Nestled in the heart of Jackson Heights this large condo went from dark, old and drab to bright, contemporary and fab. It’s designed with a neutral pallet, incorporating pops of color throughout and occasional instances of distressed leather and reclaimed wood for warmth and character. The large, light-flooded living space home to both the living room and dining room is perfect for entertaining which is very important to the client. The living room provides 3 different seating options all with very different experiences but the same comfort and luxury. The seating is accompanied by Aged Brass and Shagreen nesting coffee tables and Marble side tables for resting a cocktail or kicking up one’s feet while enjoying a movie on the oversized wall mounted television. The low profile walnut media console is the perfect addition of warmth to the space. With so many amazing furniture and decor pieces, it’s hard to play favorite but we think the oversized photograph imported from Morocco is the real showstopper. Right off of the living room, the dining room is simple, clean, warm and elegant. The brass and glass globe linear chandelier shines bright above a farm-style solid wood table for 8. Brass framed antique mirror, potted succulents with quartz crystal, and a gallery wall showcasing special moments make this space perfect for the family to gather around while enjoying a home cooked meal made in the Galley Chef's Kitchen nearby. White cabinets and a cream colored pearlescent herringbone backsplash keep the narrow kitchen space open and airy. Navy base cabinets with brass hardware throughout add a touch of elegance and personality. Carrying the theme of clean and contemporary with a touch of warmth, reclaimed shelving above the farmhouse apron sink showcase some of the client’s favorite glassware and artifacts from travel. But what would a chef’s kitchen be without commercial grade appliances? The Cafe Series appliances from GE are nothing short of amazing and robust; and for the client who cooks - these appliances place a cherry on top .

Villa Lumina, in Paphos, Cyprus, blends modern architecture and practicality with nature preservation. We made sure to harmonize nature with the modern style, integrating trees into the overall design for the house and terrace. The materials used, like stone, wood, and porcelain stoneware, not only match the Cypriot scenery but are also long-lasting and environmentally friendly. For instance, stone surfaces look nice and are able to withstand the elements well, whereas wood keeps the warmth inside. The villa has two separate parts - a spacious open plan kitchen, dining and living area, and a more secluded part containing a main bedroom, walk-in closet, kids' rooms, and private bathrooms. Entering the house leads to a courtyard which is connected to the terrace and pool area and extends the living space. Villa Lumina shows how to make living spaces that fulfill people's needs without hurting the environment. Size / 351 sq.m. Year / 2023 Location / Paphos, Cyprus

Driftwood Custom Home was constructed on vacant property between two existing houses in Chemainus, BC. This type of project is a form of sustainable land development known as an Infill Build. These types of building lots are often small. However, careful planning and clever uses of design allowed us to maximize the space. This home has 2378 square feet with three bedrooms and three full bathrooms. Add in a living room on the main floor, a separate den upstairs, and a full laundry room and this custom home still feels spacious! The kitchen is bright and inviting. With white cabinets, countertops and backsplash, and stainless steel appliances, the feel of this space is timeless. Similarly, the master bathroom design features plenty of must-haves. For instance, the bathroom includes a shower with matching tile to the vanity backsplash, a double floating vanity, heated tiled flooring, and tiled walls. Together with a flush mount fireplace in the master bedroom, this is an inviting oasis of space.

A shingle style beach house in Westport, CT has formal details such as high ceilings and detailed millwork throughout. Wide plank walnut floors, overscale windows letting in lots of sunlight and large masonry fireplaces complement the seaside setting.

Kitchen This Timber Frame country home has a panoramic view from every window yet you want to stay inside and enjoy the view! It’s traditional elegance is breathtaking. It’s timeless design never will never get old. Cabinets: traditional raised panel full overlay, cherry with glaze Granite: “comet” Hardware: Top Knobs Kitchen Island: Traditional raised panel full overlay, maple, black paint with glaze and rub thru

A traditional 1926 cottage was transformed into a stunning, contemporary home. The focal point from both inside and out is a 3-story floating wood and stainless staircase, showcased by oversized windows and dramatic lighting. Walnut cabinetry with a distinct stain and natural slab surfaces offset the metals used throughout – Including at the interior and exterior of the fireplace. Reclaimed wood floors pay homage to the industrial area the home is situated in. In designing this home restrictions set forth by the building department were key. For instance, in order for the project to be considered a remodel the existing 8’ tall perimeter walls had to remain in place. The homeowners desperately wanted 9’ tall ceilings, so with crafty engineering and framing we were able to embellish the existing wall framing to achieve the added height. Clearstory windows allow much needed light into the spaces and creates the illusion of spaciousness, while maintaining wall areas for key furnishings and artwork. Every inch of space maximizes storage throughout the 2,600 square foot home. A cabinet for shoe storage immediately inside the front door also serves as a key component at the staircase and provides a platform to highlight sculptural artwork. Unique products and details, such as a metal link shower curtain and custom built-in guest beds with strategically placed outlets and horizontal surfaces to allow for electronics to be close at hand, elevate this home to the next level.

