Erin Lau
Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in Seattle.

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional partial sun front yard mulch formal garden in Boston for spring.

Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor kitchen/dining room combo remodel in New York with beige walls

Inspiration for a contemporary gray tile marble floor powder room remodel in Miami with open cabinets, gray cabinets, an undermount sink and gray walls

Derek Skalko
Example of a transitional open concept kitchen design in Denver with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, matchstick tile backsplash and multicolored backsplash

The beautifully redone kitchen expanded the countertop for more cabinets and increased total countertop surface with bar seating for three. We also opened the wall between the kitchen and living room to provide a less crowded feel and built a pantry in a space that was previously a cramped and ineffective breakfast area.

The beautifully redone kitchen expanded the countertop for more cabinets and increased total countertop surface with bar seating for three. We also opened the wall between the kitchen and living room to provide a less crowded feel and built a pantry in a space that was previously a cramped and ineffective breakfast area.

The beautifully redone kitchen expanded the countertop for more cabinets and increased total countertop surface with bar seating for three. We also opened the wall between the kitchen and living room to provide a less crowded feel and built a pantry in a space that was previously a cramped and ineffective breakfast area.

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

Project Team: Ben Awes, AIA, Principal-In-Charge, Bob Ganser AIA, Nate Dodge Photographer: Alyssa Lee www.alyssaleephotography.com
Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in Minneapolis

Kitchen - traditional kitchen idea in Portland

This Montana inspired kitchen was designed to reflect the homeowners' love of the great outdoors. Earthy wood tones and majestic granite complement the western decor of their home. Cherry cabinets have a western style door and rugged oil rubbed bronze handles. Two structural changes were made. First, a tray ceiling was created to increase the height of the kitchen. Next, the kitchen was opened up completely to the family room by removing a doorway and partial wall. The end of the peninsula curves around to invite everyone into the family room. The apothecary drawers (left of the dishwasher) add a rustic western charm. But the highlight of this kitchen is the custom built large pantry. A granite work surface within the pantry complete with electrical outlets allows the homeowner to use small appliances right where they located and stored. Upper shelves allow the homeowners to easily see their large and small pantry items along with generously sized spice racks on each door. Plenty of drawers and a second food pantry provide the needed storage for this active family.

The existing kitchen in this home lacked flow. It was crowded into the corner of a generous great room with sweeping mountain views. By increasing the size slightly and moving a doorway, we allowed the newly designed kitchen to stretch out and make it’s self comfortable in the great room. The result is a stunning kitchen with wonderful flow and function. The hand glazed cabinetry, custom hood and hand made tile add to the charm. We delievered the client her dream kitchen in a way she never imagined possible!

The existing kitchen in this home lacked flow. It was crowded into the corner of a generous great room with sweeping mountain views. By increasing the size slightly and moving a doorway, we allowed the newly designed kitchen to stretch out and make it’s self comfortable in the great room. The result is a stunning kitchen with wonderful flow and function. The hand glazed cabinetry, custom hood and hand made tile add to the charm. We delievered the client her dream kitchen in a way she never imagined possible!

The existing kitchen in this home lacked flow. It was crowded into the corner of a generous great room with sweeping mountain views. By increasing the size slightly and moving a doorway, we allowed the newly designed kitchen to stretch out and make it’s self comfortable in the great room. The result is a stunning kitchen with wonderful flow and function. The hand glazed cabinetry, custom hood and hand made tile add to the charm. We delievered the client her dream kitchen in a way she never imagined possible!

The existing kitchen in this home lacked flow. It was crowded into the corner of a generous great room with sweeping mountain views. By increasing the size slightly and moving a doorway, we allowed the newly designed kitchen to stretch out and make it’s self comfortable in the great room. The result is a stunning kitchen with wonderful flow and function. The hand glazed cabinetry, custom hood and hand made tile add to the charm. We delievered the client her dream kitchen in a way she never imagined possible!

The existing kitchen in this home lacked flow. It was crowded into the corner of a generous great room with sweeping mountain views. By increasing the size slightly and moving a doorway, we allowed the newly designed kitchen to stretch out and make it’s self comfortable in the great room. The result is a stunning kitchen with wonderful flow and function. The hand glazed cabinetry, custom hood and hand made tile add to the charm. We delievered the client her dream kitchen in a way she never imagined possible!

THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.