This photo shows the finished sink run. Besides more floor space and counter space, you can now see (and walk!) directly into the family room and easily exit to the backyard from the new Marvin door. This bright new kitchen features quartz countertops and custom cabinetry.

Jim Schmid Photography
Bathroom - tropical beige tile and mosaic tile bathroom idea in Charlotte with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets and gray walls

Minimalism and decorations seem to be incompatible, but when designing a home, it’s important to find the right balance between the two. The perfect example is served by the Japanese brand Muji, aesthetics of which we used while creating this beautiful apartment in Guangzhou, China. Area: 100 sq.m. Location: Guangzhou Status: Completed

Minimalism and decorations seem to be incompatible, but when designing a home, it’s important to find the right balance between the two. The perfect example is served by the Japanese brand Muji, aesthetics of which we used while creating this beautiful apartment in Guangzhou, China. Area: 100 sq.m. Location: Guangzhou Status: Completed

This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house. George Mendel

Minimalism and decorations seem to be incompatible, but when designing a home, it’s important to find the right balance between the two. The perfect example is served by the Japanese brand Muji, aesthetics of which we used while creating this beautiful apartment in Guangzhou, China. Area: 100 sq.m. Location: Guangzhou Status: Completed

Photo: Las Pilitas Nursery
Inspiration for a partial sun landscaping for summer.

Cottage walls and ceilings are particularly challenging as changing temperature and humidity are incompatible with drywall or plaster. The most common solution is the type of wood laminate panelling seen on the walls here, but there is another solution, and that's stretch ceiling, seen on the ceiling here. Completely impervious to moisture and able to withstand any temperature extremes that North American weather can bring in the absence of climate control, stretch ceiling can be printed with any high resolution image, like the butterflies and flowers image that we printed on this ceiling. It will never fade, peel, bubble, discolour, need repainting, warp, or grow mould or mildew.

Alloy Homes Incorporated noted that this 3-storey home is part of a three-unit freehold townhouse development on a very tight triangular site in a dense, urban neighbourhood. They explained that this project was used to create a new gateway into the neighbourhood, and to act as a buffer between existing homes and nearby incompatible uses and added that the, “front façade defines a new, welcoming residential street edge.” The build features large, full height windows on the front façade offer leafy views down Gladstone Road. The ground level contains a separate live/work space off the front foyer and an attached garage facing the alley. The third floor contains three bedrooms that take advantage of unexpected valley, skyline and mountain views. Interior detailing is bright, modern and efficient. Skylights and large windows wash the home with natural light. Open riser stairs and full-height glass interior walls contribute to a sense of openness and make the living spaces feel large despite the tight urban context.

Alloy Homes Incorporated noted that this 3-storey home is part of a three-unit freehold townhouse development on a very tight triangular site in a dense, urban neighbourhood. They explained that this project was used to create a new gateway into the neighbourhood, and to act as a buffer between existing homes and nearby incompatible uses and added that the, “front façade defines a new, welcoming residential street edge.” The build features large, full height windows on the front façade offer leafy views down Gladstone Road. The ground level contains a separate live/work space off the front foyer and an attached garage facing the alley. The third floor contains three bedrooms that take advantage of unexpected valley, skyline and mountain views. Interior detailing is bright, modern and efficient. Skylights and large windows wash the home with natural light. Open riser stairs and full-height glass interior walls contribute to a sense of openness and make the living spaces feel large despite the tight urban context.

Alloy Homes Incorporated noted that this 3-storey home is part of a three-unit freehold townhouse development on a very tight triangular site in a dense, urban neighbourhood. They explained that this project was used to create a new gateway into the neighbourhood, and to act as a buffer between existing homes and nearby incompatible uses and added that the, “front façade defines a new, welcoming residential street edge.” The build features large, full height windows on the front façade offer leafy views down Gladstone Road. The ground level contains a separate live/work space off the front foyer and an attached garage facing the alley. The third floor contains three bedrooms that take advantage of unexpected valley, skyline and mountain views. The interior detailing is bright, modern and efficient. Skylights and large windows wash the home with natural light. Open riser stairs and full-height glass interior walls contribute to a sense of openness and make the living spaces feel large despite the tight urban context.

Alloy Homes Incorporated noted that this 3-storey home is part of a three-unit freehold townhouse development on a very tight triangular site in a dense, urban neighbourhood. They explained that this project was used to create a new gateway into the neighbourhood, and to act as a buffer between existing homes and nearby incompatible uses and added that the, “front façade defines a new, welcoming residential street edge.” The build features large, full height windows on the front façade offer leafy views down Gladstone Road. The ground level contains a separate live/work space off the front foyer and an attached garage facing the alley. The third floor contains three bedrooms that take advantage of unexpected valley, skyline and mountain views. Interior detailing is bright, modern and efficient. Skylights and large windows wash the home with natural light. Open riser stairs and full-height glass interior walls contribute to a sense of openness and make the living spaces feel large despite the tight urban context.

