While this new home had an architecturally striking exterior, the home’s interior fell short in terms of true functionality and overall style. The most critical element in this renovation was the kitchen and dining area, which needed careful attention to bring it to the level that suited the home and the homeowners. As a graduate of Culinary Institute of America, our client wanted a kitchen that “feels like a restaurant, with the warmth of a home kitchen,” where guests can gather over great food, great wine, and truly feel comfortable in the open concept home. Although it follows a typical chef’s galley layout, the unique design solutions and unusual materials set it apart from the typical kitchen design. Polished countertops, laminated and stainless cabinets fronts, and professional appliances are complemented by the introduction of wood, glass, and blackened metal – materials introduced in the overall design of the house. Unique features include a wall clad in walnut for dangling heavy pots and utensils; a floating, sculptural walnut countertop piece housing an herb garden; an open pantry that serves as a coffee bar and wine station; and a hanging chalkboard that hides a water heater closet and features different coffee offerings available to guests. The dining area addition, enclosed by windows, continues to vivify the organic elements and brings in ample natural light, enhancing the darker finishes and creating additional warmth. Photography by Ira Montgomery

John Bedell Photography, Interiors by Angela Free Design
Living room - large mediterranean formal and enclosed carpeted living room idea in San Francisco with beige walls

During excavation for this new modern home, large granite boulders rose to the surface from the primordial hillside. Instead of displacing these monoliths from the site from which they were created, they were arranged to define space. A circle of boulders stand guard around a custom built fire pit, providing protection from the wind while offering a place to climb or sit. The extended landscape view from the lawn is kept intact by the introduction of a ha-ha, a traditional landscape feature, that hides the productive garden and keeps it from breaking the view. Native and drought tolerant plantings hug the outer edges of the property for minimal use of irrigation and to visually blend into the surrounding hillside. This project also features a custom ipe bench with integrated lighting, waterjet address numbers with night lighting, and hardscape that complements the form and materiality of the architecture to create a harmonious transition into the horizontal plane. Photography: Louie Jeon Photography

The entry foyer in this traditional home features striped wallpaper, creating a classic and elegant introduction to the space, while setting a refined tone for the rest of the interior and highlighting the home’s timeless architectural details.

While this new home had an architecturally striking exterior, the home’s interior fell short in terms of true functionality and overall style. The most critical element in this renovation was the kitchen and dining area, which needed careful attention to bring it to the level that suited the home and the homeowners. As a graduate of Culinary Institute of America, our client wanted a kitchen that “feels like a restaurant, with the warmth of a home kitchen,” where guests can gather over great food, great wine, and truly feel comfortable in the open concept home. Although it follows a typical chef’s galley layout, the unique design solutions and unusual materials set it apart from the typical kitchen design. Polished countertops, laminated and stainless cabinets fronts, and professional appliances are complemented by the introduction of wood, glass, and blackened metal – materials introduced in the overall design of the house. Unique features include a wall clad in walnut for dangling heavy pots and utensils; a floating, sculptural walnut countertop piece housing an herb garden; an open pantry that serves as a coffee bar and wine station; and a hanging chalkboard that hides a water heater closet and features different coffee offerings available to guests. The dining area addition, enclosed by windows, continues to vivify the organic elements and brings in ample natural light, enhancing the darker finishes and creating additional warmth. Photography by Ira Montgomery

Photo: Jennifer Siu-Rivera // Design: The Inside Story Design
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized mid-century modern l-shaped beige floor eat-in kitchen idea in Austin with medium tone wood cabinets, blue backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Inspiration for a contemporary open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room remodel in Salt Lake City with white walls, a ribbon fireplace and a stone fireplace

Trendy home office photo in New York

While this new home had an architecturally striking exterior, the home’s interior fell short in terms of true functionality and overall style. The most critical element in this renovation was the kitchen and dining area, which needed careful attention to bring it to the level that suited the home and the homeowners. As a graduate of Culinary Institute of America, our client wanted a kitchen that “feels like a restaurant, with the warmth of a home kitchen,” where guests can gather over great food, great wine, and truly feel comfortable in the open concept home. Although it follows a typical chef’s galley layout, the unique design solutions and unusual materials set it apart from the typical kitchen design. Polished countertops, laminated and stainless cabinets fronts, and professional appliances are complemented by the introduction of wood, glass, and blackened metal – materials introduced in the overall design of the house. Unique features include a wall clad in walnut for dangling heavy pots and utensils; a floating, sculptural walnut countertop piece housing an herb garden; an open pantry that serves as a coffee bar and wine station; and a hanging chalkboard that hides a water heater closet and features different coffee offerings available to guests. The dining area addition, enclosed by windows, continues to vivify the organic elements and brings in ample natural light, enhancing the darker finishes and creating additional warmth. Photography by Ira Montgomery

