A family friendly contemporary whole house update for a client's family of 5 and their dog. The overall vision was to create a home the family wants to "vacation" in. The rooms featured are family room, dining room, pool lounge, playroom, eating area, guest room, powder room, offices, primary bedroom, childrens' bedrooms, as well as, accessories and art work throughout the home. The home was purchased in need of contemporary updates throughout every room in order to bring the personality of the family into the home. From refinishing the wood flooring and stair railings and custom built ins to runners, area rugs, lighting, window treatments, furniture and accessories, each detail was intentional, resulting in a cohesive flow and highly personalized spaces. Each decision focused on family friendly and entertaining spaces. The most rewarding part of this house is the family would rather spend time at home than almost anywhere else. They love "living" in their home because of the joy each detail brings them when they are there. We are currently completely renovating the primary bathroom and walk in closet. We cannot wait to share the finished space.

A family friendly contemporary whole house update for a client's family of 5 and their dog. The overall vision was to create a home the family wants to "vacation" in. The rooms featured are family room, dining room, pool lounge, playroom, eating area, guest room, powder room, offices, primary bedroom, childrens' bedrooms, as well as, accessories and art work throughout the home. The home was purchased in need of contemporary updates throughout every room in order to bring the personality of the family into the home. From refinishing the wood flooring and stair railings and custom built ins to runners, area rugs, lighting, window treatments, furniture and accessories, each detail was intentional, resulting in a cohesive flow and highly personalized spaces. Each decision focused on family friendly and entertaining spaces. The most rewarding part of this house is the family would rather spend time at home than almost anywhere else. They love "living" in their home because of the joy each detail brings them when they are there. We are currently completely renovating the primary bathroom and walk in closet. We cannot wait to share the finished space.

A family friendly contemporary whole house update for a client's family of 5 and their dog. The overall vision was to create a home the family wants to "vacation" in. The rooms featured are family room, dining room, pool lounge, playroom, eating area, guest room, powder room, offices, primary bedroom, childrens' bedrooms, as well as, accessories and art work throughout the home. The home was purchased in need of contemporary updates throughout every room in order to bring the personality of the family into the home. From refinishing the wood flooring and stair railings and custom built ins to runners, area rugs, lighting, window treatments, furniture and accessories, each detail was intentional, resulting in a cohesive flow and highly personalized spaces. Each decision focused on family friendly and entertaining spaces. The most rewarding part of this house is the family would rather spend time at home than almost anywhere else. They love "living" in their home because of the joy each detail brings them when they are there. We are currently completely renovating the primary bathroom and walk in closet. We cannot wait to share the finished space.

A family friendly contemporary whole house update for a client's family of 5 and their dog. The overall vision was to create a home the family wants to "vacation" in. The rooms featured are family room, dining room, pool lounge, playroom, eating area, guest room, powder room, offices, primary bedroom, childrens' bedrooms, as well as, accessories and art work throughout the home. The home was purchased in need of contemporary updates throughout every room in order to bring the personality of the family into the home. From refinishing the wood flooring and stair railings and custom built ins to runners, area rugs, lighting, window treatments, furniture and accessories, each detail was intentional, resulting in a cohesive flow and highly personalized spaces. Each decision focused on family friendly and entertaining spaces. The most rewarding part of this house is the family would rather spend time at home than almost anywhere else. They love "living" in their home because of the joy each detail brings them when they are there. We are currently completely renovating the primary bathroom and walk in closet. We cannot wait to share the finished space.

A family friendly contemporary whole house update for a client's family of 5 and their dog. The overall vision was to create a home the family wants to "vacation" in. The rooms featured are family room, dining room, pool lounge, playroom, eating area, guest room, powder room, offices, primary bedroom, childrens' bedrooms, as well as, accessories and art work throughout the home. The home was purchased in need of contemporary updates throughout every room in order to bring the personality of the family into the home. From refinishing the wood flooring and stair railings and custom built ins to runners, area rugs, lighting, window treatments, furniture and accessories, each detail was intentional, resulting in a cohesive flow and highly personalized spaces. Each decision focused on family friendly and entertaining spaces. The most rewarding part of this house is the family would rather spend time at home than almost anywhere else. They love "living" in their home because of the joy each detail brings them when they are there. We are currently completely renovating the primary bathroom and walk in closet. We cannot wait to share the finished space.

A family friendly contemporary whole house update for a client's family of 5 and their dog. The overall vision was to create a home the family wants to "vacation" in. The rooms featured are family room, dining room, pool lounge, playroom, eating area, guest room, powder room, offices, primary bedroom, childrens' bedrooms, as well as, accessories and art work throughout the home. The home was purchased in need of contemporary updates throughout every room in order to bring the personality of the family into the home. From refinishing the wood flooring and stair railings and custom built ins to runners, area rugs, lighting, window treatments, furniture and accessories, each detail was intentional, resulting in a cohesive flow and highly personalized spaces. Each decision focused on family friendly and entertaining spaces. The most rewarding part of this house is the family would rather spend time at home than almost anywhere else. They love "living" in their home because of the joy each detail brings them when they are there. We are currently completely renovating the primary bathroom and walk in closet. We cannot wait to share the finished space.

