This kitchen was part of large home addition in the 1990s. And while the layout largely worked for this busy family, it was time for an upgrade. Soffits, which immediately dated this pace, were removed, along with upper cabinetry. A new Ann Sacks backsplash traveled all the way to the skylight, with brass and glass shelves instantly modernizing this kitchen, as well as making it appear larger and more open. A gas Wolf range top with 6 burners replaced a smaller four burner gas stove top, along with a new Wolf double oven, Asko dishwasher and Sharp drawer microwave. On the far wall, white cabinetry was removed and replaced with a custom built-in hutch, created to look like a treasured family heirloom and large enough to display all of the family's serving and entertaining pieces, making it both storage and a design element in one. The adjacent breakfast room was given a wallpapered ceiling and brass flush mount fixtures to bring it all together.

Our team was excited to hear our design submission SCATTERED SPHERES was a winner in the BENCHmark 2016 competition! The BENCHmark 2016 competition invited designers to submit proposals for the design of a permanent bench along the Bishop Grandin Trail - Winnipeg’s longest multi-use trail. A competition seeking designers to help make / celebrate places that embody physical literacy, add refinement to the art of traveling while providing a place to sit, read, discuss and exchange. In the end we decide to use reclaimed Elm as the species as choice as it pays homage to Winnipeg's Elm trees that have succumbed to Dutch Elm Disease. SCATTERED SPHERES The scattered spheres are turned from solid reclaimed White Oak, and are composed in a cluster along the Agassiz site. These pieces operate as both a composition in the landscape and a functional place for pause. These minimal and immediate forms encourage users to interact with them in fun and creative ways. These objects resist a prescribed function, but rather encourage the user to behave as a collaborator. Links: http://storefrontmb.ca/congratulations-2016-benchmark-competition-winners/ http://storefrontmb.ca/benchmark-view-submissions/ 2017 © Ray Chan Photo, All Rights Reserved

My House Design/Build Team | www.myhousedesignbuild.com | 604-694-6873 | Duy Nguyen Photography -------------------------------------------------------Right from the beginning it was evident that this Coquitlam Renovation was unique. It’s first impression was memorable as immediately after entering the front door, just past the dining table, there was a tree growing in the middle of home! Upon further inspection of the space it became apparent that this home had undergone several alterations during its lifetime... The kitchen was once a space that revealed the home’s layered history. It was evident there had been an addition as the dropped ceiling exposed where garage space had been captured to become part of the kitchen. By re-configuring the layout, we were able to create a gathering area at the peninsula, additional storage space, as well as add a hood fan – something the original space was lacking. Details like the Grand Canal paint colour from Sherwin Williams paired with the vertical grain walnut cabinets create a modern-vintage feel for this kitchen.

The owner loves the white homes you see all over Instagram, but it wasn’t for her; she wanted a paint scheme that would flow throughout the house. When she chose tobacco brown as the wall color for the guest room, her husband was so skeptical. However, now it is one of their favorite rooms. She chose the bed next, which she fell in love with immediately, and decorated the rest of the space around it.

My House Design/Build Team | www.myhousedesignbuild.com | 604-694-6873 | Duy Nguyen Photography -------------------------------------------------------Right from the beginning it was evident that this Coquitlam Renovation was unique. It’s first impression was memorable as immediately after entering the front door, just past the dining table, there was a tree growing in the middle of home! Upon further inspection of the space it became apparent that this home had undergone several alterations during its lifetime... The kitchen was once a space that revealed the home’s layered history. It was evident there had been an addition as the dropped ceiling exposed where garage space had been captured to become part of the kitchen. By re-configuring the layout, we were able to create a gathering area at the peninsula, additional storage space, as well as add a hood fan – something the original space was lacking. Details like the Grand Canal paint colour from Sherwin Williams paired with the vertical grain walnut cabinets create a modern-vintage feel for this kitchen.

