Search results for "Key aspect" in Home Design Ideas

Seamless Elegance is a story bringing together both old and new. A cramped kitchen and a seldom-used den in a 100 year-old house were opened up to create a sprawling 300-sqft paradise. Obsessing over the little details was important to achieving our goal of seamless elegance.
The archway and molding detail between the dining and living room was perfectly mirrored between the dining room and kitchen, right down to the hidden closets. A faux brick wall painted white was added to the back wall of the kitchen to give the illusion that the previous expansion was always there.
The existing 1.5” wide beautiful oak hardwood floor was matched to the rest of the house and continued into the kitchen. The flooring throughout the house was re-done at the same time to solidify the marriage between old and new; the result was a seamless transition into functionality. The character brought into the space by the oak hardwood floor and brick wall off sets the contemporary high gloss white cabinets.
No upper cabinets were used in this design because we wanted to showcase the brick accent wall. The storage lost from zero upper kitchen cabinets was more than made up in floor-to-ceiling pantry. This corner pantry accommodates the bulk of storage for food and dishes in the kitchen. The subtraction of the upper cabinets allows the Tom Dixon pendant lights to be boldly featured over the eating peninsula.
Visual lines were a key aspect in this design helping the eye move throughout the space. The cabinet break lines are at the same height as the counter tops creating one continuous line. The paneled dishwasher blends perfectly with the rest of the kitchen cabinetry. The white quartz countertop flows down into a waterfall edge at the end of the eating peninsula, being the final grounding piece to visual lines.
Although the kitchen is all white, it is offset and given visual interest through texture and the use of different materials. The white allows the beautiful expensive appliances to be showcased along with the newly refinished flooring. The clean crisp kitchen will be the perfect backdrop to show case boldly colored art and accessories.

We used: Custom cherry cabinetry in Arts & Crafts Shaker style by Kabinart in Boulder and Espresso stains. Liberty Hardware Venetian bronze 1-1/2" cabinet knobs. KitchenAid Architect II Series 22 CF counter-depth French door refrigerator. KitchenAid Architect Series II 27" convection single wall oven. KitchenAid 36" 6-burner dual fuel freestanding commercial-style range. KitchenAid Architect II Series 24" dishwasher. Sharp Insight Pro Series 24" built-in microwave drawer (Model #KB6524PS). Crystorama Solaris 12" wide pendant lights in English bronze. Granite countertops in Brown Fantasy. 3"x6" polished marble backsplash.
Paint colors:
Walls: Glidden Silver Cloud 30YY 63/024
Ceilings/Trims/Doors: Glidden Swan White GLC23
Robert B. Narod Photography

