This family’s basement had become a catch-all space and was sorely underutilized. Although it was spacious, the current layout wasn’t working. The homeowners wanted to transform this space from closed and dreary to open and inviting. Specific requirements of the design included: - Opening up the area to create an awesome family hang out space game room for kids and adults - A bar and eating area - A theater room that the parents could enjoy without disturbing the kids at night - An industrial design aesthetic The transformation of this basement is amazing. Walls were opened to create flow between the game room, eating space and theater rooms. One end of a staircase was closed off, enabling the soundproofing of the theater. A light neutral palette and gorgeous lighting fixtures make you forget that you are in the basement. Unique materials such as galvanized piping, corrugated metal and cool light fixtures give the space an industrial feel. Now, this basement functions as the great family hang out space the homeowners envisioned.

This small suburban yard was filled by a large swimming pool. The homeowner is extremely sensitive to the sun so she decided to trade out the pool for this intimate garden space. When this client is not traveling, she is hosting visitors, watching friends’ dogs, or hanging out with her grandchildren. Our job was to create an inviting space that is low maintenance, drought tolerant, and kid- and dog-friendly. Using gravel, concrete pavers, and a simple planting plan consisting of Mediterranean-adaptive plants, we created this design to fit the mid-century home. The gravel allows for the absorption of rainwater while providing a space for kids and dog to romp and play. Olive trees help shade and cool the space, providing a cozy area to gather with friends. The minimalist plantings survive on very little irrigation and require little more than an hour or two of puttering in the garden per season to maintain.

Every once in a while, a project comes along that doesn’t just meet expectations—it resets the standard. That’s exactly what happened at Upper Valley project, where the team at GoDesigns El Paso was entrusted with a blank canvas and turned it into a fully integrated luxury retreat, built with precision, purpose, and passion. At the core of this dream backyard is a custom-designed pool and spa, meticulously planned and built together. The pool glows with a Pebble Brilliance finish, its deep, vibrant tones shimmering under sunlight by day and glowing softly under water-lit skies at night. Lightstreams glass tile adds a jewelry-like elegance to the raised spa and the sun shelf, creating rich reflections and textures from every angle. That sundeck isn’t just for lounging—it’s a tactile, thoughtful experience. Designed with Lightstreams glass tile, it’s where kids play, grownups cool off, and everyone can dip their toes and soak their feet in style. It’s as inviting to walk across as it is to sit beside, offering both elegance and functionality. A standout design element is the set of custom stainless steel handrails, elegantly curved and installed with sculptural intent. Not only are they beautiful, but they’re also built to last—resistant to corrosion, timeless in design, and made for safety without sacrificing aesthetics. While beauty was key, so was resilience. The entire project was engineered to meet 100-year flood zone requirements—a critical design element in this El Paso neighborhood. GoDesigns accounted for water flow, elevations, and structural integrity, ensuring that every footing, drainage channel, and grade slope works in harmony with nature. And there’s more than water to love here. The oversized mossrock boulder waterfall along the edge of the putting green is both functional and artistic. Designed as a “table rock” feature, it creates soothing sound and visual movement while anchoring the landscape’s natural side. It’s a conversation piece as much as a sensory experience. Just steps away is a personal putting green and a custom basketball half court, both thoughtfully illuminated for day-to-night enjoyment. The putting green rolls true, edged with boulders and sand pits, while the court boasts pro-level surfacing under bright, architectural pole lighting. The surrounding landscape design ties it all together. Carefully chosen plantings bring color, texture, and balance to the clean stonework and turf areas. Strategic lighting highlights not just the beauty of the plants, but also enhances safety, drama, and ambiance across the entire yard—including the fence lines, water features, and sports zones. Every inch of this Upper Valley Project was built for purpose, performance, and passion. It’s a space where families gather, grand kids play, and memories are made—all under the sun and stars of West Texas. This is what happens when GoDesigns El Paso gets to do what they do best: combine timeless design, elite materials, and masterful installation to create outdoor living environments that are not only beautiful, but unforgettable.

