This typical late 20th Century home located in Fishers, IN had a somewhat open kitchen-living area.Because their extensive home-grown gardening, canning and wine making needs weren't accommodated by the small existing kitchen/dining areas, these clients hired Residential Architect LeeConstantine to improve their situation. Constantine separated the "wine making zone" from the everyday "family kitchen zone" striving to allow the zones to "flow" between the two without isolating one from the other. A small rear addition allowed the necessary expansion needed to create the different zones as well as provide for a new walk-in food pantry closet, the various prep and cooking centers, and the opportunity and space to entertain guests there to sample their delicious "creations".In addition, Constantine provided a design offering opportunities for the expression of the clients individual personalities and tastes. This was achieved by incorporating niches for artwork, arched stained glass components highlighting the "home-grown" concept and even a dumb waiter housed within a base cabinet accommodating the transport of 5 gallon "carboys" directly to the basement wine cellar.

This project for a builder husband and interior-designer wife involved adding onto and restoring the luster of a c. 1883 Carpenter Gothic cottage in Barrington that they had occupied for years while raising their two sons. They were ready to ditch their small tacked-on kitchen that was mostly isolated from the rest of the house, views/daylight, as well as the yard, and replace it with something more generous, brighter, and more open that would improve flow inside and out. They were also eager for a better mudroom, new first-floor 3/4 bath, new basement stair, and a new second-floor master suite above. The design challenge was to conceive of an addition and renovations that would be in balanced conversation with the original house without dwarfing or competing with it. The new cross-gable addition echoes the original house form, at a somewhat smaller scale and with a simplified more contemporary exterior treatment that is sympathetic to the old house but clearly differentiated from it. Renovations included the removal of replacement vinyl windows by others and the installation of new Pella black clad windows in the original house, a new dormer in one of the son’s bedrooms, and in the addition. At the first-floor interior intersection between the existing house and the addition, two new large openings enhance flow and access to daylight/view and are outfitted with pairs of salvaged oversized clear-finished wooden barn-slider doors that lend character and visual warmth. A new exterior deck off the kitchen addition leads to a new enlarged backyard patio that is also accessible from the new full basement directly below the addition. (Interior fit-out and interior finishes/fixtures by the Owners)

Awarded Second Place in the California Sub-Zero and Wolf Kitchen Design Contest 2015-2016 The homeowners entertain often, so we added the wall with the China display (refrigerator wall on kitchen side) to isolate the butler's pantry, which is adjacent to the dining room through the walkway on the left.

Inspiration for a modern kitchen remodel in Detroit with granite countertops, gray backsplash and ceramic backsplash

Home theater - modern carpeted home theater idea in DC Metro with a projector screen

This typical late 20th Century home located in Fishers, IN had a somewhat open kitchen-living area.Because their extensive home-grown gardening, canning and wine making needs weren't accommodated by the small existing kitchen/dining areas, these clients hired Residential Architect LeeConstantine to improve their situation. Constantine separated the "wine making zone" from the everyday "family kitchen zone" striving to allow the zones to "flow" between the two without isolating one from the other. A small rear addition allowed the necessary expansion needed to create the different zones as well as provide for a new walk-in food pantry closet, the various prep and cooking centers, and the opportunity and space to entertain guests there to sample their delicious "creations".In addition, Constantine provided a design offering opportunities for the expression of the clients individual personalities and tastes. This was achieved by incorporating niches for artwork, arched stained glass components highlighting the "home-grown" concept and even a dumb waiter housed within a base cabinet accommodating the transport of 5 gallon "carboys" directly to the basement wine cellar.