Seamless Elegance is a story bringing together both old and new. A cramped kitchen and a seldom-used den in a 100 year-old house were opened up to create a sprawling 300-sqft paradise. Obsessing over the little details was important to achieving our goal of seamless elegance.
The archway and molding detail between the dining and living room was perfectly mirrored between the dining room and kitchen, right down to the hidden closets. A faux brick wall painted white was added to the back wall of the kitchen to give the illusion that the previous expansion was always there.
The existing 1.5” wide beautiful oak hardwood floor was matched to the rest of the house and continued into the kitchen. The flooring throughout the house was re-done at the same time to solidify the marriage between old and new; the result was a seamless transition into functionality. The character brought into the space by the oak hardwood floor and brick wall off sets the contemporary high gloss white cabinets.
No upper cabinets were used in this design because we wanted to showcase the brick accent wall. The storage lost from zero upper kitchen cabinets was more than made up in floor-to-ceiling pantry. This corner pantry accommodates the bulk of storage for food and dishes in the kitchen. The subtraction of the upper cabinets allows the Tom Dixon pendant lights to be boldly featured over the eating peninsula.
Visual lines were a key aspect in this design helping the eye move throughout the space. The cabinet break lines are at the same height as the counter tops creating one continuous line. The paneled dishwasher blends perfectly with the rest of the kitchen cabinetry. The white quartz countertop flows down into a waterfall edge at the end of the eating peninsula, being the final grounding piece to visual lines.
Although the kitchen is all white, it is offset and given visual interest through texture and the use of different materials. The white allows the beautiful expensive appliances to be showcased along with the newly refinished flooring. The clean crisp kitchen will be the perfect backdrop to show case boldly colored art and accessories.
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Seamless Elegance is a story bringing together both old and new. A cramped kitchen and a seldom-used den in a 100 year-old house were opened up to create a sprawling 300-sqft paradise. Obsessing over the little details was important to achieving our goal of seamless elegance.
The archway and molding detail between the dining and living room was perfectly mirrored between the dining room and kitchen, right down to the hidden closets. A faux brick wall painted white was added to the back wall of the kitchen to give the illusion that the previous expansion was always there.
The existing 1.5” wide beautiful oak hardwood floor was matched to the rest of the house and continued into the kitchen. The flooring throughout the house was re-done at the same time to solidify the marriage between old and new; the result was a seamless transition into functionality. The character brought into the space by the oak hardwood floor and brick wall off sets the contemporary high gloss white cabinets.
No upper cabinets were used in this design because we wanted to showcase the brick accent wall. The storage lost from zero upper kitchen cabinets was more than made up in floor-to-ceiling pantry. This corner pantry accommodates the bulk of storage for food and dishes in the kitchen. The subtraction of the upper cabinets allows the Tom Dixon pendant lights to be boldly featured over the eating peninsula.
Visual lines were a key aspect in this design helping the eye move throughout the space. The cabinet break lines are at the same height as the counter tops creating one continuous line. The paneled dishwasher blends perfectly with the rest of the kitchen cabinetry. The white quartz countertop flows down into a waterfall edge at the end of the eating peninsula, being the final grounding piece to visual lines.
Although the kitchen is all white, it is offset and given visual interest through texture and the use of different materials. The white allows the beautiful expensive appliances to be showcased along with the newly refinished flooring. The clean crisp kitchen will be the perfect backdrop to show case boldly colored art and accessories.

These South Shore of Boston homeowners desired a larger kitchen as their existing had limited space to host family events and entertain guests – they turned to Renovisions to help transform their small, outdated kitchen with separate walk-in pantry into a beautiful, open and spacious inspirational room.
Choosing the right cabinetry for the room and how to meet the needs of the client was critical to the overall success of this design. A traditional style was the framework of the home and the flat paneled doors on the white painted cabinetry support this aspect. Going vertical as possible with cabinets is a trend here to stay; keeping with that idea, we recommended the graceful tall pantry cabinet that flanks one side of the kitchen. This not only lends to an eye-appealing furniture-look, but adds significant storage space, allowing the cabinets to store items they may not use on a regular basis. In this case, the clients are amazed with the amount of storage they’ve gained and one that provides easy access to all interior items. Every inch of space was key to create this optimally functional kitchen. Must-haves such as tray dividers above the refrigerator are handy and the double pull-out trash/recycling bins on the right side of the sink were a simple and clean way to gain floor space and conceal unsightly trash.
The focal point of this kitchen is the expansive, soft-grey colored contrasting island with larger, deeper drawers for pots, pans and platters. The client was excited to switch to an induction chef-series range that featured a divided oven that can accommodate two different temperatures.
Fit and finish is important in any renovation and this certainly holds true in this kitchen project to personalize their space. The custom recessed panel columns with wainscot details add an architectural element that ties into the kitchen cabinet design and Carrera-look quartz countertops which provide a stunning classical look that ties nicely with the overall traditional style. These homeowners are excited to show off their open and spacious Renovision!
“We really enjoyed our new kitchen and it’s amazing improvement over the holidays. We got rave reviews from all of our guests!”
Steve & Mary S. (Duxbury)

