Farm Kid Studios
Example of a classic l-shaped dedicated laundry room design in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, beige cabinets, pink walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and beaded inset cabinets

Example of a trendy living room design in San Francisco with white walls

Colour and contrast from Fernleaf yarrow (Achillea x ‘Moonshine’) and Meadow Sage (Salvia x sylvestris ‘May Night’).
Photo of a farmhouse landscaping in Philadelphia.

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.

By using the angled island as a room divide the traffic flows from outside around the busy cooking area in the kitchen. The coordinating Dining Room Custom Hutch and Family Room Serving Area tie together the open floor plan.

Mountain style medium tone wood floor laundry room photo in Minneapolis with a drop-in sink and a side-by-side washer/dryer

By using the angled island as a room divide the traffic flows from outside around the busy cooking area in the kitchen. The coordinating Dining Room Custom Hutch and Family Room Serving Area tie together the open floor plan.

Winner of the 2018 Tour of Homes Best Remodel, this whole house re-design of a 1963 Bennet & Johnson mid-century raised ranch home is a beautiful example of the magic we can weave through the application of more sustainable modern design principles to existing spaces. We worked closely with our client on extensive updates to create a modernized MCM gem. Extensive alterations include: - a completely redesigned floor plan to promote a more intuitive flow throughout - vaulted the ceilings over the great room to create an amazing entrance and feeling of inspired openness - redesigned entry and driveway to be more inviting and welcoming as well as to experientially set the mid-century modern stage - the removal of a visually disruptive load bearing central wall and chimney system that formerly partitioned the homes’ entry, dining, kitchen and living rooms from each other - added clerestory windows above the new kitchen to accentuate the new vaulted ceiling line and create a greater visual continuation of indoor to outdoor space - drastically increased the access to natural light by increasing window sizes and opening up the floor plan - placed natural wood elements throughout to provide a calming palette and cohesive Pacific Northwest feel - incorporated Universal Design principles to make the home Aging In Place ready with wide hallways and accessible spaces, including single-floor living if needed - moved and completely redesigned the stairway to work for the home’s occupants and be a part of the cohesive design aesthetic - mixed custom tile layouts with more traditional tiling to create fun and playful visual experiences - custom designed and sourced MCM specific elements such as the entry screen, cabinetry and lighting - development of the downstairs for potential future use by an assisted living caretaker - energy efficiency upgrades seamlessly woven in with much improved insulation, ductless mini splits and solar gain

The objective was to create a warm neutral space to later customize to a specific colour palate/preference of the end user for this new construction home being built to sell. A high-end contemporary feel was requested to attract buyers in the area. An impressive kitchen that exuded high class and made an impact on guests as they entered the home, without being overbearing. The space offers an appealing open floorplan conducive to entertaining with indoor-outdoor flow. Due to the spec nature of this house, the home had to remain appealing to the builder, while keeping a broad audience of potential buyers in mind. The challenge lay in creating a unique look, with visually interesting materials and finishes, while not being so unique that potential owners couldn’t envision making it their own. The focus on key elements elevates the look, while other features blend and offer support to these striking components. As the home was built for sale, profitability was important; materials were sourced at best value, while retaining high-end appeal. Adaptations to the home’s original design plan improve flow and usability within the kitchen-greatroom. The client desired a rich dark finish. The chosen colours tie the kitchen to the rest of the home (creating unity as combination, colours and materials, is repeated throughout). Photos- Paul Grdina

By using the angled island as a room divide the traffic flows from outside around the busy cooking area in the kitchen. The coordinating Dining Room Custom Hutch and Family Room Serving Area tie together the open floor plan.

Example of a mid-sized minimalist 3/4 gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and gray floor walk-in shower design in Toronto with open cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls, a vessel sink and tile countertops

Inspiration for a large timeless l-shaped ceramic tile eat-in kitchen remodel in New York with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, yellow cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Remodel of mid century modern kitchen. New windows and skylights bring in more light while an improved floor plan improves flow and functionality. Design - Fivedot design build Photos by cleary o'farrell

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 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.

This first floor remodel not only updated a family’s home, but redefined the spaces and flow between them so the home functions better for this busy family of five. Removing a wall opened the kitchen to the family room and the entire kitchen was completely remodeled with maple cabinets, quartz counters, glass backsplash and an island that can seat the entire family. The kitchen’s desk area was redesigned into additional pantry space, while an existing pantry was redesigned to better accommodate the family’s storage needs, and was enclosed with doors that match the cabinetry. Finally, a new mud room with a charging station greets family members as they enter from the garage and allows them to stash coats, backpacks and sporting goods. A powder room off the mud room also has a completely new look.

This first floor remodel not only updated a family’s home, but redefined the spaces and flow between them so the home functions better for this busy family of five. Removing a wall opened the kitchen to the family room and the entire kitchen was completely remodeled with maple cabinets, quartz counters, glass backsplash and an island that can seat the entire family. The kitchen’s desk area was redesigned into additional pantry space, while an existing pantry was redesigned to better accommodate the family’s storage needs, and was enclosed with doors that match the cabinetry. Finally, a new mud room with a charging station greets family members as they enter from the garage and allows them to stash coats, backpacks and sporting goods. A powder room off the mud room also has a completely new look.

This first floor remodel not only updated a family’s home, but redefined the spaces and flow between them so the home functions better for this busy family of five. Removing a wall opened the kitchen to the family room and the entire kitchen was completely remodeled with maple cabinets, quartz counters, glass backsplash and an island that can seat the entire family. The kitchen’s desk area was redesigned into additional pantry space, while an existing pantry was redesigned to better accommodate the family’s storage needs, and was enclosed with doors that match the cabinetry. Finally, a new mud room with a charging station greets family members as they enter from the garage and allows them to stash coats, backpacks and sporting goods. A powder room off the mud room also has a completely new look.

This first floor remodel not only updated a family’s home, but redefined the spaces and flow between them so the home functions better for this busy family of five. Removing a wall opened the kitchen to the family room and the entire kitchen was completely remodeled with maple cabinets, quartz counters, glass backsplash and an island that can seat the entire family. The kitchen’s desk area was redesigned into additional pantry space, while an existing pantry was redesigned to better accommodate the family’s storage needs, and was enclosed with doors that match the cabinetry. Finally, a new mud room with a charging station greets family members as they enter from the garage and allows them to stash coats, backpacks and sporting goods. A powder room off the mud room also has a completely new look.