Search results for "Leverages" in Home Design Ideas

A desk area now sits beneath a window in the new kitchen. This adds storage and another work surface at a lowered level for easier leverage when preparing meals.
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To create a dynamic and exciting environment, AP+I leveraged every aspect of the DIRTT advantage – the creative design freedom, precise manufacturing and installation, and future flexibility.

This stunning basement remodel exemplifies our commitment to transforming underutilized spaces into stylish, functional areas for the whole family to enjoy. Boasting warm beige hardwood flooring and fresh white walls, the open-concept design maximizes the available square footage and fosters an inviting atmosphere. We skillfully integrated drywall-covered support posts into the design, ensuring both structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
As experienced basement remodeling contractors, we leveraged our expertise to create a space that serves as a perfect retreat for relaxation or entertainment. With thoughtful planning and attention to detail, we incorporated top-quality materials and finishes, resulting in a basement transformation that not only adds value to the home but also enhances the overall living experience.
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Room by room, we’re taking on this 1970’s home and bringing it into 2021’s aesthetic and functional desires. The homeowner’s started with the bar, lounge area, and dining room. Bright white paint sets the backdrop for these spaces and really brightens up what used to be light gold walls.
We leveraged their beautiful backyard landscape by incorporating organic patterns and earthy botanical colors to play off the nature just beyond the huge sliding doors.
Since the rooms are in one long galley orientation, the design flow was extremely important. Colors pop in the dining room chandelier (the showstopper that just makes this room “wow”) as well as in the artwork and pillows. The dining table, woven wood shades, and grasscloth offer multiple textures throughout the zones by adding depth, while the marble tops’ and tiles’ linear and geometric patterns give a balanced contrast to the other solids in the areas. The result? A beautiful and comfortable entertaining space!

We took this dated Master Bathroom and leveraged its size to create a spa like space and experience. The expansive space features a large vanity with storage cabinets that feature SOLLiD Value Series – Tahoe Ash cabinets, Fairmont Designs Apron sinks, granite countertops and Tahoe Ash matching mirror frames for a modern rustic feel. The design is completed with Jeffrey Alexander by Hardware Resources Durham cabinet pulls that are a perfect touch to the design. We removed the glass block snail shower and the large tub deck and replaced them with a large walk-in shower and stand-alone bathtub to maximize the size and feel of the space. The floor tile is travertine and the shower is a mix of travertine and marble. The water closet is accented with Stikwood Reclaimed Weathered Wood to bring a little character to a usually neglected spot!

Inspired by the Spanish-style architecture of a cherished multi-generational family property, this project aimed to transform it into a Spanish Revival masterpiece while preserving its rich history. By honoring the architectural features and majestic shade trees, the landscape was revitalized to create a lush and vibrant environment. Careful selection and incorporation of diverse plant species added aesthetic value and enhanced biodiversity across the expansive two-acre property. Leveraging the presence of large shade trees, a unique microclimate was created, allowing for the cultivation of distinctive plant styles that thrived in their canopy. This project seamlessly integrated "revival" elements, preserving aesthetics and embracing a revitalized future, harmoniously blending lushness, color diversity, and the advantages of existing shade trees.

Refurnishing this Melshire Estates home with a fresh, transitional look and feel was just what this client wanted. We mainly leveraged neutrals and some blues to keep things visually calm and then it was all about delivering comfort for their active family. The fireplace was updated with a cast stone surround, giving this family room focal point a much needed facelift. The powder bath received a sophisticated renovation and light fixtures throughout the home were replaced with fixtures that uniquely reflect the client’s personality in every room. The star of the show in this home is the dining room, featuring a large, commissioned original art piece as well as the most stunning ceiling light fixture. It’s impossible to feel anything but cheery when you walk by this room!

6ft tall casement/transoms were chosen instead of the typical wall cabinets. A nearby pantry is leveraged to maintain functionality of kitchen. Tall window were used to fill the remaining space from the countertop to the 10 ft ceiling. The island counter top is Exodus granite.

The scenic village of Mountain Brook Alabama, known for its hills, scenic trails and quiet tree-lined streets. The family found a charming traditional 2-story brick house that was newly built. The trick was to make it into a home.
How the family would move throughout the home on a daily basis was the guiding principle in creating dedicated spots for crafting, homework, two separate offices, family time and livable outdoor space that is used year round. Out of the chaos of relocation, an oasis emerged.
Leveraging a simple white color palette, layers of texture, organic materials and an occasional pop of color, a sense of polished comfort comes to life.