Seamless Elegance is a story bringing together both old and new. A cramped kitchen and a seldom-used den in a 100 year-old house were opened up to create a sprawling 300-sqft paradise. Obsessing over the little details was important to achieving our goal of seamless elegance.
The archway and molding detail between the dining and living room was perfectly mirrored between the dining room and kitchen, right down to the hidden closets. A faux brick wall painted white was added to the back wall of the kitchen to give the illusion that the previous expansion was always there.
The existing 1.5” wide beautiful oak hardwood floor was matched to the rest of the house and continued into the kitchen. The flooring throughout the house was re-done at the same time to solidify the marriage between old and new; the result was a seamless transition into functionality. The character brought into the space by the oak hardwood floor and brick wall off sets the contemporary high gloss white cabinets.
No upper cabinets were used in this design because we wanted to showcase the brick accent wall. The storage lost from zero upper kitchen cabinets was more than made up in floor-to-ceiling pantry. This corner pantry accommodates the bulk of storage for food and dishes in the kitchen. The subtraction of the upper cabinets allows the Tom Dixon pendant lights to be boldly featured over the eating peninsula.
Visual lines were a key aspect in this design helping the eye move throughout the space. The cabinet break lines are at the same height as the counter tops creating one continuous line. The paneled dishwasher blends perfectly with the rest of the kitchen cabinetry. The white quartz countertop flows down into a waterfall edge at the end of the eating peninsula, being the final grounding piece to visual lines.
Although the kitchen is all white, it is offset and given visual interest through texture and the use of different materials. The white allows the beautiful expensive appliances to be showcased along with the newly refinished flooring. The clean crisp kitchen will be the perfect backdrop to show case boldly colored art and accessories.

These South Shore of Boston homeowners desired a larger kitchen as their existing had limited space to host family events and entertain guests – they turned to Renovisions to help transform their small, outdated kitchen with separate walk-in pantry into a beautiful, open and spacious inspirational room.
Choosing the right cabinetry for the room and how to meet the needs of the client was critical to the overall success of this design. A traditional style was the framework of the home and the flat paneled doors on the white painted cabinetry support this aspect. Going vertical as possible with cabinets is a trend here to stay; keeping with that idea, we recommended the graceful tall pantry cabinet that flanks one side of the kitchen. This not only lends to an eye-appealing furniture-look, but adds significant storage space, allowing the cabinets to store items they may not use on a regular basis. In this case, the clients are amazed with the amount of storage they’ve gained and one that provides easy access to all interior items. Every inch of space was key to create this optimally functional kitchen. Must-haves such as tray dividers above the refrigerator are handy and the double pull-out trash/recycling bins on the right side of the sink were a simple and clean way to gain floor space and conceal unsightly trash.
The focal point of this kitchen is the expansive, soft-grey colored contrasting island with larger, deeper drawers for pots, pans and platters. The client was excited to switch to an induction chef-series range that featured a divided oven that can accommodate two different temperatures.
Fit and finish is important in any renovation and this certainly holds true in this kitchen project to personalize their space. The custom recessed panel columns with wainscot details add an architectural element that ties into the kitchen cabinet design and Carrera-look quartz countertops which provide a stunning classical look that ties nicely with the overall traditional style. These homeowners are excited to show off their open and spacious Renovision!
“We really enjoyed our new kitchen and it’s amazing improvement over the holidays. We got rave reviews from all of our guests!”
Steve & Mary S. (Duxbury)

These South Shore of Boston homeowners desired a larger kitchen as their existing had limited space to host family events and entertain guests – they turned to Renovisions to help transform their small, outdated kitchen with separate walk-in pantry into a beautiful, open and spacious inspirational room.
Choosing the right cabinetry for the room and how to meet the needs of the client was critical to the overall success of this design. A traditional style was the framework of the home and the flat paneled doors on the white painted cabinetry support this aspect. Going vertical as possible with cabinets is a trend here to stay; keeping with that idea, we recommended the graceful tall pantry cabinet that flanks one side of the kitchen. This not only lends to an eye-appealing furniture-look, but adds significant storage space, allowing the cabinets to store items they may not use on a regular basis. In this case, the clients are amazed with the amount of storage they’ve gained and one that provides easy access to all interior items. Every inch of space was key to create this optimally functional kitchen. Must-haves such as tray dividers above the refrigerator are handy and the double pull-out trash/recycling bins on the right side of the sink were a simple and clean way to gain floor space and conceal unsightly trash.
The focal point of this kitchen is the expansive, soft-grey colored contrasting island with larger, deeper drawers for pots, pans and platters. The client was excited to switch to an induction chef-series range that featured a divided oven that can accommodate two different temperatures.
Fit and finish is important in any renovation and this certainly holds true in this kitchen project to personalize their space. The custom recessed panel columns with wainscot details add an architectural element that ties into the kitchen cabinet design and Carrera-look quartz countertops which provide a stunning classical look that ties nicely with the overall traditional style. These homeowners are excited to show off their open and spacious Renovision!
“We really enjoyed our new kitchen and it’s amazing improvement over the holidays. We got rave reviews from all of our guests!”
Steve & Mary S. (Duxbury)

