To move or not to move — that is the question many homeowners are asking as they consider whether to upgrade their existing residence or pack up and find a new one. It was that exact question that was discussed by this homeowner as they evaluated their traditional two-story home in Fontana. Built in 2001, this cedar-sided 3,500-square-foot home features five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, and a full basement. During renovation projects like the these, we have the ability and flexibility to work across many different architectural styles. Our main focus is to work with clients to get a good sense of their personal style, what features they’re most attracted to, and balance those with the fundamental principles of good design – function, balance, proportion and flow – to make sure that they have a unified vision for the home. After extensive demolition of the kitchen, family room, master bath, laundry room, powder room, master bedroom and adjacent hallways, we began transforming the space into one that the family could truly utilize in an all new way. In addition to installing structural beams to support the second floor loads and pushing out two non-structural walls in order to enlarge the master bath, the renovation team installed a new kitchen island, added quartz countertops in the kitchen and master bath plus installed new Kohler sinks, toilets and accessories in the kitchen and bath. Underscoring the belief that an open great room should offer a welcoming environment, the renovated space now offers an inviting haven for the homeowners and their guests. The open family room boasts a new gas fireplace complete with custom surround, mantel and bookcases. Underfoot, hardwood floors featuring American walnut add warmth to the home’s interior. Continuity is achieved throughout the first floor by accenting posts, handrails and spindles all with the same rich walnut.

Human beings have a fundamental need to be connected to nature. Often our built environments disconnect us from natural elements. A drab room with no windows and artificial lighting can make us feel bored, tired, even depressed. This can make a basement remodel very challenging. Biophilic design integrates natural elements into our architecture and interiors. The practice of Biophilic design has been found to improve our well being. We used the wall mural to introduce elements of nature and completely transformed the space.

PHILIPPE STARCK’S DESIGN SEARCHES FOR THE ORIGIN OF THINGS. | The simple, natural, fundamental elements of life. With his Starck 1 range, he achieved just that… and almost immediately wrote bathroom history. With Starck 1, Philippe Starck and Duravit have returned to the beginnings of hygiene, body care and wellness in addition to the evolution of the bathroom. The Starck 1 toilet, bathtub and washbasin are unmistakable descendents of their historic predecessors – the bucket, tub and washbowl – even though they have been completely reinterpreted. It’s great to know that something good doesn’t have to be “optimized”: since their market launch in 1994, all products in the range – ceramic, furniture, tubs, accessories – have been meticulously crafted by hand using the same methods. This quality is nothing less than you would expect from a modern classic like Starck 1. | Design by Philippe Starck | Available at www.ShopStudio41.com

A staircase lives two lives. One as an architectural feature, and another as a functional piece of the home. This transitional design handles both with ease. Natural white oak treads flow from the hardwood floors below, making the staircase feel fundamental to the home rather than inserted into it. White painted risers and pin balusters keep the composition light and open, letting natural light move freely through the space. The glossy black handrail and newels add an edge to the design, creating definition against the white paint and warm oak elements. Tying it together, the over-the-post balustrade creates a flowing line that draws the eye up. A staircase that doesn't demand attention, but rewards those who pause to notice it. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

The design intent of this kitchen space was to pay homage to Brutalist architecture, while still including contemporary design elements, in this compact modern infill project. The use of clean lines and stark geometric shapes was fundamental, in order to evoke the modularity and functionality that Brutalism is known for. Preserving the feeling of a livable, inviting space was also very important, as the kitchen is open to the rest of the main floor living area. A combination of materials, in both warm and cool tones, helped to integrate the rougher construction materials traditionally found in Brutalist architecture. The colour and texture of the built-up concrete counter on the island contrasts beautifully with that of the cantilevered walnut butcher block. The subtlety of the glass base in the seating area allows the lines of the countertops to really be the focus of the room.

