A young family in a new development and wanting more out of their home decided to remodel the 2500 square feet of unfinished space in their basement. Their goals were to have a future au-pair suite, large entertainment area, multi -seating spaces, a gym, and last but not the least, a state-of-the- art home theater. Additionally, they have been accustomed to large gatherings with 50 and more guests, so it was essential to have a large bar/kitchenette area serving the dual purpose. The highlight of this renovation is the new home movie theatre. Complete with HD screen, projector and sound system, the motif for the room is the Renaissance, complete with fluted columns and arched panel walls. Double wood theatre doors open to theatre seating featuring burgundy leather theatre recliners. The basement also touts a large au-pair bedroom suite, large walk-in closet and full bath furnished with walk-in shower stall, built-in bench and niches, frameless glass enclosure, cherry vanity cabinets and brick color porcelain tiles. A custom bar/kitchenette uses cherry stained cabinets with dark granite countertops. It offers a built-in oven, microwave, wine coolers and a full refrigerator. So whether the family wants to watch a favorite movie, work out in the home gym or have friends over for a party, this fully equipped basement is ready for the job.

Coming from a downtown Chicago high-rise condo, these folks were ready to expand their space. The jack-and-jill bathroom for the lower level bedrooms had been oddly laid out with a narrow line-up of sink, tub, and toilet. By moving one short wall about two feet, jackhammering out 3 old drains of 9-inch-thick concrete, and adding 6 new ones, the space was expanded so each spare bedroom now has its own en suite, private bathroom with shower, along with new HVAC ducts to serve each room. Also on the lower level, the family activity room was a little “tired.” So, we fashioned decorative beams and installed new LED can lights. Planning for a future move, we gutted and refitted the large mother-in-law bathroom with elegant tall and overhead cabinets with built-in lighting. Throughout this level, carpet was replaced with concrete-compatible hardwood flooring.

The family of this Cape Cod summer home was ready for an exciting new marine-inspired look. We blended treasured family heirlooms with new and playful shapes that accommodate large family gathering and emphasized comfort. This cape home will act as the backdrop for a future of memories and untold stories.

The Everett plan has ideal spaces for working and relaxing! Just down from the entry hall with a handy bench and coat hooks to stow your things, the Everett plan welcomes you into the open and inviting great room, kitchen and dining room. Whip up casual meals in the chef’s kitchen to enjoy at the oversize island with a 4-person eating bar, or savor more formal meals in the dining room. Access the covered patio for al fresco dining all year, then gather with friends and loved ones in the great room with a stylish tray ceiling for a cozy fire in the fireplace or settle in to read a book on one of the two window seats. Just across from the kitchen is the private office, a perfect space for managing the household, working from home, or a private area for studying. Retreat and relax in the luxury master suite with tile shower and a window between the vanity sinks to catch the light, or head outside for coffee on the covered patio via your private door. Off the main hallway are two bedrooms with walk-in closets and a full bath with linen storage…everything the other members of your family needs or perfect for occasional guests and the owners getaway rooms. After running errands, park in one of the two individual garage bays and enter through the utility room fully built out with a drop-counter for packages and folding clothes, cabinets, a utility sink, hanging bar, and hookups for your washer and dryer. Built to exceed Energy Star Certification means your utility bills will be low, and Solar Ready gives you the option to be energy independent in the future. Photos are from a previous build. Pricing will be finalized just prior to completion.