This was a complete kitchen renovation. The remodel included removing skylights and installing a two story bump up adding no square footage to the room but creating a dramatic visual even for the most discriminating designer. When you enter this kitchen your eyes wander trying to absorb the immense planning and detail that went into the renovation but ultimately you find yourself positioned under the large Theresa Maria chandelier gazing into the sky. The kitchen was designed around the 48 inch Thermador stove. The 2 story inset cabinet creation around the stove flows up into the addition creating a visual masterpiece that is only rivaled by original pieces of art works created by the likes of Van Gogh, Picasso and Rembrandt. The sink was relocated from the exterior wall and into the island so that the stove wall would be isolated and not connected any other cabinets. The 36-inch-wide refrigerator and 36-inch-wide freezer were designed and installed next to a microwave cabinet that makes heating up items as convenient as 1,2,3. The outside cabinet wall section is perfect for entertaining with the 42 inch base cabinets. The massive two-tiered island of 124 inches long is perfect for everyday family living. A farmer’s sink adds the perfect touch to this traditional design. Renovating a kitchen without ceiling detail is one of the most overlooked parts of the renovation. The amount of money spent on the renovation depends on the budget of course but I highly recommend including ceiling detail as much as one considers the tile backsplash.

2,800 Hillside Makeover. Torn down to the studs, re-roof, 1,500 sqft deck reframe, 5 structural underpinnings, 11 isolated piers. OMGsh!!! It was so much fun to bring this vision to life. The design was amazing to come up with.

The beautiful Aria Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada utilizes Kinon resin surface design to create a bold, classy look.
Minimalist home design photo in Las Vegas

This 80 year old farm house was in need of an update. The kitchen and dining areas were cramped, dark and isolated from one another. The homeowner requested an open floor plan with more storage and space where her children could play while she was busy in the kitchen. Thompson Remodeling flipped the existing positions of the dining room and kitchen and removed walls to open up the space. The new kitchen has bright white cabinets, quartz countertops and an island with a butcher block counter. A custom banquette provides seating and a spot for the kids to play and do homework while its bench doubles as hidden storage. The wet bar in the dining space has loads of pantry space. The existing floors were very uneven, so we used a vinyl plank flooring that would allow more give for installation. It looks just like weathered pine and will offer very easy care for the busy family.

By opening up the kitchen to the dining room and installing a bay window, this kitchen which was previously isolated and cramped is now warm and inviting. The kitchen features custom maple cabinets, granite counter tops and a beautiful decorative tile backsplash.

Example of a large classic galley medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Phoenix with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

The owner of this distinguished Somerville late Victorian wanted not just a new kitchen, but a more efficient and healthier house overall. The challenge wasn’t just to capture the light and view towards the Boston skyline; we also needed to improve the space plan and work flow. Overlaid on those goals, we needed to respect the carefully maintained Victorian character of the rest of the home and bring that sensibility back into the kitchen space. OPENING THE SPACE We removed the wall that isolated the sink space to create one unified kitchen area. We relocated the sink to a center island so that we could replace the small window with a large sliding glass door out onto the deck and the view of the skyline. REPURPOSING MATERIALS We salvaged and re-used the honey-colored southern yellow pine wainscoting; we matched and extended it to a window seat and laundry room door to create continuity and tie those new elements to the old. The cabinets and counters have traditional styling in light colors to reflect the light from the new sliding doors deep into the space. More light from the rear utility stairs is brought into the space by means of a frosted glass door. IMPROVING EFFICIENCY More prosaically, but just as important to the client and the project team, we upgraded the insulation and air-sealing throughout the house to improve the home’s comfort and efficiency. Photo by Jim Raycroft

Douglas FIR Wide-Plank Douglas Fir plank in 3-layer construction with a small bevel on long side and approx. 5 mm top layer, with approx. 5 mm backing in the same wood and a conifer middle layer. Tongue and groove on all sides for easy installation. Typical are few bony, well-embedded knots up to 60 mm diameter and pronounced formation of the annual rings. Isolated knotholes, splints and cracks are possible and are closed with appropriate wood putty.