Warm, sandy woods, espresso tones, and light plush fabrics come together exquisitely in this open and bright living room. Our goal was to give our clients a luxurious but relaxed style which is why we introduced light earth tones and pale blues. Clean lines and symmetry are the fundamental elements of this design, so it was important to add in the right amount of texture. With the right textiles, warm organic elements, and artisanal lighting and decor, we created the home of our client's dreams. Project designed by Courtney Thomas Design in La Cañada. Serving Pasadena, Glendale, Monrovia, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, and Altadena. For more about Courtney Thomas Design, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/portfolio/la-canada-blvd-house/

This project is a story of how buildings and relationships evolve over time, and how the two are intertwined in the making of architecture. The client, a single man, had just purchased a classic Edwardian flat on San Francisco’s Liberty Street, known for its historic homes and famous neighbors like Tracy Chapman, when his realtor connected him with LLA. The initial brief was to integrate a modern, minimalist kitchen and bathroom with the apartment's traditional aesthetic. The existing condition was a series of cramped rooms and a long hallway that divided the apartment into many separate spaces, some without natural light. The solution was to remove most of the walls in the middle of the flat, with extensive structural work hidden from view. This created an open connection between the living, dining and kitchen areas that flooded the formerly dark core of the apartment with light. Midway through the design process, the client and his partner, and avid cook, decided it was time to move in together. The project evolved further and LLA found inventive ways to pack more features and amenities into a design that was fundamentally about simplicity. The result of this creative tension is a large open kitchen with deceptively simple forms- a long back counter with three rows of drawers below, an island with a central cooktop and double cantilevers for seating, and a slightly mysterious wood box at the back. The box conceals the refrigerator, storage, linens, and laundry, and through a secret door, a large walk-in pantry. The bathroom evolved into a mini-spa, with a walk-through shower and Japanese-style soaking tub. The space shares light with the kitchen through a floor-to-ceiling translucent glass panel. Each client has a large dog, and so a small sliver of space under the upstairs neighbor's stair was turned into the perfect doggie den, complete with period correct doorway. The newly blended family moved in together when the project was completed. A poignant footnote, Maverick, the blonder, fluffier dog in the photos, was very old and sadly passed away shortly after they moved in. It made the photoshoot feel like a special event that honored and preserved his memory in pictures. Like all families, theirs continues to evolve and change, just as their home has over its 90 year life.

In this whole-house renovation we transformed a dark ‘50s ranch house into a bright, open, contemporary home with a breathtaking 180-degree view. The owner sought a peaceful, sanctuary-like environment where she could relax and work from home, as well as an easy place to entertain guests. Following these fundamental criteria, we approached the project with a simple design and select palette of natural materials. Photography by Kurt Manley. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/vista-adobe/

West Coast architecture has always used wood as a fundamental ingredient, expressed as cladding, structure, or both.
Beach style exterior home photo in Vancouver

In this whole-house renovation we transformed a dark ‘50s ranch house into a bright, open, contemporary home with a breathtaking 180-degree view. The owner sought a peaceful, sanctuary-like environment where she could relax and work from home, as well as an easy place to entertain guests. Following these fundamental criteria, we approached the project with a simple design and select palette of natural materials. Photography by Kurt Manley. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/vista-adobe/

Warm, sandy woods, espresso tones, and light plush fabrics come together exquisitely in this open and bright living room. Our goal was to give our clients a luxurious but relaxed style which is why we introduced light earth tones and pale blues. Clean lines and symmetry are the fundamental elements of this design, so it was important to add in the right amount of texture. With the right textiles, warm organic elements, and artisanal lighting and decor, we created the home of our client's dreams. Project designed by Courtney Thomas Design in La Cañada. Serving Pasadena, Glendale, Monrovia, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, and Altadena. For more about Courtney Thomas Design, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/portfolio/la-canada-blvd-house/

This room was designed to utilize the space as efficiently as possible, without sacrificing the fundamental aesthetic of a bedroom. A desk was also included for convenience.

I worked with CAD Development to select the cabinetry and stone/tile for this lovely new construction home in Westchester County. I was then hired by the homeowners to decorate the interiors, It was a great job from start to finish! ND Interiors is a full-service interior design studio based in Westchester County, New York. Our goal is to create timelessly stylish spaces that are in equal parts beautiful and functional. Principal Designer Nancy Davilman embraces the philosophy that every good design choice comes from the dynamic relationship between client and designer. Recognized for her keen eye and wide-ranging experience, Nancy builds every project upon these fundamentals: An understanding of the client’s lifestyle at home;. An appreciation for the client’s tastes, goals, time frame and budget; and Consideration of the character and distinctiveness of the home. The result is timelessly stylish spaces that are in equal parts beautiful and functional -- often featuring unexpected elements and one-of-a-kind finds from Nancy’s vast network of sources. ND Interiors welcomes projects of all sizes.