Outdoor furniture from Restoration Hardware really made this Houston outdoor living space design project shine.
“It really went well,” says Wayne Franks, owner of Outdoor Homescapes of Houston. “It's not a huge space, but moving the existing two columns about four feet and bringing the roof out only three feet made all the difference in the world.”
“This particular client wanted a larger space to entertain,” says senior designer Lisha Maxey, who served as an outdoor furniture consultant while managing construction for the project.
The original space, Lisha explains, had two oddly placed columns blocking a clear view of the beautiful pool area from inside the home. “We removed those columns and gave her three more feet of roof, which extended her living area while also giving her the view she wanted.”
Since the client - a woman in her mid-50s with grown children who visit frequently - only wanted a small outdoor kitchen island with a 30-inch RCS grill Outdoor Homescapes closed up a French door that led from the master bedroom (which she never used) and created a new stucco wall for the kitchen.
“I would definitely call the style of this space ‘transitional,” says Lisha. The client is a very eclectic world traveler and a collector of art, yet wanted her outdoor living space to feel like a warm, homey living room once we placed the furniture and décor. In the end, her finishes centered around rustic stone, detailed columns and furniture leaning towards the contemporary.”
Much of the warmth in the space, she says, comes from the colors of the dry-stacked Sunset Canyon ledgestone. “It looks just like it sounds – like the sun setting in a deep canyon!”
“The columns are unique – decorative and fluted,” adds Wayne.
The client, who’d received five free hours of outdoor furniture consultation as part of an ongoing promotion, also wanted Lisha to help her select, buy and help place furnishings.
“I believe that now - more than ever - consumers are looking for turn-key operations in any type of service industry - a ‘one-stop-shop,’ so to speak,” says Lisha. “It gives us a more personal touch with the client, as well as an edge in the industry in terms of selling our designs, as the client is reassured that we’ll work with them in every aspect to give them the outdoor living space of their dreams.”
The client ended up choosing the Biscayne collection – including a chair that rocks and swivels - from Restoration Hardware. They also went with a lower, unique teak coffee table from the Belvedere collection.
“We mixed wicker with teak for an equally soft and hard look and added pops of color to bring out the beautiful art collection inside,” says Lisha. “The neutral gray wicker, by the way, was the perfect match for the distressed teak coffee table and credenza. The grays of the Key West granite countertop also echoed this color palette.”
For the fabric, Lisha helped keep it neutral with a Mocha linen and popped the color with royal blue throw pillows matching the area rug: “To make the space truly her own, we added some unique copper pots from her collection and a few items she's collected abroad.”
Ready to let outdoor furniture transform your living space? Contact us, and we'll get your outdoor design project started!

