where they could enjoy themselves while watching the kids. And they all wanted a covered patio with places to sit between dips in the pool. However, the family had very limited space between the back of their house and their pool, and no room for anything in either of the side yards: Stringent homeowner association rules also required that any home modifications match the existing home's architecture, color and finishing materials. The pitch of the roof also had to be such that it didn't overlap the bottom of the second-story windows above. So here's what we came up with: A 40-foot-long by 11-foot- deep roof extension off the back of the house (longer than most, but with good engineering specs and design work, we were able to preserve the structural integrity): At one end of the covered patio below is a 12-foot by 8-foot outdoor living room with a custom audio-visual cabinet. At the other is an L-shaped, 8-foot-square outdoor kitchen island with a built-in commercial-grade RCS grill, a 4-by-8-foot outdoor refrigerator and a outdoor icemaker. Keeping in line with the existing home's beige siding, white trim and brown accent façade, we helped the homeowner choose appropriate finishing materials: Austin Western limestone (mostly white with beige accents) for the TV cabinet, kitchen island and column supports; Old English travertine (beige) for the countertops) and white, fluted columns. The Old English travertine countertop has a raised back for a bar with counter seating. The diamond-pattern tile backsplash also features inset fleur de lis accents. The family is more than pleased with the results - two outdoor rooms with two different functions - all within the same covered outdoor living space!

Tucked under the house's main staircase is where you'll find this chic powder room. Challenged by the 40" width and the 72" length, functional and visual tricks were used to reach the goal of designing a perfect little gem. Using the consistency of color material, Carrera Marble was used on the floor, walls and the carved console with integrated sink. A classic basket weave pattern was used on the floor. The walls are clad in marble subway tile and topped with a carved marble chair rail. A classic gray and white toile string cloth wallpaper finishes the walls and envelopes the ceiling.

This outdoor media room and kitchen had to meet the needs of a Houston family needing kid space and adult space. The kids wanted an outdoor audio visual area watch TV and movies. The grownups wanted an outdoor kitchen, bar and grilling area where they could enjoy themselves while watching the kids. And they all wanted a covered patio with places to sit between dips in the pool. However, the family had very limited space between the back of their house and their pool, and no room for anything in either of the side yards: Stringent homeowner association rules also required that any home modifications match the existing home's architecture, color and finishing materials. The pitch of the roof also had to be such that it didn't overlap the bottom of the second-story windows above. So here's what we came up with: A 40-foot-long by 11-foot- deep roof extension off the back of the house (longer than most, but with good engineering specs and design work, we were able to preserve the structural integrity): At one end of the covered patio below is a 12-foot by 8-foot outdoor living room with a custom audio-visual cabinet. At the other is an L-shaped, 8-foot-square outdoor kitchen island with a built-in commercial-grade RCS grill, a 4-by-8-foot outdoor refrigerator and a outdoor icemaker. Keeping in line with the existing home's beige siding, white trim and brown accent façade, we helped the homeowner choose appropriate finishing materials: Austin Western limestone (mostly white with beige accents) for the TV cabinet, kitchen island and column supports; Old English travertine (beige) for the countertops) and white, fluted columns. The Old English travertine countertop has a raised back for a bar with counter seating. The diamond-pattern tile backsplash also features inset fleur de lis accents. The family is more than pleased with the results - two outdoor rooms with two different functions - all within the same covered outdoor living space!

This outdoor media room and kitchen had to meet the needs of a Houston family needing kid space and adult space. The kids wanted an outdoor audio visual area watch TV and movies. The grownups wanted an outdoor kitchen, bar and grilling area where they could enjoy themselves while watching the kids. And they all wanted a covered patio with places to sit between dips in the pool. However, the family had very limited space between the back of their house and their pool, and no room for anything in either of the side yards: Stringent homeowner association rules also required that any home modifications match the existing home's architecture, color and finishing materials. The pitch of the roof also had to be such that it didn't overlap the bottom of the second-story windows above. So here's what we came up with: A 40-foot-long by 11-foot- deep roof extension off the back of the house (longer than most, but with good engineering specs and design work, we were able to preserve the structural integrity): At one end of the covered patio below is a 12-foot by 8-foot outdoor living room with a custom audio-visual cabinet. At the other is an L-shaped, 8-foot-square outdoor kitchen island with a built-in commercial-grade RCS grill, a 4-by-8-foot outdoor refrigerator and a outdoor icemaker. Keeping in line with the existing home's beige siding, white trim and brown accent façade, we helped the homeowner choose appropriate finishing materials: Austin Western limestone (mostly white with beige accents) for the TV cabinet, kitchen island and column supports; Old English travertine (beige) for the countertops) and white, fluted columns. The Old English travertine countertop has a raised back for a bar with counter seating. The diamond-pattern tile backsplash also features inset fleur de lis accents. The family is more than pleased with the results - two outdoor rooms with two different functions - all within the same covered outdoor living space!