A timeless design uniting a small galley kitchen with it’s adjacent eating area and allowing this small condo kitchen to be used to its full potential. Continuity was crucial in this space as it encompasses a fair portion of the open area in the condo. Connecting the bases and uppers with tall panels helped the kitchen appear furniture like. Repeating the counter as a backsplash and keeping it close in tone to the cabinetry added to the furniture aesthetic. Additionally, paneling the appliances helped the utilitarian fundamentals fade away. This polished steel cabinet is visible from both the formal living and dining rooms, so having it as a beautiful focal point was perfect. In the same way, as this space is visible from most of the home, keeping it neutral and calm while providing ample storage for the client, was a dream come true.

APARTMENT | BA Gray, wood, and blue are the main colors in the apartment redesign located in Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro. The owner wanted to create a modern atmosphere and have a large room with access to the kitchen, but without it being an open concept completely. Our solution was to create large wooden sliding doors that allowed immediate access to the main living and dining area as well as access to the kitchen. This helped achieve a fully-integrated look between the two spaces, yet can both be sealed off to create a more intimate and private space. The color palette matches with the personality of the owner, and blue was the fundamental color. We chose blue to add a dynamic life to the space as well as tie into the existing art pieces the owner already had.

I worked with CAD Development to select the cabinetry and stone/tile for this lovely new construction home in Westchester County. I was then hired by the homeowners to decorate the interiors, It was a great job from start to finish! ND Interiors is a full-service interior design studio based in Westchester County, New York. Our goal is to create timelessly stylish spaces that are in equal parts beautiful and functional. Principal Designer Nancy Davilman embraces the philosophy that every good design choice comes from the dynamic relationship between client and designer. Recognized for her keen eye and wide-ranging experience, Nancy builds every project upon these fundamentals: An understanding of the client’s lifestyle at home;. An appreciation for the client’s tastes, goals, time frame and budget; and Consideration of the character and distinctiveness of the home. The result is timelessly stylish spaces that are in equal parts beautiful and functional -- often featuring unexpected elements and one-of-a-kind finds from Nancy’s vast network of sources. ND Interiors welcomes projects of all sizes.

Warm, sandy woods, espresso tones, and light plush fabrics come together exquisitely in this open and bright living room. Our goal was to give our clients a luxurious but relaxed style which is why we introduced light earth tones and pale blues. Clean lines and symmetry are the fundamental elements of this design, so it was important to add in the right amount of texture. With the right textiles, warm organic elements, and artisanal lighting and decor, we created the home of our client's dreams. Project designed by Courtney Thomas Design in La Cañada. Serving Pasadena, Glendale, Monrovia, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, and Altadena. For more about Courtney Thomas Design, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/portfolio/la-canada-blvd-house/

Warm, sandy woods, espresso tones, and light plush fabrics come together exquisitely in this open and bright living room. Our goal was to give our clients a luxurious but relaxed style which is why we introduced light earth tones and pale blues. Clean lines and symmetry are the fundamental elements of this design, so it was important to add in the right amount of texture. With the right textiles, warm organic elements, and artisanal lighting and decor, we created the home of our client's dreams. Project designed by Courtney Thomas Design in La Cañada. Serving Pasadena, Glendale, Monrovia, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, and Altadena. For more about Courtney Thomas Design, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/portfolio/la-canada-blvd-house/

To move or not to move — that is the question many homeowners are asking as they consider whether to upgrade their existing residence or pack up and find a new one. It was that exact question that was discussed by this homeowner as they evaluated their traditional two-story home in Fontana. Built in 2001, this cedar-sided 3,500-square-foot home features five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, and a full basement. During renovation projects like the these, we have the ability and flexibility to work across many different architectural styles. Our main focus is to work with clients to get a good sense of their personal style, what features they’re most attracted to, and balance those with the fundamental principles of good design – function, balance, proportion and flow – to make sure that they have a unified vision for the home. After extensive demolition of the kitchen, family room, master bath, laundry room, powder room, master bedroom and adjacent hallways, we began transforming the space into one that the family could truly utilize in an all new way. In addition to installing structural beams to support the second floor loads and pushing out two non-structural walls in order to enlarge the master bath, the renovation team installed a new kitchen island, added quartz countertops in the kitchen and master bath plus installed new Kohler sinks, toilets and accessories in the kitchen and bath. Underscoring the belief that an open great room should offer a welcoming environment, the renovated space now offers an inviting haven for the homeowners and their guests. The open family room boasts a new gas fireplace complete with custom surround, mantel and bookcases. Underfoot, hardwood floors featuring American walnut add warmth to the home’s interior. Continuity is achieved throughout the first floor by accenting posts, handrails and spindles all with the same rich walnut.