A departure from the ordinary box, this angular home is nestled in a forest-like setting. This young professional couple fell for its big open living space and good bones, and made the house theirs when they moved to Bloomington in 2015. Though the space was defined by interesting angles and a soaring ceiling, natural light and that beautiful tall stone fireplace, it was outdated. Some spaces were oddly chopped off and others were too open to use well.In the end, SYI did what we don't usually do: put up walls instead of taking them down. (Well, to be fair, we put up some and took down others.) A brand new kitchen anchors the space for these avid cooks, while new walls define a walk-in pantry, office nook and reading space. The new walls also help define the home’s private spaces—they tuck a powder room and guest room away down a hall, so they aren't awkwardly right off the living space. Unifying floor and finishes but breaking up the palette with punches of color, SYI transformed the lofty room to a space that is timeless in both style and layout.

At the core of this transformation was the client’s aspiration for an open, interconnected space. The removal of barriers between the kitchen, dining, and living areas created an expansive, fluid layout, elevating the home’s ambiance and facilitating seamless interaction among spaces. The new open layout is the perfect space to cook and entertain merging sophistication with functionality. The journey began with the client’s exploration of colors, eventually embracing Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy blue as the cornerstone for the cabinetry. This choice set the stage for a harmonious palette that tied in with the living and dining room furniture and rugs. Integrating a natural stone countertop became a focal point, incorporating these varied hues while gold fixtures added a touch of luxury and sophistication. Throughout the design process, challenges were met with innovative solutions. Space optimization was key, requiring strategic placement of appliances like a smaller-width refrigerator alongside a pull-out pantry cabinet. The island, a central feature, not only provided additional seating but replaced the need for a separate table and chairs, optimizing the space for gatherings and enhancing the flow between the kitchen and the adjoining areas. The revitalized kitchen now stands as a vibrant hub for social interaction. The homeowner seamlessly integrates into gatherings, no longer confined by kitchen walls, while guests engage effortlessly in the cooking process at the island. This transformation embodies the convergence of beauty and functionality, where every design element tells a story of thoughtful innovation and meticulous attention to detail.

Located in Silverleaf's beautiful Horseshoe Canyon, this 7,700 square foot Ranch Hacienda serves as a vehicle for outdoor space. The owners' desire for "classically traditional" with a lighter, brighter, and airier flavor than the neighborhood's popular, heavier Tuscan fare found expression in exterior materials and detailing that is simple in nature. The Nate Berkus-designed interiors complete the material and color palette with warm restraint. The home, designed for a family with an extreme focus on outdoor living and sports, includes a basement equipped with a home gym, batting cage, and steam room. Outdoor facilities include a sport court and putting green. Additional features of the home include a motor court with dual garages, separate guest quarters, and a walk-in cooler. The clients, receptive to the architect's exploration of multi-use spaces reflecting modern life, gained a laundry room which functions more as a home command station for a highly engaged mother than a place for chores. The multi-use room includes a washer and dryer, wrapping station, project area, winter storage, and her office. Additionally, it's connected to the outdoors, features a beautiful view, and is bathed in abundant natural light. Project Details | Silverleaf - Horseshoe Canyon, Scottsdale, AZ Architect: C.P. Drewett, AIA, NCARB, DrewettWorks, Scottsdale, AZ Interiors: Nate Berkus, Nate Berkus Interior Design, Chicago, IL Builder: Sonora West Development, Scottsdale, AZ Photography: Bauhaus Photography, Scottsdale, AZ

Our homeowners love to cook, bake, and entertain. They were dealing with the original builder grade cabinets that were falling apart and coming off the walls. They initially reached out to consider refacing, but realized a remodel was what they needed to reimagine the kitchen space and achieve the functionality they were looking for. We went to work understanding how they use their kitchen creating a design for the chef to be able to work while keeping people engaged and out of her workspace. They decided on a two-toned kitchen with Polar White and Pebble Gray cabinets. The countertops were done in Smoked Pearl quartz with a matching full splash creating a clean and continuous flow. We removed the existing peninsula and built a large island/prep area. Their guests can now walk directly into the living area without having to go through the kitchen. We also added seating on two sides of the island. To provide more functionality and storage, we relocated the refrigerator and added a double oven and pantry cabinets, rollout shelves, and various pullout storage solutions. Now our homeowners have the kitchen they never thought they could have. We are glad we could solve this kitchen for them!

