This family throws some mean parties where large crowds usually sit at the poolside. There’s an entire section of this walk out second level that is dedicated to entertaining which also gives access to the pool in the backyard. This place comes alive at night with built in surround sounds and LED lights. There was just one issue. The kitchen. The kitchen did not fit in. It was old, outdated, out-styled and nonfunctional. They knew the kitchen had to be address eventually but they just didn’t want to redo the kitchen. They wanted to revamp the kitchen, so they asked us to come in and look at the space to see how we can design this second floor kitchen in their New Rochelle home. It was a small kitchen, strategically located where it could be the hub that the family wanted it to be. It held its own amongst everything that was in the open space like the big screen TV, fireplace and pool table. That is exactly what we did in the design and here is how we did it. First, we got rid of the kitchen table and by doing so we created a peninsular. This eventually sets up the space for a couple of really cool pendant lights, some unique counter chairs and a wine cooler that was purchased before but never really had a home. We then turned our attention to the range and hood. This was not the main kitchen, so wall storage wasn’t the main goal here. We wanted to create a more open feel interaction while in the kitchen, hence we designed the free standing chimney hood alone to the left of the window. We then looked at how we can make it more entertaining. We did that by adding a Wine rack on a buffet style type area. This wall was free and would have remained empty had we not find a way to add some more glitz. Finally came the counter-top. Every detail was crucial because the view of the kitchen can be seen from when you enter the front door even if it was on the second floor walk out. The use of the space called for a waterfall edge counter-top and more importantly, the stone selection to further accentuate the effect. It was crucial that there was movement in the stone which connects to the 45 degree waterfall edge so it would be very dramatic. Nothing was overlooked in this space. It had to be done this way if it was going to have a fighting chance to take command of its territory. Have a look at some before and after photos on the left and see a brief video transformation of this lovely small kitchen. See more photos and vidoe of this transformation on our website @ http://www.rajkitchenandbath.com/portfolio-items/kitchen-remodel-new-rochelle-ny-10801/

This magnificent custom 4,200 sq ft timber frame Adirondack style home, with guest house and pool, enjoys complete privacy at the end of a rustic mountain road on 16 acres. Outfitted with robust, modern, eco-friendly solar systems and technology, the 4-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom main house features a wraparound porch and balcony, an open floor plan with oak and black walnut floors, rough Tuscan plaster walls, wood beams and French doors throughout. The spacious Timberpeg great room addition with loft balcony, cathedral ceilings and floor to ceiling rough-hewn stone fireplace, opens onto a patio sitting area enclosed by rustic walls cut from the property''s stone. Adjacent to the great room, an exceptional screened porch with fireplace looks over spectacular views of expansive lawns and the Catskill Mountains beyond. The Tuscan-inspired kitchen has an Italian tile and limestone farm sink, 6-burner Wolf range and custom extractor hood. The Master suite features a timbered balcony, steam shower and Jacuzzi tub. Opening onto the porch, a private main floor guest suite shares the outstanding views that define this exclusive property. Full basement with radiant floors, and roughed out for 5 th bedroom suite/bathroom and game room, provides additional storage. The property also features high-efficiency Buderus boiler, EV car charging port, rooftop solarvoltaic panels, back-up generator, driveway basketball court, 2-car garage, and space for a tennis court. A chalet-style post and beam 2-bedroom, 1-bath guesthouse completes this distinctive estate, with dining and sitting room, kitchenette, a natural form solar-heated pool with propane heat backup, free-form stone patio, spa whirlpool, waterfall, weeping rock wall, and cedar log pergola.