This new construction home in the Copper Creek Neighborhood north of Pittsburgh was completed in summer of 2019. The home builder completed exterior work on the home in October of 2018 and from there, our team started work with late season plantings. With winter setting in, work was suspended until spring of 2019. As the grass started to come up, we began work on the backyard. Our team designed an expansive outdoor space which included a large 24×48 foot swimming pool with auto cover, custom benches and lighting as well as a fully equipped outdoor kitchen and bar area conveniently located near the walk-out basement. The outdoor kitchen featured a dual refrigerator to separate the kids’ drink from the adult beverages, an ice chest, an oversized grill with storage underneath and pull-out trash. We installed an oversized, 4×8 foot linear firepit with extra wide sandstone cap for keeping warm near the pool late into the evening. The firepit featured a custom brass burner to provide maximum heat. With the main entertaining area on a lower level, we created custom steps with a boulder wall that creates a grand entrance from the driveway that compliments the hardscaping and plantings. Wet Pittsburgh weather created a challenge requiring us to create temporary access roads to the backyard. The large entertaining space consumed a large portion of the usable space in the backyard, so the homeowner requested that we bring in extra fill to create a large grassy area for the kids to play. We filled and graded part of the rear/side yard and planted it with grass to accommodate this request.

Every once in a while, a project comes along that doesn’t just meet expectations—it resets the standard. That’s exactly what happened at Upper Valley project, where the team at GoDesigns El Paso was entrusted with a blank canvas and turned it into a fully integrated luxury retreat, built with precision, purpose, and passion. At the core of this dream backyard is a custom-designed pool and spa, meticulously planned and built together. The pool glows with a Pebble Brilliance finish, its deep, vibrant tones shimmering under sunlight by day and glowing softly under water-lit skies at night. Lightstreams glass tile adds a jewelry-like elegance to the raised spa and the sun shelf, creating rich reflections and textures from every angle. That sundeck isn’t just for lounging—it’s a tactile, thoughtful experience. Designed with Lightstreams glass tile, it’s where kids play, grownups cool off, and everyone can dip their toes and soak their feet in style. It’s as inviting to walk across as it is to sit beside, offering both elegance and functionality. A standout design element is the set of custom stainless steel handrails, elegantly curved and installed with sculptural intent. Not only are they beautiful, but they’re also built to last—resistant to corrosion, timeless in design, and made for safety without sacrificing aesthetics. While beauty was key, so was resilience. The entire project was engineered to meet 100-year flood zone requirements—a critical design element in this El Paso neighborhood. GoDesigns accounted for water flow, elevations, and structural integrity, ensuring that every footing, drainage channel, and grade slope works in harmony with nature. And there’s more than water to love here. The oversized mossrock boulder waterfall along the edge of the putting green is both functional and artistic. Designed as a “table rock” feature, it creates soothing sound and visual movement while anchoring the landscape’s natural side. It’s a conversation piece as much as a sensory experience. Just steps away is a personal putting green and a custom basketball half court, both thoughtfully illuminated for day-to-night enjoyment. The putting green rolls true, edged with boulders and sand pits, while the court boasts pro-level surfacing under bright, architectural pole lighting. The surrounding landscape design ties it all together. Carefully chosen plantings bring color, texture, and balance to the clean stonework and turf areas. Strategic lighting highlights not just the beauty of the plants, but also enhances safety, drama, and ambiance across the entire yard—including the fence lines, water features, and sports zones. Every inch of this Upper Valley Project was built for purpose, performance, and passion. It’s a space where families gather, grand kids play, and memories are made—all under the sun and stars of West Texas. This is what happens when GoDesigns El Paso gets to do what they do best: combine timeless design, elite materials, and masterful installation to create outdoor living environments that are not only beautiful, but unforgettable.