Alloy Homes Incorporated noted that this 3-storey home is part of a three-unit freehold townhouse development on a very tight triangular site in a dense, urban neighbourhood. They explained that this project was used to create a new gateway into the neighbourhood, and to act as a buffer between existing homes and nearby incompatible uses and added that the, “front façade defines a new, welcoming residential street edge.” The build features large, full height windows on the front façade offer leafy views down Gladstone Road. The ground level contains a separate live/work space off the front foyer and an attached garage facing the alley. The third floor contains three bedrooms that take advantage of unexpected valley, skyline and mountain views. Interior detailing is bright, modern and efficient. Skylights and large windows wash the home with natural light. Open riser stairs and full-height glass interior walls contribute to a sense of openness and make the living spaces feel large despite the tight urban context.

Alloy Homes Incorporated noted that this 3-storey home is part of a three-unit freehold townhouse development on a very tight triangular site in a dense, urban neighbourhood. They explained that this project was used to create a new gateway into the neighbourhood, and to act as a buffer between existing homes and nearby incompatible uses and added that the, “front façade defines a new, welcoming residential street edge.” The build features large, full height windows on the front façade offer leafy views down Gladstone Road. The ground level contains a separate live/work space off the front foyer and an attached garage facing the alley. The third floor contains three bedrooms that take advantage of unexpected valley, skyline and mountain views. Interior detailing is bright, modern and efficient. Skylights and large windows wash the home with natural light. Open riser stairs and full-height glass interior walls contribute to a sense of openness and make the living spaces feel large despite the tight urban context.

Alloy Homes Incorporated noted that this 3-storey home is part of a three-unit freehold townhouse development on a very tight triangular site in a dense, urban neighbourhood. They explained that this project was used to create a new gateway into the neighbourhood, and to act as a buffer between existing homes and nearby incompatible uses and added that the, “front façade defines a new, welcoming residential street edge.” The build features large, full height windows on the front façade offer leafy views down Gladstone Road. The ground level contains a separate live/work space off the front foyer and an attached garage facing the alley. The third floor contains three bedrooms that take advantage of unexpected valley, skyline and mountain views. Interior detailing is bright, modern and efficient. Skylights and large windows wash the home with natural light. Open riser stairs and full-height glass interior walls contribute to a sense of openness and make the living spaces feel large despite the tight urban context.

For such a small area, this design solution was one of our biggest accomplishments. It was a bottleneck of incompatible proportions, and it was crucial to find the right appliances with the right dimensions. The cabinetry match worked out well, and the refrigerator drawers added just the right cubic feet to accommodate for cold drinks and summer popsicles for the family! The Pantry provides for much need storage space, and this partial remodel accomplishes much improved traffic flow. Craftsman Four Square, Seattle, WA, Belltown Design, Photography by Julie Mannell.

Alloy Homes Incorporated noted that this 3-storey home is part of a three-unit freehold townhouse development on a very tight triangular site in a dense, urban neighbourhood. They explained that this project was used to create a new gateway into the neighbourhood, and to act as a buffer between existing homes and nearby incompatible uses and added that the, “front façade defines a new, welcoming residential street edge.” The build features large, full height windows on the front façade offer leafy views down Gladstone Road. The ground level contains a separate live/work space off the front foyer and an attached garage facing the alley. The third floor contains three bedrooms that take advantage of unexpected valley, skyline and mountain views. Interior detailing is bright, modern and efficient. Skylights and large windows wash the home with natural light. Open riser stairs and full-height glass interior walls contribute to a sense of openness and make the living spaces feel large despite the tight urban context.

Alloy Homes Incorporated noted that this 3-storey home is part of a three-unit freehold townhouse development on a very tight triangular site in a dense, urban neighbourhood. They explained that this project was used to create a new gateway into the neighbourhood, and to act as a buffer between existing homes and nearby incompatible uses and added that the, “front façade defines a new, welcoming residential street edge.” The build features large, full height windows on the front façade offer leafy views down Gladstone Road. The ground level contains a separate live/work space off the front foyer and an attached garage facing the alley. The third floor contains three bedrooms that take advantage of unexpected valley, skyline and mountain views. Interior detailing is bright, modern and efficient. Skylights and large windows wash the home with natural light. Open riser stairs and full-height glass interior walls contribute to a sense of openness and make the living spaces feel large despite the tight urban context.

Alloy Homes Incorporated noted that this 3-storey home is part of a three-unit freehold townhouse development on a very tight triangular site in a dense, urban neighbourhood. They explained that this project was used to create a new gateway into the neighbourhood, and to act as a buffer between existing homes and nearby incompatible uses and added that the, “front façade defines a new, welcoming residential street edge.” The build features large, full height windows on the front façade offer leafy views down Gladstone Road. The ground level contains a separate live/work space off the front foyer and an attached garage facing the alley. The third floor contains three bedrooms that take advantage of unexpected valley, skyline and mountain views. Interior detailing is bright, modern and efficient. Skylights and large windows wash the home with natural light. Open riser stairs and full-height glass interior walls contribute to a sense of openness and make the living spaces feel large despite the tight urban context.