This bathroom needed help as it was tired, dated and cramped! The vanity area was open to the master bedroom and sandwiched between a closet and existing bathroom wall. Behind the bathroom wall, was a second sink, a small walk-in shower and the commode. A poorly placed linen closet ate into the area and there was a soffit over the shower adding to the cramped feeling. The ceiling was cluttered with old-school heating lamps, flush-mount fixtures and ventilation grills. The “movie star” lighting meant to add some glamour only made the bathroom feel dated and sad. Our clients wanted to bring this bathroom to life. We built a wall and added a door between the bedroom and bathroom to ensure more privacy and define the space. In addition, we removed the wall separating the actual bathroom and vanity area to make the master bathroom larger. The linen closet was also taken out so the shower could be expanded significantly. Our homeowner had recently suffered a knee injury so they were looking for future solutions that would work for them as they continued to age. We made the shower large enough to include a bench and installed a handheld sprayer located near the seat. Shower walls were reinforced so that when the day came that a grab bar was needed, they would be ready. We added a tall cabinet that featured two, deep rollouts and interior shelving to keep linens and bathroom supplies organized. Beneath the sinks, we included rollout drawers so items would not get lost in those dark areas under the plumbing. Everything that had been cluttering the ceiling was removed including the shower soffit and heat lamp. With those gone, we added evenly-spaced, recessed ceiling lights to help brighten the space making it safer and more practical. We chose a custom blue-green paint for the cabinets which was understated enough to provide a sense of serenity while still offering a splash of color to help liven up the room. Walnut-framed mirrors added a touch of warmth and the patterned floor tile made the whole room fun! An old bathroom came alive!

This charming two-story residence in Flowery Branch, GA boasts a range of distinctive elements, such as an outdoor fireplace gracing the front covered porch. This inviting porch showcases an elegant wood-inlaid ceiling and exquisite flagstone flooring. Inside and out, Pueblo-style arched doorways add character to the property, while hardwood flooring extends throughout the entire home. An expansive open-concept living space seamlessly links the kitchen and the family room. The kitchen showcases a central island enveloped by bespoke cabinetry on three sides, providing ample storage and workspace. Stainless steel appliances are thoughtfully arranged for convenient island access. The family room, complete with a welcoming fireplace, is elegantly designed with a tray ceiling embellished by exposed beams. In the master bedroom, you'll find a tray ceiling adorned with exposed beams, adding to the room's elegance. The master bath boasts a touch of luxury with his and hers vanities, a freestanding soaking tub, a separate shower featuring an arched entryway, and a private water closet. The generously sized master closet has been thoughtfully designed with ample storage. The outdoor living area has been meticulously designed, offering a spacious two-level sundeck. Furthermore, the daylight basement, bathed in natural light, has been readied for possible future expansion.

Recent empty-nesters, the clients were ready to pare down and renovate their dated mid-century modern home. Specifically, they wanted to enlarge their cramped (30 square foot) unattractive room for the master shower and toilet. Desiring to live in their home for many more years, the new space utilizes universal design principals such an accessible oversized pocket door, grab bars*, door-less curb-less shower access, and a hand shower. The shower valves are conveniently located at the shower entrance and a handy niche accented with glass tiles, keeps all the needed products at hand. A sleek slot drain keeps the water flowing in the right direction. ** Large format porcelain tile in a grey veined white marble design keeps the look light and airy and continues the new design aesthetic of the home. *Planning for future additional grab bars, blocking is provided in the wall below the niche. ** To accommodate the flush threshold and for added precaution, waterproofing underlayment was installed for the entire floor surface of the room. Aaron Dougherty Photography

Bold. Elegant. Built to Last. Our Aluminum Pivot Doors transform any entrance into a true statement piece. Designed with advanced engineering and premium finishes, they combine stunning visuals with unmatched performance. What’s Included in the Set Prehung Door with Aluminum Frame: A ready-to-install system with a durable frame that ensures long-term stability and smooth pivot movement. Pivot System: Innovative pivot hinges that allow effortless opening and a striking architectural effect. Sleek Vertical Pull Bar: A long, modern handle that makes opening the door comfortable and stylish, adding an elegant accent to the design. High-Security Locking System: Heavy-duty lock with five precision-cut keys, protected by a reinforced armor plate for ultimate security. Aluminum Threshold: Designed for durability, weather resistance, and smooth transition between spaces. Premium Insulation: Built with energy efficiency in mind to reduce heat loss and noise penetration. Why Choose Our Pivot Doors? Architectural Statement: Oversized, dramatic design that elevates the look of any property. Strength & Security: Reinforced aluminum structure with armored lock protection gives you peace of mind. Luxury Experience: Smooth pivot motion and solid build provide a high-end feel every time you enter. Custom Options: Multiple finishes, glass inserts, and handle designs available. Bring the Future to Your Entrance Our Aluminum Pivot Doors are not just doors — they’re a gateway to modern living. With advanced features, premium security, and luxurious style, they create a first impression that lasts.