This transitional kitchen design in Yorba Linda utilizes the large available space to create a great room that is sure to be the center of family and social life in this home. The open plan set up incorporates the kitchen, a breakfast/eating area, and the living room. To make this area bigger and allow the owners to enlarge the kitchen, we moved the dining room outside to a heated and covered patio. The design features Wood-Mode’s Brookhaven semi-custom cabinets, along with Hafele chef’s pantry interiors, accented by Top Knobs hardware. The custom metal Vent-a-Hood is a focal point in the kitchen design, immediately drawing the eye toward the cooking area with a Sub-Zero refrigerator and a Wolf oven and range. The large island in the cooking area includes a a Grothouse Wood Countertop. The cleaning zone incorporates two Miele dishwashers adjacent to a second large island that offers more work space. Franke sinks and KWC faucets fit neatly into both the cooking and cleaning zones. The design also includes an ice maker, custom banquet, and custom table.

Custom Floating Double Vanity with Smart Mirror | San Diego An angled view highlights the warm wood cabinetry, spacious drawers, and sleek black handles of this custom floating double vanity. The dark stone countertop pairs with two white undermount sinks and chrome faucets, creating a balanced contrast of natural warmth and contemporary finishes. A large LED smart mirror and an additional side mirror complete the vanity area, while neutral tile flooring complements the room’s inviting palette. Photo enhanced and digitally staged.

Built in 1907 and nestled into the beating heart of San Fran’s Bernal Heights neighbourhood, this adorable abode was an unpolished gem ready to be turned into our clients’ dream home. Our mission was to gift Bonview with classic, natural and timeless style while setting it up with impressive functionality so that it was ready to be the pet-friendly, kid-friendly and entertaining-friendly home they needed it to be. Mission accepted! Our clients’ vision was clear: They wanted whites, blacks and wood tones with texture and personality. Oh, and that spunky wine fridge? Yep, that was a non-negotiable. ? “It’s not unusual for our friends and family to drop past unannounced any day of the week. And we love it!” They told us during our initial Design Therapy Sesh. We knew immediately what she meant - we have an open-door policy with our families, too! Which was why we consciously created living spaces that were open, inviting and welcoming. Now, the only problem our clients would have would be convincing their guests to leave! Our clients also enjoyed cooking and baking casually, so we created an organized, intuitive and functional kitchen and pantry that made whipping up homemade dips and snacks for their game nights a breeze.

This kitchen was part of large home addition in the 1990s. And while the layout largely worked for this busy family, it was time for an upgrade. Soffits, which immediately dated this pace, were removed, along with upper cabinetry. A new Ann Sacks backsplash traveled all the way to the skylight, with brass and glass shelves instantly modernizing this kitchen, as well as making it appear larger and more open. A gas Wolf range top with 6 burners replaced a smaller four burner gas stove top, along with a new Wolf double oven, Asko dishwasher and Sharp drawer microwave. On the far wall, white cabinetry was removed and replaced with a custom built-in hutch, created to look like a treasured family heirloom and large enough to display all of the family's serving and entertaining pieces, making it both storage and a design element in one. The adjacent breakfast room was given a wallpapered ceiling and brass flush mount fixtures to bring it all together.

This modern fireplace features Silver Cloud Granite, a soft gray-and-white natural stone known for its elegant movement and timeless character. We fabricated the surround with clean lines and precise edges to create a seamless, sculptural focal point in the living room. The subtle veining of Silver Cloud adds depth without overwhelming the space, making it an ideal choice for contemporary and transitional interiors. Each piece was digitally laid out to ensure a cohesive flow of the granite’s natural pattern, and the installation was completed with meticulous attention to detail for a perfectly flush, refined finish. Durable, heat-resistant, and visually striking, Silver Cloud Granite transforms the fireplace into a luxurious architectural statement that elevates the entire room.

Architecture: One SEED Architecture + Interiors (www.oneseed.ca) Photo: Martin Knowles Photo Media Builder: Vertical Grain Projects Multigenerational Vancouver Special Reno #MGvancouverspecial Vancouver, BC Previous Project Next Project 2 780 SF Interior and Exterior Renovation We are very excited about the conversion of this Vancouver Special in East Van’s Renfrew-Collingwood area, zoned RS-1, into a contemporary multigenerational home. It will incorporate two generations immediately, with separate suites for the home owners and their parents, and will be flexible enough to accommodate the next generation as well, when the owners have children of their own. During the design process we addressed the needs of each group and took special care that each suite was designed with lots of light, high ceilings, and large rooms.