These medical doctors desired a contemporary home that considered both their young children’s needs as well as their own. The kids had to have space to play and be, well, kids, and the adults required some tranquil details that could serve as a counterweight to their high-impact careers. The crawl space was adapted into a playroom, and the deck and communal outdoor space is the perfect area to host big family get-togethers. However, the private oasis garden off the master bedroom, as well as a large soaker tub and spa-like shower in the master ensuite, could help any hard-working person unwind. Additional Instagram-worthy details include the open vaulted living area, contemporary kitchen with a large island and built-in appliances, open metal and wood staircase, and customized closets and storage. This family also loves the great outdoors. They enjoy skiing, surfing, and everything in between. Good thing their new home, with its stunning views of the ocean and mountains, serve as a daily reminder that nature is just a stone’s throw away. That said, there is still no place quite like home to retreat to after a supreme day in the sun or in the snow.

Every once in a while, a project comes along that doesn’t just meet expectations—it resets the standard. That’s exactly what happened at Upper Valley project, where the team at GoDesigns El Paso was entrusted with a blank canvas and turned it into a fully integrated luxury retreat, built with precision, purpose, and passion. At the core of this dream backyard is a custom-designed pool and spa, meticulously planned and built together. The pool glows with a Pebble Brilliance finish, its deep, vibrant tones shimmering under sunlight by day and glowing softly under water-lit skies at night. Lightstreams glass tile adds a jewelry-like elegance to the raised spa and the sun shelf, creating rich reflections and textures from every angle. That sundeck isn’t just for lounging—it’s a tactile, thoughtful experience. Designed with Lightstreams glass tile, it’s where kids play, grownups cool off, and everyone can dip their toes and soak their feet in style. It’s as inviting to walk across as it is to sit beside, offering both elegance and functionality. A standout design element is the set of custom stainless steel handrails, elegantly curved and installed with sculptural intent. Not only are they beautiful, but they’re also built to last—resistant to corrosion, timeless in design, and made for safety without sacrificing aesthetics. While beauty was key, so was resilience. The entire project was engineered to meet 100-year flood zone requirements—a critical design element in this El Paso neighborhood. GoDesigns accounted for water flow, elevations, and structural integrity, ensuring that every footing, drainage channel, and grade slope works in harmony with nature. And there’s more than water to love here. The oversized mossrock boulder waterfall along the edge of the putting green is both functional and artistic. Designed as a “table rock” feature, it creates soothing sound and visual movement while anchoring the landscape’s natural side. It’s a conversation piece as much as a sensory experience. Just steps away is a personal putting green and a custom basketball half court, both thoughtfully illuminated for day-to-night enjoyment. The putting green rolls true, edged with boulders and sand pits, while the court boasts pro-level surfacing under bright, architectural pole lighting. The surrounding landscape design ties it all together. Carefully chosen plantings bring color, texture, and balance to the clean stonework and turf areas. Strategic lighting highlights not just the beauty of the plants, but also enhances safety, drama, and ambiance across the entire yard—including the fence lines, water features, and sports zones. Every inch of this Upper Valley Project was built for purpose, performance, and passion. It’s a space where families gather, grand kids play, and memories are made—all under the sun and stars of West Texas. This is what happens when GoDesigns El Paso gets to do what they do best: combine timeless design, elite materials, and masterful installation to create outdoor living environments that are not only beautiful, but unforgettable.

This small suburban yard was filled by a large swimming pool. The homeowner is extremely sensitive to the sun so she decided to trade out the pool for this intimate garden space. When this client is not traveling, she is hosting visitors, watching friends’ dogs, or hanging out with her grandchildren. Our job was to create an inviting space that is low maintenance, drought tolerant, and kid- and dog-friendly. Using gravel, concrete pavers, and a simple planting plan consisting of Mediterranean-adaptive plants, we created this design to fit the mid-century home. The gravel allows for the absorption of rainwater while providing a space for kids and dog to romp and play. Olive trees help shade and cool the space, providing a cozy area to gather with friends. The minimalist plantings survive on very little irrigation and require little more than an hour or two of puttering in the garden per season to maintain.