The French Farmhouse Kitchen Remodel project combines timeless design elements to create a warm and welcoming space for the homeowners and their family and friends. With white cabinets, a huge island, and stainless steel appliances, this kitchen exudes elegance and functionality. However, the highlight of the remodel is the decision to open up the space and create an open concept area by removing walls.White Cabinets
The all-white cabinetry in this kitchen creates a clean and fresh look. The choice of white allows the homeowners to showcase their personal style through accessories, decor, and artwork. The cabinets are complemented by the marble countertops, adding a touch of luxury to the space.
Huge Island
The island is the focal point of the kitchen, serving as both a working and dining area. Measuring a substantial size, it can accommodate multiple cooks or guests. The island features built-in cabinets on both sides, providing ample storage for food, appliances, and small appliances.
Stainless Steel Appliances
The combination of stainless steel appliances adds a touch of modernity to the farmhouse-inspired design. The appliances, including a refrigerator, stove, microwave, and dishwasher, are seamlessly integrated into the design, creating a sleek and elegant look.
Open Concept
One of the key features of the French Farmhouse Kitchen Remodel is the open concept design. By removing walls, the homeowners have successfully opened up the space, creating a more inviting and airy atmosphere. The elimination of barriers allows for better traffic flow and communication between different areas of the kitchen.
Flooring and Lighting
To complement the sleek and modern elements of the kitchen, the homeowners opted for a light-colored wood-look flooring. It adds warmth and contrast to the all-white cabinetry. The lighting is also an important aspect of the design, with a mix of recessed lighting and pendant lights, creating a cozy and inviting ambiance.

These South Shore of Boston homeowners desired a larger kitchen as their existing had limited space to host family events and entertain guests – they turned to Renovisions to help transform their small, outdated kitchen with separate walk-in pantry into a beautiful, open and spacious inspirational room.
Choosing the right cabinetry for the room and how to meet the needs of the client was critical to the overall success of this design. A traditional style was the framework of the home and the flat paneled doors on the white painted cabinetry support this aspect. Going vertical as possible with cabinets is a trend here to stay; keeping with that idea, we recommended the graceful tall pantry cabinet that flanks one side of the kitchen. This not only lends to an eye-appealing furniture-look, but adds significant storage space, allowing the cabinets to store items they may not use on a regular basis. In this case, the clients are amazed with the amount of storage they’ve gained and one that provides easy access to all interior items. Every inch of space was key to create this optimally functional kitchen. Must-haves such as tray dividers above the refrigerator are handy and the double pull-out trash/recycling bins on the right side of the sink were a simple and clean way to gain floor space and conceal unsightly trash.
The focal point of this kitchen is the expansive, soft-grey colored contrasting island with larger, deeper drawers for pots, pans and platters. The client was excited to switch to an induction chef-series range that featured a divided oven that can accommodate two different temperatures.
Fit and finish is important in any renovation and this certainly holds true in this kitchen project to personalize their space. The custom recessed panel columns with wainscot details add an architectural element that ties into the kitchen cabinet design and Carrera-look quartz countertops which provide a stunning classical look that ties nicely with the overall traditional style. These homeowners are excited to show off their open and spacious Renovision!
“We really enjoyed our new kitchen and it’s amazing improvement over the holidays. We got rave reviews from all of our guests!”
Steve & Mary S. (Duxbury)

Outdoor furniture from Restoration Hardware really made this Houston outdoor living space design project shine.
“It really went well,” says Wayne Franks, owner of Outdoor Homescapes of Houston. “It's not a huge space, but moving the existing two columns about four feet and bringing the roof out only three feet made all the difference in the world.”
“This particular client wanted a larger space to entertain,” says senior designer Lisha Maxey, who served as an outdoor furniture consultant while managing construction for the project.
The original space, Lisha explains, had two oddly placed columns blocking a clear view of the beautiful pool area from inside the home. “We removed those columns and gave her three more feet of roof, which extended her living area while also giving her the view she wanted.”
Since the client - a woman in her mid-50s with grown children who visit frequently - only wanted a small outdoor kitchen island with a 30-inch RCS grill Outdoor Homescapes closed up a French door that led from the master bedroom (which she never used) and created a new stucco wall for the kitchen.
“I would definitely call the style of this space ‘transitional,” says Lisha. The client is a very eclectic world traveler and a collector of art, yet wanted her outdoor living space to feel like a warm, homey living room once we placed the furniture and décor. In the end, her finishes centered around rustic stone, detailed columns and furniture leaning towards the contemporary.”
Much of the warmth in the space, she says, comes from the colors of the dry-stacked Sunset Canyon ledgestone. “It looks just like it sounds – like the sun setting in a deep canyon!”
“The columns are unique – decorative and fluted,” adds Wayne.
The client, who’d received five free hours of outdoor furniture consultation as part of an ongoing promotion, also wanted Lisha to help her select, buy and help place furnishings.
“I believe that now - more than ever - consumers are looking for turn-key operations in any type of service industry - a ‘one-stop-shop,’ so to speak,” says Lisha. “It gives us a more personal touch with the client, as well as an edge in the industry in terms of selling our designs, as the client is reassured that we’ll work with them in every aspect to give them the outdoor living space of their dreams.”
The client ended up choosing the Biscayne collection – including a chair that rocks and swivels - from Restoration Hardware. They also went with a lower, unique teak coffee table from the Belvedere collection.
“We mixed wicker with teak for an equally soft and hard look and added pops of color to bring out the beautiful art collection inside,” says Lisha. “The neutral gray wicker, by the way, was the perfect match for the distressed teak coffee table and credenza. The grays of the Key West granite countertop also echoed this color palette.”
For the fabric, Lisha helped keep it neutral with a Mocha linen and popped the color with royal blue throw pillows matching the area rug: “To make the space truly her own, we added some unique copper pots from her collection and a few items she's collected abroad.”
Ready to let outdoor furniture transform your living space? Contact us, and we'll get your outdoor design project started!

