A modern mid-century house in the Los Feliz neighborhood of the Hollywood Hills, this was an extensive renovation. The house was brought down to its studs, new foundations poured, and many walls and rooms relocated and resized. The aim was to improve the flow through the house, to make if feel more open and light, and connected to the outside, both literally through a new stair leading to exterior sliding doors, and through new windows along the back that open up to canyon views. photos by Undine Prohl

We completed this Etobicoke bathroom renovation in 2025. We installed a floating wood vanity and custom cabinetry to keep the space organized and open. The bathtub shower combo features a ceiling mounted rain head, handheld shower, and a custom niche for built-in storage. Large-format wall tiles add a polished finish, while a sliding pocket door was added to improve flow and maximize usable space. The result is a bright, practical bathroom with smart design choices throughout.

We completed this Etobicoke bathroom renovation in 2025. We installed a floating wood vanity and custom cabinetry to keep the space organized and open. The bathtub shower combo features a ceiling mounted rain head, handheld shower, and a custom niche for built-in storage. Large-format wall tiles add a polished finish, while a sliding pocket door was added to improve flow and maximize usable space. The result is a bright, practical bathroom with smart design choices throughout.

We transformed an A-Frame home for a couple seeking more light and openness. By removing walls and repositioning the counter, we improved headspace and flow. Track lighting, sconces, and modern appliances added brightness, while maple flooring created warmth. We also installed a window-paneled door and custom slat walls to let natural light pour in, blending the indoors with nature and making the space feel airy and welco

We completed this Etobicoke bathroom renovation in 2025. We installed a floating wood vanity and custom cabinetry to keep the space organized and open. The bathtub shower combo features a ceiling mounted rain head, handheld shower, and a custom niche for built-in storage. Large-format wall tiles add a polished finish, while a sliding pocket door was added to improve flow and maximize usable space. The result is a bright, practical bathroom with smart design choices throughout.

We completed this Etobicoke bathroom renovation in 2025. We installed a floating wood vanity and custom cabinetry to keep the space organized and open. The bathtub shower combo features a ceiling mounted rain head, handheld shower, and a custom niche for built-in storage. Large-format wall tiles add a polished finish, while a sliding pocket door was added to improve flow and maximize usable space. The result is a bright, practical bathroom with smart design choices throughout.

We completed this Etobicoke bathroom renovation in 2025. We installed a floating wood vanity and custom cabinetry to keep the space organized and open. The bathtub shower combo features a ceiling mounted rain head, handheld shower, and a custom niche for built-in storage. Large-format wall tiles add a polished finish, while a sliding pocket door was added to improve flow and maximize usable space. The result is a bright, practical bathroom with smart design choices throughout.

We completed this Etobicoke bathroom renovation in 2025. We installed a floating wood vanity and custom cabinetry to keep the space organized and open. The bathtub shower combo features a ceiling mounted rain head, handheld shower, and a custom niche for built-in storage. Large-format wall tiles add a polished finish, while a sliding pocket door was added to improve flow and maximize usable space. The result is a bright, practical bathroom with smart design choices throughout.

Dawn Zuber of Studio Z Architecture created this kitchen, for clients who wanted a larger kitchen with more natural light. Two VELUX manual venting skylights provide ample natural light and fresh air, while the placement of the kitchen improves the flow between the homes ground floor rooms. Photo credit: David Franklin Photography

We helped update and improve the function of this Eastern Shore waterfront estate located on the Chesapeake Bay by planning additions off the back and front of the home. This allowed for better flow in the renovated kitchen, dining room with views of the water, and a larger laundry/mud room for this family of six.

We transformed an A-Frame home for a couple seeking more light and openness. By removing walls and repositioning the counter, we improved headspace and flow. Track lighting, sconces, and modern appliances added brightness, while maple flooring created warmth. We also installed a window-paneled door and custom slat walls to let natural light pour in, blending the indoors with nature and making the space feel airy and welco

The bathroom was redesigned to improve flow and add functional storage with a modern aesthetic. Natural walnut cabinetry brings warmth balanced by the subtle movement in the warm gray floor and wall tiles and the white quartz counters and shower surround. We created half walls framing the shower topped with quartz and glass treated for easy maintenance. The angled wall and extra square footage in the water closet were eliminated for a larger vanity. Floating vanities make the space feel larger and fit the modern aesthetic. The tall pullout storage at her vanity is one-sided to prevent items falling out the back and features shelves with acrylic sides for full product visibility. We removed the tub deck and bump-out walls with inset shelves for improved flow and wall space for towels. Now the freestanding tub anchors the middle of the room while allowing easy access to the windows that were blocked by the previous built-in.

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.

Inspired by a desire to create a serene retreat within their home, our clients in Moorestown, NJ partnered with us to reimagine their existing primary suite. The goal was clear: maximize storage, improve flow, and craft a spa-like experience that reflected their personal style and daily routines.

The bathroom was redesigned to improve flow and add functional storage with a modern aesthetic. Natural walnut cabinetry brings warmth balanced by the subtle movement in the warm gray floor and wall tiles and the white quartz counters and shower surround. We created half walls framing the shower topped with quartz and glass treated for easy maintenance. The angled wall and extra square footage in the water closet were eliminated for a larger vanity. Floating vanities make the space feel larger and fit the modern aesthetic. The tall pullout storage at her vanity is one-sided to prevent items falling out the back and features shelves with acrylic sides for full product visibility. We removed the tub deck and bump-out walls with inset shelves for improved flow and wall space for towels. Now the freestanding tub anchors the middle of the room while allowing easy access to the windows that were blocked by the previous built-in.

We transformed an A-Frame home for a couple seeking more light and openness. By removing walls and repositioning the counter, we improved headspace and flow. Track lighting, sconces, and modern appliances added brightness, while maple flooring created warmth. We also installed a window-paneled door and custom slat walls to let natural light pour in, blending the indoors with nature and making the space feel airy and welcoming.

Relocating to Portland, Oregon from California, this young family immediately hired Amy to redesign their newly purchased home to better fit their needs. The project included updating the kitchen, hall bath, and adding an en suite to their master bedroom. Removing a wall between the kitchen and dining allowed for additional counter space and storage along with improved traffic flow and increased natural light to the heart of the home. This galley style kitchen is focused on efficiency and functionality through custom cabinets with a pantry boasting drawer storage topped with quartz slab for durability, pull-out storage accessories throughout, deep drawers, and a quartz topped coffee bar/ buffet facing the dining area. The master bath and hall bath were born out of a single bath and a closet. While modest in size, the bathrooms are filled with functionality and colorful design elements. Durable hex shaped porcelain tiles compliment the blue vanities topped with white quartz countertops. The shower and tub are both tiled in handmade ceramic tiles, bringing much needed texture and movement of light to the space. The hall bath is outfitted with a toe-kick pull-out step for the family’s youngest member!

The space was reimagined to improve flow, increase storage, and maintain a streamlined aesthetic. Accessibility was a priority, with much of the storage thoughtfully positioned below the waist for everyday ease. The large central island anchors the space as a focal point and a natural gathering place.

We modernized this 1970s vintage residence in Tiburon, by opening up a new media room in the middle of the house, improving the flow, simplifying d and brightening the materials, and changing an old gas-burning fireplace to an efficient Ortal corner fireplace. Photo credit: Jonathan Mitchell Photography / jonathanmitchell.co