What our clients needed: • Create a garden folly that doubles as a well-built shed for crafts and storage. • Size the structure large enough for comfortable storage without dominating the garden. • Discreetly locate the shed in the far corner of the rear yard while maintaining existing trees. • Ensure that the structure is protected from the weather and carefully detailed to deter access of wildlife and rodents. FUNCTION • Construct the shed slab close to grade to permit easy access for bicycle storage, while building shed walls above grade to ensure against termites and dryrot. • Install a French door and operable casement windows to admit plenty of daylight and provide views to the garden. • Include rugged built-in work bench, shelves, bike racks and tool storage for a rustic well-organized and efficient space. • Incorporate GFIC electrical service for safe access to power at this distant corner of the yard. • Position energy-efficient interior lighting to ensure space can be used year-round. • Switch control of exterior light from house and from shed for ease of command. AESTHETICS • Design and detail the shed to coordinate with the Arts and Crafts style house. • Include an arbor for future flowering vines, further softening the shed’s garden presence. • Simple and rustic interior surfaces ensure that the space is easy to clean. • Create an aged and softly weathered appearance, and protect the exterior siding by finishing the cedar with a custom-colored semi-transparent stain. INNOVATIVE MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION • Factory-built components were pre-assembled to allow for a speedy assembly and for a shorter on-site construction schedule. • Each component was easily transported through the yard without disturbing garden features. • Decorative exterior trim frames the door and windows, while a simpler trim is used inside the unadorned shed. OBSTACLE OVERCOME • The structure is located in the corner of the yard to avoid disturbance of a curly willow tree. • The low-profile structure is positioned close to property lines while staying beneath the allowable daylight plane for structures. • To comply with daylight plane close to fence, the roof form combines hip and gable forms, with door located at gable end. • The height of the modest interior is maximized, without exceeding the allowable building height. CRAFTSMANSHIP • The concrete slab was precisely formed and finished for ease of shed assembly before the factory-built components were delivered to site. • Precision planning meant the pre-framed door fit exactly between raised concrete curb.

This homeowner came to us with her basic design ready for us to execute for her kitchen, but also asked us to design and update her entry, sunroom and fireplace. Her kitchen was 80’s standard builder grade cabinetry and laminate countertops and she had a knee wall separating her kitchen from the family room. We removed that wall and installed a custom cabinetry buffet to complement the cabinetry of the kitchen, allowing for access from all sides. We removed a desk area in the kitchen and converted it to a closed organization station complete with a charging station for phones and computers. Calcutta Quartzite countertops were used throughout and continued seamlessly up the walls as a backsplash to create a wow factor. We converted a closet into a pantry cabinet, and new stainless appliances, including a microwave drawer completed this renovation. Additionally, we updated her sunroom by removing the “popcorn” textured ceiling and gave it a fresh updated coat of paint. We installed 12x24 tile floor giving the room a simple classic transformation. Finally, we renewed the fireplace area, by building a custom mantle and adding wood paneling and trim to soften the marble fireplace face and a simple coat of paint in the entry and a new chandelier brought a lighter and fresher impact upon entering the home.

Designer Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn helped a neighbor and friend to update a “builder grade” kitchen into a personal, family space that feels luxurious and inviting. The homeowner wanted to solve a number of storage and flow problems in the kitchen, including a wasted area dedicated to a desk, too-little pantry storage, and her wish for a kitchen bar. The all white builder kitchen lacked character, and the client wanted to inject color, texture and personality into the kitchen while keeping it classic.

Camera Shock / Kenny Kaneshiro
Cottage medium tone wood floor front door photo in San Francisco with white walls and a black front door

BUNGALOW WITH A MODERN TWIST Nestled off the park on a gorgeous Irvington tree lined street sits this meticulously maintained and redesigned Bungalow. A true master suite offers all the musts: walk-in closet vaulted ceiling and spacious private bath. The modern, open kitchen overlooks the lush back yard. Recent updates completed throughout. Located in one of Portland’s top neighborhoods. Contact us for more information about this property at info@danagriggs.com or visit our website at www.DanaGriggs.com

Once a chicken coop now a cottage. The little out building was scrubbed and white washed on the interior. The internal structure was left exposed for rustic charm. An outside bathroom provides an invigorating environment for morning or midnight ablutions. Photo by Brea McDonald http://www.breamcdonald.com/

A stunning kitchen installation in a rambling country farm house – the room had tired builder-grade cabinets, and was so in need of an update. An adventurous client, a talented interior designer and a kitchen designer pulled together this exciting fresh space.