Engineered cedar siding creates beautiful gray-blue tones at the exterior of the home, while adding a textural element to activate the simple exterior design.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing
7RR-Ecohome:
The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together?
The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot.
Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Seamless Elegance is a story bringing together both old and new. A cramped kitchen and a seldom-used den in a 100 year-old house were opened up to create a sprawling 300-sqft paradise. Obsessing over the little details was important to achieving our goal of seamless elegance.
The archway and molding detail between the dining and living room was perfectly mirrored between the dining room and kitchen, right down to the hidden closets. A faux brick wall painted white was added to the back wall of the kitchen to give the illusion that the previous expansion was always there.
The existing 1.5” wide beautiful oak hardwood floor was matched to the rest of the house and continued into the kitchen. The flooring throughout the house was re-done at the same time to solidify the marriage between old and new; the result was a seamless transition into functionality. The character brought into the space by the oak hardwood floor and brick wall off sets the contemporary high gloss white cabinets.
No upper cabinets were used in this design because we wanted to showcase the brick accent wall. The storage lost from zero upper kitchen cabinets was more than made up in floor-to-ceiling pantry. This corner pantry accommodates the bulk of storage for food and dishes in the kitchen. The subtraction of the upper cabinets allows the Tom Dixon pendant lights to be boldly featured over the eating peninsula.
Visual lines were a key aspect in this design helping the eye move throughout the space. The cabinet break lines are at the same height as the counter tops creating one continuous line. The paneled dishwasher blends perfectly with the rest of the kitchen cabinetry. The white quartz countertop flows down into a waterfall edge at the end of the eating peninsula, being the final grounding piece to visual lines.
Although the kitchen is all white, it is offset and given visual interest through texture and the use of different materials. The white allows the beautiful expensive appliances to be showcased along with the newly refinished flooring. The clean crisp kitchen will be the perfect backdrop to show case boldly colored art and accessories.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing
7RR-Ecohome:
The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together?
The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot.
Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Formal Dining in a relax setting by Tania Scardellato – TOC design
Remodeling your home can be a lengthy and time consuming process, especially if you opt to renovate the entire house rather than just one room. However, even just by updating the decor in your home you can create a beautiful and fresh looking space. One space that is particularly easy to overhaul is the dining room. This is one of the smaller rooms in the home and contains a minimal amount of furniture, making the remodeling process quick and simple.
An essential factor of dining room design is the color scheme of this space. When searching for the best paint colors for a dining room you should keep a few things in mind, including your design, the size of the room, and the décor of the rest of your house. Because it tends to be smaller than most rooms in the home you do not want to choose a really dark or overwhelming color like black or bright fuchsia. Rather save these hues as accents in dark wood furniture, curtains, pictures, and other wall art. In this dining room we kept the colors neutral and added more accents to hi-gloss moldings, highlighting the architecture of the space and creating space definition with a TOUCH OF CLASS - TOC
When it comes to lighting for the dining room you have a lot of options such as chandeliers or wall sconces, however natural light is always best. If you already have windows in this space try to keep them uncovered or use sheer fabric curtains to allow optimum illumination in throughout the day. If your dining room does not have windows there are other options available that can help to brighten and open up this area
Accessorizing your dining room with the right accents is very important to tie in all aspects of the design. For example, an elegant table centerpiece can make the dining space feel more homey and relaxed. You can accent a kitchen island or dining table with a stunning vase of festive flowers, ornamental fruits and vegetables, or a basket of decorative glass ornaments. However, try to keep the ornamentation to a minimum to prevent cluttering the countertops. Sometimes the table itself can be an accent piece. The dining room creates an elegant focal point that contains different colors, textures, and patterns. Similarly, leather chairs surrounding solid oak dining room furniture add the element of texture and color while creating a rustic, old world atmosphere. Regardless of the look you are trying to obtain, or the room in which you are redecorating, we can help create the style custom to suit your needs