This outdoor media room and kitchen had to meet the needs of a Houston family needing kid space and adult space. The kids wanted an outdoor audio visual area watch TV and movies. The grownups wanted an outdoor kitchen, bar and grilling area where they could enjoy themselves while watching the kids. And they all wanted a covered patio with places to sit between dips in the pool. However, the family had very limited space between the back of their house and their pool, and no room for anything in either of the side yards: Stringent homeowner association rules also required that any home modifications match the existing home's architecture, color and finishing materials. The pitch of the roof also had to be such that it didn't overlap the bottom of the second-story windows above. So here's what we came up with: A 40-foot-long by 11-foot- deep roof extension off the back of the house (longer than most, but with good engineering specs and design work, we were able to preserve the structural integrity): At one end of the covered patio below is a 12-foot by 8-foot outdoor living room with a custom audio-visual cabinet. At the other is an L-shaped, 8-foot-square outdoor kitchen island with a built-in commercial-grade RCS grill, a 4-by-8-foot outdoor refrigerator and a outdoor icemaker. Keeping in line with the existing home's beige siding, white trim and brown accent façade, we helped the homeowner choose appropriate finishing materials: Austin Western limestone (mostly white with beige accents) for the TV cabinet, kitchen island and column supports; Old English travertine (beige) for the countertops) and white, fluted columns. The Old English travertine countertop has a raised back for a bar with counter seating. The diamond-pattern tile backsplash also features inset fleur de lis accents. The family is more than pleased with the results - two outdoor rooms with two different functions - all within the same covered outdoor living space!

This is sophistication in the kitchen. These are custom made cabinetry from Dutch Made Inc. These are a maple cabinet with a beautiful paint and a glaze on the base cabinets. It is the perfect partner to the chenille upper cabinets. The hood wall steals the show with it's elegance and open space. This is a custom hood that is breathtaking and timeless. Glass doors around the window give depth and elegance to the kitchen that only glass can do. Don't miss the appliance garage on the countertop to provide plenty of storage. Eating and entertaining at the island is perfect with the stools and snack bar area. Last but not least is the incredible wall of ovens, refrigerator and pantry. Elegant and functional for all goodies. Photographs by Michael A. Kaskel Designed by Lisa Murphy for DDK Kitchen Design Group. Countertops by Tithof Tile and Marble.

The owners knew they wanted to create spaces in their backyard that be useful and encourage them to be outside more often, but because their backyard space is so massive the scope and size of the project was initially difficult to define. After a few initial rounds of design, the project ended up creating a series of spaces near their house and pool rather than try to utilize the entirety of their yard. The existing pool was situated in proximity (and almost entirely aligned) to a detached garage. The garage was perfectly useful for parking cars, but nothing special Architecturally and certainly not functionally associated with the pool. The cabana would have been too far away from the main home if it were located on the opposite side of pool and would have been too large and visually obtrusive if arrange to the side of the pool. The design of the cabana was conceived as an addition to the garage that more appropriately capped the end of the pool with an openable space that could be used for cooking, lounging in the shade poolside, or playing games in with the space itself. There wasn’t enough space between the garage and pool to contain all the uses they wanted, so an additional shade structure with a dining space and a fire pit with build-in benches was included to the project, located near their existing living room. Board formed concrete walls were used as a common element between the shade structure and the cabana. The base used as a planter wall and back to the bench in the shade structure is maintained in the base of cabana to develop aesthetic cohesion between the two spaces. The cabana engages a build in bar to a series of folding glass walls for compact efficient use. The interior of the cabana had to maintain the existing garage roofline for structural stability, but the interior is vaulted to the highest extent possible. The interior of the vault is lined with wood to frame the space for visual clarity enhancing transparency. A goal of the project was to make a vast backyard more useful at a walkable scale by creating outdoor spaces close to each other and the existing living areas in and around the home. Rather than attempt to encapsulate the entire backyard it creates density around the edges that look onto the backyard. Because the spaces engage with the existing conditions the space has become a much-used outdoor living space. (Photos of After Construction Conditions by Sara Essex Bradley)