This indoor/outdoor master bath was a pleasure to be a part of. This one of a kind bathroom brings in natural light from two areas of the room and balances this with modern touches. We used dark cabinetry and countertops to create symmetry with the white bathtub, furniture and accessories.

Photography by Caryn B. Davis Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

This beautiful French Provincial home is set on 10 acres, nestled perfectly in the oak trees. The original home was built in 1974 and had two large additions added; a great room in 1990 and a main floor master suite in 2001. This was my dream project: a full gut renovation of the entire 4,300 square foot home! I contracted the project myself, and we finished the interior remodel in just six months. The exterior received complete attention as well. The 1970s mottled brown brick went white to completely transform the look from dated to classic French. Inside, walls were removed and doorways widened to create an open floor plan that functions so well for everyday living as well as entertaining. The white walls and white trim make everything new, fresh and bright. It is so rewarding to see something old transformed into something new, more beautiful and more functional.

Laura
Eat-in kitchen - large traditional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

Photography by: Caryn B. Davis This project included a two-story addition with a kitchen/dining area on the first floor and bedroom/bathroom on the second floor. The house is located on a gently sloping site surrounded by woods and meadows. The kitchen features grey lower cabinetry and white upper cabinetry with a subtle, rounded board and batten backsplash. The dining area features a large picture window flanked by double hungs that look out over the meadow. The upstairs bathroom shares a tub/shower with another bathroom in Jack-n-Jill fashion. Phase II will include first and second floor renovations and an expansive rear deck and stone terrace. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Photo by Jody Dole This charming farmhouse sits atop a grassy hill overlooking a serene Connecticut River Estuary. The new design reformulated the first floor plan making it much more functional and visually exciting. It encompassed the reorganization of multiple spaces including the Mudroom, Kitchen, Dining Room, Family Room, Sun Room, Laundry, Bathroom, and Master Closet. The design also added, deleted, and relocated windows and French doors to greatly enhance exterior views, draw in more natural light, and seamlessly upgrade the articulation of exterior elevations. Improvements to the plumbing and mechanical systems were also made. The overall feeling is both sophisticated and yet very much down to earth. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Inspiration for a 1950s living room remodel in Portland

Photography by Caryn B. Davis Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

'Carmello' tomatoes growing in a large terra-cotta pot. Photo by Steve Masley
Photo of an eclectic landscaping in San Francisco.

Photography by: Caryn B. Davis This project included a two-story addition with a kitchen/dining area on the first floor and bedroom/bathroom on the second floor. The house is located on a gently sloping site surrounded by woods and meadows. The kitchen features grey lower cabinetry and white upper cabinetry with a subtle, rounded board and batten backsplash. The dining area features a large picture window flanked by double hungs that look out over the meadow. The upstairs bathroom shares a tub/shower with another bathroom in Jack-n-Jill fashion. Phase II will include first and second floor renovations and an expansive rear deck and stone terrace. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

After 11 years on the Gull Lake chain in Nisswa, this couple decided to sell their cabin. Their current home has the lake view, pine trees and “up north” feel right here in Plymouth. The goal of this remodel was to incorporate some of the Nisswa cabin features into an “urban cabin”. The first step was, large windows were installed to take in the view of the lake. Some features borrowed from the cabin are the interior wood tongue & groove siding, ledge stone fireplace and scraped hickory flooring. Designer, Carol Kornak, reconfigured the appliance locations and reoriented the kitchen by added an island with eating space. And, a subtle but rewarding change occurred in the back hall. Often a bottleneck, the hallway to the garage was a catch-all for coats, boots, mail, etc. With a little design magic (by removing a wall, reducing pantry depth) and adding a boot bench and hooks for coats, the narrow hallway feels more spacious. To keep them organized there is a mail sorting and charging station hidden behind closed doors. Admittedly, the couple isn’t roughing it with their Wolf/Sub-Zero appliance package including refrigerator, wine cooler, cooktop, steam oven and warming drawer. The new cabinetry from Crystal Cabinet Works in rustic hickory and painted finish pairs beautifully with the two Cambria countertops and completes the transformation into the “Urban Cabin”. The only thing missing is the 2 ½ hour drive and the dock & boat. Luckily, Lake Minnetonka is only a short drive away.

Photography by Caryn B. Davis Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Designer: Brenton Liu Photographer: Joshua Walling
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open concept kitchen remodel in Hawaii with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island