Airoom remodeled this kitchen with Old Hollywood glamour in mind, but included contemporary touches like appliances from Subzero and Wolf. Large windows provide natural light and a stunning lakefront view. Sparkling crystal cabinets flank a backsplash in laser-cut Calcutta Gold marble – also featured in the polished countertops. A barreled ceiling crowns the butler’s pantry, and the warmth of these durable Brazilian cherry floors balance the gleaming monochrome look throughout the kitchen area.

Mike Kaskel
Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in San Francisco

Photos by Kaity
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary galley slate floor dedicated laundry room remodel in Grand Rapids with flat-panel cabinets, quartz countertops, a side-by-side washer/dryer, orange cabinets and white walls

Ehlen Creative Communications
Inspiration for a small 1950s u-shaped linoleum floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, no island and stainless steel appliances

Home Gym in Calle De Pompas | Room Type: Whole Home (Interior and Outdoor Living) | Project Name: Calle De Pompas | Key Feature: A builder-grade home transformed through updated furnishings, lighting, and outdoor entertaining elements, including a Hestan outdoor grill. Challenge: The home originally featured builder-grade finishes and lacked personality. The goal was to refresh the space after several years of living there and create a home that felt more personal and elevated through updated furnishings and design details. Solution: The home was refreshed with new furniture, updated lighting, and upgraded materials to give the space an entirely new feel while improving functionality and style throughout the interior and outdoor entertaining areas. Materials: Arizona Tile, SapienStone outdoor BBQ countertop, and lighting from Sunlighting. Budget: $75k-$150K | Timeline: Completed June 2020.

Mid-sized transitional blue two-story concrete fiberboard gable roof idea in DC Metro with a mixed material roof

Photo: Danielle Sykes © 2016 Houzz
Mid-sized country l-shaped light wood floor kitchen photo in Boston with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, an island, a farmhouse sink and stainless steel appliances

Designer Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn helped a neighbor and friend to update a “builder grade” kitchen into a personal, family space that feels luxurious and inviting. The homeowner wanted to solve a number of storage and flow problems in the kitchen, including a wasted area dedicated to a desk, too-little pantry storage, and her wish for a kitchen bar. The all white builder kitchen lacked character, and the client wanted to inject color, texture and personality into the kitchen while keeping it classic.

Designer Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn helped a neighbor and friend to update a “builder grade” kitchen into a personal, family space that feels luxurious and inviting. The homeowner wanted to solve a number of storage and flow problems in the kitchen, including a wasted area dedicated to a desk, too-little pantry storage, and her wish for a kitchen bar. The all white builder kitchen lacked character, and the client wanted to inject color, texture and personality into the kitchen while keeping it classic.

With a lengthy list of ideas about how to transform their backyard, the clients were excited to see what we could do. Existing features on site needed to be updated and in-cooperated within the design. The view from each angle of the property was already outstanding and we didn't want the design to feel out of place. We had to make the grade changes work to our advantage, each separate space had to have a purpose. The client wanted to use the property for charity events, so a large flat turf area was constructed at the back of the property, perfect for setting up tables, chairs and a stage if needed. It also created the perfect look out point into the back of the property, dropping off into a ravine. A lot of focus throughout the project was the plant selection. With a large amount of garden beds, we wanted to maintain a clean and formal look, while still offering seasonal interest. We did this by edging the beds with boxwoods, adding white hydrangeas throughout the beds for constant colour, and subtle pops of purple and yellow. This along with the already breathtaking natural backdrop of the space, is more than enough to make this project stand out. Photographer: Jason Hartog Photography

Designer Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn helped a neighbor and friend to update a “builder grade” kitchen into a personal, family space that feels luxurious and inviting. The homeowner wanted to solve a number of storage and flow problems in the kitchen, including a wasted area dedicated to a desk, too-little pantry storage, and her wish for a kitchen bar. The all white builder kitchen lacked character, and the client wanted to inject color, texture and personality into the kitchen while keeping it classic.

Updated builder grade painted post to post newels,cap, and balusters with over the top rails and wrought iron balusters. Simple, elegant.
Staircase - mid-sized traditional wooden straight metal railing staircase idea in Cincinnati with painted risers