These repeat clients were looking for a relaxing getaway for their family of five young kids and themselves to enjoy. Upon finding the perfect vacation destination, they turned once again to JRP’s team of experts for their full home remodel. They knew JRP would provide them with the quality and attention to detail they expected. The vision was to give the home a clean, bright, and coastal look. It also needed to have the functionality a large family requires. This home previously lacked the light and bright feel they wanted in their vacation home. With small windows and balcony in the master bedroom, it also failed to take advantage of the beautiful harbor views. The carpet was yet another major problem for the family. With young kids, these clients were looking for a lower maintenance option that met their design vision. To fix these issues, JRP removed the carpet and tile throughout and replaced with a beautiful seven-inch engineered oak hardwood flooring. Ceiling fans were installed to meet the needs of the coastal climate. They also gave the home a whole new cohesive design and pallet by using blue and white colors throughout. From there, efforts were focused on giving the master bedroom a major reconfiguration. The balcony was expanded, and a larger glass panel and metal handrail was installed leading to their private outdoor space. Now they could really enjoy all the harbor views. The bedroom and bathroom were also expanded by moving the closet and removing an extra vanity from the hallway. By the end, the bedroom truly became a couples’ retreat while the rest of the home became just the relaxing getaway the family needed.

These repeat clients were looking for a relaxing getaway for their family of five young kids and themselves to enjoy. Upon finding the perfect vacation destination, they turned once again to JRP’s team of experts for their full home remodel. They knew JRP would provide them with the quality and attention to detail they expected. The vision was to give the home a clean, bright, and coastal look. It also needed to have the functionality a large family requires. This home previously lacked the light and bright feel they wanted in their vacation home. With small windows and balcony in the master bedroom, it also failed to take advantage of the beautiful harbor views. The carpet was yet another major problem for the family. With young kids, these clients were looking for a lower maintenance option that met their design vision. To fix these issues, JRP removed the carpet and tile throughout and replaced with a beautiful seven-inch engineered oak hardwood flooring. Ceiling fans were installed to meet the needs of the coastal climate. They also gave the home a whole new cohesive design and pallet by using blue and white colors throughout. From there, efforts were focused on giving the master bedroom a major reconfiguration. The balcony was expanded, and a larger glass panel and metal handrail was installed leading to their private outdoor space. Now they could really enjoy all the harbor views. The bedroom and bathroom were also expanded by moving the closet and removing an extra vanity from the hallway. By the end, the bedroom truly became a couples’ retreat while the rest of the home became just the relaxing getaway the family needed.

Every once in a while, a project comes along that doesn’t just meet expectations—it resets the standard. That’s exactly what happened at Upper Valley project, where the team at GoDesigns El Paso was entrusted with a blank canvas and turned it into a fully integrated luxury retreat, built with precision, purpose, and passion. At the core of this dream backyard is a custom-designed pool and spa, meticulously planned and built together. The pool glows with a Pebble Brilliance finish, its deep, vibrant tones shimmering under sunlight by day and glowing softly under water-lit skies at night. Lightstreams glass tile adds a jewelry-like elegance to the raised spa and the sun shelf, creating rich reflections and textures from every angle. That sundeck isn’t just for lounging—it’s a tactile, thoughtful experience. Designed with Lightstreams glass tile, it’s where kids play, grownups cool off, and everyone can dip their toes and soak their feet in style. It’s as inviting to walk across as it is to sit beside, offering both elegance and functionality. A standout design element is the set of custom stainless steel handrails, elegantly curved and installed with sculptural intent. Not only are they beautiful, but they’re also built to last—resistant to corrosion, timeless in design, and made for safety without sacrificing aesthetics. While beauty was key, so was resilience. The entire project was engineered to meet 100-year flood zone requirements—a critical design element in this El Paso neighborhood. GoDesigns accounted for water flow, elevations, and structural integrity, ensuring that every footing, drainage channel, and grade slope works in harmony with nature. And there’s more than water to love here. The oversized mossrock boulder waterfall along the edge of the putting green is both functional and artistic. Designed as a “table rock” feature, it creates soothing sound and visual movement while anchoring the landscape’s natural side. It’s a conversation piece as much as a sensory experience. Just steps away is a personal putting green and a custom basketball half court, both thoughtfully illuminated for day-to-night enjoyment. The putting green rolls true, edged with boulders and sand pits, while the court boasts pro-level surfacing under bright, architectural pole lighting. The surrounding landscape design ties it all together. Carefully chosen plantings bring color, texture, and balance to the clean stonework and turf areas. Strategic lighting highlights not just the beauty of the plants, but also enhances safety, drama, and ambiance across the entire yard—including the fence lines, water features, and sports zones. Every inch of this Upper Valley Project was built for purpose, performance, and passion. It’s a space where families gather, grand kids play, and memories are made—all under the sun and stars of West Texas. This is what happens when GoDesigns El Paso gets to do what they do best: combine timeless design, elite materials, and masterful installation to create outdoor living environments that are not only beautiful, but unforgettable.

