• A busy family wanted to rejuvenate their entire first floor. As their family was growing, their spaces were getting more cramped and finding comfortable, usable space was no easy task. The goal of their remodel was to create a warm and inviting kitchen and family room, great room-like space that worked with the rest of the home’s floor plan. The focal point of the new kitchen is a large center island around which the family can gather to prepare meals. Exotic granite countertops and furniture quality light-colored cabinets provide a warm, inviting feel. Commercial-grade stainless steel appliances make this gourmet kitchen a great place to prepare large meals. A wide plank hardwood floor continues from the kitchen to the family room and beyond, tying the spaces together. The focal point of the family room is a beautiful stone fireplace hearth surrounded by built-in bookcases. Stunning craftsmanship created this beautiful wall of cabinetry which houses the home’s entertainment system. French doors lead out to the home’s deck and also let a lot of natural light into the space. From its beautiful, functional kitchen to its elegant, comfortable family room, this renovation achieved the homeowners’ goals. Now the entire family has a great space to gather and spend quality time.

We were tasked with turning a dated Rosemary Beach townhome into a welcoming vacation oasis for use as an AirBnb. We opened the floor plan by removing walls, adding two ensuite bedrooms, creating a larger kitchen and improving the the overall functionality. In the kitchen. we added custom walnut cabinetry, fireclay tile backsplash and new flooring. For the exterior, we replaced the vinyl siding and added four decks. This was a true labor of love, as we did everything from design and construction to furnishing.

In order to maximize both view and storage capacity, we chose to use a tall, deep cabinet to store plates and glassware. In order to have the same amount of storage in wall cabinets, the window would have been much smaller. As the view is of the homeowners pool, garden and the Hollywood Hills, we chose to prioritize the window and the storage, rather than obsess over the symmetry of the space. Photo by Lane Barden

Photo: Dinno Thom. Moving the less used oven and microwave across the kitchen opened up more counter space at the cooktop. The island offers an extended counter for a larger prep or serving area. Lights in the soffits along with under cabinet lighting create bright evenly lit areas for counter top tasks. Client still wanted to retain the desk area in the new plan and with file drawers from Belmont Cabinets the files are organized and out of sight. The island offers drawers and doors for ample and convenient storage of items used in daily meal preparation.

Flush-mounted undercabinet lighting is ideal for task work and making any small space feel larger. The low-wattage lights are perfect for footpath lighting at night as this room is the entry from the garage. Photo by Labra Design Build.

This Master Suite Addition project was initiated by our Clients’ desire to stay in their family home well into their golden years. Their wish list included a master suite and large open space for entertaining. With “Aging in Place” a main objective, our goal was to move all essential tasks to the first floor. Our design created a smooth transition between old house and new by expanding their dining room and adding a vestibule between the two spaces. This resulted in a much larger dining space and the larger entertaining area they were seeking. The master bedroom’s floor to ceiling windows on two of the walls frames picturesque views of their beloved garden outside. Vaulted ceilings, French doors to the bathroom with a transom window above express class and grandeur. Through the French doors the elegant master bathroom shines with reflections from the decorative crystal chandelier, white and grey tile, polished chrome fixtures and lighted glass bowls. A double headed shower, with dual temperature controls, and the air-jetted tub provide a true sanctuary for a relaxed bathing experience. “His and Her” elements are also fulfilled with dual vanities, and dual toilet areas. Upon completion, the homeowners passionately stated that this project turned out even better than they could have imagined. They truly love their new space in their long loved home and look forward to many more years in their new haven.

Airy and bright LEICHT kitchen using our textured Timber in raw Oak as a warm accent, and Avance FS, matte in frosty white. This kitchen brings out the natural lighting, allowing the space to feel larger. The interior fitments utilize the space to it’s potential, providing a functional and visual appealing design. It incorporates modern elements such as handle-less cabinets and a custom panel for the fridge; that in turn, creates a seamless design.

Airy and bright LEICHT kitchen using our textured Timber in raw Oak as a warm accent, and Avance FS, matte in frosty white. This kitchen brings out the natural lighting, allowing the space to feel larger. The interior fitments utilize the space to it’s potential, providing a functional and visual appealing design. It incorporates modern elements such as handle-less cabinets and a custom panel for the fridge; that in turn, creates a seamless design.

