Elegant home design photo in Detroit

We built this bench onto the side of the deck for a client. It provides a great seating area when hosting friends or family!
Inspiration for a large timeless backyard deck remodel in Other with no cover

The Fontana Bridge residence is a mountain modern lake home located in the mountains of Swain County. The LEED Gold home is mountain modern house designed to integrate harmoniously with the surrounding Appalachian mountain setting. The understated exterior and the thoughtfully chosen neutral palette blend into the topography of the wooded hillside.

Full of visual intensity, refined materials, and a fascinating silhouette, the Trafalgar Shelving Unit will help create a sense of balanced stylistic proportions and a comfortable living atmosphere. Manufactured in Italy by Tonin Casa, Trafalgar Modern Bookcase is a useful solution that addresses storage and display requirements from an aesthetic and functional point of view. Trafalgar Italian Shelving Unit is a great stand alone piece, a room divider when used in multiples, a focal point or a mere storage and display avenue. Featuring chrome structural supports, Trafalgar is available in white matte lacquer as well as in luxurious walnut wood finish.

This kitchen was designed by two Bilotta designers, Randy O’Kane and Danielle Florie in concert with Murphy Brothers Contracting and Tim Button of Stedila Design Inc. It is in an existing home which was renovated with an eye to the original structure and neighborhood in Rye. The kitchen itself was an addition, as well as the family room adjacent to the kitchen. The interior wall of the kitchen was the exterior brick of the existing structure. The Waterworks Grove Brickworks tile gives the appearance of the “old” existing brick but painted. The concept was to create a new kitchen with all the up-to-date technology and accessories, but with the feel of an old scullery. We used 1” thick shaker-style Bilotta Collection cabinetry in a custom paint on the perimeter and a custom stain and texture on rift cut white oak for the island. The tall pantry larders cap off the runs of countertop allowing for work tops at each vignette. By using a column refrigerator and freezer in different sizes, we could address refrigeration needs while also addressing symmetry. The Wolf range and the fireplace in the family room are centered on each other which you can see by peeking through to each room. Reclaimed floor and beams help to give this new room that “lived-in” look. Although this kitchen is big enough for catering a large party, it still has a warm family feel with a layout that will serve both functions. Designer: Randy O’Kane & Danielle Florie, Bilotta Kitchens Photo Credit: Peter Krupenye

The expanded patio has proper pitch and embraces the corner of the home, slate chip mulch replaced plain gravel under the cantilevered portion of the home. Renn Kuhnen Photography

Spacecrafting
Coastal exterior home idea in Minneapolis

This 1970s ranch home in South East Denver was roasting in the summer and freezing in the winter. It was also time to replace the wood composite siding throughout the home. Since Colorado Siding Repair was planning to remove and replace all the siding, we proposed that we install OSB underlayment and insulation under the new siding to improve it’s heating and cooling throughout the year. After we addressed the insulation of their home, we installed James Hardie ColorPlus® fiber cement siding in Grey Slate with Arctic White trim. James Hardie offers ColorPlus® Board & Batten. We installed Board & Batten in the front of the home and Cedarmill HardiPlank® in the back of the home. Fiber cement siding also helps improve the insulative value of any home because of the quality of the product and how durable it is against Colorado’s harsh climate. We also installed James Hardie beaded porch panel for the ceiling above the front porch to complete this home exterior make over. We think that this 1970s ranch home looks like a dream now with the full exterior remodel. What do you think?

Craftsman Builders, Inc.
Elegant patio photo in Other

The goal of this project was to provide a lush and vast garden for the new owners of this recently remodeled brick Georgian. Located in Wheaton this acre plus property is surrounded by beautiful Oaks. Preserving the Oaks became a particular challenge with the ample front walk and generous entertaining spaces the client desired. Under most of the Oaks the turf was in very poor condition, and most of the property was covered with undesirable overgrown underbrush such as Garlic Mustard weed and Buckthorn. With a recently completed addition, the garages were pushed farther from the front door leaving a large distance between the drive and entry to the home. This prompted the addition of a secondary door off the kitchen. A meandering walk curves past the secondary entry and leads guests through the front garden to the main entry. Off the secondary door a “kitchen patio” complete with a custom gate and Green Mountain Boxwood hedge give the clients a quaint space to enjoy a morning cup of joe. Stepping stone pathways lead around the home and weave through multiple pocket gardens within the vast backyard. The paths extend deep into the property leading to individual and unique gardens with a variety of plantings that are tied together with rustic stonewalls and sinuous turf areas. Closer to the home a large paver patio opens up to the backyard gardens. New stoops were constructed and existing stoops were covered in bluestone and mortared stonewalls were added, complimenting the classic Georgian architecture. The completed project accomplished all the goals of creating a lush and vast garden that fit the remodeled home and lifestyle of its new owners. Through careful planning, all mature Oaks were preserved, undesirables removed and numerous new plantings along with detailed stonework helped to define the new landscape.

Ran Artzi
Inspiration for a large modern exterior home remodel in Los Angeles

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

Photographer: Ryan Gamma
Entryway - mid-sized modern porcelain tile and white floor entryway idea in Tampa with white walls and a dark wood front door

This project combines high end earthy elements with elegant, modern furnishings. We wanted to re invent the beach house concept and create an home which is not your typical coastal retreat. By combining stronger colors and textures, we gave the spaces a bolder and more permanent feel. Yet, as you travel through each room, you can't help but feel invited and at home.

Example of a small tuscan brown floor and concrete floor entryway design in Other with beige walls and a medium wood front door

Life's A Beach... Along the Eastern Shore of Massachusetts lies an unexpected beauty. Great Neck, Ipswich, Massachusetts, once pasture for the town’s sheep and cattle, remains a New England secret, a hidden jewel, an oasis for wildlife and beach lovers. The homeowners, long-time Ipswich residents and avid boaters, left their previous Ipswich address, longing for the Great Neck lifestyle, for the fresh salt air, the birds, the beaches and the ocean breeze; NOT for the dark, cramped kitchen that came with this house purchase. Windhill Builders was called in immediately and 3 months later, Voila’! The crisp white kitchen with clean lines, immaculate finishes and dreamy white marble were exactly what the homeowners dreamed of. The custom wine cooler & bar area, barn door and coordinating white mudroom perfected the flow for the homeowners. They love their new coastal cottage! Photo by Eric Roth

Lighting by Arteriors; Art by SB Fine Arts; Rug by Jaipur Eric Rorer Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary enclosed medium tone wood floor family room remodel in San Francisco with red walls and a concealed tv

This bedroom wall mural is the perfect way to create the feeling of a larger space. It incorporates this family's love of Hawaii while creatively addressing the curved walls.

You’re greeted at the entrance, by an eye-catching street address sign that we constructed from Ipe wood. It’s a beacon that welcomes visitors and – more importantly - signals to fire fighters to come help here!