The potential of converting six laneway parking spaces at the back of the property into housing was apparent to architect Zuzanna Krykorka from the moment she laid eyes on the Parkdale, Toronto house her family ended up purchasing in 2018. Unique for a laneway house, the house has windows on all sides, bringing in lot of natural light while also interacting with the life of a city laneway. The "lit" house at night makes it obvious that this is an inhabited living space, occupants becoming part of the neighbourhood rather than tucked away in secret. The ground floor is a light-filled open-plan kitchen, dining and living room with views to the backyard framed by 3 massive 150 year old maple trees. Upstairs a spa-inspired bathroom with a large skylight surrounded by the tree canopy. Looking in either direction reveals that the central hall lines up with the north and south second-floor windows, again a nod to the house's laneway origins. Construction details follow passive house principles. The large window at the top of the stairs— again framing a view of the sky—is a feature called "the oculus." By night, the oculus glows warmly from the outside, while during the day it can be opened so as to function as a cooling shaft. Heating is provided by in-floor hydronic radiant on both floors powered by an electric boiler. A heat pump water heater does the domestic hot water. Meanwhile, dense-pack cellulose insulation retains this heat during the winter and minimizes the need for air-conditioning in the summer. But this system doesn't mean a stuffy interior: ventilation is enabled by Lunos "breathing wall" technology, a through-wall variable system that is coupled with a ceramic regenerative heat exchanger. Operating in pairs, these devices are installed directly through an exterior wall and provide continuous circulation without the need for duct-work, all of which has the added benefit of furthering the open, clean design aesthetic. The laneway house sits comfortably among the many garages of this Parkdale lane. With its steel roof, wood siding and dark robust exterior, it wears its Toronto garage vernacular proudly, an active part of the laneway urban environment. Project Details: Area: 1020 sf; 2 storey Height: 2 stories; 6m Rooms: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 powder room, open ground floor concept Mechanical: in floor hydronic heating both floors, electric boiler, separate domestic hot water heat pump water heater, 2 ductless mini split heat pump units upstairs Insulation: dense pack cellulose insulation, walls and ceiling, Roofing: corrugated metal roof Windows: triple pane high performance windows from Kastrup, Denmark

By Steve Crowe, March 08, 2013 Sound Design Builds State-of-the-Art Showroom for 20th Anniversary To celebrate it's 20th anniversary, Sound Design built a 6,500-square-foot showroom in Horseshoe Bay, Texas to demo technology in a "relaxing, luxurious ambience that appeals to our local clientele." Sound Design, a custom installer with offices in Horseshoe Bay and Lakeway, Texas, is celebrating its 20th anniversary in a big way: with the opening of a 4,500-square-foot showroom on April 1, 2013. The state-of-the-art space will be a “veritable candy land” that includes Elan g!, Planar, Runco, Sunfire and many more top-of-the-line brands. “We’ve learned a lot over the years, and our experience helped us design the new showroom in a way that presents a relaxing, luxurious ambience that appeals to our local clientele,” says Sound Design owner Chris Bean. “We used the best-of-the-best in every category, from the Runco 63-inch plasma TV framed and hidden by a VisionArt motorized art print to the ultra-high-end CAT MBX Sequoia speakers and of course the ELAN g! system.” The showroom’s entrance living room features A/V and lighting control from an Elan TS10 10-inch in-wall touchscreen, an Elan TS2 in-wall touchscreen and Elan HR2 handheld remote. The system distributes audio and video content to a system consisting of a Runco V63 63-inch plasma display, a Planar 2x3 Matrix Wall with six 46-inch panels, a Planar Mosaic wall with four 46-inch panels and four 15-inch square panels, a two-channel audio system that uses two 7-foot-tall CAT MBX Sequoia’s, and a surround system that includes an Integra DTR 50.4 receiver, Newport speakers and two Sunfire HRS-12 subwoofers. “Many of our clients are tech-savvy homeowners who have become mobile tech enthusiasts through their everyday interactions with iPhones and tablets, and they want that same instant satisfaction to apply to their household media and home functions,” says Bean. “Just a few years ago, the most common client request was for an amazing home theater to enjoy the newest DVDs or Blu-rays. Consumer culture is now moving beyond just high-quality audio and video and our clients are demanding easy, fast, total control of everything in the home from their touch panels, smartphone or tablet.” The most unique part of the new showroom, Bean says, will be the 640-square-foot simulation room, which is still under construction. Featuring AboutGolf’s newest three-projector continuous curve screen golf simulator, a LaserShot shooting simulator with five-channel surround and 30 competitive games for two players, and a VRX iMotion triple-LCD display driving & flight simulator, this room is a virtual playground. “The simulation room is a step forward for CI showroom design and for our company, and it allows us to open the imagination of our clients to show them that anything is possible,” says Bean. “Homeowners in Horseshoe Bay are all about recreation and a luxury lifestyle, so we wanted to show the unique ways people could enhance their home’s fun factor. From controlling lighting, heating and surveillance cameras on an iPhone to a hyper-realistic golf simulator that makes you feel like you’re really teeing off on the course, our Horseshoe Bay showroom is as state-of-the-art as it can be.” Sound Design also built a commercial-quality home theater that uses a Display Development HD3 projector, a 184-inch Stewart Filmscreen Luxus Delux screen, a Kaleidescape M300 player connected to a Kaleidescape CinemaOne server in the lobby, a Theta Casablanca III preamp/processor, Theta Compli-blu Blu-ray player, a PrimaCinema server, and a bevy of California Audio Technology speakers, subwoofers and amplifiers.