Hillcrest Builders welcomes you to our 2015 luxury ranch home – the Greystone. Entering into this home you will immediately notice the spacious and inviting open concept. The nine foot ceilings, oversized windows and open layout makes this home feel grand. The gourmet kitchen has crisp, white perimeter cabinets contrasting striking ebony island millwork. The adjacent butler’s pantry provides for ample cabinetry for your extra storage needs. This home features a large dining room adjacent to the kitchen, living room, and a walk out basement. The 4 bedrooms are set up in a split version, with the private master suite containing a gorgeous luxury bathroom. The attached oversized three car garage offers ample storage for vehicles and other belongings. Features: 2,631 Sq. Ft. Welcoming front porch Master suite with private bath and spacious walk in closet Gourmet kitchen Laundry room for garage 2 x 6 construction Pella windows Kohler fixtures

This lovely Monterey Modern style house on Royal Blvd in Glendale had a 1980’s kitchen without good light or access to the house’s outdoor spaces. To aggravate the flow of the house further, the driveway runs directly to the back of the house where the garage is located off of a motor court. Access to the house by family and friends was naturally happened through the backyard which forced them through a carport and around the side of the house to enter the kitchen directly. The kitchen has a new exit to the side yard and a set of french doors to a new deck. The location of the deck connects the formal living room with the kitchen through exterior spaces in a more immediate way than it is connected through the interior. To create a kitchen that could accomodate a family of cooks and in-kitchen dining, one of the requests of the Client, we combined the existing kitchen, an old utility room, and small breakfast room. The small utilitarian spaces of the original rooms were remade to feel and embrace a contemporary lifestyle, while also integrating seamlessly into the style and scale of this 1930’s vintage home. When working on a kitchen of this scale in a vintage home, we make sure to layer materials and forms into the design so it does not feel out of scale or modernist. The floors are blue slate herringbone and set the color tone for many of the other finishes. We used a quartzite with many of the same colors as the floor for the perimeter counters because of its durability and a light marble with flecks of blue and gold for the eat-in island. The wood on the inside of the windows and doors was stained blue. Cabinets are a combination of white oak and painted with brass screen fronts. The Client has wanted to save some built-in niches from the original breakfast room, but in the end it would have limited the design too much and so included two small radiused end cabinets, one in each cabinet finish.

For a family who believes fitness is not only an essential part of life but also a fun opportunity for the whole family to connect, build and achieve greatness together there is nothing better than a custom designed obstacle course right in your back yard. THEME The theme of this half mile trail through the woods is evident in the fun, creative and all-inclusive obstacles hidden in the natural flow of the land around this amazing family home. The course was created with adults and children, advanced and beginner athletes, competitive and entertaining events all accounted for. Each of the 13 obstacles was designed to be challenging no matter the size, skill or ability of the athlete lucky enough to run the course. FOCUS The focus for this family was to create an outdoor adventure that could be an athletic, social and personal outlet for their entire family while maintaining the natural beauty of the landscape and without altering the sweeping views from the home. The large scale of the challenging obstacles is camouflaged within the landscape using the rolling hills and mature trees as a natural curtain in every season. The beauty of the course does not diminish the functional and demanding nature of the obstacles which are designed to focus on multiple strength, agility, and cardio fitness abilities and intensities. STORAGE The start of the trail includes a raised training area offering a dedicated space clear from the ground to place bags, mats and other equipment used during the run. A small all-terrain storage cart was provided for use with 6 yoga mats, 3 medicine balls of various weights, rings, sprinting cones, and a large digital timer to record laps. GROWTH The course was designed to provide an athletic and fun challenge for children, teens and adults no matter their experience or athletic prowess. This course offers competitive athletes a challenge and budding athletes an opportunity to experience and ignite their passion for physical activity. Initially the concept for the course was focused on the youngest of the family however as the design grew so did the obstacles and now it is a true family experience that will meet their adapting needs for years. Each obstacle is paired with an instructional sign directing the runners in proper use of the obstacle, adaptations for skill levels and tips on form. These signs are all customized for this course and are printed on metal to ensure they last for many years. SAFETY Safety is crucial for all physical activity and an obstacle course of this scale presents unique safety concerns. Children should always be supervised when participating in an adventure on the course however additional care was paid to details on the course to ensure everyone has a great time. All of the course obstacles have been created with pressure treated lumber that will withstand the seasonal poundings. All footer pilings that support obstacles have been placed into the ground between 3 to 4 feet (.9 to 1.2 meters) and each piling has 2 to 3 bags of concrete (totaling over 90 bags used throughout the course) ensuring stability of the structure and safety of the participants. Additionally, all obstacle lumber has been given rounded corners and sanded down offering less splintering and more time for everyone to enjoy the course. This athletic and charismatic family strives to incorporate a healthy active lifestyle into their daily life and this obstacle course offers their family an opportunity to strengthen themselves and host some memorable and active events at their amazing home.