This 2022 project for Sovereign Grace Music was a full-scale, purpose-built recording and production facility designed to support songwriting, live tracking, mixing, and video content creation. Working alongside the extraordinary Sovereign Grace team—and in collaboration with Authentic Carpentry—NILES handled sound reduction, audio integration, and all acoustic treatment design and installation. The facility features a full Control Room, a spacious Live Room, and a large Isolation Booth engineered for dry drum capture or vocal tracking during full-band sessions. Each space was crafted for accuracy, clarity, and intuitive workflow, ensuring that engineers and artists can move seamlessly between rooms without breaking creative momentum. Clear sightlines, generous lighting, and intentional layout choices make the studio equally suited for recording and video production. Every room is wired for a plug-and-play workflow, supporting multi-camera shoots, ensemble tracking, and efficient session flow. Behind the aesthetic, the acoustic infrastructure is highly robust. The Control Room, Live Room, and ISO Booth sit on independent floor systems with tailored sound-reducing wall assemblies and strategic treatments throughout. No suite is mechanically bonded, allowing simultaneous use of all rooms with minimal sound transmission. Monitoring in the Control Room centers around PMC 6-2 loudspeakers, precisely tuned to ensure accurate translation from mix position to the final master. The result is a balanced, inviting, and technically exact environment—built to serve the diverse creative needs of Sovereign Grace Music for years to come.

This pleasantly isolated lounge area was the idea of the owners and enjoys the soothing sounds from the sheer descent waterfall. The adjoining backyard storage bin is handy for cushions, pool toys, etc. The stone wall also hides two new commercial grade air conditioners for the home.

Our clients, a couple in their 40’s, approached us to remodel their Kitchen, which felt cramped and closed off from the rest of the Main Floor. They felt especially isolated when entertaining guests. They love to cook and entertain, but the lack of space made both of those things difficult for them to do. We removed the walls surrounding the Kitchen, opening it up to the rest of the Main Floor. We expanded the Kitchen across the new open area, allowing for a lot more counter space for preparing and serving food. This also gave room for an enormous island, which is perfect for guests to gather around while entertaining. During the planning stage, it was discovered that beams and posts needed to remain in the space for structural support. Our talented designer, Chantal, was able to incorporate the beams and posts in the design of the Kitchen, so they served a logical purpose, rather than feeling like they were in the way. Featured in the new Kitchen are classic black and white cabinets, complemented by brass fixtures and accents. Ample task and ambient lighting was installed in order to brighten up this new space and allow for better visibility when cooking in the Kitchen. We also installed luxury vinyl flooring throughout the space, which is not only stylish,but incredibly durable. From the beginning of the project, our Clients shared with us their concerns about the project staying within the budget, and the accuracy of the timeline for construction. Ultimately, we were able to ease those concerns, as we finished the renovation on time, and within the allotted budget without compromising on the quality or design wishes of our clients. If you’re ready to make your forever home feel like it’s been made just for you, contact us to get started! We’re the Renovator You Can Count On! Sosna Inc 7250 Keele Street, Unit 372 Vaughan, ON L4K 1Z8 416-888-7366 (RENO) Website: sosna.ca Email: contact@sosna.ca

Long sightlines were considered alongside the individual rooms. From the hall and stair landing, the new kitchen reads as part of a cohesive home rather than an isolated renovation.

Suite à l'acquisition du rez-de-chaussée de leur duplex, les propriétaires ont décidé de rénover l'ensemble de l'appartement. La salle de bain a été entièrement rénovée, incluant la plomberie, l'isolation du mur extérieur et l'électricité. L'entrepreneur général a collaborer de concert avec le propriétaire dans la sélection des équipements de finition (tuile de céramique murale et de plancher, robinetterie, douche, vanité). Dans la cuisine, la rénovation complète comprenait le remplacement de toute la plomberie, l'électricité et le plancher de céramique. Les armoires et les plans de travail ont été fournis par le client (de IKEA). Dans tout le rez-de-chaussée, parquet et moquette ont été retirés pour mettre en valeur les parquets existants, poncés et vernis. Les murs et plafonds en plâtre ont également été repeints. __________ Following the acquisition of the ground floor of their duplex, the homeowners decided to renovate the entire apartment. The bathroom was completely renovated, including plumbing, insulation of the exterior wall, and electricity. Ceramic walls and floor tiling, plumbing hardware, and finishes for the shower and vanity were selected through collaboration between the general contractor and homeowner. In the kitchen, the full renovation included the replacement of all plumbing, electricity, and ceramic flooring. Cabinets and countertops were supplied by the customer (from IKEA). Throughout the ground floor, parquet and carpet were removed to showcase existing hardwood floors, which were sanded and varnished. Plaster walls and ceilings were also given a fresh repaint.