The owners of this kitchen had spent the money to upgrade the finishes in their kitchen upon building the home 12 years ago, but after living in the space for several years they realized how nonfunctional the layout really was. The (then) two preschool aged children had grown into busy, hungry teenagers with many friends who also liked to hang out at the house. So the family needed a more functional kitchen with better traffic flow, space for daily activities revolving around the kitchen at different times of day, and a kitchen that could accommodate cooking for and serving large groups. Furthermore, the dark, traditional finishes no longer reflected the homeowners’ style. They requested a brighter, more relaxed, coastal style that reflected their love of the seaside cities they like to visit. Originally, the kitchen was U-shaped with a narrow island in the middle. The island created narrow aisles that bottle-necked at the dishwasher, refrigerator, and cooktop areas. There was a pass-through from the foyer into the kitchen, but the owners never liked that the pass-through was also located so close to the powder room. The awkward proximity was unappealing and made guests feel uncomfortable. The kitchen’s storage was made up of lots of narrow cabinets, apothecary drawers, clipped corner units, and very few drawers. It lacked useful storage for the larger items the family used on a daily basis. And the kitchen’s only pantry was small closet that had only builder-grade, narrow shelving with no illumination to be able to see the contents inside. Overall, the kitchen’s lighting plan was poorly executed. Only six recessed cans illuminated the entire kitchen and nook areas. The under cabinet lighting was not evenly distributed either. In fact, the builder had mis-placed the under cabinet lighting around the decorative pilasters which made for choppy, dark cubbies. Further, the builder didn’t include any lighting over the sink or the bar area, which meant whoever was doing the dishes was always in their own shadow. That, coupled with the steep overhang of the game room above made the bar area feel like a dim, cavernous space that wasn’t inviting or task oriented. The kitchen looked out into the main living space, but the raised bar and a narrow wall (which held the only large cabinet in the kitchen) created more of a barrier than a relationship to the living room or breakfast nook. In fact, one couldn’t even see the breakfast nook from the cooktop or sink areas due to its orientation. The raised bar top was too narrow to comfortably sit to either dine at or chat from due to the lack of knee space. The the homeowners confided that the kitchen felt more like a dark, dirty prison than place where the family, or their guests, wanted to gather and commune. The clients' needs and desires were: ➢ to create a kitchen that would be a space the family loved to be in; to relate to the adjacent spaces all around, and to have better flow for entertaining large groups ➢ to remove the walls between the breakfast nook and living area and to be able to utilize the natural light from the windows in both those areas ➢ to incorporate a functional chopping block for prepping fresh food for home cooked meals, an island with a large sink and drain board, 2 pull out trash cans, and seating for at least the 2 teens to eat or do homework ➢ to design a kitchen and breakfast nook with an airy, coastal, relaxed vibe that blended with the rest of the house's coastal theme ➢ to integrate a layered lighting plan which would include ample general illumination, specific task lighting, decorative lighting, and lots of illuminated storage ➢ to design a kitchen with not only more storage for all the husband’s kitchen gadgets and collection of oils and spices, but smart storage, including a coffee/breakfast bar and a place to store and conceal the toaster oven and microwave ➢ to find a way to utilize the large open space between the kitchen, pantry area, and breakfast nook Twelve Stones Designs achieved the owner's goals by: ➢ removing the walls between the kitchen and living room to allow the natural light to filter in from the adjacent rooms and to create a connection between the kitchen, nook, and living spaces for a sense of unity and communion ➢ removing the existing pantry and designing 3 large pantry style cabinets with LED tape lights and rollout drawers to house lots of kitchen appliances, gadgets, and tons of groceries. We also took the cabinets all the way up to the 9’ ceiling for additional storage for seasonal items and bulk storage. ➢ designing 2 islands - 1 with a gorgeous black walnut chopping block that houses a drawer for chopping and carving knives and a custom double pull out trash unit for point of use utilization - and 1 that houses the dishwasher, a large Blanco Gourmet sink with integrated drain board, woven baskets for fresh root vegetables and kitchen towels, plenty of drawer storage for kitchen items, and bar seating for up to 4 diners. ➢ closing off the space between the kitchen and the powder room to create a beautiful new private alcove for the powder room as well as adding some decorative storage. This also gave us space to include more tall storage near the new range for precision placement of the husband’s extensive oil and spice collection as well as a location for a combo-steam oven the wife wanted for baking and cooking healthy meals. The project is enhanced functionally by: ➢ incorporated USB and standard receptacles for the kids’ laptops and phone charging in the large island ➢ designing the small island to include additional open shelving for items used on a daily basis such as a variety of bowls, plates, and colanders. This set up also works well for the husband who prefers to “plate” his dinners in restaurant-style fashion before presenting them