Every once in a while, a project comes along that doesn’t just meet expectations—it resets the standard. That’s exactly what happened at Upper Valley project, where the team at GoDesigns El Paso was entrusted with a blank canvas and turned it into a fully integrated luxury retreat, built with precision, purpose, and passion. At the core of this dream backyard is a custom-designed pool and spa, meticulously planned and built together. The pool glows with a Pebble Brilliance finish, its deep, vibrant tones shimmering under sunlight by day and glowing softly under water-lit skies at night. Lightstreams glass tile adds a jewelry-like elegance to the raised spa and the sun shelf, creating rich reflections and textures from every angle. That sundeck isn’t just for lounging—it’s a tactile, thoughtful experience. Designed with Lightstreams glass tile, it’s where kids play, grownups cool off, and everyone can dip their toes and soak their feet in style. It’s as inviting to walk across as it is to sit beside, offering both elegance and functionality. A standout design element is the set of custom stainless steel handrails, elegantly curved and installed with sculptural intent. Not only are they beautiful, but they’re also built to last—resistant to corrosion, timeless in design, and made for safety without sacrificing aesthetics. While beauty was key, so was resilience. The entire project was engineered to meet 100-year flood zone requirements—a critical design element in this El Paso neighborhood. GoDesigns accounted for water flow, elevations, and structural integrity, ensuring that every footing, drainage channel, and grade slope works in harmony with nature. And there’s more than water to love here. The oversized mossrock boulder waterfall along the edge of the putting green is both functional and artistic. Designed as a “table rock” feature, it creates soothing sound and visual movement while anchoring the landscape’s natural side. It’s a conversation piece as much as a sensory experience. Just steps away is a personal putting green and a custom basketball half court, both thoughtfully illuminated for day-to-night enjoyment. The putting green rolls true, edged with boulders and sand pits, while the court boasts pro-level surfacing under bright, architectural pole lighting. The surrounding landscape design ties it all together. Carefully chosen plantings bring color, texture, and balance to the clean stonework and turf areas. Strategic lighting highlights not just the beauty of the plants, but also enhances safety, drama, and ambiance across the entire yard—including the fence lines, water features, and sports zones. Every inch of this Upper Valley Project was built for purpose, performance, and passion. It’s a space where families gather, grand kids play, and memories are made—all under the sun and stars of West Texas. This is what happens when GoDesigns El Paso gets to do what they do best: combine timeless design, elite materials, and masterful installation to create outdoor living environments that are not only beautiful, but unforgettable.

My Clients wanted a home that was durable enough for their kids and pets to run around in, but luxury enough that they could move in full-time after the last of the kids went off to college. The design delicately balances these two often dueling requirements while highlighting the amazing lake view. The Calacatta quartz countertops are stunning mixed with the dark flooring, and that arabesque tile makes such a statement!

