Mid-sized trendy master marble floor and gray floor corner shower photo in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray walls, an undermount sink and a hinged shower door

My House Design/Build Team | www.myhousedesignbuild.com | 604-694-6873 | Martin Knowles Photography ----- As with all our projects, we started with the architectural design. The house was large enough, but it lacked function and openness. There were only 2 bedrooms on the main floor and two sets of stairs into the basement (who was their designer?!). Pair that with some questionable rock feature walls, and we had to look at this home from the perspective of a complete gut. The first step was to plan for a single staircase to the basement in a location that made sense. Once we removed the wall that separated the foyer from the living room, we created a nice open space as you enter the home, and the perfect location for the set of stairs. No rock was salvaged in the making of this space. Additionally, with the centrally located living room and vaulted ceiling, it provided the perfect opportunity to expand the deck space out back and create an amazing covered area with views to the mountains beyond.

For this Victorian-era home in the Albany historic district, it was essential for us to maintain historic design guidelines. This required a historic design review and approval by the Historic Landmarks Commission before we could start the project. Once approved, we replicated the existing porch design while removing the poor framing details supporting the porch. Almost everything out of view was in dangerous disrepair and required complete reconstruction. In addition to restoring the porch in accordance with historic design guidelines, we repaired the wood windows and installed matching storm windows. Our clients now enjoy the stunning curb appeal of their historic home and peace of mind knowing the structure is solid. Funny Story: Halfway through this project, someone lost control of their vehicle as it headed in the direction of the home. Luckily, they regained control of their vehicle 4 feet from the project, avoiding a huge disaster!

Subway tiles installed in a creative way, feel fresh in this bright, white space.
Mid-sized trendy 3/4 white tile and subway tile slate floor and gray floor alcove shower photo in Boston with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, a vessel sink, wood countertops, a hinged shower door and brown countertops

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER This couple lived in their colonial home in Burke, Virginia, for more than 20 years. Now that their children were grown and gone, it was time for them to pay more attention to their home. First on their list was to renovate their master bathroom. Tight and dysfunctional is how they described the existing space. The homeowners always dreamed of having a whirlpool, a large steam shower and a private toilet area. Importantly, they wanted to use the latest products and materials to bring the bathroom into the 21st Century. Starting with exotic granite and porcelain tile from floor to ceiling, the new design does just that. Then, a highly sophisticated steam shower using granite benches, a heavy glass enclosure, chrome faucets and a rain shower head was installed. Modern body spray heads are embedded in the wall tiles. The shower is complemented by a bubble, jetted whirlpool tub with granite surrounds. A modern double vanity with vessel sinks, a granite countertop, high end cabinets and stylish faucets rest along one wall. Custom-built, recessed mirrored medicine cabinets provide storage for necessities. In the end, the homeowners are thrilled with the outcome and never imagined that their old and dark looking small bath could ever be transformed into such beautiful bathroom.

This transformation started with a builder grade bathroom and was expanded into a sauna wet room. With cedar walls and ceiling and a custom cedar bench, the sauna heats the space for a relaxing dry heat experience. The goal of this space was to create a sauna in the secondary bathroom and be as efficient as possible with the space. This bathroom transformed from a standard secondary bathroom to a ergonomic spa without impacting the functionality of the bedroom. This project was super fun, we were working inside of a guest bedroom, to create a functional, yet expansive bathroom. We started with a standard bathroom layout and by building out into the large guest bedroom that was used as an office, we were able to create enough square footage in the bathroom without detracting from the bedroom aesthetics or function. We worked with the client on her specific requests and put all of the materials into a 3D design to visualize the new space. Houzz Write Up: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/bathroom-of-the-week-stylish-spa-retreat-with-a-real-sauna-stsetivw-vs~168139419 The layout of the bathroom needed to change to incorporate the larger wet room/sauna. By expanding the room slightly it gave us the needed space to relocate the toilet, the vanity and the entrance to the bathroom allowing for the wet room to have the full length of the new space. This bathroom includes a cedar sauna room that is incorporated inside of the shower, the custom cedar bench follows the curvature of the room's new layout and a window was added to allow the natural sunlight to come in from the bedroom. The aromatic properties of the cedar are delightful whether it's being used with the dry sauna heat and also when the shower is steaming the space. In the shower are matching porcelain, marble-look tiles, with architectural texture on the shower walls contrasting with the warm, smooth cedar boards. Also, by increasing the depth of the toilet wall, we were able to create useful towel storage without detracting from the room significantly. This entire project and client was a joy to work with.