Seamless Elegance is a story bringing together both old and new. A cramped kitchen and a seldom-used den in a 100 year-old house were opened up to create a sprawling 300-sqft paradise. Obsessing over the little details was important to achieving our goal of seamless elegance.
The archway and molding detail between the dining and living room was perfectly mirrored between the dining room and kitchen, right down to the hidden closets. A faux brick wall painted white was added to the back wall of the kitchen to give the illusion that the previous expansion was always there.
The existing 1.5” wide beautiful oak hardwood floor was matched to the rest of the house and continued into the kitchen. The flooring throughout the house was re-done at the same time to solidify the marriage between old and new; the result was a seamless transition into functionality. The character brought into the space by the oak hardwood floor and brick wall off sets the contemporary high gloss white cabinets.
No upper cabinets were used in this design because we wanted to showcase the brick accent wall. The storage lost from zero upper kitchen cabinets was more than made up in floor-to-ceiling pantry. This corner pantry accommodates the bulk of storage for food and dishes in the kitchen. The subtraction of the upper cabinets allows the Tom Dixon pendant lights to be boldly featured over the eating peninsula.
Visual lines were a key aspect in this design helping the eye move throughout the space. The cabinet break lines are at the same height as the counter tops creating one continuous line. The paneled dishwasher blends perfectly with the rest of the kitchen cabinetry. The white quartz countertop flows down into a waterfall edge at the end of the eating peninsula, being the final grounding piece to visual lines.
Although the kitchen is all white, it is offset and given visual interest through texture and the use of different materials. The white allows the beautiful expensive appliances to be showcased along with the newly refinished flooring. The clean crisp kitchen will be the perfect backdrop to show case boldly colored art and accessories.

Seamless Elegance is a story bringing together both old and new. A cramped kitchen and a seldom-used den in a 100 year-old house were opened up to create a sprawling 300-sqft paradise. Obsessing over the little details was important to achieving our goal of seamless elegance.
The archway and molding detail between the dining and living room was perfectly mirrored between the dining room and kitchen, right down to the hidden closets. A faux brick wall painted white was added to the back wall of the kitchen to give the illusion that the previous expansion was always there.
The existing 1.5” wide beautiful oak hardwood floor was matched to the rest of the house and continued into the kitchen. The flooring throughout the house was re-done at the same time to solidify the marriage between old and new; the result was a seamless transition into functionality. The character brought into the space by the oak hardwood floor and brick wall off sets the contemporary high gloss white cabinets.
No upper cabinets were used in this design because we wanted to showcase the brick accent wall. The storage lost from zero upper kitchen cabinets was more than made up in floor-to-ceiling pantry. This corner pantry accommodates the bulk of storage for food and dishes in the kitchen. The subtraction of the upper cabinets allows the Tom Dixon pendant lights to be boldly featured over the eating peninsula.
Visual lines were a key aspect in this design helping the eye move throughout the space. The cabinet break lines are at the same height as the counter tops creating one continuous line. The paneled dishwasher blends perfectly with the rest of the kitchen cabinetry. The white quartz countertop flows down into a waterfall edge at the end of the eating peninsula, being the final grounding piece to visual lines.
Although the kitchen is all white, it is offset and given visual interest through texture and the use of different materials. The white allows the beautiful expensive appliances to be showcased along with the newly refinished flooring. The clean crisp kitchen will be the perfect backdrop to show case boldly colored art and accessories.

