Mid-sized trendy single-wall and look-out medium tone wood floor and brown floor basement photo in Milwaukee with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, no island, gray walls and no fireplace

Built in 1948 on a hill high above Compo Cove and Sherwood Millpond, the original bungalow underwent a major renovation in 2000 during which a second story was added in a contemporized Nantucket style vocabulary. In 2015, Scott Springer Architect was hired to design an expansion of the second floor. The directive of the clients was to closely match the massing and details of the existing structure and allow the addition to appear as if it had always been a part of the house. The addition is comprised of a new bathroom and corridor over the vaulted entrance hall—which remained undisturbed during construction—and two bedrooms and a laundry room over the existing garage. Windows at the east side of the addition allow for spectacular views of Long Island Sound while the windows on the other side overlook a patio and garden. The house is featured in the April 2016 issue of Connecticut Cottages & Gardens ( http://www.cottages-gardens.com/Connecticut-Cottages-Gardens/April-2016/Westport-Real-Estate-Long-Island-Sound/).

This organic modern design is built in an area known for having notable issues with ground movement. After speaking with the developer and reviewing the soil report with our Structural Engineer, we made our recommendations to the client. Since the budget for a full-blown pier and beam structure with void boxes under the pool was well beyond the comfort level of our client, they elected to have us utilize a float shell construction method. For this, we over-excavated the hole and placed a 12" layer of gravel beneath the shell of the pool. Drain lines lead from the deepest point under the pool down into a culvert, placed off to the side of the pool. A sump pump removes any excess water from the culvert as it accumulates. For the shell of the pool, we utilized a double matt of steel and increased the wall thickness to a minimum of 12". This gave added strength to withstand the volatile soil. The elements of fire, water, wood and stone were very important in creating the organic modern feel of this design. The layered effect along the back wall creates a visual stimulation across the length of the yard, without overwhelming the senses. Rather than creating walls only of hard materials, we used Ipe wood to create horizontal screen walls of a more organic nature. At either end, the raised wall and the fire feature are finished in a large-scale porcelain tile, with the look of stained concrete. Custom stainless steel scuppers, made by a local fabricator, create a soothing sound of falling water. The low wall at the center of the project is faced in natural ledgestone, and carries a color palette that set the tone for the entire project. Behind this wall and in front of one of the Ipe screens are three Desert Steel Giant Agave sculptures. The unique fire feature isn't quite a fire place, nor is it a fire pit. It is a linear fire burner, surrounded by a 4" thick cantilevered Leuder limestone hearth, with a backdrop wall of blue glazed clay tile. Although the pool was initially planned as a plaster pool, as the project began to take shape, the client elected to go all the way and finish it in a beautiful blue glass mosaic. Custom fabricated stainless steel cannon jets send a delicate arch of water over this deep blue, and draw attention to the three square wok planters on the far side of the yard. For the decking on this project, we elected to work with Mother Nature rather than against her. Two and a half inch thick concrete pavers, set on a bed of compacted, decomposed granite allow for movement around the pool that is easily fixed. If an area of deck moves around, we can simply lift the affected areas, re-level with DG bed, and re-set the pavers.

This project is especially unique! This homeowner just bought a home in So Cal and were moving from Nor Cal very shortly. They had an issue that needed solving. Not only did they need a Koi pond built for their new home in So Cal, but needed some help transporting their beloved family Koi fish too! We took this challenge on by building them an oasis both their Koi and their family will enjoy, but also driving up ourselves and ensuring their Koi made it here safe and sound.

This project is especially unique! This homeowner just bought a home in So Cal and were moving from Nor Cal very shortly. They had an issue that needed solving. Not only did they need a Koi pond built for their new home in So Cal, but needed some help transporting their beloved family Koi fish too! We took this challenge on by building them an oasis both their Koi and their family will enjoy, but also driving up ourselves and ensuring their Koi made it here safe and sound.

This project is especially unique! This homeowner just bought a home in So Cal and were moving from Nor Cal very shortly. They had an issue that needed solving. Not only did they need a Koi pond built for their new home in So Cal, but needed some help transporting their beloved family Koi fish too! We took this challenge on by building them an oasis both their Koi and their family will enjoy, but also driving up ourselves and ensuring their Koi made it here safe and sound.

This project is especially unique! This homeowner just bought a home in So Cal and were moving from Nor Cal very shortly. They had an issue that needed solving. Not only did they need a Koi pond built for their new home in So Cal, but needed some help transporting their beloved family Koi fish too! We took this challenge on by building them an oasis both their Koi and their family will enjoy, but also driving up ourselves and ensuring their Koi made it here safe and sound.

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Seattle

This project is especially unique! This homeowner just bought a home in So Cal and were moving from Nor Cal very shortly. They had an issue that needed solving. Not only did they need a Koi pond built for their new home in So Cal, but needed some help transporting their beloved family Koi fish too! We took this challenge on by building them an oasis both their Koi and their family will enjoy, but also driving up ourselves and ensuring their Koi made it here safe and sound.