to the table. ➢ the integration of specific storage units, such as double stacked cutlery drawers, a custom spice pull-out, a Kuerig coffee and tea pod drawer, and custom double stacked utensil drawers ➢ moving the refrigerator to the old oven location - this eliminated the bottle neck as well as created a better relationship to the eating table. It also utilizes the floor space between the pantry, nook, and kitchen ➢ creating a banquet style breakfast nook - this banquette seating not only doubles the amount of seating for large gatherings but it better utilizes the odd space between the kitchen and the previous nook area. It also helps to create a distinct pathway from the mudroom room through the pantry area, kitchen, nook, and living room. ➢ the coffee/breakfast bar area which includes the perfect location for the concealed microwave and toaster oven, convenient storage for the coffee pods and tea accoutrements. Roll-out drawers below also house the smoothie maker, hot water kettle, and a plethora of smoothie-making ingredients such as protein powders, smoothie additives, etc. Furthermore, the drawers below the Keurig house measuring utensil, cutlery, baking supplies and tupperware storage. ➢ incorporating lots of wide drawers and pullouts to accommodate large cookware. ➢ utilizing as much vertical space as possible by building storage to the ceiling which accommodates the family’s abundant amount of serving platters, baking sheets, bakeware, casserole dishes, and additional cutting boards. The project is enhanced aesthetically by: ➢ new 5-piece Versailles pattern porcelain tile that now seamlessly joins the entire down stairs area together creating a bright, cohesiveness feeling instead of choppy separated spaces - it also adds a coastal feeling ➢ designing a cabinet to conceal the microwave and toaster oven ➢ the coastal influenced light fixtures over the nook table and island ➢ the sandy colors of the Langdon Cambria countertops. The swirling pattern and sparkling quartz pieces remind the homeowner of black-and-tan sandy beaches ➢ the striped banquet seating whose creamy white background and blue-green stripes were the inspiration for the cabinet and wall colors. ➢ All the interior doors were painted black to coordinate with the blacks and grays in the backsplash tile and countertop. This also adds a hint of tailored formality to an otherwise casual space. ➢ the use of WAC's Oculux small aperture LED units for the overhead lighting complimented with Diode LED strips for task lighting under the cabinets and inside the pantry and glass wall cabinets. All of the lighting applications are on separate dimmer switches. Innovative uses of materials or construction methods by Realty Restoration LLC: ➢ Each 1-1/2” x 3” block of reclaimed end-grain black walnut that makes up the center island chopping block was hand milled and built in the shop. It was designed to look substantial and proportional to the surrounding elements, executed by creating the 4 inch tall top with a solid wood chamfered edge band. ➢ The metal doors on either side of the vent hood were also custom designed for this project and built in the Realty Restoration LLC shop. They are made 1x2, 11-gauge mild steel with ribbed glass. Weighing 60 lbs a piece, heavy duty cabinet hinges were added to support the weight of the door and keep them from sagging. ➢ Under-cabinet receptacles were added along the range wall in order to have a clean, uninterrupted backsplash. Design obstacles to overcome: ➢ Because we were removing the demising walls between the kitchen and living room, we had to find a way to plumb and vent the new island. We did this by tunneling through the slab (the slab had post tension cables which prevented us from just trenching) to run a new wet vent through a nearby structural wall. We pulled the existing hot and cold lines between upper floor joists and ran them down the structural wall as well and up through a conduit in the tunnel. ➢ Since we were converting from wall overs to a gas range it allowed us to utilize the 220 feed for the wall ovens to provide a new sub panel for all the new kitchen circuits ➢ Due to framing deficiencies inherited from the original build there was a 1-1/2” differential in the floor-to-ceiling height over a 20 foot span; by utilizing the process of cutting and furring coupled with the crown moulding details on the cabinet elevations we were able to mask the problem and provide seamless transitions between the cabinet components. Evidence of superior craftsmanship: ➢ uniquely designed, one-of-a-kind metal “X” end panels on the large island. The end panels were custom made in the Realty Restoration LLC shop and fitted to the exact dimensions of the island. The welding seams are completely indistinguishable - the posts look like they are cut from a single sheet of metal ➢ square metal posts on the small island were also custom made and designed to compliment and carry through the metal element s throughout the kitchen ➢ the beautiful, oversized end panels on the pantry cabinets which give the breakfast nook a tailored look ➢ integrating a large format 5 piece Versailles tile pattern to seamlessly flow from the existing spaces into the new kitchen space ➢ By constructing a custom cabinet that jogged around a corner we could not remodel (housing the entry way coat closet) we were able to camouflage the adjacent wall offset within the upper and lower cabinets. By designing around the existing jog in the structural walls we accomplished a few things: we were able to find the space to house, and hide, the microwave and toaster oven yet still have a clean cohesive appearance from the kitchen side. Additionally, the owners were able to keep their much needed coat closet and we didn’t have to increase the budget with unnecessary structural work.

Mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo photo in Orange County with gray walls

A home office off the kitchen can be concealed with a pocket door. Gray-painted maple Wood-Mode cabinetry complements the kitchen finishes but makes the space unique. **Project Overview** A small, quiet, efficient office space for one that is perfect for sorting mail and paying bills. Though small it has a great deal of natural light and views out the front of the house of the lush landscaping and wildlife. A pocket door makes the office disappear when it's time to entertain. **What Makes This Project Unique?** Small yet incredibly functional, this desk space is a comfortable, quiet place to catch up on home management tasks. Filled with natural light and offering a view of lush landscaping, the compact space is light and airy. To keep it from feeling cramped or crowded, we complemented warm gray-painted maple cabinetry with light countertops and tile. Taller ceilings allow ample storage, including full-height open storage, to manage all of the papers, files and extras that find their way into the home. **Design Challenges** While the office was intentionally designed into a tiny nook off the kitchen and pantry, we didn't want it to feel small for the people using it. By keeping the color palette light, taking cabinetry to the ceiling, incorporating open storage and maximizing natural light, the space feels cozy, and larger than it actually is. Photo by MIke Kaskel.

Soothing grey tones, larger scale field tiles and ample storage in the double bowl Dura Supreme Cabinetry vanity and medicine cabinets, help create a bathroom space that is soothing and a joy to use. Recessed can lighting provide great general lighting while light bars above each sink provide wonderful additional task lighting.

Product: Authentic Limestone for Exterior Living Spaces. Ancient Surfaces Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com The design of external living spaces is known as the 'Al Fresco' design style as it is called in Italian. 'Al Fresco' translates into 'the open' or 'the cool/fresh exterior'. Customizing a fully functional outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, BBQ, fireplace or Jacuzzi pool spa all out of old reclaimed Mediterranean stone pieces is no easy task and shouldn’t be created out of the lowest common denominator of building materials such as concrete, Indian slates or Turkish travertine. The one thing you can bet the farmhouse on is that when the entire process unravels and when your outdoor living space materializes from the architects rendering to real life, you will be guaranteed a true Mediterranean living experience if your choice of construction material was as authentic and possible to the Southern Mediterranean regions. We believe that the coziness of your surroundings brought about by the creative usage of our antique stone elements will only amplify that authenticity. whether you are enjoying a relaxing time soaking the sun inside one of our Jacuzzi spa stone fountains or sharing unforgettable memories with family and friends while baking your own pizzas in one of our outdoor BBQ pizza ovens, our stone designs will always evoke in most a feeling of euphoria and exultation that one only gets while being on vacation is some exotic European island surrounded with the pristine beauty of indigenous nature and ancient architecture...