At the core of this transformation was the client’s aspiration for an open, interconnected space. The removal of barriers between the kitchen, dining, and living areas created an expansive, fluid layout, elevating the home’s ambiance and facilitating seamless interaction among spaces. The new open layout is the perfect space to cook and entertain merging sophistication with functionality. The journey began with the client’s exploration of colors, eventually embracing Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy blue as the cornerstone for the cabinetry. This choice set the stage for a harmonious palette that tied in with the living and dining room furniture and rugs. Integrating a natural stone countertop became a focal point, incorporating these varied hues while gold fixtures added a touch of luxury and sophistication. Throughout the design process, challenges were met with innovative solutions. Space optimization was key, requiring strategic placement of appliances like a smaller-width refrigerator alongside a pull-out pantry cabinet. The island, a central feature, not only provided additional seating but replaced the need for a separate table and chairs, optimizing the space for gatherings and enhancing the flow between the kitchen and the adjoining areas. The revitalized kitchen now stands as a vibrant hub for social interaction. The homeowner seamlessly integrates into gatherings, no longer confined by kitchen walls, while guests engage effortlessly in the cooking process at the island. This transformation embodies the convergence of beauty and functionality, where every design element tells a story of thoughtful innovation and meticulous attention to detail.

At the core of this transformation was the client’s aspiration for an open, interconnected space. The removal of barriers between the kitchen, dining, and living areas created an expansive, fluid layout, elevating the home’s ambiance and facilitating seamless interaction among spaces. The new open layout is the perfect space to cook and entertain merging sophistication with functionality. The journey began with the client’s exploration of colors, eventually embracing Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy blue as the cornerstone for the cabinetry. This choice set the stage for a harmonious palette that tied in with the living and dining room furniture and rugs. Integrating a natural stone countertop became a focal point, incorporating these varied hues while gold fixtures added a touch of luxury and sophistication. Throughout the design process, challenges were met with innovative solutions. Space optimization was key, requiring strategic placement of appliances like a smaller-width refrigerator alongside a pull-out pantry cabinet. The island, a central feature, not only provided additional seating but replaced the need for a separate table and chairs, optimizing the space for gatherings and enhancing the flow between the kitchen and the adjoining areas. The revitalized kitchen now stands as a vibrant hub for social interaction. The homeowner seamlessly integrates into gatherings, no longer confined by kitchen walls, while guests engage effortlessly in the cooking process at the island. This transformation embodies the convergence of beauty and functionality, where every design element tells a story of thoughtful innovation and meticulous attention to detail.

The Benevento Main level: 2321 Sq Ft Basement: 2115 Sq Ft Total: 4436 Sq Ft The Benevento is a downsized version of The Biella and one of the most popular plans. Coming home should always be a delight, and with the Benevento, it is. The beautiful foyer and grande room greet you with soaring ceilings, and the entire living area welcomes you with open spaces and engaging views. Dining goes from casual at the kitchen island to anything you like in the airy dining room, and the covered patio is only a step away. The Benevento’s master suite is a haven of privacy in its own wing of the home, optionally warmed by a fireplace and enhanced by built-in entertainment shelving. The master bath, with its glass-block windows, is awash in natural light, and a vaulted ceiling adds to the airy feeling. A spacious Guest Suite as well as a Study are placed at the opposite side of the home. There is wonderful outdoor living space in the courtyard at the front door and the covered patio at the rear of the home. Even the Benevento garages offer room and flexibility, with a roomy two-car space for convenience and a separate one-car space to help you pamper that special coupe. Walk in through the convenient mud room and you’ll find a boot bench, closet, and even a pocket office to help you keep things organized. Optional basement finish offers a great opportunity to add additional recreation and bedroom spaces based upon the desires of the homeowner.

At the core of this transformation was the client’s aspiration for an open, interconnected space. The removal of barriers between the kitchen, dining, and living areas created an expansive, fluid layout, elevating the home’s ambiance and facilitating seamless interaction among spaces. The new open layout is the perfect space to cook and entertain merging sophistication with functionality. The journey began with the client’s exploration of colors, eventually embracing Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy blue as the cornerstone for the cabinetry. This choice set the stage for a harmonious palette that tied in with the living and dining room furniture and rugs. Integrating a natural stone countertop became a focal point, incorporating these varied hues while gold fixtures added a touch of luxury and sophistication. Throughout the design process, challenges were met with innovative solutions. Space optimization was key, requiring strategic placement of appliances like a smaller-width refrigerator alongside a pull-out pantry cabinet. The island, a central feature, not only provided additional seating but replaced the need for a separate table and chairs, optimizing the space for gatherings and enhancing the flow between the kitchen and the adjoining areas. The revitalized kitchen now stands as a vibrant hub for social interaction. The homeowner seamlessly integrates into gatherings, no longer confined by kitchen walls, while guests engage effortlessly in the cooking process at the island. This transformation embodies the convergence of beauty and functionality, where every design element tells a story of thoughtful innovation and meticulous attention to detail.

At the core of this transformation was the client’s aspiration for an open, interconnected space. The removal of barriers between the kitchen, dining, and living areas created an expansive, fluid layout, elevating the home’s ambiance and facilitating seamless interaction among spaces. The new open layout is the perfect space to cook and entertain merging sophistication with functionality. The journey began with the client’s exploration of colors, eventually embracing Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy blue as the cornerstone for the cabinetry. This choice set the stage for a harmonious palette that tied in with the living and dining room furniture and rugs. Integrating a natural stone countertop became a focal point, incorporating these varied hues while gold fixtures added a touch of luxury and sophistication. Throughout the design process, challenges were met with innovative solutions. Space optimization was key, requiring strategic placement of appliances like a smaller-width refrigerator alongside a pull-out pantry cabinet. The island, a central feature, not only provided additional seating but replaced the need for a separate table and chairs, optimizing the space for gatherings and enhancing the flow between the kitchen and the adjoining areas. The revitalized kitchen now stands as a vibrant hub for social interaction. The homeowner seamlessly integrates into gatherings, no longer confined by kitchen walls, while guests engage effortlessly in the cooking process at the island. This transformation embodies the convergence of beauty and functionality, where every design element tells a story of thoughtful innovation and meticulous attention to detail.

Our homeowners love to cook, bake, and entertain. They were dealing with the original builder grade cabinets that were falling apart and coming off the walls. They initially reached out to consider refacing, but realized a remodel was what they needed to reimagine the kitchen space and achieve the functionality they were looking for. We went to work understanding how they use their kitchen creating a design for the chef to be able to work while keeping people engaged and out of her workspace. They decided on a two-toned kitchen with Polar White and Pebble Gray cabinets. The countertops were done in Smoked Pearl quartz with a matching full splash creating a clean and continuous flow. We removed the existing peninsula and built a large island/prep area. Their guests can now walk directly into the living area without having to go through the kitchen. We also added seating on two sides of the island. To provide more functionality and storage, we relocated the refrigerator and added a double oven and pantry cabinets, rollout shelves, and various pullout storage solutions. Now our homeowners have the kitchen they never thought they could have. We are glad we could solve this kitchen for them!

At the core of this transformation was the client’s aspiration for an open, interconnected space. The removal of barriers between the kitchen, dining, and living areas created an expansive, fluid layout, elevating the home’s ambiance and facilitating seamless interaction among spaces. The new open layout is the perfect space to cook and entertain merging sophistication with functionality. The journey began with the client’s exploration of colors, eventually embracing Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy blue as the cornerstone for the cabinetry. This choice set the stage for a harmonious palette that tied in with the living and dining room furniture and rugs. Integrating a natural stone countertop became a focal point, incorporating these varied hues while gold fixtures added a touch of luxury and sophistication. Throughout the design process, challenges were met with innovative solutions. Space optimization was key, requiring strategic placement of appliances like a smaller-width refrigerator alongside a pull-out pantry cabinet. The island, a central feature, not only provided additional seating but replaced the need for a separate table and chairs, optimizing the space for gatherings and enhancing the flow between the kitchen and the adjoining areas. The revitalized kitchen now stands as a vibrant hub for social interaction. The homeowner seamlessly integrates into gatherings, no longer confined by kitchen walls, while guests engage effortlessly in the cooking process at the island. This transformation embodies the convergence of beauty and functionality, where every design element tells a story of thoughtful innovation and meticulous attention to detail.

About a year after purchasing this structure, these clients engaged us to to start the process of designing and engineering a expansion of this little cottage into a larger home where they could put down roots and start a family. Our clients looked long and hard for the perfect outdoor setting and after months of searching, they found a little post-war cottage on a lake just east of Redmond, Washington. Our solution is a classic upper level addition that takes in the views of its alpine lake setting. The existing basement level was repurposed as the recreation hub of the house with a game area, media center, guest suite and storage for a large inventory of outdoor & boating gear. The main level was redesigned in a more family friendly format with a powder room, bedroom, vaulted great room, pantry and gourmet kitchen. The upper level is the private domain of the Master Suite and high tech hub. Because our clients work in the tech industry, a large home office that allows them to work remotely was an important component of their home's program. The master suite includes a large walk-in closet, small laundry, sleeping area and 5-piece master bath. The exterior of the house includes a covered porch that wraps around this level and leads to an expansive deck on the water side of the house. This deck functions as an extension of the main level and effectively adds several hundred square feet of additional living space. We then enveloped this building shell in a shingled craftsman style that is a hallmark of Seattle residential architecture.

At the core of this transformation was the client’s aspiration for an open, interconnected space. The removal of barriers between the kitchen, dining, and living areas created an expansive, fluid layout, elevating the home’s ambiance and facilitating seamless interaction among spaces. The new open layout is the perfect space to cook and entertain merging sophistication with functionality. The journey began with the client’s exploration of colors, eventually embracing Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy blue as the cornerstone for the cabinetry. This choice set the stage for a harmonious palette that tied in with the living and dining room furniture and rugs. Integrating a natural stone countertop became a focal point, incorporating these varied hues while gold fixtures added a touch of luxury and sophistication. Throughout the design process, challenges were met with innovative solutions. Space optimization was key, requiring strategic placement of appliances like a smaller-width refrigerator alongside a pull-out pantry cabinet. The island, a central feature, not only provided additional seating but replaced the need for a separate table and chairs, optimizing the space for gatherings and enhancing the flow between the kitchen and the adjoining areas. The revitalized kitchen now stands as a vibrant hub for social interaction. The homeowner seamlessly integrates into gatherings, no longer confined by kitchen walls, while guests engage effortlessly in the cooking process at the island. This transformation embodies the convergence of beauty and functionality, where every design element tells a story of thoughtful innovation and meticulous attention to detail.

At the core of this transformation was the client’s aspiration for an open, interconnected space. The removal of barriers between the kitchen, dining, and living areas created an expansive, fluid layout, elevating the home’s ambiance and facilitating seamless interaction among spaces. The new open layout is the perfect space to cook and entertain merging sophistication with functionality. The journey began with the client’s exploration of colors, eventually embracing Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy blue as the cornerstone for the cabinetry. This choice set the stage for a harmonious palette that tied in with the living and dining room furniture and rugs. Integrating a natural stone countertop became a focal point, incorporating these varied hues while gold fixtures added a touch of luxury and sophistication. Throughout the design process, challenges were met with innovative solutions. Space optimization was key, requiring strategic placement of appliances like a smaller-width refrigerator alongside a pull-out pantry cabinet. The island, a central feature, not only provided additional seating but replaced the need for a separate table and chairs, optimizing the space for gatherings and enhancing the flow between the kitchen and the adjoining areas. The revitalized kitchen now stands as a vibrant hub for social interaction. The homeowner seamlessly integrates into gatherings, no longer confined by kitchen walls, while guests engage effortlessly in the cooking process at the island. This transformation embodies the convergence of beauty and functionality, where every design element tells a story of thoughtful innovation and meticulous attention to detail.

The Benevento Main level: 2321 Sq Ft Basement: 2115 Sq Ft Total: 4436 Sq Ft The Benevento is a downsized version of The Biella and one of the most popular plans. Coming home should always be a delight, and with the Benevento, it is. The beautiful foyer and grande room greet you with soaring ceilings, and the entire living area welcomes you with open spaces and engaging views. Dining goes from casual at the kitchen island to anything you like in the airy dining room, and the covered patio is only a step away. The Benevento’s master suite is a haven of privacy in its own wing of the home, optionally warmed by a fireplace and enhanced by built-in entertainment shelving. The master bath, with its glass-block windows, is awash in natural light, and a vaulted ceiling adds to the airy feeling. A spacious Guest Suite as well as a Study are placed at the opposite side of the home. There is wonderful outdoor living space in the courtyard at the front door and the covered patio at the rear of the home. Even the Benevento garages offer room and flexibility, with a roomy two-car space for convenience and a separate one-car space to help you pamper that special coupe. Walk in through the convenient mud room and you’ll find a boot bench, closet, and even a pocket office to help you keep things organized. Optional basement finish offers a great opportunity to add additional recreation and bedroom spaces based upon the desires of the homeowner.

We recently enjoyed the opportunity to remodel three floors of a nineteenth-century Cambridge home with our project partners, architect Tom Downer and designer Jayme Kennerknecht/LDa Architects. . • The owners – a family of four that includes both a teenager and a toddler - wanted a house better suited to entertaining but also appropriate for family together time. Specific improvements on their wish list included a playroom that could handle differing family needs, a custom bar for entertaining, a new fireplace, and an inviting kitchen that would remain distinct but be better connected to adjoining rooms. • Adding a fireplace to the living room involved rebuilding the entire back wall of the home. The fireplace mantel was custom designed to match an existing mantel in the nearby dining room, which is original to the home. • In the playroom, care was taken to create zones for three members of the family: The mother enjoys crafting and now has a station directly below existing skylights, the teenager has a semi-private nook at the back of the space for relaxing, and the youngest in the family can enjoy toys and games placed along one wall alongside a rug for playing on the floor. On the same level, we created a separate guest bedroom with a new closet and a window designed to match other windows throughout the home. • The kitchen is fully upgraded and custom designed to accommodate the mother’s cooking habits, with specific elements including a farmer’s sink in the island and a stainless steel counter with an integrated sink for food preparation placed behind it on the counter. To improve storage in the much-used room, corner drawer units were installed instead of lazy Susan cabinets. Also, the homeowners were not interested in an open floor plan, but did want to improve access to the living room and yard beyond. This was achieved by expanding the opening between the two rooms allowing the cook to engage with family and guests and have a clear view when children are playing in the yard. Photo by Shelly Harrison

