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Creating a Dream Kitchen: Where Beauty Meets Functionality
The kitchen is the heart of every modern home. Today, kitchen design goes beyond just cabinet layouts and color schemes—it’s about optimizing space and ensuring high-performance functionality. One often overlooked yet crucial element is a well-designed plumbing system, which can dramatically enhance both the aesthetics and efficiency of your space.
Hidden Plumbing: The Secret to Sleek, Modern Designs
Leading interior designers in Phoenix, Arizona, emphasize that a professional plumbing system can make a significant difference in a kitchen’s final look. Companies like APS Plumbing, with their expertise in concealed plumbing installations, help architects and homeowners achieve that flawless, minimalist design.
5 Key Plumbing Tips for an Efficient Kitchen:
Smart Placement – Strategically position faucets and drainage points to enhance both aesthetics and daily usability.
High-Quality Materials – Invest in durable pipes and fittings to minimize frequent repairs.
Professional Insulation – Prevent energy loss and reduce unwanted noise with proper pipe insulation.
Easy Access – Design the system so future repairs don’t require extensive demolition.
Appliance Compatibility – Ensure plumbing aligns with modern appliances like side-by-side refrigerators and advanced dishwashers.
Choosing the Right Professional
As seen in high-end design projects, working with experienced plumbing teams like APS Plumbing—who understand modern design needs—can prevent costly future issues. Their free pre-installation consultations help homeowners and designers choose the best solutions for combining beauty and functionality.
Final Thoughts
A truly modern kitchen achieves perfection by paying attention to every technical detail. Investing in a professional plumbing system not only increases your home’s value but also enhances everyday cooking and living experiences. For your next project, consult experts who combine technical knowledge with a strong sense of aesthetics.
The kitchen is the heart of every modern home. Today, kitchen design goes beyond just cabinet layouts and color schemes—it’s about optimizing space and ensuring high-performance functionality. One often overlooked yet crucial element is a well-designed plumbing system, which can dramatically enhance both the aesthetics and efficiency of your space.
Hidden Plumbing: The Secret to Sleek, Modern Designs
Leading interior designers in Phoenix, Arizona, emphasize that a professional plumbing system can make a significant difference in a kitchen’s final look. Companies like APS Plumbing, with their expertise in concealed plumbing installations, help architects and homeowners achieve that flawless, minimalist design.
5 Key Plumbing Tips for an Efficient Kitchen:
Smart Placement – Strategically position faucets and drainage points to enhance both aesthetics and daily usability.
High-Quality Materials – Invest in durable pipes and fittings to minimize frequent repairs.
Professional Insulation – Prevent energy loss and reduce unwanted noise with proper pipe insulation.
Easy Access – Design the system so future repairs don’t require extensive demolition.
Appliance Compatibility – Ensure plumbing aligns with modern appliances like side-by-side refrigerators and advanced dishwashers.
Choosing the Right Professional
As seen in high-end design projects, working with experienced plumbing teams like APS Plumbing—who understand modern design needs—can prevent costly future issues. Their free pre-installation consultations help homeowners and designers choose the best solutions for combining beauty and functionality.
Final Thoughts
A truly modern kitchen achieves perfection by paying attention to every technical detail. Investing in a professional plumbing system not only increases your home’s value but also enhances everyday cooking and living experiences. For your next project, consult experts who combine technical knowledge with a strong sense of aesthetics.

OVERVIEW
Set into a mature Boston area neighborhood, this sophisticated 2900SF home offers efficient use of space, expression through form, and myriad of green features.
MULTI-GENERATIONAL LIVING
Designed to accommodate three family generations, paired living spaces on the first and second levels are architecturally expressed on the facade by window systems that wrap the front corners of the house. Included are two kitchens, two living areas, an office for two, and two master suites.
CURB APPEAL
The home includes both modern form and materials, using durable cedar and through-colored fiber cement siding, permeable parking with an electric charging station, and an acrylic overhang to shelter foot traffic from rain.
FEATURE STAIR
An open stair with resin treads and glass rails winds from the basement to the third floor, channeling natural light through all the home’s levels.
LEVEL ONE
The first floor kitchen opens to the living and dining space, offering a grand piano and wall of south facing glass. A master suite and private ‘home office for two’ complete the level.
LEVEL TWO
The second floor includes another open concept living, dining, and kitchen space, with kitchen sink views over the green roof. A full bath, bedroom and reading nook are perfect for the children.
LEVEL THREE
The third floor provides the second master suite, with separate sink and wardrobe area, plus a private roofdeck.
ENERGY
The super insulated home features air-tight construction, continuous exterior insulation, and triple-glazed windows. The walls and basement feature foam-free cavity & exterior insulation. On the rooftop, a solar electric system helps offset energy consumption.
WATER
Cisterns capture stormwater and connect to a drip irrigation system. Inside the home, consumption is limited with high efficiency fixtures and appliances.
TEAM
Architecture & Mechanical Design – ZeroEnergy Design
Contractor – Aedi Construction
Photos – Eric Roth Photography
Find the right local pro for your project