This homeowner had lived with her dark, crowded kitchen long enough and was ready for a change. Through our design process, we identified several ways to maximize storage, improve functionality, and create a brighter, more open feel. To transform the space, we removed the raised bar top, repaired the rounded wall corners, added roll-out trays and an adjustable lazy Susan for easier access, installed tray dividers, repaired the refrigerator panel, modified toe-kick areas, and refaced all the cabinetry and range hood surround. We also installed beautiful new doors and drawer fronts, updated the countertops, added a stunning tile backsplash, and finished the project with task lighting to brighten every workspace. The result is a kitchen that feels larger, more functional, and much more inviting while allowing the existing wood hood to remain a beautiful focal point. The homeowner's reaction said it all: “Ahhh, I can finally breathe!”

This homeowner had lived with her dark, crowded kitchen long enough and was ready for a change. Through our design process, we identified several ways to maximize storage, improve functionality, and create a brighter, more open feel. To transform the space, we removed the raised bar top, repaired the rounded wall corners, added roll-out trays and an adjustable lazy Susan for easier access, installed tray dividers, repaired the refrigerator panel, modified toe-kick areas, and refaced all the cabinetry and range hood surround. We also installed beautiful new doors and drawer fronts, updated the countertops, added a stunning tile backsplash, and finished the project with task lighting to brighten every workspace. The result is a kitchen that feels larger, more functional, and much more inviting while allowing the existing wood hood to remain a beautiful focal point. The homeowner's reaction said it all: “Ahhh, I can finally breathe!”

This homeowner had lived with her dark, crowded kitchen long enough and was ready for a change. Through our design process, we identified several ways to maximize storage, improve functionality, and create a brighter, more open feel. To transform the space, we removed the raised bar top, repaired the rounded wall corners, added roll-out trays and an adjustable lazy Susan for easier access, installed tray dividers, repaired the refrigerator panel, modified toe-kick areas, and refaced all the cabinetry and range hood surround. We also installed beautiful new doors and drawer fronts, updated the countertops, added a stunning tile backsplash, and finished the project with task lighting to brighten every workspace. The result is a kitchen that feels larger, more functional, and much more inviting while allowing the existing wood hood to remain a beautiful focal point. The homeowner's reaction said it all: “Ahhh, I can finally breathe!”

This homeowner had lived with her dark, crowded kitchen long enough and was ready for a change. Through our design process, we identified several ways to maximize storage, improve functionality, and create a brighter, more open feel. To transform the space, we removed the raised bar top, repaired the rounded wall corners, added roll-out trays and an adjustable lazy Susan for easier access, installed tray dividers, repaired the refrigerator panel, modified toe-kick areas, and refaced all the cabinetry and range hood surround. We also installed beautiful new doors and drawer fronts, updated the countertops, added a stunning tile backsplash, and finished the project with task lighting to brighten every workspace. The result is a kitchen that feels larger, more functional, and much more inviting while allowing the existing wood hood to remain a beautiful focal point. The homeowner's reaction said it all: “Ahhh, I can finally breathe!”

This homeowner had lived with her dark, crowded kitchen long enough and was ready for a change. Through our design process, we identified several ways to maximize storage, improve functionality, and create a brighter, more open feel. To transform the space, we removed the raised bar top, repaired the rounded wall corners, added roll-out trays and an adjustable lazy Susan for easier access, installed tray dividers, repaired the refrigerator panel, modified toe-kick areas, and refaced all the cabinetry and range hood surround. We also installed beautiful new doors and drawer fronts, updated the countertops, added a stunning tile backsplash, and finished the project with task lighting to brighten every workspace. The result is a kitchen that feels larger, more functional, and much more inviting while allowing the existing wood hood to remain a beautiful focal point. The homeowner's reaction said it all: “Ahhh, I can finally breathe!”

This homeowner had lived with her dark, crowded kitchen long enough and was ready for a change. Through our design process, we identified several ways to maximize storage, improve functionality, and create a brighter, more open feel. To transform the space, we removed the raised bar top, repaired the rounded wall corners, added roll-out trays and an adjustable lazy Susan for easier access, installed tray dividers, repaired the refrigerator panel, modified toe-kick areas, and refaced all the cabinetry and range hood surround. We also installed beautiful new doors and drawer fronts, updated the countertops, added a stunning tile backsplash, and finished the project with task lighting to brighten every workspace. The result is a kitchen that feels larger, more functional, and much more inviting while allowing the existing wood hood to remain a beautiful focal point. The homeowner's reaction said it all: “Ahhh, I can finally breathe!”