The chance to build a lakeside weekend home in rural NC provided this Chapel Hill family with an opportunity to ditch convention and think outside the box. For instance, we traded the traditional boat dock with what’s become known as the “party dock”… a floating lounge of sorts, complete with wet bar, TV, swimmer’s platform, and plenty of spots for watching the water fun. Inside, we turned one bedroom into a gym with climbing wall – and dropped the idea of a dining room, in favor of a deep upholstered niche and shuffleboard table. Outdoor drapery helped blur the lines between indoor spaces and exterior porches filled with upholstery, swings, and places for lazy napping. And after the sun goes down… smores, anyone? John Bessler

French swing doors are the epitome of classic door design, offering a timeless aesthetic that exudes romance. In this sitting room, French doors were selected to impart a sense of sophistication, ideal for entertaining guests and creating a welcoming ambiance. Unlike sliding doors, which move horizontally, French swing doors operate with an inward or outward motion. In this instance, the doors swing outward, enhancing the room's grandeur from within. This approach is an excellent alternative when pocketing doors is not feasible due to architectural constraints. Another notable feature is the fabulous fixed sidelites, which create a more expansive view from the inside out. These large side panels, positioned adjacent to the door, bring in additional light and serve as a striking visual accent. The fixed sidelites perfectly complement the French swing doors in this project, enhancing both the aesthetic appeal and the sense of openness.

A traditional 1926 cottage was transformed into a stunning, contemporary home. The focal point from both inside and out is a 3-story floating wood and stainless staircase, showcased by oversized windows and dramatic lighting. Walnut cabinetry with a distinct stain and natural slab surfaces offset the metals used throughout – Including at the interior and exterior of the fireplace. Reclaimed wood floors pay homage to the industrial area the home is situated in. In designing this home restrictions set forth by the building department were key. For instance, in order for the project to be considered a remodel the existing 8’ tall perimeter walls had to remain in place. The homeowners desperately wanted 9’ tall ceilings, so with crafty engineering and framing we were able to embellish the existing wall framing to achieve the added height. Clearstory windows allow much needed light into the spaces and creates the illusion of spaciousness, while maintaining wall areas for key furnishings and artwork. Every inch of space maximizes storage throughout the 2,600 square foot home. A cabinet for shoe storage immediately inside the front door also serves as a key component at the staircase and provides a platform to highlight sculptural artwork. Unique products and details, such as a metal link shower curtain and custom built-in guest beds with strategically placed outlets and horizontal surfaces to allow for electronics to be close at hand, elevate this home to the next level.

When people think of remodeling their homes, they often immediately consider starting with rooms like the dining area, living room, or basement – rooms where the most amount of people spend the most amount of time. While those rooms are important, recent remodeling trends are pointing toward the popularity of re-creating a more private place – the master bath. In fact, we are in the midst of The Year of the Master Bath. Current home improvement practices show that, not only is redoing your master bath a fun and stylish choice, but it also is a wise way to add value to your home. For homes built in the 1990’s with master baths over 200 square feet in size, now is the ideal time to remodel and upgrade to a more efficient, stylish, and worth-while setup. Most homes built during this time period were completed with a typical master bath that included a large jetted tub, and a separate small shower. Both of these elements are quickly becoming recognizable as features of the past, and are being replaced by new and improved technologies. For instance, many homeowners have taken it upon themselves to remove the large jetted bath, and replace it with a free standing tub. These free standing tubs allow for the room to open up in a more modern fashion, and provide endless style and aesthetic choices. Homeowners are also expanding their small showers to create a luxury environment. By pushing out walls to make more shower space, adding skylights and hinged doors, or even designing an accent tile pattern, homeowners are able to take their simple shower and turn it into a relaxing space that rivals even the best spa. The remodeling of a master bath even allows for homeowners to get creative with storage space and style. Many emerging trends include higher vanity height, and even additional built-in towers with extra outlets so that no one is without power while curling their hair or charging a razor. When you take the time to customize your master bath, you will add a level of value to your home that you can experience each and every day, and that will also add to your home’s worth in the long run. Join in on The Year of the Master Bath, and enjoy your improved space for decades to come!