This magnificent custom 4,200 sq ft timber frame Adirondack style home, with guest house and pool, enjoys complete privacy at the end of a rustic mountain road on 16 acres. Outfitted with robust, modern, eco-friendly solar systems and technology, the 4-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom main house features a wraparound porch and balcony, an open floor plan with oak and black walnut floors, rough Tuscan plaster walls, wood beams and French doors throughout. The spacious Timberpeg great room addition with loft balcony, cathedral ceilings and floor to ceiling rough-hewn stone fireplace, opens onto a patio sitting area enclosed by rustic walls cut from the property''s stone. Adjacent to the great room, an exceptional screened porch with fireplace looks over spectacular views of expansive lawns and the Catskill Mountains beyond. The Tuscan-inspired kitchen has an Italian tile and limestone farm sink, 6-burner Wolf range and custom extractor hood. The Master suite features a timbered balcony, steam shower and Jacuzzi tub. Opening onto the porch, a private main floor guest suite shares the outstanding views that define this exclusive property. Full basement with radiant floors, and roughed out for 5 th bedroom suite/bathroom and game room, provides additional storage. The property also features high-efficiency Buderus boiler, EV car charging port, rooftop solarvoltaic panels, back-up generator, driveway basketball court, 2-car garage, and space for a tennis court. A chalet-style post and beam 2-bedroom, 1-bath guesthouse completes this distinctive estate, with dining and sitting room, kitchenette, a natural form solar-heated pool with propane heat backup, free-form stone patio, spa whirlpool, waterfall, weeping rock wall, and cedar log pergola.

This magnificent custom 4,200 sq ft timber frame Adirondack style home, with guest house and pool, enjoys complete privacy at the end of a rustic mountain road on 16 acres. Outfitted with robust, modern, eco-friendly solar systems and technology, the 4-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom main house features a wraparound porch and balcony, an open floor plan with oak and black walnut floors, rough Tuscan plaster walls, wood beams and French doors throughout. The spacious Timberpeg great room addition with loft balcony, cathedral ceilings and floor to ceiling rough-hewn stone fireplace, opens onto a patio sitting area enclosed by rustic walls cut from the property''s stone. Adjacent to the great room, an exceptional screened porch with fireplace looks over spectacular views of expansive lawns and the Catskill Mountains beyond. The Tuscan-inspired kitchen has an Italian tile and limestone farm sink, 6-burner Wolf range and custom extractor hood. The Master suite features a timbered balcony, steam shower and Jacuzzi tub. Opening onto the porch, a private main floor guest suite shares the outstanding views that define this exclusive property. Full basement with radiant floors, and roughed out for 5 th bedroom suite/bathroom and game room, provides additional storage. The property also features high-efficiency Buderus boiler, EV car charging port, rooftop solarvoltaic panels, back-up generator, driveway basketball court, 2-car garage, and space for a tennis court. A chalet-style post and beam 2-bedroom, 1-bath guesthouse completes this distinctive estate, with dining and sitting room, kitchenette, a natural form solar-heated pool with propane heat backup, free-form stone patio, spa whirlpool, waterfall, weeping rock wall, and cedar log pergola.

