whit preston
Example of a trendy straight staircase design in Austin

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized transitional u-shaped beige floor and medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, open cabinets, gray backsplash, an island, black cabinets, marble countertops, stone slab backsplash and paneled appliances

SRQ Magazine's Home of the Year 2015 Platinum Award for Best Bathroom, Best Kitchen, and Best Overall Renovation Photo: Raif Fluker
Example of a 1950s green tile and mosaic tile concrete floor bathroom design in Tampa with flat-panel cabinets, an integrated sink, white walls and medium tone wood cabinets

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.

All wall cabinets have mullion doors with gold highlighting and recessed bottoms for under cabinet lighting. The custom 60" hood is finished off with columns with burl inserts to either side. The island ends feature fluted turned posts with acanthus leaves and bun feet. Cabinets are Brookhaven, featuring the Winterhaven Raised door style with a Candlelight finish with Black Glaze on Maple. Cabinet Innovations Copyright 2013 Don A. Hoffman

Inspiration for a contemporary powder room remodel in Chicago with blue walls and a wall-mount sink

Example of a classic open concept kitchen design in Milwaukee with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, beige backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Bathroom - contemporary master bathroom idea in Portland with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets and white cabinets

Dark stone, custom cherry cabinetry, misty forest wallpaper, and a luxurious soaker tub mix together to create this spectacular primary bathroom. These returning clients came to us with a vision to transform their builder-grade bathroom into a showpiece, inspired in part by the Japanese garden and forest surrounding their home. Our designer, Anna, incorporated several accessibility-friendly features into the bathroom design; a zero-clearance shower entrance, a tiled shower bench, stylish grab bars, and a wide ledge for transitioning into the soaking tub. Our master cabinet maker and finish carpenters collaborated to create the handmade tapered legs of the cherry cabinets, a custom mirror frame, and new wood trim.

Bathroom - large modern master bathroom idea in Other with white walls, a hinged shower door, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, an integrated sink, solid surface countertops and white countertops

Example of a tuscan galley kitchen design in Miami with raised-panel cabinets, blue backsplash and paneled appliances

Bathroom - large contemporary bathroom idea in Montreal with a trough sink

Country l-shaped utility room photo in Portland with an integrated sink, black walls and a stacked washer/dryer

Kirk Shultz
Trendy brown tile alcove shower photo in Grand Rapids with an integrated sink and white cabinets

banquette, breakfast bar, breakfast nook, cabinet front refrigerator, ceiling lighting, eat in kitchen, exposed beams, great room, island lighting, kitchen island, kitchen rugs, neutral colors, open floor plan, open kitchen, panel refrigerator, range hood, recessed lighting, roman shades, rustic, stainless steel appliances, two tone cabinets, Window Treatments, wood ceiling, wood flooring,

Joe Fletcher
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary 3/4 mosaic tile floor bathroom remodel in New York with dark wood cabinets, an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, a bidet, white walls, solid surface countertops and white countertops

This Guest Bedroom / Bathroom found inspiration in white! by repainting the existing brown paneling with glossy white we created a fresh and airy space. Unusually scaled twin beds, float in the center of the room allowing a unique spot for conversation as well as sleeping. Dramatic light fixtures, textural sisal and art complete the simple yet interesting space. Photographer-Janet Mesic Mackie

Francine Fleischer Photography
Small elegant galley porcelain tile and blue floor enclosed kitchen photo in New York with white cabinets, soapstone countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island, an integrated sink and flat-panel cabinets

Painted in ‘sorrel’ this superb example of a large bespoke bookcase complements this spacious lounge perfectly. This is a stunning fitted bookcase that not only looks great but fits the client’s initial vision by incorporating a small study area that can be neatly hidden away when not in use. Storage for books, pictures, trinkets and keepsakes has been carefully considered and designed sympathetically to the interior decor.