Older homes are filled with charm, but often the kitchen has been overlooked. Originally, it was a work area– not made for public view. Today it truly is the center of all that goes on in the family. Today’s active homeowners are no different. Although their children may be grown, cooking and baking are still considered top priorities. Storage and counter space were issues that needed to be addressed and being aware of the aging process of the kitchen, lighting also needed to be considered. Although the kitchen is only a 13’ X 13’ space, it had other challenges. A back staircase, three doorways, and a large window took away from the wall space, however the 9’ ceilings were an unused potential for storage. Choosing Wellborn’s Select Series Cabinets in a Maple with a sandstone slate finish brightened the space immediately. Stacking the cabinets and taking them all the way to the ceiling gave this homeowner more storage than ever imagined for items of occasional use. Under counter LED Tape lighting brightened the task areas of the kitchen without causing additional heat from too many lights. A new table light on a dimmer sets the right mood for dining and provides just enough additional lighting. Installing a Sharp, stainless steel, 24” microwave drawer freed up some counter space for prep work near the cooktop (a GE, stainless steel 30” gas cooktop with four burners) and next to the sink (a new Elkay Gourmet Double Bowl with aqua DVD). Also, adding a new Kohler Sensate kitchen faucet which is hands free, a Kohler contemporary soap/lotion dispenser and a new ISE 3/4 horsepower disposal– helps to make clean-up a breeze. A new GE dishwasher, a new Broan stainless steel 30” hood, and a new GE 30” double oven both standard oven sizes, not only allows our homeowner to cook dinner and dessert, but the stainless steel reflects light while adding a design element tying the cabinet hardware and light fixture into the overall look. The countertop is Caesarstone’s Dreamy Marfil and is always a bold statement for any size Kitchen. Mixing the backsplash tile up without appearing busy came together with the beautiful combination of Sandlewood polished Amafi 30cm from countertops to base cabinets and Jinsen Coffee Bone in a diamond pattern framed in the Sandlewood polish and a Amafi Pencil liner above the cooktop. The soft addition of a new six panel Pine door stained and finished to match the other doors within the home added to the overall beauty of this stunning kitchen.

Gary Duff Designs transformed this tiny hilltop spot into a spacious, state-of-the-art aquatic retreat. A new swimming pool was installed with an adjacent hot tub – the two connected by a sheer descent waterfall. In order to address concerns over erosion and drainage, the team built a secure boulder retaining wall on the back-end of the property to help sure up the ground. Calming, chic gray tones were used on the pool patios and walkways in order to match the blue siding of the home.

Revitalizing Homes in Dover, Massachusetts: A Stunning Exterior Transformation by Echohousepainting. Discover the breathtaking exterior makeover Echohousepainting delivered in Dover, Massachusetts. From power washing to replacing rotted trim and applying Sherwin Williams Woodscapes solid stain, our team brought new life to this home. Read on to see how this project turned heads and garnered compliments from impressed neighbors. Echohousepainting recently completed an extraordinary exterior job in Dover, Massachusetts, showcasing our commitment to transforming homes into stunning masterpieces. From revitalizing the surfaces through power washing to replacing rotted trim, every detail was meticulously handled. The final touch? Two coats of Sherwin Williams Woodscapes solid stain that not only protects but also enhances the beauty of the house. Recognizing the importance of structural integrity, Echohousepainting addressed any compromised areas by expertly replacing rotted trim. Our dedication to quality ensures that not only does the home look amazing, but it also stands the test of time. The crowning glory of this exterior makeover is the application of Sherwin Williams Woodscapes solid stain. Renowned for its durability and rich color palette, this premium product not only protects the home from the elements but also imparts a timeless charm. The choice of Woodscapes adds depth and character to the exterior, leaving a lasting impression. The final result is nothing short of spectacular. The house radiates a renewed vibrancy and charm, catching the eyes of everyone in the neighborhood. Echohousepainting's commitment to excellence was not only evident in the visual appeal but also echoed by the compliments from impressed neighbors who couldn't help but admire the transformation. Echohousepainting's exterior transformation in Dover, Massachusetts, stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality craftsmanship. From power washing to the application of Sherwin Williams Woodscapes solid stain, every step was taken with precision and care. If you're looking to breathe new life into your home's exterior, trust Echohousepainting to deliver remarkable results that go beyond expectations.