The kitchen, often considered the heart of the home, is a space where functionality and aesthetics coalesce. Among the myriad choices homeowners face when designing or renovating their kitchens, selecting a suitable kitchen splashback is crucial. In recent years, glass splashbacks have emerged as a versatile and universally appealing option. This article delves into the reasons why a glass kitchen splashback is suitable for everyone, blending seamlessly with diverse preferences, lifestyles, and design aesthetics.
Versatility in Design
One of the key factors that make glass kitchen splashbacks universally suitable is their versatility in design. Glass offers a neutral and timeless aesthetic, effortlessly complementing various interior styles, from modern and minimalist to classic and eclectic. Whether your kitchen embodies a sleek, contemporary vibe or a rustic, traditional charm, a glass splashback seamlessly integrates into the design landscape.
Furthermore, the transparency of glass allows it to adapt to any colour scheme or pattern in the surrounding space. Whether you prefer bold and vibrant hues or a more subdued palette, a glass splashback can be customised to match your preferences, making it an ideal choice for homeowners seeking design flexibility.
Enhanced Perception of Space
Glass has a unique ability to create an illusion of space and openness in a room. This quality is particularly beneficial for smaller kitchens or those with limited natural light. A glass kitchen splashback reflects sunlight, making the space brighter and more expansive. By enhancing the perception of the room, glass splashbacks contribute to an overall sense of airiness and openness, creating an inviting atmosphere that suits various home sizes and layouts.
Easy Maintenance and Hygiene
Practicality is a paramount consideration in kitchen design, and glass splashbacks excel in ease of maintenance and hygiene. Unlike porous materials such as tiles or grout, glass provides a smooth, non-absorbent surface that is easy to clean and maintain. Spills and splatters can be effortlessly wiped away with a damp cloth, ensuring a hygienic and sanitary kitchen environment.
The non-porous nature of glass also prevents mould and bacteria growth, making it a suitable choice for families with young children or individuals with allergies. The low-maintenance aspect of glass makes it a universally appealing option for those who value a clean and sanitary kitchen without the hassle of extensive upkeep.
Durability and Longevity
Glass kitchen splashbacks are known for their durability and longevity. The tempered glass commonly used in splashbacks is heat-resistant, ensuring it can withstand the rigours of a busy kitchen without compromising its integrity. This durability makes glass splashbacks suitable for households with avid home cooks who frequently use high-temperature cooking techniques.
Moreover, the longevity of glass ensures that it remains a sustainable and cost-effective choice over the long term. Unlike some materials that may wear out or become dated, a well-maintained glass splashback retains its aesthetic appeal and functionality for years, making it an investment that stands the test of time.
Customisation Options
Personalisation is a crucial aspect of home design, and glass kitchen splashbacks offer various customisation options. From selecting the colour and pattern to incorporating personalised designs or digitally printed images, homeowners can tailor their glass splashbacks to reflect their style and preferences.
The ability to customise glass splashbacks makes them suitable for everyone, allowing individuals to express their creativity and personality in the heart of their homes. Whether you opt for a bold, statement-making design or a subtle, elegant finish, the customisation options inherent in glass splashbacks ensure a perfect fit for diverse tastes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the universality of glass kitchen splashbacks lies in their ability to seamlessly integrate into various design styles, enhance the perception of space, offer easy maintenance and hygiene, exhibit durability, and provide many customisation options. As a versatile and timeless choice, glass splashbacks cater to homeowners' preferences and practical needs across different demographics.
Whether you reside in a compact urban apartment or a spacious suburban home, whether your aesthetic leans towards modern minimalism or classic elegance, a glass kitchen splashback is a fitting and universal solution. Its adaptability to different lifestyles and design preferences positions it as a versatile and enduring element in the ever-evolving kitchen design landscape.
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