Photography by Natalie Marotta Bungalows are lovable homes, but how can they be better? Along with many of our clients, we find that older (early 20th c.) homes have a lot of character and a comfortable scale, but are leaky, damp (especially in the basement), have fair to poor air quality, and use unconscionable amounts of fossil fuels to heat. The owners of this bungalow were ready to change that, and wanted to do so with minimal upfront carbon emissions as well. The gut renovation included replacing the basement slab and providing capillary breaks and insulation continuously below grade. The brick structure was treated with a fluid-applied air and water barrier from the interior and insulated entirely with cellulose, a carbon-storing insulation. The roof used HFO-blown spray foam to provide sufficient insulation while allowing headroom for bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry. One great benefit of a full renovation is the possibility of reconfiguring spaces to suit the family’s lifestyle, and to make the best of indoor-outdoor connections. We opened up the main rooms on the first floor, creating a family gathering spot with a view to the back yard, and a spacious kitchen that supports the family’s commitment to cooking for healthy eating. The stair uses a north-facing skylight to bring light from above into the middle of the home, where it was previously dark. As a decarbonization retrofit, the inefficient furnace was replaced with two small ducted heat pump systems, water heating and clothes drying are powered by air-source heat pumps, and cooking uses an induction cooktop plus electric ovens. Energy recovery ventilation provides filtered fresh air continuous exhaust from the kitchen, baths, and laundry, and supplies fresh, highly filtered air to bedrooms and living spaces. The Better Bungalow now makes sense for the 21st century–it now fits the owners’ life-patterns, is super comfortable, has great air quality, and uses a fraction of the energy it did before, greatly lowering the demand on the utility grid. In the near future, when solar PV is installed, it can achieve net zero or near net zero emissions, and with battery backup, can provide great resilience in the event of power outages.

Our 2020 New Year, New Roof Winners, Jim & Robin Manning of Falmouth, MA, love their new GAF roofing system! The couple was nominated by their daughter, Lilly, for our 5th Annual New Year, New Roof Giveaway. The Mannings were selected as one of our five finalists and the community voted online to choose the winner. The Manning family rallied the support of friends, family, and the Cape Cod community to help Robin and Jim take home almost half of the 5,500 votes. Thanks to a partnership between Care Free Homes and GAF Roofing, Robin & Jim received a GAF Timberline HD Roofing System in the color, Fox Hollow Grey, at absolutely no cost. With a factory-registered 50 Year Non-Prorated Roof Warranty and a 130 mph wind rating, the Manning’s roof is ready for any New England weather! After years of shingles blowing off into their yard, Robin & Jim finally have peace of mind. “It’s amazing…it’s already finished and a big wind storm came and I had no worries. We really do have a Care Free home.” said Robin. The Mannings developed an instant friendship with Care Free Homes Marketing Coordinator, Stephanie Pickup, who enjoyed several visits with the family. “The day Stephanie said she was going to come and take our photograph, I was a little nervous but then she came and I felt so comfortable….we felt so comfortable that I’m sad that Care Free Homes is in Fairhaven and not right next door to us.” chuckled Robin. Like most Care Free customers, Robin and Jim are already looking forward to future projects. “I started to think about other things we can do to our house so we can get them back here.” said Jim. Our team really enjoyed working with entire Manning family and we are so excited to share their roof’s transformation!