For this Victorian-era home in the Albany historic district, it was essential for us to maintain historic design guidelines. This required a historic design review and approval by the Historic Landmarks Commission before we could start the project. Once approved, we replicated the existing porch design while removing the poor framing details supporting the porch. Almost everything out of view was in dangerous disrepair and required complete reconstruction. In addition to restoring the porch in accordance with historic design guidelines, we repaired the wood windows and installed matching storm windows. Our clients now enjoy the stunning curb appeal of their historic home and peace of mind knowing the structure is solid. Funny Story: Halfway through this project, someone lost control of their vehicle as it headed in the direction of the home. Luckily, they regained control of their vehicle 4 feet from the project, avoiding a huge disaster!

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER This couple lived in their colonial home in Burke, Virginia, for more than 20 years. Now that their children were grown and gone, it was time for them to pay more attention to their home. First on their list was to renovate their master bathroom. Tight and dysfunctional is how they described the existing space. The homeowners always dreamed of having a whirlpool, a large steam shower and a private toilet area. Importantly, they wanted to use the latest products and materials to bring the bathroom into the 21st Century. Starting with exotic granite and porcelain tile from floor to ceiling, the new design does just that. Then, a highly sophisticated steam shower using granite benches, a heavy glass enclosure, chrome faucets and a rain shower head was installed. Modern body spray heads are embedded in the wall tiles. The shower is complemented by a bubble, jetted whirlpool tub with granite surrounds. A modern double vanity with vessel sinks, a granite countertop, high end cabinets and stylish faucets rest along one wall. Custom-built, recessed mirrored medicine cabinets provide storage for necessities. In the end, the homeowners are thrilled with the outcome and never imagined that their old and dark looking small bath could ever be transformed into such beautiful bathroom.

The selections in this basement bathroom create a warm and welcoming space for guests. Starting with the marble vessel sink sitting atop the pearl wood granite counter and chestnut vanity and finishing with a handsome walk-in shower with travertine surround and chiseled african mosaic tile floor. Simply gorgeous!

This master bath remodel in Lansdale, PA is opulent from the first glance. The high ceilings, and elegant, classical finishes all lend themselves to the overall luxurious look. Walls were removed to open up the formerly divided bathroom space. The oversized window and skylight allow this gorgeous master bath to be showered in sunlight all day long. The large, contemporary soaking tub is the perfect spot from which to enjoy this beautiful space. The homeowner chose beautiful, subtle colors to complement the glass finishes. All of these details come together for a truly luxe look. Head over to our Before & After Gallery to see what we started with. Design and Construction by Meridian.

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER This couple lived in their colonial home in Burke, Virginia, for more than 20 years. Now that their children were grown and gone, it was time for them to pay more attention to their home. First on their list was to renovate their master bathroom. Tight and dysfunctional is how they described the existing space. The homeowners always dreamed of having a whirlpool, a large steam shower and a private toilet area. Importantly, they wanted to use the latest products and materials to bring the bathroom into the 21st Century. Starting with exotic granite and porcelain tile from floor to ceiling, the new design does just that. Then, a highly sophisticated steam shower using granite benches, a heavy glass enclosure, chrome faucets and a rain shower head were installed. Modern body spray heads are embedded in the wall tiles. The shower is complemented by a bubble, jetted whirlpool tub with granite surrounds. A modern double vanity with vessel sinks, a granite countertop, high end cabinets and stylish faucets rest along one wall. Custom-built, recessed mirrored medicine cabinets provide storage for necessities. In the end, the homeowners are thrilled with the outcome and never imagined that their old and dark looking small bath could ever be transformed into such beautiful bathroom.