This magnificent custom 4,200 sq ft timber frame Adirondack style home, with guest house and pool, enjoys complete privacy at the end of a rustic mountain road on 16 acres. Outfitted with robust, modern, eco-friendly solar systems and technology, the 4-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom main house features a wraparound porch and balcony, an open floor plan with oak and black walnut floors, rough Tuscan plaster walls, wood beams and French doors throughout. The spacious Timberpeg great room addition with loft balcony, cathedral ceilings and floor to ceiling rough-hewn stone fireplace, opens onto a patio sitting area enclosed by rustic walls cut from the property''s stone. Adjacent to the great room, an exceptional screened porch with fireplace looks over spectacular views of expansive lawns and the Catskill Mountains beyond. The Tuscan-inspired kitchen has an Italian tile and limestone farm sink, 6-burner Wolf range and custom extractor hood. The Master suite features a timbered balcony, steam shower and Jacuzzi tub. Opening onto the porch, a private main floor guest suite shares the outstanding views that define this exclusive property. Full basement with radiant floors, and roughed out for 5 th bedroom suite/bathroom and game room, provides additional storage. The property also features high-efficiency Buderus boiler, EV car charging port, rooftop solarvoltaic panels, back-up generator, driveway basketball court, 2-car garage, and space for a tennis court. A chalet-style post and beam 2-bedroom, 1-bath guesthouse completes this distinctive estate, with dining and sitting room, kitchenette, a natural form solar-heated pool with propane heat backup, free-form stone patio, spa whirlpool, waterfall, weeping rock wall, and cedar log pergola.

This magnificent custom 4,200 sq ft timber frame Adirondack style home, with guest house and pool, enjoys complete privacy at the end of a rustic mountain road on 16 acres. Outfitted with robust, modern, eco-friendly solar systems and technology, the 4-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom main house features a wraparound porch and balcony, an open floor plan with oak and black walnut floors, rough Tuscan plaster walls, wood beams and French doors throughout. The spacious Timberpeg great room addition with loft balcony, cathedral ceilings and floor to ceiling rough-hewn stone fireplace, opens onto a patio sitting area enclosed by rustic walls cut from the property''s stone. Adjacent to the great room, an exceptional screened porch with fireplace looks over spectacular views of expansive lawns and the Catskill Mountains beyond. The Tuscan-inspired kitchen has an Italian tile and limestone farm sink, 6-burner Wolf range and custom extractor hood. The Master suite features a timbered balcony, steam shower and Jacuzzi tub. Opening onto the porch, a private main floor guest suite shares the outstanding views that define this exclusive property. Full basement with radiant floors, and roughed out for 5 th bedroom suite/bathroom and game room, provides additional storage. The property also features high-efficiency Buderus boiler, EV car charging port, rooftop solarvoltaic panels, back-up generator, driveway basketball court, 2-car garage, and space for a tennis court. A chalet-style post and beam 2-bedroom, 1-bath guesthouse completes this distinctive estate, with dining and sitting room, kitchenette, a natural form solar-heated pool with propane heat backup, free-form stone patio, spa whirlpool, waterfall, weeping rock wall, and cedar log pergola.

This magnificent custom 4,200 sq ft timber frame Adirondack style home, with guest house and pool, enjoys complete privacy at the end of a rustic mountain road on 16 acres. Outfitted with robust, modern, eco-friendly solar systems and technology, the 4-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom main house features a wraparound porch and balcony, an open floor plan with oak and black walnut floors, rough Tuscan plaster walls, wood beams and French doors throughout. The spacious Timberpeg great room addition with loft balcony, cathedral ceilings and floor to ceiling rough-hewn stone fireplace, opens onto a patio sitting area enclosed by rustic walls cut from the property''s stone. Adjacent to the great room, an exceptional screened porch with fireplace looks over spectacular views of expansive lawns and the Catskill Mountains beyond. The Tuscan-inspired kitchen has an Italian tile and limestone farm sink, 6-burner Wolf range and custom extractor hood. The Master suite features a timbered balcony, steam shower and Jacuzzi tub. Opening onto the porch, a private main floor guest suite shares the outstanding views that define this exclusive property. Full basement with radiant floors, and roughed out for 5 th bedroom suite/bathroom and game room, provides additional storage. The property also features high-efficiency Buderus boiler, EV car charging port, rooftop solarvoltaic panels, back-up generator, driveway basketball court, 2-car garage, and space for a tennis court. A chalet-style post and beam 2-bedroom, 1-bath guesthouse completes this distinctive estate, with dining and sitting room, kitchenette, a natural form solar-heated pool with propane heat backup, free-form stone patio, spa whirlpool, waterfall, weeping rock wall, and cedar log pergola.