Designers gave the house a wood-and-steel façade that blends traditional and industrial elements.Photography by Eric Hausman
Designers gave the house a wood-and-steel façade that blends traditional and industrial elements. This home’s noteworthy steel shipping container construction material, offers a streamlined aesthetic and industrial vibe, with sustainable attributes and strength. Recycled shipping containers are fireproof, impervious to water and stronger than traditional building materials. Inside, muscular concrete walls, burnished cedar beams and custom oak cabinetry give the living spaces definition, decorative might, and storage and seating options.
For more than 40 years, Fredman Design Group has been in the business of Interior Design. Throughout the years, we’ve built long-lasting relationships with our clients through our client-centric approach. When creating designs, our decisions depend on the personality of our clients—their dreams and their aspirations. We manifest their lifestyle by incorporating elements of design with those of our clients to create a unique environment, down to the details of the upholstery and accessories. We love it when a home feels finished and lived in, with various layers and textures.
While each of our clients and their stories has varied over the years, they’ve come to trust us with their projects—whether it’s a single room to the larger complete renovation, addition, or new construction.
They value the collaborative team that is behind each project, embracing the diversity that each designer is able to bring to their project through their love of art, travel, fashion, nature, history, architecture or film—ultimately falling in love with the nurturing environments we create for them.
We are grateful for the opportunity to tell each of clients’ stories through design. What story can we help you tell?
Call us today to schedule your complimentary consultation - 312-587-9184

Welcome to the world of Duette® honeycomb shades from Hunter Douglas, where honeycomb shades originated and were perfected. Duette® honeycomb shades offer a wide variety of luscious woven and classic fabrics in a virtual rainbow of contemporary colors, pleat sizes and opacities to complement rooms that mirror your individuality. Every Duette® shade provides superior energy efficiency: the honeycomb itself captures the air to help insulate your home, keeping it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Duette® honeycomb shades adapt beautifully to a broad range of design and architectural styles and enhance any window, including yours. Available at Alleen's Custom Window Treatments

The design of this home was driven by the owners’ desire for a three-bedroom waterfront home that showcased the spectacular views and park-like setting. As nature lovers, they wanted their home to be organic, minimize any environmental impact on the sensitive site and embrace nature.
This unique home is sited on a high ridge with a 45° slope to the water on the right and a deep ravine on the left. The five-acre site is completely wooded and tree preservation was a major emphasis. Very few trees were removed and special care was taken to protect the trees and environment throughout the project. To further minimize disturbance, grades were not changed and the home was designed to take full advantage of the site’s natural topography. Oak from the home site was re-purposed for the mantle, powder room counter and select furniture.
The visually powerful twin pavilions were born from the need for level ground and parking on an otherwise challenging site. Fill dirt excavated from the main home provided the foundation. All structures are anchored with a natural stone base and exterior materials include timber framing, fir ceilings, shingle siding, a partial metal roof and corten steel walls. Stone, wood, metal and glass transition the exterior to the interior and large wood windows flood the home with light and showcase the setting. Interior finishes include reclaimed heart pine floors, Douglas fir trim, dry-stacked stone, rustic cherry cabinets and soapstone counters.
Exterior spaces include a timber-framed porch, stone patio with fire pit and commanding views of the Occoquan reservoir. A second porch overlooks the ravine and a breezeway connects the garage to the home.
Numerous energy-saving features have been incorporated, including LED lighting, on-demand gas water heating and special insulation. Smart technology helps manage and control the entire house.
Greg Hadley Photography

Hammer & Hand, along with architect Mary Hogue from MKM Architecture and designer Charlotte Cooney of Domestic Arts, transformed a boxy, closed off space into an open and flowing floor plan. H&H caged out the openings from the entryway into the living room, from the living room to the dining room, and from the dining room into the kitchen to turn four compartmentalized spaces into one flowing area.
The team also did a complete remodel of the kitchen, creating an open space perfect for cooking and socializing. Nooks with floating shelves help organize the kitchen while keeping bar items and spices visible and accessible. A solid copper range hood from Vent-A-Hood and striped Marmoleum floor add interest to the otherwise neutral space. H&H also did a full home performance upgrade for the home, including full insulation, all new high performance windows, and HVAC upgrades.
Photography by Jeff Amram.