Every once in a while, a project comes along that doesn’t just meet expectations—it resets the standard. That’s exactly what happened at Upper Valley project, where the team at GoDesigns El Paso was entrusted with a blank canvas and turned it into a fully integrated luxury retreat, built with precision, purpose, and passion. At the core of this dream backyard is a custom-designed pool and spa, meticulously planned and built together. The pool glows with a Pebble Brilliance finish, its deep, vibrant tones shimmering under sunlight by day and glowing softly under water-lit skies at night. Lightstreams glass tile adds a jewelry-like elegance to the raised spa and the sun shelf, creating rich reflections and textures from every angle. That sundeck isn’t just for lounging—it’s a tactile, thoughtful experience. Designed with Lightstreams glass tile, it’s where kids play, grownups cool off, and everyone can dip their toes and soak their feet in style. It’s as inviting to walk across as it is to sit beside, offering both elegance and functionality. A standout design element is the set of custom stainless steel handrails, elegantly curved and installed with sculptural intent. Not only are they beautiful, but they’re also built to last—resistant to corrosion, timeless in design, and made for safety without sacrificing aesthetics. While beauty was key, so was resilience. The entire project was engineered to meet 100-year flood zone requirements—a critical design element in this El Paso neighborhood. GoDesigns accounted for water flow, elevations, and structural integrity, ensuring that every footing, drainage channel, and grade slope works in harmony with nature. And there’s more than water to love here. The oversized mossrock boulder waterfall along the edge of the putting green is both functional and artistic. Designed as a “table rock” feature, it creates soothing sound and visual movement while anchoring the landscape’s natural side. It’s a conversation piece as much as a sensory experience. Just steps away is a personal putting green and a custom basketball half court, both thoughtfully illuminated for day-to-night enjoyment. The putting green rolls true, edged with boulders and sand pits, while the court boasts pro-level surfacing under bright, architectural pole lighting. The surrounding landscape design ties it all together. Carefully chosen plantings bring color, texture, and balance to the clean stonework and turf areas. Strategic lighting highlights not just the beauty of the plants, but also enhances safety, drama, and ambiance across the entire yard—including the fence lines, water features, and sports zones. Every inch of this Upper Valley Project was built for purpose, performance, and passion. It’s a space where families gather, grand kids play, and memories are made—all under the sun and stars of West Texas. This is what happens when GoDesigns El Paso gets to do what they do best: combine timeless design, elite materials, and masterful installation to create outdoor living environments that are not only beautiful, but unforgettable.

Every once in a while, a project comes along that doesn’t just meet expectations—it resets the standard. That’s exactly what happened at Upper Valley project, where the team at GoDesigns El Paso was entrusted with a blank canvas and turned it into a fully integrated luxury retreat, built with precision, purpose, and passion. At the core of this dream backyard is a custom-designed pool and spa, meticulously planned and built together. The pool glows with a Pebble Brilliance finish, its deep, vibrant tones shimmering under sunlight by day and glowing softly under water-lit skies at night. Lightstreams glass tile adds a jewelry-like elegance to the raised spa and the sun shelf, creating rich reflections and textures from every angle. That sundeck isn’t just for lounging—it’s a tactile, thoughtful experience. Designed with Lightstreams glass tile, it’s where kids play, grownups cool off, and everyone can dip their toes and soak their feet in style. It’s as inviting to walk across as it is to sit beside, offering both elegance and functionality. A standout design element is the set of custom stainless steel handrails, elegantly curved and installed with sculptural intent. Not only are they beautiful, but they’re also built to last—resistant to corrosion, timeless in design, and made for safety without sacrificing aesthetics. While beauty was key, so was resilience. The entire project was engineered to meet 100-year flood zone requirements—a critical design element in this El Paso neighborhood. GoDesigns accounted for water flow, elevations, and structural integrity, ensuring that every footing, drainage channel, and grade slope works in harmony with nature. And there’s more than water to love here. The oversized mossrock boulder waterfall along the edge of the putting green is both functional and artistic. Designed as a “table rock” feature, it creates soothing sound and visual movement while anchoring the landscape’s natural side. It’s a conversation piece as much as a sensory experience. Just steps away is a personal putting green and a custom basketball half court, both thoughtfully illuminated for day-to-night enjoyment. The putting green rolls true, edged with boulders and sand pits, while the court boasts pro-level surfacing under bright, architectural pole lighting. The surrounding landscape design ties it all together. Carefully chosen plantings bring color, texture, and balance to the clean stonework and turf areas. Strategic lighting highlights not just the beauty of the plants, but also enhances safety, drama, and ambiance across the entire yard—including the fence lines, water features, and sports zones. Every inch of this Upper Valley Project was built for purpose, performance, and passion. It’s a space where families gather, grand kids play, and memories are made—all under the sun and stars of West Texas. This is what happens when GoDesigns El Paso gets to do what they do best: combine timeless design, elite materials, and masterful installation to create outdoor living environments that are not only beautiful, but unforgettable.