This magnificent custom 4,200 sq ft timber frame Adirondack style home, with guest house and pool, enjoys complete privacy at the end of a rustic mountain road on 16 acres. Outfitted with robust, modern, eco-friendly solar systems and technology, the 4-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom main house features a wraparound porch and balcony, an open floor plan with oak and black walnut floors, rough Tuscan plaster walls, wood beams and French doors throughout. The spacious Timberpeg great room addition with loft balcony, cathedral ceilings and floor to ceiling rough-hewn stone fireplace, opens onto a patio sitting area enclosed by rustic walls cut from the property''s stone. Adjacent to the great room, an exceptional screened porch with fireplace looks over spectacular views of expansive lawns and the Catskill Mountains beyond. The Tuscan-inspired kitchen has an Italian tile and limestone farm sink, 6-burner Wolf range and custom extractor hood. The Master suite features a timbered balcony, steam shower and Jacuzzi tub. Opening onto the porch, a private main floor guest suite shares the outstanding views that define this exclusive property. Full basement with radiant floors, and roughed out for 5 th bedroom suite/bathroom and game room, provides additional storage. The property also features high-efficiency Buderus boiler, EV car charging port, rooftop solarvoltaic panels, back-up generator, driveway basketball court, 2-car garage, and space for a tennis court. A chalet-style post and beam 2-bedroom, 1-bath guesthouse completes this distinctive estate, with dining and sitting room, kitchenette, a natural form solar-heated pool with propane heat backup, free-form stone patio, spa whirlpool, waterfall, weeping rock wall, and cedar log pergola.

This magnificent custom 4,200 sq ft timber frame Adirondack style home, with guest house and pool, enjoys complete privacy at the end of a rustic mountain road on 16 acres. Outfitted with robust, modern, eco-friendly solar systems and technology, the 4-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom main house features a wraparound porch and balcony, an open floor plan with oak and black walnut floors, rough Tuscan plaster walls, wood beams and French doors throughout. The spacious Timberpeg great room addition with loft balcony, cathedral ceilings and floor to ceiling rough-hewn stone fireplace, opens onto a patio sitting area enclosed by rustic walls cut from the property''s stone. Adjacent to the great room, an exceptional screened porch with fireplace looks over spectacular views of expansive lawns and the Catskill Mountains beyond. The Tuscan-inspired kitchen has an Italian tile and limestone farm sink, 6-burner Wolf range and custom extractor hood. The Master suite features a timbered balcony, steam shower and Jacuzzi tub. Opening onto the porch, a private main floor guest suite shares the outstanding views that define this exclusive property. Full basement with radiant floors, and roughed out for 5 th bedroom suite/bathroom and game room, provides additional storage. The property also features high-efficiency Buderus boiler, EV car charging port, rooftop solarvoltaic panels, back-up generator, driveway basketball court, 2-car garage, and space for a tennis court. A chalet-style post and beam 2-bedroom, 1-bath guesthouse completes this distinctive estate, with dining and sitting room, kitchenette, a natural form solar-heated pool with propane heat backup, free-form stone patio, spa whirlpool, waterfall, weeping rock wall, and cedar log pergola.

This magnificent custom 4,200 sq ft timber frame Adirondack style home, with guest house and pool, enjoys complete privacy at the end of a rustic mountain road on 16 acres. Outfitted with robust, modern, eco-friendly solar systems and technology, the 4-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom main house features a wraparound porch and balcony, an open floor plan with oak and black walnut floors, rough Tuscan plaster walls, wood beams and French doors throughout. The spacious Timberpeg great room addition with loft balcony, cathedral ceilings and floor to ceiling rough-hewn stone fireplace, opens onto a patio sitting area enclosed by rustic walls cut from the property''s stone. Adjacent to the great room, an exceptional screened porch with fireplace looks over spectacular views of expansive lawns and the Catskill Mountains beyond. The Tuscan-inspired kitchen has an Italian tile and limestone farm sink, 6-burner Wolf range and custom extractor hood. The Master suite features a timbered balcony, steam shower and Jacuzzi tub. Opening onto the porch, a private main floor guest suite shares the outstanding views that define this exclusive property. Full basement with radiant floors, and roughed out for 5 th bedroom suite/bathroom and game room, provides additional storage. The property also features high-efficiency Buderus boiler, EV car charging port, rooftop solarvoltaic panels, back-up generator, driveway basketball court, 2-car garage, and space for a tennis court. A chalet-style post and beam 2-bedroom, 1-bath guesthouse completes this distinctive estate, with dining and sitting room, kitchenette, a natural form solar-heated pool with propane heat backup, free-form stone patio, spa whirlpool, waterfall, weeping rock wall, and cedar log pergola.