Sponsored
Sunbury, OH
J.Holderby - Renovations
Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

Jared McKenna Photography
Example of a mountain style exterior home design in Boston
Example of a mountain style exterior home design in Boston

Michael Hunter photography.
Large trendy open concept medium tone wood floor family room photo in Dallas with beige walls, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace and a wall-mounted tv
Large trendy open concept medium tone wood floor family room photo in Dallas with beige walls, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Hammer & Hand, along with architect Mary Hogue from MKM Architecture and designer Charlotte Cooney of Domestic Arts, transformed a boxy, closed off space into an open and flowing floor plan. H&H caged out the openings from the entryway into the living room, from the living room to the dining room, and from the dining room into the kitchen to turn four compartmentalized spaces into one flowing area.
The team also did a complete remodel of the kitchen, creating an open space perfect for cooking and socializing. Nooks with floating shelves help organize the kitchen while keeping bar items and spices visible and accessible. A solid copper range hood from Vent-A-Hood and striped Marmoleum floor add interest to the otherwise neutral space. H&H also did a full home performance upgrade for the home, including full insulation, all new high performance windows, and HVAC upgrades.
Photography by Jeff Amram.

Hammer & Hand, along with architect Mary Hogue from MKM Architecture and designer Charlotte Cooney of Domestic Arts, transformed a boxy, closed off space into an open and flowing floor plan. H&H caged out the openings from the entryway into the living room, from the living room to the dining room, and from the dining room into the kitchen to turn four compartmentalized spaces into one flowing area.
The team also did a complete remodel of the kitchen, creating an open space perfect for cooking and socializing. Nooks with floating shelves help organize the kitchen while keeping bar items and spices visible and accessible. A solid copper range hood from Vent-A-Hood and striped Marmoleum floor add interest to the otherwise neutral space. H&H also did a full home performance upgrade for the home, including full insulation, all new high performance windows, and HVAC upgrades.
Photography by Jeff Amram.

Sponsored
Delaware, OH
Buckeye Basements, Inc.
Central Ohio's Basement Finishing ExpertsBest Of Houzz '13-'21

 
Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW
 
The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”.
This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them.
“The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala.
The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below.
The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.”
The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala.
Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD
Photography by: Carlos Vergara
For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