These repeat clients were looking for a relaxing getaway for their family of five young kids and themselves to enjoy. Upon finding the perfect vacation destination, they turned once again to JRP’s team of experts for their full home remodel. They knew JRP would provide them with the quality and attention to detail they expected. The vision was to give the home a clean, bright, and coastal look. It also needed to have the functionality a large family requires. This home previously lacked the light and bright feel they wanted in their vacation home. With small windows and balcony in the master bedroom, it also failed to take advantage of the beautiful harbor views. The carpet was yet another major problem for the family. With young kids, these clients were looking for a lower maintenance option that met their design vision. To fix these issues, JRP removed the carpet and tile throughout and replaced with a beautiful seven-inch engineered oak hardwood flooring. Ceiling fans were installed to meet the needs of the coastal climate. They also gave the home a whole new cohesive design and pallet by using blue and white colors throughout. From there, efforts were focused on giving the master bedroom a major reconfiguration. The balcony was expanded, and a larger glass panel and metal handrail was installed leading to their private outdoor space. Now they could really enjoy all the harbor views. The bedroom and bathroom were also expanded by moving the closet and removing an extra vanity from the hallway. By the end, the bedroom truly became a couples’ retreat while the rest of the home became just the relaxing getaway the family needed.

This Mid-Century home had been updated except for the kitchen and master bath. After a few years of being empty nesters, and with the neighborhood turning over drastically to infill property in the millions, this couple decided the time was right to update the last remaining rooms. Starting in the Kitchen Taking a dark, u-shaped kitchen out of the past and updating it for the future, was a dream come true for this family. They knew what they wanted in order to entertain their large extended family, which included their three kids; plus, his family, consisting of nine children, spouses, and now grandchildren. Requirements of an open space to hang out and help out, a banquet for food presentation without obstruction, bright and clean, easy storage, a place for her mother’s china decanters, and an instant hot for tea were all part of the “must haves” for this kitchen. We also needed to work around the homeowners’ existing appliances since many of them were practically new. Vaulted ceilings, lots of high windows, and large openings to other spaces in the house, were challenges that only a galley style kitchen could address. Blending and lacing the hardwood floor with new flooring required both the new and existing to be sanded down and refinished. This provided a coherent look to the entire first floor of this home. Matching casings, baseboards and base shoe helped to make the updates look fresh, but original to the house. In the kitchen, choosing the sandstone slate finish on our Wellborn Maple select series cabinets kept the space soft; but really opened it, making the space lighter and brighter. The Harmony style door choice blended with the décor in the rest of the house, while also giving straight clean lines the homeowner desired. Grounding the row of cabinets with their refrigerator and a pantry cabinet, gave symmetry to this side of the kitchen. On the opposite side, a built-in pantry cabinet mirrors the refrigerator. A row of drawer cabinets expanded the storage and banquet space, to lay out food for entertaining. Also added were some much-needed wall cabinets with glass inserts to mirror the windows and keep the space open. This also allowed the taller canister to be displayed and admired. A few smaller shelves were added above the window space, to house the smaller canisters so loved by the homeowner. An artist by trade, this homeowner added two narrow cabinets to the side of the pantry and the side of the refrigerator panel to house and create easy access to the various spices her husband loves to use while cooking. She painted them to blend with Wellborn’s Sandstone finish. The Caesarstone countertop with a 3cm eased edge in London Gray has a small pattern that is subtle and interesting. Cutting down the Caesarstone to 2 cm and carrying the same London Gray pattern up the backsplash area, lended to the clean lines and easy cleaning this homeowner requested. Choosing chrome plumbing fixtures from Moen’s Brantford line is timeless choice. Chrome is always popular and yet in today’s market, also very trendy. The Brantford faucet has a pull-down spray and one side handle, leaving space for the all-important request of a Transcape hot water dispenser, also in chrome. Scraping away the