This magnificent custom 4,200 sq ft timber frame Adirondack style home, with guest house and pool, enjoys complete privacy at the end of a rustic mountain road on 16 acres. Outfitted with robust, modern, eco-friendly solar systems and technology, the 4-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom main house features a wraparound porch and balcony, an open floor plan with oak and black walnut floors, rough Tuscan plaster walls, wood beams and French doors throughout. The spacious Timberpeg great room addition with loft balcony, cathedral ceilings and floor to ceiling rough-hewn stone fireplace, opens onto a patio sitting area enclosed by rustic walls cut from the property''s stone. Adjacent to the great room, an exceptional screened porch with fireplace looks over spectacular views of expansive lawns and the Catskill Mountains beyond. The Tuscan-inspired kitchen has an Italian tile and limestone farm sink, 6-burner Wolf range and custom extractor hood. The Master suite features a timbered balcony, steam shower and Jacuzzi tub. Opening onto the porch, a private main floor guest suite shares the outstanding views that define this exclusive property. Full basement with radiant floors, and roughed out for 5 th bedroom suite/bathroom and game room, provides additional storage. The property also features high-efficiency Buderus boiler, EV car charging port, rooftop solarvoltaic panels, back-up generator, driveway basketball court, 2-car garage, and space for a tennis court. A chalet-style post and beam 2-bedroom, 1-bath guesthouse completes this distinctive estate, with dining and sitting room, kitchenette, a natural form solar-heated pool with propane heat backup, free-form stone patio, spa whirlpool, waterfall, weeping rock wall, and cedar log pergola.

This magnificent custom 4,200 sq ft timber frame Adirondack style home, with guest house and pool, enjoys complete privacy at the end of a rustic mountain road on 16 acres. Outfitted with robust, modern, eco-friendly solar systems and technology, the 4-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom main house features a wraparound porch and balcony, an open floor plan with oak and black walnut floors, rough Tuscan plaster walls, wood beams and French doors throughout. The spacious Timberpeg great room addition with loft balcony, cathedral ceilings and floor to ceiling rough-hewn stone fireplace, opens onto a patio sitting area enclosed by rustic walls cut from the property''s stone. Adjacent to the great room, an exceptional screened porch with fireplace looks over spectacular views of expansive lawns and the Catskill Mountains beyond. The Tuscan-inspired kitchen has an Italian tile and limestone farm sink, 6-burner Wolf range and custom extractor hood. The Master suite features a timbered balcony, steam shower and Jacuzzi tub. Opening onto the porch, a private main floor guest suite shares the outstanding views that define this exclusive property. Full basement with radiant floors, and roughed out for 5 th bedroom suite/bathroom and game room, provides additional storage. The property also features high-efficiency Buderus boiler, EV car charging port, rooftop solarvoltaic panels, back-up generator, driveway basketball court, 2-car garage, and space for a tennis court. A chalet-style post and beam 2-bedroom, 1-bath guesthouse completes this distinctive estate, with dining and sitting room, kitchenette, a natural form solar-heated pool with propane heat backup, free-form stone patio, spa whirlpool, waterfall, weeping rock wall, and cedar log pergola.