DESIGNED BY TOC design
CONSTRUCTION BY TOC design & Construction inc.
PHOTOS BY : Tania Scardellato
I was fortunate to have a young family approach me in desperate need to renovate there only 3 piece bathroom. This space was In dire need of a remodel, with old brown wall to wall tiles and a dated bulky yellow brown single sink vanity.
Storage was a must, lighting a necessity, and proper accessibility to the shower bath area.
We had a tight budget to respect, but a full gut of this bathroom was required. And a good thing too, once we started doing the demolition we noticed that mildew and rotting floors and walls had accumulated throughout the years. Doing it right the first time is no joke when dealing with water and electrical issues.
We discarded all reminisce of old and built from scratch, new walls, new plumbing, new electrical ,new insulation and a new window, a new fan that actually exhausted outside ( I say this laughing as you would be amazed at how many fans are installed but don’t exhaust outside, and you the client would never know unless you go inside the attic space.
Once all the hard stuff was done, the rest is just a matter of smart design. If you have a small bathroom here are some tips to guide you.
10 tips for making a small bathroom feel larger
Is your tiny bathroom cramping your functionality and style, leaving you longing for the enormous bathrooms gracing the pages of design magazines? Even if your bathroom is a fraction of the size, all it takes is some design savvy to make the most of the space you have. Consider these 10 smart tips that will help your bathroom look, feel and function like those larger contenders.
1-Get creative with corners
Space is at a premium in small bathrooms, so it's important to maximize every inch. Corners, for example, provide extra space for shelving, storage units and even hooks. Get creative and install unique design solutions that are not only functional, but also eye-catching. If you love the airiness of floating cabinets, add baskets or decorative boxes under for extra storage. If you are installing floating cabinets insure that they are installed securely to studs or plywood at wall.
2- Let solid colors shine
Busy patterns have a shrinking effect and make small bathrooms seem even smaller. Conversely, light natural hues make a space feel more open. If you're itching to get creative with design, experiment with textures but keep overpowering patterns to a minimum. Tone on tone is the best to achieve this.
3 - Maximize your bathtub
A bathtub takes up a significant portion of the room, but modern, compact options with curved basins, can make the tub feel larger when in use, all while conserving space.
4 - Select a smaller faucet
A faucet is jewelry for the bathroom. And just as accessories can overpower an outfit, a big bulky faucet isn't flattering in a small bath. Single-handle designs conserve counter space, while a wall-mount installation frees it up all together and can create quite the wow-factor, if the budget can accommodate the required changes to plumbing behind the wall.
5 - Make vanity storage simple
If you're in a storage war with your small bathroom, you're not alone in the battle. Toiletries and personal supplies without a place to call home only add clutter and chaos. Store smart with a space-saving vanity, the dual sink vanity shown here, looks quite simple, but in reality it has 4 sets of full extension drawers, and the vanity tower adds extra storage without overpowering the use of space.
6 - Show off the shower
Shower curtains may be pretty, but they interrupt the visual flow of a bathing space and make it feel significantly smaller. In bathrooms with small footprints, opt for a clear glass sliding shower door that doesn't require the clearance of one with a hinged design. Or as shown in this design and for fraction less expensive a half hinged panel installed on a fixed tempered glass panel. If you're embarking on a big remodel, create the illusion of more space by using same tile in the shower that's used throughout; instead of seeing them as two separate zones, the eye will read them as one.
7 - Discover the treasure of hidden storage
Work with a contractor, and you just might find some serious storage potential hidden behind your walls. Whether it's utilizing space between the studs for shallow shelving or a creating a small linen closet by annexing space from an adjacent room, even small additions can make a big difference.
8 - Focal Point
Tile is a beautiful, durable addition to any bathroom. For dainty spaces, consider installing tile at a diagonal to accentuate the focal point or as in this bathroom I used an oversized textured pattern to bring depth to the space at the window wall.
9 - Choose the right lights
Strategically install light to reflect and brighten a small bathroom to make it appear larger. Recessed lighting is an affordable solution for tiny rooms, offering ample light while taking up little space. Wall sconces alongside a mirror also reflect off the walls and make a room feel bright and airy. I always recommend going with LED lighting at 2800 to 3000K.
10 – Accessorize
This is your time to shine in your decorating skills, have fun with your towels, you can change the color scheme daily just by adding pops of color in your accessories, make sure to get items that serve a dual purpose, like baskets, boxes they can always be used as hampers, storing of towels and even a nice display for your guest.

Inspiration for a large contemporary gray three-story stucco flat roof remodel in Los Angeles

Every project presents unique challenges. If you are a prospective client, it is Sunspace’s job to help devise a way to provide you with all the features and amenities you're looking for. The clients whose property is featured in this portfolio project were looking to introduce a new relaxation space to their home, but they needed to capture the beautiful lakeside views to the rear of the existing architecture. In addition, it was crucial to keep the design as traditional as possible so as to create a perfect blend with the classic, stately brick architecture of the existing home.
Sunspace created a design centered around a gable style roof. By utilizing standard wall framing and Andersen windows under the fully insulated high performance glass roof, we achieved great levels of natural light and solar control while affording the room a magnificent view of the exterior. The addition of hardwood flooring and a fireplace further enhance the experience. The result is beautiful and comfortable room with lots of nice natural light and a great lakeside view—exactly what the clients were after.

Sponsored
Sunbury, OH
J.Holderby - Renovations
Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

 
Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW
 
The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”.
This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them.
“The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala.
The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below.
The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.”
The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala.
Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD
Photography by: Carlos Vergara
For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Crafted to last, outdoor shades can withstand even severe weather and intense sunlight. They are a versatile way to increase energy efficiency and help to reduce indoor heat during South Florida’s harsh summers. By adding an extra layer of insulation, your home will remain comfortable and stylish. Outdoor shades also protect your valuable outdoor furnishings and equipment.
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