This bathroom needed help as it was tired, dated and cramped! The vanity area was open to the master bedroom and sandwiched between a closet and existing bathroom wall. Behind the bathroom wall, was a second sink, a small walk-in shower and the commode. A poorly placed linen closet ate into the area and there was a soffit over the shower adding to the cramped feeling. The ceiling was cluttered with old-school heating lamps, flush-mount fixtures and ventilation grills. The “movie star” lighting meant to add some glamour only made the bathroom feel dated and sad. Our clients wanted to bring this bathroom to life. We built a wall and added a door between the bedroom and bathroom to ensure more privacy and define the space. In addition, we removed the wall separating the actual bathroom and vanity area to make the master bathroom larger. The linen closet was also taken out so the shower could be expanded significantly. Our homeowner had recently suffered a knee injury so they were looking for future solutions that would work for them as they continued to age. We made the shower large enough to include a bench and installed a handheld sprayer located near the seat. Shower walls were reinforced so that when the day came that a grab bar was needed, they would be ready. We added a tall cabinet that featured two, deep rollouts and interior shelving to keep linens and bathroom supplies organized. Beneath the sinks, we included rollout drawers so items would not get lost in those dark areas under the plumbing. Everything that had been cluttering the ceiling was removed including the shower soffit and heat lamp. With those gone, we added evenly-spaced, recessed ceiling lights to help brighten the space making it safer and more practical. We chose a custom blue-green paint for the cabinets which was understated enough to provide a sense of serenity while still offering a splash of color to help liven up the room. Walnut-framed mirrors added a touch of warmth and the patterned floor tile made the whole room fun! An old bathroom came alive!

There’s something truly special about mid-century homes—the craftsmanship, the character, and the little surprises tucked into every corner. As mid-century enthusiasts ourselves, we were thrilled when a client asked us to help redesign their grandmother’s house, blending nostalgia with a fresh, modern perspective. The homeowners envisioned a French Provincial-inspired style while preserving the soul of the home. We introduced modern amenities like a full-scale kitchen, mudroom, and open-concept great room while carefully maintaining cherished details—original hallway built-ins, foyer pocket doors, and other vintage touches that carry the home’s history forward. The best compliment? When family remarked, “It feels like you, with an essence of Grandma, but it’s not Grandma’s house anymore.” That perfect balance of honoring the past while celebrating the future is what makes Juniper Lane so special.

This space represents a recent collaboration on a spec house with a local homebuilder. Barbara Gilbert Interiors worked with the builder from start to finish on this project to build a neutral palette for future homeowners to turn this house into their home. The end product is a beautifully finished, move-in ready home. Michael Hunter Photography

2014 CotY Award - Whole House Remodel $250,000-$500,000 Sutter Photographers -The new kitchen has such a distinctive look and definitely reflects the homeowners’ personality. The white fretwork is backed in a color we choose from Sherwin Williams called “Festoon Aqua”. The panels are painted the same creamy white on the other side, in case they choose to go all white years from now. - The two-way glass cabinets let light from the dining room pass into the kitchen and gives it a very elegant look. - The homeowner now has a large peninsula between the two rooms that is ideal for entertaining. -Integrated Sub-Zero fridge and freezer are flanked by two pantries (back center). Other appliances are integrated or hidden within the custom cabinetry. - Two different counter-tops were chosen. The Aqua Grantique on the island (resembles soap stone) is actually a granite quarried in our state and has a smooth leather finish. The white Persia Suede was a nice match with the granite on the island. -Several soffits were eliminated to make room for taller cabinets. The cabinets to the top with crown give the illusion of a ceiling height taller than 8'. - The new bake center (right) included space for all the pans and dishes in one area. The wood counter-top separates it from the rest of the kitchen. It has a hinged platform that pulls out behind one of the doors that has her mix-master ready when she needs it without pulling it up on the counter. -Warming drawer was installed in the island opposite of the Wolff range. - Spice and oil racks are on both sides of the range for ease and convenience. - A palette of 5 colors was used throughout the home to create a peaceful and tranquil feeling.

This space represents a recent collaboration on a spec house with a local homebuilder. Barbara Gilbert Interiors worked with the builder from start to finish on this project to build a neutral palette for future homeowners to turn this house into their home. The end product is a beautifully finished, move-in ready home. Michael Hunter Photography

Our first model home for Royal Oaks is now ready for viewing.With 4 bedrooms and 2-1/2 baths the Dalton has 2,713 square feet of climate-controlled space, 528 square feet of garage space, 324 square feet of covered porch and deck area and 1,332 square feet of finishable basement area for future expansion. Total square footage is approximately 4,897.