Maybe you can relate to these empty nesters who reached out to us to design and build a new kitchen for their current and long term needs. They do lots of entertaining, have an extensive wine collection and enjoy welcoming more grandchildren into the family. Both cook, although he prefers his grill. They wanted their new kitchen to be an open space that is easier to move around in. They were also looking forward to more storage and new, state-of-the-art appliances. Design objectives: -New layout to accommodate large groups for frequent entertaining -Big island to seat as many people as possible Improve traffic flow by omitting a counter peninsula by the family room and other cabinet barriers -Main cooktop to face visitors with point-of-use spices, utensils, pots & pans nearby -Multiple cooking & refrigeration appliances -Plan for as much countertop space as possible for multiple cooks -Dedicated spaces needed for wine, liquor, cold drinks & decorative glassware -Incorporate special details such as thick or waterfall countertops, unique backsplash, wood accents -Need better task, ambient and general lighting -Make it beautiful – a kitchen the homeowners could be proud of -Seamlessly join kitchen with breakfast room, given load-bearing wall & various ceiling heights -Ensure the large, newly opened space remains intimate and inclusive -Determine how to best utilize the breakfast room, given limited availability of wall space with two sets of French doors and a large window -Relocating two ventilation ducts currently in a wall to be removed -Incorporate multiple appliances while adding functional storage -Integrate special details that wouldn’t be lost in a large room -Utilize multiple finishes and colors that provide continuity Design solutions: -The wall between the kitchen & breakfast nook was completely removed – the structural beam was shortened, providing the largest opening possible -One small wall section remained intact to relocate ductwork, which conveniently created an alcove for the dual refrigerator armoire -Two islands in the same finish visually join the elongated room -The cooking island includes necessary point-of-use storage along with a steam oven and additional storage on the opposite side The wide cooking island allows for two cooks to comfortably share the counter space, allowing casual interaction -The second island fills the center of the former breakfast room; tall cabinets in a contrasting finish flank the French doors and provide visual balance -The sizable second island provides seating for six on a conversation-conducive curve. It houses freezer drawers, a microwave drawer, an under-counter refrigerator, plus additional storage -Docking station inside drawer -Two cabinet styles in three finishes provide continuity, balance and interest in the large room While the clients didn’t have a specific vision of the remodeled space, they were completely open to new ideas and knew which features they wanted when they saw them. They were truly doing the project for their own enjoyment and that of their family and guests. We’re happy to know they are thrilled with the end result. In fact, we had so much fun working together we’re now talking about a new project!

Maybe you can relate to these empty nesters who reached out to us to design and build a new kitchen for their current and long term needs. They do lots of entertaining, have an extensive wine collection and enjoy welcoming more grandchildren into the family. Both cook, although he prefers his grill. They wanted their new kitchen to be an open space that is easier to move around in. They were also looking forward to more storage and new, state-of-the-art appliances. Design objectives: -New layout to accommodate large groups for frequent entertaining -Big island to seat as many people as possible Improve traffic flow by omitting a counter peninsula by the family room and other cabinet barriers -Main cooktop to face visitors with point-of-use spices, utensils, pots & pans nearby -Multiple cooking & refrigeration appliances -Plan for as much countertop space as possible for multiple cooks -Dedicated spaces needed for wine, liquor, cold drinks & decorative glassware -Incorporate special details such as thick or waterfall countertops, unique backsplash, wood accents -Need better task, ambient and general lighting -Make it beautiful – a kitchen the homeowners could be proud of -Seamlessly join kitchen with breakfast room, given load-bearing wall & various ceiling heights -Ensure the large, newly opened space remains intimate and inclusive -Determine how to best utilize the breakfast room, given limited availability of wall space with two sets of French doors and a large window -Relocating two ventilation ducts currently in a wall to be removed -Incorporate multiple appliances while adding functional storage -Integrate special details that wouldn’t be lost in a large room -Utilize multiple finishes and colors that provide continuity Design solutions: -The wall between the kitchen & breakfast nook was completely removed – the structural beam was shortened, providing the largest opening possible -One small wall section remained intact to relocate ductwork, which conveniently created an alcove for the dual refrigerator armoire -Two islands in the same finish visually join the elongated room -The cooking island includes necessary point-of-use storage along with a steam oven and additional storage on the opposite side The wide cooking island allows for two cooks to comfortably share the counter space, allowing casual interaction -The second island fills the center of the former breakfast room; tall cabinets in a contrasting finish flank the French doors and provide visual balance -The sizable second island provides seating for six on a conversation-conducive curve. It houses freezer drawers, a microwave drawer, an under-counter refrigerator, plus additional storage -Docking station inside drawer -Two cabinet styles in three finishes provide continuity, balance and interest in the large room While the clients didn’t have a specific vision of the remodeled space, they were completely open to new ideas and knew which features they wanted when they saw them. They were truly doing the project for their own enjoyment and that of their family and guests. We’re happy to know they are thrilled with the end result. In fact, we had so much fun working together we’re now talking about a new project!