This project centered on helping a wonderful client and her equally fantastic dog transform her condo into a space that truly reflected her style and simplified her life. Eager to create a home that was both beautiful and functional, she envisioned a haven in the heart of the city. Before: Feeling Disconnected Before the renovation, our client felt disconnected from her condo. The builder-grade kitchen was a constant source of frustration, with an awkward peninsula that hindered the flow of the space. The condo overall felt outdated and no longer captured her vibrant personality. The foyer and laundry areas were cramped and lacked organization, while the mismatched hardwood flooring only added to the disjointed atmosphere. As for the bathrooms, they felt frozen in time, desperately needing an update. Worries and Concerns Like many homeowners, our client had heard her fair share of renovation horror stories—tales of projects gone awry and the frustrations of managing multiple contractors. She was understandably cautious and needed a trustworthy, experienced team she could rely on to handle the project with care and expertise. The Solution: A Personalized Transformation We took the time to listen carefully to our client’s needs and concerns and developed a tailored plan to address each of her pain points. For the kitchen, we preserved the existing layout but reimagined the space entirely. The awkward peninsula was redesigned to improve traffic flow and provide much-needed storage and counter space. Clever storage solutions, such as pull-outs, shelving, concealed drawers in the toe kicks, and an appliance garage, were incorporated. The kitchen now boasts a warm and inviting atmosphere, with light wood-tone lower cabinetry, off-white upper cabinets, and brushed nickel hardware that ties it all together. The laundry room, once cramped and chaotic, was transformed into an organized, efficient space. We added custom cabinetry with pull-outs for hanging clothes, open storage above, a laundry sink, and a spacious counter for folding—no more piles of laundry! Both the en-suite and shared bathrooms underwent complete renovations. Custom cabinetry was installed, including a floor-to-ceiling linen closet, and light grey and brown-toned tiles were selected, with contrasting hexagonal tiles for the shower floor. A heated flooring system was added for luxury and comfort year-round. The mismatched flooring throughout the condo was replaced with cohesive vinyl and porcelain tiles, creating a seamless, modern aesthetic throughout the space. Overcoming Challenges As with any renovation, there were challenges to navigate. One of the key obstacles was managing the condo board’s renovation rules and policies while coordinating the delivery schedules for finishes and fixtures, especially during the busy holiday season. With careful planning, we ensured the project stayed on track. Additionally, we encountered a height variation between the tile and vinyl flooring. To resolve this, we used self-leveling material under the vinyl, ensuring a smooth and seamless transition between the two flooring types. The Grand Reveal: A Dream Come True The final result is simply stunning. The kitchen is now a chef’s dream, with custom-built cabinets, smooth quartz countertops, and a matching stone backsplash. Brushed nickel and stainless steel plumbing fixtures, elegant cabinet hardware, and LED lighting under the upper cabinets add the perfect finishing touches. Custom organizers in the foyer and laundry closets provide ample storage and keep everything neatly in place. The bathrooms have been transformed into spa-like retreats, with beautiful porcelain tiles and custom cabinetry. The new vinyl flooring throughout the main living areas and bedroom unifies the space, creating a cohesive and modern atmosphere. Life Transformed Our client’s life has been completely transformed. As a passionate cook, she now relishes spending time in her beautiful and functional kitchen. The single-bowl sink makes cleanup a breeze, and the thoughtfully designed storage solutions have brought a sense of calm and order to her home. The refreshed flooring and neutral paint palette have created a relaxing, comfortable environment she truly loves. A Memorable Journey This project was more than just a renovation—it was a collaboration. Our client valued our guidance throughout the design process, particularly when faced with the overwhelming number of decisions. We built a strong relationship with her, and we are immensely grateful for the trust she placed in our team.

This beautiful beveled and leaded glass window sits a top the kitchen counter. It opens up the wall to a view of the screened-in porch and the greenery beyond. It catches the light and attracts the eye as dishes are piled in the sink. It makes even the most repetitive chores a pleasure.

South Puget Sound: Build on Your Own Lot Full service turn key start to finish builder. We provide the financing, help you secure the land, develop your property, design and build your home, and give you the keys! DCS strives to ensure our customer's dreams become reality with integrity, imagination, and innovation from start to finish. At DCS Built located in Tacoma, Washington, our design and build team approach gives our clients a unique experience that ensures a successful project delivery. As licensed contractors and designers working together, we are able to focus on quality and design from the start of your project over low-bid construction. Why Design Build? Our capable creative team of professionals is working together with your best interests in mind through all phases of the Pacific Northwest (PNW) project. Our Service Area includes Puget Sound, North Pierce County and South King County. Note: The community dot reflects the builder's design center, sales center or other physical business address. The builder's plans reflect the price of the home itself and does not include the property. You are responsible for providing the property on which these plans will be built.