This home enjoys stunning views of Sweeney Lake from almost anywhere in the home; however it was in need of repair and a significant reorganization of the plan to take full advantage of site. The project is about the complete restoration and rethinking of this vintage 1965 mid-century gem. The house is deceivingly large with a full finished lower level and an indoor pool room; however it lived cramped and broken up. The entry was uninviting and small, the poolroom unused and poorly heated, the kitchen undersized, and the bedrooms and baths poorly accessed. Our task was to open up the home through the rethinking of the floor plan and the introduction of a new central axis connecting and organizing the homes functions and spaces around view corridors and existing or new focal points. The home had beautiful features to build upon; the central brick fireplace, the raised roofs over the living and pool rooms, and the view to the lake itself. A fully redone exterior and interior preserve the homes proportion and scale, while at the same time bring greater connection to the site and a much needed clarity to the homes organization. Project Team: Ben Awes AIA, Principal-In-Charge Bob Ganser AIA Christian Dean AIA Nate Dodge

Every detail matters, but your front entry is one of the most important, and this exterior is a perfect introduction to the beauty of the rest of the home.

A small second floor room that was being used as a storage closet was converted to an En-suite Bathroom. The Bathroom was thoughtfully designed for aging-in-place with adequate clearances, minimal thresholds, and smart design elements for caretakers to assist in everyday tasks. The Master Bathroom on this floor was also updated with the introduction of a curb-less shower, custom vanity cabinets, and modern plumbing and lighting fixtures. The Kitchen received a new, modern layout and custom cabinetry to take advantage of the generous ceiling height and abundant natural light. The beloved wood stove in the adjacent sitting room was flanked with floating walnut shelves and a custom hutch to highlight the brick chimney and activate the space. Natural materials and a simple yet modern aesthetic create warm and functional spaces in the classic West Philadelphian home.

This inviting entry is an introduction to the overall house aesthetic.
Small trendy entryway photo in Chicago

The entry sets the tone for the entire home, welcoming guests with a sophisticated blend of organic textures, statement lighting, and thoughtfully layered design elements. Warm wood tones, curated furnishings, and architectural details create an inviting first impression while establishing the home's Modern Organic Luxe aesthetic. Carefully balanced materials and elevated finishes bring a sense of warmth and refinement, transforming the foyer into more than just a passageway—it becomes a beautiful introduction to the character, elegance, and craftsmanship found throughout the home.

Our introduction to the Tahoe site was in late winter, on a clear sunny day with filtered light and long shadows through snow-laden fir and pine bows. It made a strong impression, stored for future consideration but the impetus for the design came soon after the spring snow melt. A powerful sense of horizontal layering of vegetation and various stages of decomposing downed timber on the two-acre site, juxtaposed with pine and fir trees and the dense canopy of the surrounding forest. The site is located near the historic 1960 Olympic Nordic track, situated on the edge of wetlands and seasonal streams. The homeowners were previous clients and dreamt of having a retreat in the Sierras away from their home base in Berkeley, CA. Among skiers, bike riders, hikers, and boaters, they found the ideal central location for their home base near Lake Tahoe. The home is organized as a series of linked spaces, each providing a unique sensory experience and connection to different parts of the site, both vertically and horizontally. The design includes extensive use of glass to create a true indoor/outdoor connection and maximize natural light. At the center of the site are two large fir trees, which the building respectfully wraps around in an L shape to create a focal point in the landscaped courtyard. A refined, context-driven palette of natural materials including cedar, oak, fir, and steel is used to harmoniously blend in among the surroundings. The construction includes advanced details such as thermally broken steel beams supporting layered roof planes engineered to hold snow rather than shed it. Designed to resist significant load, we exposed the steel structure as a recurring element in the interior spaces. The resulting columns and support beams contribute to the familiar design aspects of each room and provide a better understanding of how the building was constructed. The second floor features cantilevered volumes that reach out into the nearby evergreen limbs, likening the experience to being in a tree house. The house incorporates features such as radiant heating, solar panels, and operable windows for passive cooling. Fire safety measures include the use of naturally fire-resistant materials, a Class A roof construction, sprinklers, and drought-tolerant landscaping beyond the defensible space.