A young family in a new development and wanting more out of their home decided to remodel the 2500 square feet of unfinished space in their basement. Their goals were to have a future au-pair suite, large entertainment area, multi -seating spaces, a gym, and last but not the least, a state-of-the- art home theater. Additionally, they have been accustomed to large gatherings with 50 and more guests, so it was essential to have a large bar/kitchenette area serving the dual purpose. The highlight of this renovation is the new home movie theatre. Complete with HD screen, projector and sound system, the motif for the room is the Renaissance, complete with fluted columns and arched panel walls. Double wood theatre doors open to theatre seating featuring burgundy leather theatre recliners. The basement also touts a large au-pair bedroom suite, large walk-in closet and full bath furnished with walk-in shower stall, built-in bench and niches, frameless glass enclosure, cherry vanity cabinets and brick color porcelain tiles. A custom bar/kitchenette uses cherry stained cabinets with dark granite countertops. It offers a built-in oven, microwave, wine coolers and a full refrigerator. So whether the family wants to watch a favorite movie, work out in the home gym or have friends over for a party, this fully equipped basement is ready for the job.

Minneapolis homeowners came to Castle ready to transform their whole house including: renovating their kitchen, living, main floor hall bath, and lower level mudroom + laundry. They also added a new 3/4 bath, completed a basement full finish, selected new exterior siding and new Marvin windows. To round things out, new exterior Thermatru doors and garage door were installed, our team updated millwork to birch and installed new siding and exterior trim. The kitchen renovation started with opening up the walls to both the living room and dining room to create a much desired new open floor plan. Our skillful team was able to patch the new hardwoods in the kitchen and refinishing of the main level. The new gourmet kitchen also features a large island topped with gorgeous new Silestone Quartz countertops. The modern Crystal frameless cabinets, set in a Natural Cherry finish, accent nicely with a quartz backsplash. The living room was completed with a new modern gas stove. Main floor hall bath: The homeowners decided to do a full remodel to create better layout of the room. This included adding a new white Crystal Frameless linen cabinet, a larger Crystal Frameless vanity in blue, a brand new window, and new tub. The room was complete with brand new ceramic tile floor and the tub/ shower walls. A custom accent tile was installed in the shower niche. On the lower level of the home, a new garage door and new door to the backyard were installed. A second laundry in home with mudroom storage was also added. A new 3/4 bath with new cultured marble shower walls + pan were also added to the lower level. The entire lower level space was finished with Adura LVT flooring throughout. Basement level: The homeowners chose to do a complete full finish of the basement with framing for a new family room, utility room, bedroom and future second laundry. The space also features a second modern gas stove. The entire basement was finished with new Adura LVP wood plank flooring. The most unique feature in the space is the use of double custom barn doors from the new bedroom to the family room for transitional use of space.

See what our client say about Paul Lopa Designs: We recently remodeled a studio we purchased for guests who visit us. The project included the demolition of a kitchenettem and a bathroom, and the installation of new cabinets, wood flooring, granite countertops, appliances, wood molding and a custom Murphy bed in the sleeping area. My husband and I wanted a contractor who specializes in high end kitchens. We hired Paul Lopa (who had previously done two projects for us—a kitchen remodel and a bathroom remodel) as we were extremely impressed with his work, from beginning to end. For the studio project, Paul brought many samples to our home before the project commenced. It was very easy for us to select the materials, from the wood used for the cabinets and Murphy bed to the granite countertop and wood floor. We were also very pleased with the appliances he helped us select as well, as the kitchen was transformed into a full-fledged kitchen with an eat-at counter. Paul helped us select custom marble for the bathroom which is gorgeous! Every suggestion he made was great. The studio is now worthy of being photographed by Architectural Digest! Paul and his crew are very professional. His staff is friendly and were always on time. Upon completion of the job, the whole area was clean and ready to use. Paul was always accessible and available to answer questions whenever we had one. We were impressed that the project finished on time and on budget! We will definitely use Paul for all future work. He is a consummate professional and very nice to work with.