Edith’s guest bathroom was showing its age and the lack of storage. She started to notice that the shower walls and tub were not allowing her to utilize the bathroom the way she wanted to. The dated fixtures, shower head and sink faucet were not functioning the way they once were. The tub was not allowing for easy entry and wasn’t really being used. Her desires were to create a current, modern, and brighter bathroom with a pop of color. We used a 12x24 shower wall tile called Cemento Rasato Bianco and laid it in a horizontal 3rd offset pattern. We also took the tile to the ceiling to allow the transition around the window to look more natural. The shower pan is a light grey. We increased the storage space in a large niche. That pop of color mosaic is called Coastal Keytones in a sea blue color mix. The niche tile and wall color coordinate with each other to bounce lighting around the room. We updated the vanity to a drawer unit to help Edith organize the products she uses on a regular basis. By having drawers, she will never have the endless cavity where unused product gets lost or forgotten. The plumbing fixtures are in the brushed nickel family. The faucet is the Delta Sandover and the shower head is the Delta In2uition. This shower head features 9 different shower sprays, from a mist to a jet stream to meet the needs of her showering experience. The large mirror and dated lighting fixture were replaced by a stylish large round mirror and LED compatible light fixture.

A lavish all tile and Corian clad bathroom worthy of an Ancient Greek's jealousy! Note the integration of contemporary floating cabinetry and transitional style lighting that adds a pleasant splash of the 21st century! Designer: Kristen Myers Photos: Mike Gullon

This project was such an incredible design opportunity, and instilled inspiration and excitement at every turn! Our amazing clients came to us with the challenge of converting their beloved family home into a welcoming haven for all members of the family. At the time that we met our clients, they were struggling with the difficult personal decision of the fate of the home. Their father/father-in-law had passed away and their mother/mother-in-law had recently been admitted into a nursing facility and was fighting Alzheimer’s. Resistant to loss of the home now that both parents were out of it, our clients purchased the home to keep in in the family. Despite their permanent home currently being in New Jersey, these clients dedicated themselves to keeping and revitalizing the house. We were moved by the story and became immediately passionate about bringing this dream to life. The home was built by the parents of our clients and was only ever owned by them, making this a truly special space to the family. Our goal was to revitalize the home and to bring new energy into every room without losing the special characteristics that were original to the home when it was built. In this way, we were able to develop a house that maintains its own unique personality while offering a space of welcoming neutrality for all members of the family to enjoy over time. The renovation touched every part of the home: the exterior, foyer, kitchen, living room, sun room, garage, six bedrooms, three bathrooms, the laundry room, and everything in between. The focus was to develop a style that carried consistently from space to space, but allowed for unique expression in the small details in every room. Starting at the entry, we renovated the front door and entry point to offer more presence and to bring more of the mid-century vibe to the home’s exterior. We integrated a new modern front door, cedar shingle accents, new exterior paint, and gorgeous contemporary house numbers that really allow the home to stand out. Just inside the entry, we renovated the foyer to create a playful entry point worthy of attention. Cement look tile adorns the foyer floor, and we’ve added new lighting and upgraded the entry coat storage. Upon entering the home, one will immediately be captivated by the stunning kitchen just off the entry. We transformed this space in just about every way. While the footprint of the home ultimately remained almost identical, the aesthetics were completely turned on their head. We re-worked the kitchen to maximize storage and to create an informal dining area that is great for casual hosting or morning coffee. We removed the entry to the garage that was once in the informal dining, and created a peninsula in its place that offers a unique division between the kitchen/informal dining and the formal dining and living areas. The simple light warm light gray cabinetry offers a bit of traditional elegance, along with the marble backsplash and quartz countertops. We extended the original wood flooring into the kitchen and stained all floors to match for a warmth that truly resonates through all spaces. We upgraded appliances, added lighting everywhere, and finished the space with some gorgeous mid century furniture pieces. In the formal dining and living room, we really focused on maintaining the original marble fireplace as a focal point. We cleaned the marble, repaired the mortar, and refinished the original fireplace screen to give a new sleek look in black. We then integrated a new gas insert for modern heating and painted the upper portion in a rich navy blue; an accent that is carried through the home consistently as a nod to our client’s love of the color. The former entry into the old covered porch is now an elegant glass door leading to a stunning finished sunroom. This room was completely upgraded as well. We wrapped the entire space in cozy white shiplap to keep a casual feel with brightness. We tiled the floor with large format concrete look tile, and painted the old brick fireplace a bright white. We installed a new gas burning unit, and integrated transitional style lighting to bring warmth and elegance into the space. The new black-frame windows are adorned with decorative shades that feature hand-sketched bird prints, and we’ve created a dedicated garden-ware “nook” for our client who loves to work in the yard. The far end of this space is completed with two oversized chaise loungers and overhead lights…the most perfect little reading nook! Just off the dining room, we created an entirely new space to the home: a mudroom. The clients lacked this space and desperately needed a landing spot upon entering the home from the garage. We uniquely planned existing space in the garage to utilize for this purpose, and were able to create a small but functional entry point without losing the ability to park cars in the garage. This new space features cement-look tile, gorgeous deep brown cabinetry, and plenty of storage for all the small items one might need to store while moving in and out of the home. The remainder of the upstairs level includes massive renovations to the guest hall bathroom and guest bedroom, upstairs master bed/bath suite, and a third bedroom that we converted into a home office for the client. Some of the largest transformations were made in the basement, where unfinished space and lack of light were converted into gloriously lit, cozy, finished spaces. Our first task was to convert the massive basement living room into the new master bedroom for our clients. We removed existing built-ins, created an entirely new walk-in closet, painted the old brick fireplace, installed a new gas unit, added carpet, introduced new lighting, replaced windows, and upgraded every part of the aesthetic appearance. One of the most incredible features of this space is the custom double sliding barn door made by a Denver artisan. This space is truly a retreat for our clients! We also completely transformed the laundry room, back storage room, basement master bathroom, and two bedrooms. This home’s massive scope and ever-evolving challenges were thrilling and exciting to work with, and the result is absolutely amazing. At the end of the day, this home offers a look and feel that the clients love. Above all, though, the clients feel the spirit of their family home and have a welcoming environment for all members of the family to enjoy for years to come.

Both the shower and the bath feature accents of the Bianco Macabus quartzite. These features are both completely custom to fit the space, from the bench in the shower to the slab tub surround.

This radical remodeling was for a bachelor orthodontist. He chose the house, built in the early 50's, because it was a great site overlooking a wide bay. It also had a good head start due to its high sloping ceiling which allowed the second floor master bedroom to open to the living room below. He wanted a free-flowing house . . . . uncluttered, open and casual. Exterior form was created by boxing down from existing roof overhangs, which also carried into the interiors. Diagonal cedar shiplap boards clad vertical surfaces inside and out. The sloping ceiling is also cedar. The former Florida room became an activity area with a billiard table, bar, dining and an open kitchen. A swimming pool and multilevel decks were added as an extension of the activity area. The new entrance became a landscaped garden accessed by a bridge over a pond. The bachelor eventually succumbed and we remodeled again 17 years later, for a new wife and baby, with substantial additions and a more feminine look. Read More

In This Guest Room, we started with the Client's headboard. When I found the Black and White Shell Pattern, I knew exactly what to do! The matalase coverlet was embossed with shell patterns and coupled with the taupe dust skirt perfectly. The Sea Glass Paint on the walls, brought the whole room together! Geoffrey Hodgdon Photography!