Aimee Mazzenga Photography

When people think of remodeling their homes, they often immediately consider starting with rooms like the dining area, living room, or basement – rooms where the most amount of people spend the most amount of time. While those rooms are important, recent remodeling trends are pointing toward the popularity of re-creating a more private place – the master bath. In fact, we are in the midst of The Year of the Master Bath. Current home improvement practices show that, not only is redoing your master bath a fun and stylish choice, but it also is a wise way to add value to your home. For homes built in the 1990’s with master baths over 200 square feet in size, now is the ideal time to remodel and upgrade to a more efficient, stylish, and worth-while setup. Most homes built during this time period were completed with a typical master bath that included a large jetted tub, and a separate small shower. Both of these elements are quickly becoming recognizable as features of the past, and are being replaced by new and improved technologies. For instance, many homeowners have taken it upon themselves to remove the large jetted bath, and replace it with a free standing tub. These free standing tubs allow for the room to open up in a more modern fashion, and provide endless style and aesthetic choices. Homeowners are also expanding their small showers to create a luxury environment. By pushing out walls to make more shower space, adding skylights and hinged doors, or even designing an accent tile pattern, homeowners are able to take their simple shower and turn it into a relaxing space that rivals even the best spa. The remodeling of a master bath even allows for homeowners to get creative with storage space and style. Many emerging trends include higher vanity height, and even additional built-in towers with extra outlets so that no one is without power while curling their hair or charging a razor. When you take the time to customize your master bath, you will add a level of value to your home that you can experience each and every day, and that will also add to your home’s worth in the long run. Join in on The Year of the Master Bath, and enjoy your improved space for decades to come!

Designer: Joe Inscoe Location: Cabinet Discounters – Annapolis Specie: Maple Finish: Oatmeal and Zinc Overlay: FOLC Doors: Hillsbrad Drawer: 5-pc Flat Start your New Year with a New Kitchen! With the New Year finally here, it might be time to freshen up that outdated kitchen. Brighton Cabinetry offers custom cabinets across the Midwest and the East coast. Finding a dealer near you is easy! Just check out our Find a Dealer Page by clicking HERE. Not sure if you want light or dark colors on your cabinetry? Why not try using both? By accenting your kitchen with darker colors it will help certain pieces’ pop in color. For instance, in our shown kitchen you will see that the perimeter cabinets are painted in our Oatmeal finish, and the island and coffee bar are done in the contrasting dark color of Zinc. Brighton offers many ways to dress up your cabinetry to give it that extra flair. In the pictures you might have noticed the bun feet on the island. Bun feet give that chic look that will most likely never go out of style. With a bun foot you can give your kitchen a bit more of a comfortable feel, and a look that is like furniture style which is a design that people are looking for. Don’t forget about your accessories and storage! There are many different options that allow you to conveniently place away your items. From your pots and pans down to your spices, Brighton offers different choices to fit your needs, and if we don’t have it as a standard, your designer can custom quote an item to specifically fit your cabinetry needs. Some examples in the pictures are: Drawer Plate Organizer Double Knife Blocks Pullout Spice Racks Deluxe Rollouts Cutlery Dividers

In June of 2015 an amazing sudden summer storm hit our area with violent winds, rain, and tornados. In the aftermath, my clients found, on top of losing 30 or so trees on their property overall, one had actually struck their home, piercing the roof in their great room. The great room was the very last room in their house that we hadn't done a complete overhaul in. Sure, we had tweaked it, purchased a few pieces of furniture, reworked the layout, but the colors and design were much the same as they had been for decades. Since things needed to be repaired and painted already, it was decided to jump in with both feet and totally rethink the room, change almost everything, and add architectural details that seemed to be missing in the original design from the 1980's. So not only were the color palette, rugs, and furnishings changed, but some very important architectural interest was added. For instance, a new, more elegant post was added at the back of the space, visually connecting the downstairs with the loft above. Also, three beaded beams have been added across the vaulted ceiling, as well as a large chandelier, giving warmth, light and visual heft to the peak and upper corners of the room. The fireplace was given a total facelift as well. New original artwork, which had inspired the palette for the space, is now highlighted inside a custom panel over a beautiful new mantel and fireplace surround. Even though this project started with something quite unexpected and scary, my clients tell me that the results are something that they just love and enjoy whether at home just the two of them, or entertaining extended family and friends. Photos by Laura Kicey

Transitional kitchen photo in Philadelphia

Trendy staircase photo in Los Angeles

At SENCE ARCHITECTS, we know in utilizing every square meter of a home efficiently. With this philosophy in mind, we designed the Harmony home with a focus on rational thinking to maximize the use of every zone of space. Our idea aimed to keep things simple yet striking. We used a light natural color palette to evoke a sense of tranquility, and the clean flowing lines of the interior create a seamless transition between different areas of the home. The light camel-colored sofa group and coffee tables with natural textures contribute to the overall atmosphere of the interior. For the materials used in the home, we chose ones that were as close to nature as possible. This means that all the materials visually and to the touch were like they were from nature. For instance, we used stone travertine textures for the kitchen worktop and apron, while porcelain tiles were used on the floor, and the fronts themselves are natural wood. ​Finally, we incorporated rounded shapes into the design of the sofa, armchair, and partition between the sofa group and the entrance area to emphasize the visual softness of the interior. Size / 150 sq.m. Year / 2023 Location / Cyprus, Limassol

Just like the hardscape which was built from primarily recycled materials, most of the plants in this garden have been given a second chance at life from various certain death instances.