The owners of this lovely 1960s ranch home were over living with an out of date and awkward kitchen, so they enlisted our help to bring their dream kitchen to life. Right off the bat we all agreed that is was best to keep with the era of the home with a sleek modern kitchen featuring slab door cabinets. Our clients also wanted to space to feel brighter and more spacious with room for entertaining friends and family. So we knocked down a wall, filled in an unused door, and shortened a window so we could wrap this kitchen and create an optimal working triangle. We selected a maple cabinet with a medium-light stain, a light neutral porcelain floor tile, bright white glass backsplash with a mid-mod feature tile, and a variety of lighting. To create a space perfect for entertaining, we added a small peninsula for barstool seating. Behind the cabinet doors and drawers are many storage features including a double bin pull-out trash can, full access roll-out trays, pull out base cabinet pantry, super-susan corner cabinet, a wall cabinet for the microwave, and a pantry/fridge enclosure with roll-out trays. The sunroom received a facelift that covered the exterior brick to hide the modifications of walling up a door and raising the window sill height. It also created the sense that this space is an extension of the home, not just an exterior sunroom. We addressed the awkward step into the sunroom and installed new tile flooring. We finished the space of with a warm gray paint and soft sheers. This was such a fun and exciting project!! Cheers to our lovely clients and their gorgeous new kitchen and sunroom.

The intent of this project was to create an open concept, modern, backyard landscape. The large concrete patio was left simple and open to allow for many different furniture configurations. The space was furnished and accessorized beautifully which has created 4 defined spaces. The oversized steps add a dramatic, sculptural feature which becomes the focal point of the space. The cantilevered concrete steps have artificial turf accents, which are inserted into the bottom of the riser. This detail creates a really nice contrast and adds to the modern feel. The oversized landing is large enough to accommodate planters and other accessories. These items add a punch of colour, which softens the steps and house facade. A simple planting palate of greens and whites surround the space providing an elegant backdrop to the minimalist patio. A sea of Miscanthus lines the back of the property helping the transition from the formal plantings to the natural backdrop. The front yard also received a transformation with the addition of new concrete walkway and steps leading to the front door. A concrete sitting wall was also added into the space to provide additional aesthetic appeal and to display the house address number. Landscape lighting was added to accentuate the newly installed front landscape.

Addition off the side of a typical mid-century post-WWII colonial, including master suite with master bath expansion, first floor family room addition, a complete basement remodel with the addition of new bedroom suite for an AuPair. The clients realized it was more cost effective to do an addition over paying for outside child care for their growing family. Additionally, we helped the clients address some serious drainage issues that were causing settling issues in the home.

Corri Sandwick Architecture Location: Bellaire, MI, USA Sitting on the banks of the Intermediate River, this house is designed to be a Green Star Silver retreat. Integrating and expanding on the expression of the original modern house and inspired by Joseph Eichler, this house incorporates simple lines, and clean details. With the goal of going to net-zero in a few years, the house is well air-sealed and insulated to reduce energy consumption as a first step in achieving the goal. Using the Green Star program helped to guide the design and construction team to achieve a home that addresses sustainability in all aspects. Photographed by: Endura Homes

Carolina Maholik from Reico Kitchen & Bath in Chantilly, VA, collaborated with Thomas Amooson and Patrick Dennis to design a transitional bathroom remodel featuring Ultracraft Cabinetry. The bathroom cabinets are the Daytona door style in an Urban Grey painted finish. The clients expressed how it was a dream to work with Carolina saying, “she has an exceptional eye for design and helped us through completing three bathroom projects. Not only is Carolina great with design but she also addresses any problems that arise. She clearly puts the customer first.” “The clients were wonderful to work with,” said Carolina. “They both have great design instincts and wanted each room to have a clear design while still matching the character of their home. I truly loved working with them for each bathroom and think each space came together beautifully on their own as well as a cohesive home.” Photo’s courtesy of BTW Images.

After experiencing the less detailed approach from other contractors, these homeowners jumped at the chance to partner with the very detailed nature of our approach with clients. After expressing they didn’t think there was room for an island with seating and create more usable space, we set our samples down and said, “hold my beer”. We put our heads together and figured out just the right wall modifications and corner clips to not only give them an island with seating, a really cool dry bar area, a more efficient laundry room, but we gave them a spacious and elegant new kitchen! We assisted in helping select the perfect floor throughout the house to ensure a perfect pairing of cabinet colors. A few changes to the plan ended up leading them to take the countertop material up the backsplash and create a new windowsill. All the storage solutions addressed every frustration of the old kitchen and now each member of the family adores being in their new, beautiful and efficient spaces!