This century home traditional kitchen renovation leveraged a monochromatic colour scheme with lots of textures and details to break up the space. We added lots of details to keep the date of the house with a modern twist.
The kitchen remodel includes:
- Corbels for open shelving
- Step shaker style doors
- Beautiful large crown to accentuate the 10' high ceilings
- A large industrial faucet with a traditional twist to accentuate the original window
- Clear glass doors for the modern feel
- One feature mullioned door as an accent to keep with the age of the house
- Relocation of fridge to accommodate more countertop space
- Apron front sink in Siligranite for practicality in a "Chefs" kitchen
- Additional pantry storage as there was none previously
- Tons of additional in-cabinet and under cabinet lighting
- Traditional marble backsplash to create a textured look, while not competing for attention against the countertop
- Quartz counter top
- Knobs on upper cabinets and pulls on lower cabinets for a traditional look
- Knobs have a linear edge for a modern twist
- Pot filler over industrial stove to make a century home kitchen into a "chefs" kitchen

An Ensuite Transformation in Richmond Hill
This project showcases how we helped a wonderful retired couple in Richmond Hill transform their dated and dysfunctional master ensuite into a tranquil spa-like retreat. These lovely empty nesters, in their mid to late 70s, envisioned a space where they could truly relax and enjoy their time at home, especially when their family and grandkids came to visit. We were so honored to help them bring that vision to life.
Understanding Their Needs:
From our initial conversations, it was clear how much this couple valued comfort and tranquility. The existing ensuite, unfortunately, fell short of providing either. For the wife, the leaky deck-mount tub was a major disappointment, as she deeply cherished her long, hot baths. The husband, meanwhile, was eager to replace the outdated and cumbersome toilet/bidet combo with a modern, single-piece smart toilet – a desire for both convenience and a touch of modern luxury. The shower stall was cramped, dark, and plagued by mold, while the large double vanity, despite its size, lacked functional storage. It simply wasn't the relaxing oasis they deserved.
Addressing Their Concerns:
We understood that undertaking a renovation can be stressful, especially when you're not going to be on-site for much of the process. This couple was understandably concerned about potential delays, workmanship quality, and the possibility of unforeseen issues arising while they were away. We made it our priority to address each of these concerns with transparency, open communication, and a commitment to delivering on our promises.
Our Personalized Solutions:
We worked closely with the couple to develop solutions that perfectly matched their needs and desires:
● A Sanctuary for Soaking: The leaky deck-mount tub was replaced with a beautiful, freestanding oval tub – easier to access and offering a more contemporary aesthetic. The wife's vision of a small decorative table nearby for her bath essentials added a personal touch, creating a true spa-like experience.
● Modern Comfort and Convenience: The separate toilet and bidet were replaced with a sleek, high-tech smart toilet, fulfilling the husband's wish and adding a touch of modern luxury to their daily routine.
● A Bright and Inviting Shower: The cramped and moldy shower stall was completely transformed. We demolished the existing bulkhead and built a custom walk-in shower with frameless glass, a built-in bench, and a niche for toiletries. The result was a dramatically brighter and more spacious shower experience.
● Storage and Style: A semi-custom double vanity with ample cabinets and drawers was installed, finally providing each of them with dedicated storage and eliminating
countertop clutter. This seemingly small change made a huge difference in their daily lives.
● A Calming Atmosphere: We carefully selected a calming spa-like color palette, incorporating muted, neutral tones and high-quality finishes to create a truly relaxing and inviting atmosphere.
Navigating the Challenges Together:
Renovations rarely go perfectly smoothly, and this project was no exception. We encountered delays with plumbing fixture deliveries, which threatened our timeline. However, by leveraging our established relationships with reliable suppliers, we were able to find alternative solutions
and minimize the impact on the project schedule. We also faced a minor setback when the initially chosen grey vanity went out of stock. Working closely with the couple, we explored other options and ultimately selected a stunning sandstone-stained maple finish, which, as it turned out, complemented the other design elements beautifully. These moments reinforced the importance of open communication and collaboration throughout the process.
The Joy of Transformation:
The final result was truly remarkable. The transformed ensuite is a testament to the power of thoughtful design and meticulous execution. The space now features large-format, light-colored concrete-look porcelain tiles, creating a bright and airy feel. The sandstone-stained maple vanity, topped with a quartz countertop, serves as a beautiful focal point against the muted green walls. Matte black plumbing fixtures, hardware, and accessories add a touch of modern sophistication. The custom frameless shower glass enclosure enhances the spaciousness of the shower, while the smart toilet provides the ultimate in comfort and convenience.
A Space to Cherish:
The renovation has made a profound difference in this couple's daily lives. The wife can now indulge in her beloved long, hot baths in a truly tranquil setting. The husband enjoys the modern convenience of his new smart toilet. The spacious and bright walk-in shower is both beautiful and functional. And the new vanity provides ample storage, keeping the countertop clutter-free and contributing to the overall sense of peace and calm. This ensuite is no longer just a bathroom; it's a personal spa, a sanctuary within their home, where they can relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy their time together.
Memorable Moments and Hiccups:
● Budget Adjustment: After finalizing the initial design, we worked closely with the clients to reselect the freestanding tub to ensure it aligned perfectly with their budget. ● