Julian Hodges - Featured Project of the Month by Truitt & White This month featured project brings you beautifully crafted gates and entryways from local craftsman Julian Hodges. For over 35 years, Mr. Hodges has been designing and crafting custom wooden gates in Berkeley and the greater Bay Area. His projects mainly feature old growth, vertical grained redwood or western red cedar which is air or kiln dried. The gates are fully mortised and tenoned (male / female joints) and a very powerful epoxy is used to glue the parts together. Wherever a floating panel rides in a dado, drainage is provided in the form of several holes that are out of sight that allow any rain water to be ushered out at the bottom of the gate enabling the gate to dry itself rather than staying damp which otherwise could lead to long term decomposition of the wood. Adding to the unique feel of each gate, Julian creates his own custom hardware from heavy gauge steel, which also provides a pleasing solid sound as it operates. All gates are then finished in a penetrating oil seal which optimizes the longevity and good appearance of the gates. For more information on Julian Hodges' work, visit www.julianhodges.com.

This stylized metal handle complements the warm look of the wood grain, which is brought out by Flood Pro Series CWF-UV5 wood finish in Redwood.

Custom furniture in quarter sawn white oak.
Mid-sized arts and crafts dark wood floor front door photo in San Francisco with white walls and a dark wood front door

There's always room for more storage regardless of what room we are talking about, and the bathroom is no exception. If you've maxed out your linen closet and cabinet space, it's time to add bathroom hooks. While they're mainly designed for towels, these compact storage solutions are perfect for keeping your family’s towels and bathrobes tidy and easy to access. We carry a wide range of bathroom hooks so you can find the design, color, and style that matches your bathroom. Choose your favorite finish, including polished chrome, polished gold, black, and more, and then decide on what shape and style best fits your space. We have basic round hooks and modern square hooks. We even offer double hooks, triple hooks and more, to give you the storage you need without adding an extra installation step.

Example of a tuscan staircase design in Seattle

Trendy home design photo in Los Angeles

Schaub Hardware "Empire 12" Pulls" in Polished Nickel
Example of a large transitional home design design in Chicago

Craftsman Corners fit well with Pac Trim's Pioneer Series PIO190
Entryway - entryway idea in Sacramento

Trahan Architecture + Planning, LLC
Transitional staircase photo in New Orleans

In this kitchen remodel, Medallion Gold series cabinetry in Cherry Park Place door with flat center panel stained in Chestnut accented with Richelieu Classic Metal Handle pull in Brushed Nickel. Corian in Aurora was installed on the countertop and Natura Adex 3x6” Linen Crackle backsplash tile with bar molding to finish the exposed ends. An oval Kichler ceiling light fixture was installed.

Brushed satin nickel pulls - the jewelry of the kitchen. Skorburg & Associates Photography
Inspiration for a small transitional u-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor open concept kitchen remodel in Chicago with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Men's locker room shower tile
Example of a large transitional master limestone floor alcove shower design in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink and granite countertops

Our clients had just recently closed on their new house in Stapleton and were excited to transform it into their perfect forever home. They wanted to remodel the entire first floor to create a more open floor plan and develop a smoother flow through the house that better fit the needs of their family. The original layout consisted of several small rooms that just weren’t very functional, so we decided to remove the walls that were breaking up the space and restructure the first floor to create a wonderfully open feel. After removing the existing walls, we rearranged their spaces to give them an office at the front of the house, a large living room, and a large dining room that connects seamlessly with the kitchen. We also wanted to center the foyer in the home and allow more light to travel through the first floor, so we replaced their existing doors with beautiful custom sliding doors to the back yard and a gorgeous walnut door with side lights to greet guests at the front of their home. Living Room Our clients wanted a living room that could accommodate an inviting sectional, a baby grand piano, and plenty of space for family game nights. So, we transformed what had been a small office and sitting room into a large open living room with custom wood columns. We wanted to avoid making the home feel too vast and monumental, so we designed custom beams and columns to define spaces and to make the house feel like a home. Aesthetically we wanted their home to be soft and inviting, so we utilized a neutral color palette with occasional accents of muted blues and greens. Dining Room Our clients were also looking for a large dining room that was open to the rest of the home and perfect for big family gatherings. So, we removed what had been a small family room and eat-in dining area to create a spacious dining room with a fireplace and bar. We added custom cabinetry to the bar area with open shelving for displaying and designed a custom surround for their fireplace that ties in with the wood work we designed for their living room. We brought in the tones and materiality from the kitchen to unite the spaces and added a mixed metal light fixture to bring the space together Kitchen We wanted the kitchen to be a real show stopper and carry through the calm muted tones we were utilizing throughout their home. We reoriented the kitchen to allow for a big beautiful custom island and to give us the opportunity for a focal wall with cooktop and range hood. Their custom island was perfectly complimented with a dramatic quartz counter top and oversized pendants making it the real center of their home. Since they enter the kitchen first when coming from their detached garage, we included a small mud-room area right by the back door to catch everyone’s coats and shoes as they come in. We also created a new walk-in pantry with plenty of open storage and a fun chalkboard door for writing notes, recipes, and grocery lists. Office We transformed the original dining room into a handsome office at the front of the house. We designed custom walnut built-ins to house all of their books, and added glass french doors to give them a bit of privacy without making the space too closed off. We painted the room a deep muted blue to create a glimpse of rich color through the french doors Powder Room The powder room is a wonderful play on textures. We used a neutral palette with contrasting tones to create dramatic moments in this little space with accents of brushed gold. Master Bathroom The existing master bathroom had an awkward layout and outdated finishes, so we redesigned the space to create a clean layout with a dream worthy shower. We continued to use neutral tones that tie in with the rest of the home, but had fun playing with tile textures and patterns to create an eye-catching vanity. The wood-look tile planks along the floor provide a soft backdrop for their new free-standing bathtub and contrast beautifully with the deep ash finish on the cabinetry.

Inspiration for a rustic bathroom remodel in Seattle

Fretwork banding
Kitchen - traditional kitchen idea in Boston

Handrail detail Photography by Tanis Seeber, @ tanisphoto
Staircase - industrial staircase idea in Vancouver

THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.

Molly Christina Barr
Large elegant galley light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, stone tile backsplash, white appliances and an island

Dated medium brown walnut cabinets were transformed to a softer cream and inlay antique through special paint and glazes.
Example of a large cottage chic galley dark wood floor kitchen pantry design with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, black appliances and an island