Designer: Goran Savic Architect: HAAK Architects Photographer: Zdravko Cota Kitchen Topos - Walnut Natural Bossa - Walnut Lined Kiruna-Minera (island) Dekton Laurent Stone Back Kitchen/Butler Pantry Ceres - Olive Grey Downstairs Bar Ikono - Keraton The Beauty of Rich Finishes The designer instills a dramatic, moody and deeply textured aesthetic in the kitchen space. The walnut wood combined with dark and moody tones, creates an intimate ambiance making this large open space feel grounded, stable, and welcoming. Layered lighting from natural light and track lighting, along with integrated high-end appliances, adds to the striking beauty. The kitchen exudes warmth and elegance characterized by the luxurious Topos Walnut wood cabinets with their rich color and naturally smooth grain. The walnut palette, combined with the textured dark grey Kiruna cabinets and the marble-like Laurent stone—which showcases a deep brown hue with integrated gold and copper veining—creates a powerful and beautiful atmosphere. The design is a highly organized layout that focuses on the homeowner’s every day and entertaining lifestyle, emphasizing functionality, efficiency, and streamlined aesthetics. The back kitchen/butler pantry area was designed to help keep the main kitchen clean and organized. Bulk cooking will take place in the back kitchen area, which has a full suite of appliances. The pantry is accessible yet hidden from the main kitchen via a passage door concealed within the main kitchen. The downstairs bar area has a sink, dishwasher, beverage fridge and drawer microwave. Designed for easy functionality, it offers ample counter space for small appliances like a juicer, blender, or tea kettle, allowing for refreshment after using the adjacent home gym. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Goran and his team at Leight Westchester are highly reliable, trustworthy and just fantastic! We were more than satisfied with Goran’s professional advice as well as attention to details. All of our friends who visit our house praise the look and design of our custom kitchen, powder room and basement wet bar. Goran also introduced and coordinated the Dekton and other stone fabrication companies who did an impeccable job in design, color and specifications. Goran even gave us his opinion as to the lighting designs which were of great help. All European seamless cabinet doors with no handle look just impressive. A few of our friends have already started working with Goran on the entire kitchen cabinet system, and all thank us for the introduction!!!"

As the entryway to the home, we wanted this foyer to be a truly refined welcome to each of its guests. As guests enter they will be greeted with this polished and inviting entry, which contrasts dark colors against stunning tall white millwork along the walls. As a designer there is always the challenge of working with aspects of a room that your clients are not going to be changing. For us this was the flooring, to which we fitted with a custom cut L shaped rug that would allow us to tie together the foyer to the stairs and better coincide with the rest of our designs. We added a touch of bright color in the side table with gold and light yellow elements, while still tying things together with the blue and white detailed vase that mirrors the rug design. As the eye travels up the stairs the iron wrought spindles wonderfully accent the stairway’s dark wood railings. Further upward and this captivating grand chandelier accentuates the whole room. The star of the show, this breathtaking chandelier is enhanced by a beautiful ceiling medallion that we had painted within in gold to capture the elegance and light from this chandelier. As a first impression of the household, this foyer space is truly an introduction to the refinement and dignity of this home, and the people within it. Custom designed by Hartley and Hill Design. All materials and furnishings in this space are available through Hartley and Hill Design. www.hartleyandhilldesign.com 888-639-0639 ***Note: We recently went back to our client's home, and replaced the marble tiles with a herringbone hardwood floor.

Our introduction to the Tahoe site was in late winter, on a clear sunny day with filtered light and long shadows through snow-laden fir and pine bows. It made a strong impression, stored for future consideration but the impetus for the design came soon after the spring snow melt. A powerful sense of horizontal layering of vegetation and various stages of decomposing downed timber on the two-acre site, juxtaposed with pine and fir trees and the dense canopy of the surrounding forest. The site is located near the historic 1960 Olympic Nordic track, situated on the edge of wetlands and seasonal streams. The homeowners were previous clients and dreamt of having a retreat in the Sierras away from their home base in Berkeley, CA. Among skiers, bike riders, hikers, and boaters, they found the ideal central location for their home base near Lake Tahoe. The home is organized as a series of linked spaces, each providing a unique sensory experience and connection to different parts of the site, both vertically and horizontally. The design includes extensive use of glass to create a true indoor/outdoor connection and maximize natural light. At the center of the site are two large fir trees, which the building respectfully wraps around in an L shape to create a focal point in the landscaped courtyard. A refined, context-driven palette of natural materials including cedar, oak, fir, and steel is used to harmoniously blend in among the surroundings. The construction includes advanced details such as thermally broken steel beams supporting layered roof planes engineered to hold snow rather than shed it. Designed to resist significant load, we exposed the steel structure as a recurring element in the interior spaces. The resulting columns and support beams contribute to the familiar design aspects of each room and provide a better understanding of how the building was constructed. The second floor features cantilevered volumes that reach out into the nearby evergreen limbs, likening the experience to being in a tree house. The house incorporates features such as radiant heating, solar panels, and operable windows for passive cooling. Fire safety measures include the use of naturally fire-resistant materials, a Class A roof construction, sprinklers, and drought-tolerant landscaping beyond the defensible space.

This Centennial NDG home was ready for a refresh with an environmentally friendly flair. Custom flat panel cabinets warmed by the introduction of Bamboo panels for the island, the shelves and the table, keep this kitchen fresh and inviting to a busy family of four and their dog. Marmolueum floors in neutral tones were installed to emphasize the extra long, multi-task island. Prep, work and eat, this kitchen is a welcome space while families are staying in together and a great solution to inviting a few extra friends.