The Benevento Main level: 2321 Sq Ft Basement: 2115 Sq Ft Total: 4436 Sq Ft The Benevento is a downsized version of The Biella and one of the most popular plans. Coming home should always be a delight, and with the Benevento, it is. The beautiful foyer and grande room greet you with soaring ceilings, and the entire living area welcomes you with open spaces and engaging views. Dining goes from casual at the kitchen island to anything you like in the airy dining room, and the covered patio is only a step away. The Benevento’s master suite is a haven of privacy in its own wing of the home, optionally warmed by a fireplace and enhanced by built-in entertainment shelving. The master bath, with its glass-block windows, is awash in natural light, and a vaulted ceiling adds to the airy feeling. A spacious Guest Suite as well as a Study are placed at the opposite side of the home. There is wonderful outdoor living space in the courtyard at the front door and the covered patio at the rear of the home. Even the Benevento garages offer room and flexibility, with a roomy two-car space for convenience and a separate one-car space to help you pamper that special coupe. Walk in through the convenient mud room and you’ll find a boot bench, closet, and even a pocket office to help you keep things organized. Optional basement finish offers a great opportunity to add additional recreation and bedroom spaces based upon the desires of the homeowner.

The owners requested a Private Resort that catered to their love for entertaining friends and family, a place where 2 people would feel just as comfortable as 42. Located on the western edge of a Wisconsin lake, the site provides a range of natural ecosystems from forest to prairie to water, allowing the building to have a more complex relationship with the lake - not merely creating large unencumbered views in that direction. The gently sloping site to the lake is atypical in many ways to most lakeside lots - as its main trajectory is not directly to the lake views - allowing for focus to be pushed in other directions such as a courtyard and into a nearby forest. The biggest challenge was accommodating the large scale gathering spaces, while not overwhelming the natural setting with a single massive structure. Our solution was found in breaking down the scale of the project into digestible pieces and organizing them in a Camp-like collection of elements: - Main Lodge: Providing the proper entry to the Camp and a Mess Hall - Bunk House: A communal sleeping area and social space. - Party Barn: An entertainment facility that opens directly on to a swimming pool & outdoor room. - Guest Cottages: A series of smaller guest quarters. - Private Quarters: The owners private space that directly links to the Main Lodge. These elements are joined by a series green roof connectors, that merge with the landscape and allow the out buildings to retain their own identity. This Camp feel was further magnified through the materiality - specifically the use of Doug Fir, creating a modern Northwoods setting that is warm and inviting. The use of local limestone and poured concrete walls ground the buildings to the sloping site and serve as a cradle for the wood volumes that rest gently on them. The connections between these materials provided an opportunity to add a delicate reading to the spaces and re-enforce the camp aesthetic. The oscillation between large communal spaces and private, intimate zones is explored on the interior and in the outdoor rooms. From the large courtyard to the private balcony - accommodating a variety of opportunities to engage the landscape was at the heart of the concept. Overview Chenequa, WI Size Total Finished Area: 9,543 sf Completion Date May 2013 Services Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design

Our homeowners love to cook, bake, and entertain. They were dealing with the original builder grade cabinets that were falling apart and coming off the walls. They initially reached out to consider refacing, but realized a remodel was what they needed to reimagine the kitchen space and achieve the functionality they were looking for. We went to work understanding how they use their kitchen creating a design for the chef to be able to work while keeping people engaged and out of her workspace. They decided on a two-toned kitchen with Polar White and Pebble Gray cabinets. The countertops were done in Smoked Pearl quartz with a matching full splash creating a clean and continuous flow. We removed the existing peninsula and built a large island/prep area. Their guests can now walk directly into the living area without having to go through the kitchen. We also added seating on two sides of the island. To provide more functionality and storage, we relocated the refrigerator and added a double oven and pantry cabinets, rollout shelves, and various pullout storage solutions. Now our homeowners have the kitchen they never thought they could have. We are glad we could solve this kitchen for them!