Cranbury Design recently completed a remodel for a New Jersey family whose late 1980s kitchen left a lot to be desired: black countertops with wood stained cabinets, aged appliances, an odd shaped island that lacked counter space and storage, and the need to open the space up for better flow and function. Today, the homeowners are enjoying an entirely new space that accommodates their whole family. The kitchen and family room have been redesigned, with bright-white inset cabinets and a stunning navy blue island that has plenty of room for serving and seating. The appliances have been replaced with new stainless steel pro versions, and a custom wood hood takes center stage over the newly relocated cook top and oven. Wood beams added to the ceiling emphasize the architectural lines in the room, and a newly designed beverage area offers more storage just off the immediate kitchen.

This modern vanity features a large trough sink with double faucets and gorgeous gold accents.
Example of a large minimalist master gray tile double shower design in San Francisco with brown walls, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a trough sink and marble countertops

Photography by Carlos Esteva. When this private client, a married couple, first approached Álvarez-Díaz & Villalón to build ‘the house of their dreams’ on the grounds of their sprawling family estate, the first challenge was to identify the exact location that would maximize the positive aspects of the topography while affording the most gracious views. Propped up on scaffolding, juggling digital cameras and folding ladders, the design team photographed the property from hundreds of angles before the ideal site was selected. Once the site was selected, construction could begin. The building’s foundation was raised slightly off the ground to disperse geothermal heat. In addition, the designers studied daily sunlight patterns and positioned the structure accordingly in order to warm the swimming pool during the cooler morning hours and illuminate the principal living quarters during the late afternoon. Finally, the main house was designed with functional balconies on all sides: each balcony meticulously planned ~ and precisely positioned ~ to both optimize wind flow and frame the property’s most breath-taking views. Stylistically, the goal was to create an authentic Spanish hacienda. Following Old World tradition, the house was anchored around a centralized interior patio in the Moorish style: enclosed on three sides ~ yet open on the fourth (similar to the Alcázar of Seville) ~ to reveal a reflecting pool ~ and mirror the water motif of the home’s magnificent marble fountain. A bell tower, horseshoe arches, a colonnaded,vineyard-style patio, and ornamental Moorish mosaic tilework (“azulejos”) completed this picturesque portrait of a faraway fantasy world of castles, chivalry, and swordsplay, reminiscent of Medieval Spain. Shortly after completion, this showcase home was showcased on the TVE Spanish television series Spaniards Around The World (Españoles Alrededor Del Mundo) as a prime example of authentic Spanish architecture designed outside the peninsula. Not surprising. After all, the story of a fairy-tale retreat as magical as this one deserves a happy ending.

Avalon Daybed and Suzani Quilt Serena & Lily

My House Design/Build Team | www.myhousedesignbuild.com | 604-694-6873 | Duy Nguyen Photography -------------------------------------------------------Right from the beginning it was evident that this Coquitlam Renovation was unique. It’s first impression was memorable as immediately after entering the front door, just past the dining table, there was a tree growing in the middle of home! Upon further inspection of the space it became apparent that this home had undergone several alterations during its lifetime... The kitchen was once a space that revealed the home’s layered history. It was evident there had been an addition as the dropped ceiling exposed where garage space had been captured to become part of the kitchen. By re-configuring the layout, we were able to create a gathering area at the peninsula, additional storage space, as well as add a hood fan – something the original space was lacking. Details like the Grand Canal paint colour from Sherwin Williams paired with the vertical grain walnut cabinets create a modern-vintage feel for this kitchen.