This magnificent custom 4,200 sq ft timber frame Adirondack style home, with guest house and pool, enjoys complete privacy at the end of a rustic mountain road on 16 acres. Outfitted with robust, modern, eco-friendly solar systems and technology, the 4-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom main house features a wraparound porch and balcony, an open floor plan with oak and black walnut floors, rough Tuscan plaster walls, wood beams and French doors throughout. The spacious Timberpeg great room addition with loft balcony, cathedral ceilings and floor to ceiling rough-hewn stone fireplace, opens onto a patio sitting area enclosed by rustic walls cut from the property''s stone. Adjacent to the great room, an exceptional screened porch with fireplace looks over spectacular views of expansive lawns and the Catskill Mountains beyond. The Tuscan-inspired kitchen has an Italian tile and limestone farm sink, 6-burner Wolf range and custom extractor hood. The Master suite features a timbered balcony, steam shower and Jacuzzi tub. Opening onto the porch, a private main floor guest suite shares the outstanding views that define this exclusive property. Full basement with radiant floors, and roughed out for 5 th bedroom suite/bathroom and game room, provides additional storage. The property also features high-efficiency Buderus boiler, EV car charging port, rooftop solarvoltaic panels, back-up generator, driveway basketball court, 2-car garage, and space for a tennis court. A chalet-style post and beam 2-bedroom, 1-bath guesthouse completes this distinctive estate, with dining and sitting room, kitchenette, a natural form solar-heated pool with propane heat backup, free-form stone patio, spa whirlpool, waterfall, weeping rock wall, and cedar log pergola.

The Whistle Hill Residence anchors a ten home modern development and introduces a refined contemporary language to the region. Clean lines, controlled massing, and expansive glazing allow the home to sit confidently within its wooded site while maintaining sensitivity to the natural landscape. Strategic elevation changes and selective steel framing create open spans and cantilevered forms without sacrificing envelope performance. Below grade, the design integrates a full wellness program—including a massage room, sauna, and locker area—supported by multi-zone mechanical controls, advanced vapor management, and acoustically isolated assemblies. The level also features a recreation area with a mini bar, poker lounge, and substantial built-in storage, all finished to create a warm, spa-like environment. On the main level, the open kitchen and living area transition seamlessly to a protected patio with retractable screens and high-performance sliders, enabling year-round indoor–outdoor living. A private master wing includes dual closets, an electric fireplace, an oversized walk-in shower, and a secluded patio. Supporting spaces such as the office with custom millwork, walk-in pantry, and mudroom with laundry are integrated along a clear circulation spine. The upper floors continue the home’s emphasis on clarity and light. Two third-floor bedrooms with walk-in closets share a spacious bath, while the rooftop level offers more than 1,500 square feet of engineered outdoor living space with sweeping woodland views and direct access to a greenhouse. With its performance-driven detailing, thoughtful spatial organization, and modern architectural expression, the Whistle Hill Residence establishes a new benchmark for contemporary residential design in the area. The project is a partnership with DHB Homes.

This custom villa is a thoughtfully designed home that blends warmth, functionality, and refined elegance, creating the perfect haven for a client with a large, frequently visiting family. Every detail was crafted to provide a sense of comfort and connection while maintaining the sophistication of a modern villa. The design emphasizes open-plan living, efficient use of space, and a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor areas. The heart of the home is the inviting kitchen, featuring timeless cabinetry, quartz countertops, and a spacious island that encourages gathering and conversation. A large walk-in pantry provides both convenience and organization for daily living and entertaining. The adjacent great room combines natural textures, a stone fireplace, and custom built-ins to create a cozy yet elevated atmosphere. Oversized windows bring in abundant natural light and frame views of the landscaped patio and power-screened porch—an outdoor living space ideal for relaxation and hosting guests. This villa offers three full bathrooms and three bedrooms, each designed with comfort and privacy in mind. The master suite serves as a serene retreat with elegant finishes and a spa-inspired bathroom. The home’s study, designed for an avid reader, features custom built-in shelving with a rolling library ladder, combining beauty and purpose in one personalized space. Downstairs, the Ohio State–themed recreation room adds a distinctive touch of personality and fun. Complete with a bold red wet bar, game table, and entertainment space, this area captures the spirit of the homeowner’s passion and provides the perfect spot for family gatherings and game days. Beyond its craftsmanship and design, this home demonstrates exceptional energy efficiency. The homeowners proudly share that their energy bills are less than half the cost of their previous home—despite this villa being significantly larger. This achievement reflects not only superior construction techniques and insulation practices but also the thoughtful integration of energy-smart materials and systems throughout the build. Every element of this home—from the crown moldings and custom cabinetry to the efficient mechanical systems—was designed to balance comfort, performance, and timeless style. The result is a warm, inviting, and remarkably efficient villa that embodies family-friendly living without compromise.