Example of a small transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed dining room design in Chicago with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

This project is especially unique! This homeowner just bought a home in So Cal and were moving from Nor Cal very shortly. They had an issue that needed solving. Not only did they need a Koi pond built for their new home in So Cal, but needed some help transporting their beloved family Koi fish too! We took this challenge on by building them an oasis both their Koi and their family will enjoy, but also driving up ourselves and ensuring their Koi made it here safe and sound.

Luxury Spa experience at home. Custom Master Bathroom has everything from Aromatherapy Steam Shower to a sound system. Free sanding tub and luxury bathroom fixtures

The new owners were looking forward to living in their new home with an open floor plan, tall vaulted ceilings, and great views. It featured a large Great Room with two big French Doors separating the Dining Room from the Master Bedroom. But after only a few months they identified a major design flaw: Each of the French Doors had ten glass windows with two large windows above each door. (Check out our before and after designs, traffic flow diagrams and photos of this project.) Glass windows and doors allowed sound and light from guests or the TV in the great room to easily sneak into the bedroom. With unique work and sleep schedules (he’s a pilot, she’s a registered nurse) this design wasn’t working. Then there was a traffic flow design flaw: The Master Bedroom had a second entrance from a hallway. To get into the bedroom from the hallway you needed to walk down another claustrophobic hallway. To get from the Master Bedroom to the Master Bath begin at the most remote corner of the bedroom and down a hallway between two closets. Once inside the bath, a huge triangular Jacuzzi dominating the space. So, from a privacy and traffic flow perspective, this home had some major design issues. When Craig Weber first met with the owners, he listened to their ideas and concerns. The owners trusted Craig to come up with the most efficient and most effective solution to this design dilemma. He offered a solution that resolved the bed-bath traffic flow problem, offered some bedroom room privacy, and updated the bath. First, the two French Doors and windows were removed. A new wall was built with sound-absorbing materials, making the Great Room and Dining Room more comfortable spaces for entertaining while creating the bedroom privacy the owners craved. Solving the Bedroom/Bath traffic flow problem began with removing the two existing closets. The bath door was relocated next to the hall entrance, and then a new walk-in closet was added adjacent to the hallway entrance. The solution offered easy access to and from the bath, closet and hallway without a hint of claustrophobia. The Master Bath underwent a major transformation designed for convenience and comfort – especially during long, cold Minnesota winters. Most everything from the former bath was torn out, beginning with the giant Jacuzzi. A new bathtub that is wider and deeper than the standard size was installed with brushed Nickel fixtures. It’s the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine and candles. Warm floors are a Minnesota “must have.” The bath’s new ceramic floor features in-floor electric heat. Getting in and out of the tub is easy and comfortable. The new walk-in shower again features in-floor heating and a place to sit. The most interesting feature of this shower may the custom ceramic tile installed with unique patterns. A new vanity Cambria Bradshaw countertops features two under-hung ceramic sinks with matching brushed Nickel fixtures. Tall ceilings and three glass windows near the ceiling flood the room with natural light. A new energy-efficient window frames an ornamental stained glass window created by the owner’s father – a great personal touch. A quiet place to sleep. A private dining room for entertaining. A Master Bath to die for. And easy traffic flow. The owners couldn’t have been more delighted with the outcome. And Lilly, their cat, loves it too.

custom curved sofa, custom furniture, custom window treatment, custom-built-in bar & bookcase, custom area rug, custom window treatment, blue, cream, white, black, silver,

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized traditional galley vinyl floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen idea in Philadelphia with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, laminate countertops, stainless steel appliances and white countertops

Her master bedroom is perched at the end of the west side of the home, enjoying the same dramatic sunlit views as the great room and kitchen. // Image : Benjamin Benschneider Photography

Reka Ivany Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional master white tile and subway tile porcelain tile and gray floor walk-in shower remodel in Vancouver with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops and a hinged shower door

Thomas Hager
Bathroom - coastal bathroom idea in Jacksonville

Our kitchen and bath designer, Claire, worked with the clients to design an amazing new kitchen (dubbed Not Your Average Island). The clients’ biggest headache was that the kitchen didn’t function for their family. They were limited with their current seating arrangement, their countertops were filled with appliances, proper storage solutions were lacking and the space was just not working well for them. With the banquette for the children to comfortably do their afternoon homework, additional island seating and enhanced function throughout, our designer Claire completely transformed this space. Her expertise created a one-of-a-kind (definitely not your average) island that was designed specifically for this wonderful family and allowed her to find a home for every piece and part (and more!) the homeowners use every day and the clients love their new kitchen! Photography: Scott Amundson Photography