past included smoothing out the popcorn ceiling. Adding LED slope cans to the vaulted ceilings provided the necessary task lighting to elevate these homeowners’ joy of cooking. Removing the dated “popcorn look” enhanced the clean and spacious feel created by the architecture of the ceiling. Adding Top Knob chrome hardware was the final element that tied the kitchen all together. Master Bathroom The original dated Master Bathroom had dark cabinets, a huge Jacuzzi tub and a small shower stall that provided barely enough room for even a child to shower. Removing the Jacuzzi tub that was never used, opened this floor plan to a grand shower that is comfortable and spacious. For easy cleaning, these homeowners opted for a panel system in their shower. Onyx shower walls with a shower seat and recess wide shower caddy were installed in place of the old Jacuzzi style tub. The large panels were quite a challenge for our team, with an eight foot door and vaulted ceilings; but they were determined not to have a seam. These seamless panels are beautiful and very easy to clean. Keeping with the original floor plan, a double sink vanity from Wellborn’s select line with the Harmony door style in a pebble finish was installed. New Kohler Caxton under mount sinks were installed, along with the Moen Kinsley 8” wide spread faucets in chrome. Matching Kingsley 18” grab bars were added to the shower area, along with the Kohler Brantford fixed shower head and handheld slide bar. The countertop was a beautiful Caesarstone in Frosty Carrina with an eased edge and 4” back and side splash. Matching Kinsley towel hooks were added, along with mirrors the homeowner purchased and we installed for her. Top Knobs chrome cabinet hardware finished the look along with a beautiful tile floor AO Mira 1224-S Silver Maple laid in a broken joint pattern. Matching marble sills were added on top of the knee walls and threshold in the doorway. A 3/8” frameless custom shower door with fixed panels surrounded the shower creating an open airy feel to the space. Not shown: Kohler’s Wellworth highline toilet with a slow-close seat replaces the original toilet. The original shower stall became a space used to house a stackable washer and dryer, a top a safety pan and drain to slop sink in the basement. There was even enough room for small shelving to provide storage for laundry essentials. Adding a louver door keeps the laundry area behind the scene and opens the master area to multiple tasks needed. Master Bedroom Fireplace This homeowner really missed a bedroom fireplace they had in a previous home. Since we were going to be working on their master bathroom anyway; was there a way to create a fireplace without making it feel too odd in their large bedroom area? They had purchased a ventless gas fireplace and they had their original television as well. Challenged by windows, a vaulted ceiling and the natural light streaming from the back window; this divided wall was created, keeping the lighting from the other side of the room and providing a dressing area opposite the fireplace. This was a perfect idea since the closets are now in the dressing area and the creative wall houses the fireplace and TV for cold winter nights of snuggling to a movie. Better yet, the fireplace and TV are all on remote control!

My Clients wanted a home that was durable enough for their kids and pets to run around in, but luxury enough that they could move in full-time after the last of the kids went off to college. The design delicately balances these two often dueling requirements while highlighting the amazing lake view. The Calacatta quartz countertops are stunning mixed with the dark flooring, and that arabesque tile makes such a statement!

These medical doctors desired a contemporary home that considered both their young children’s needs as well as their own. The kids had to have space to play and be, well, kids, and the adults required some tranquil details that could serve as a counterweight to their high-impact careers. The crawl space was adapted into a playroom, and the deck and communal outdoor space is the perfect area to host big family get-togethers. However, the private oasis garden off the master bedroom, as well as a large soaker tub and spa-like shower in the master ensuite, could help any hard-working person unwind. Additional Instagram-worthy details include the open vaulted living area, contemporary kitchen with a large island and built-in appliances, open metal and wood staircase, and customized closets and storage. This family also loves the great outdoors. They enjoy skiing, surfing, and everything in between. Good thing their new home, with its stunning views of the ocean and mountains, serve as a daily reminder that nature is just a stone’s throw away. That said, there is still no place quite like home to retreat to after a supreme day in the sun or in the snow.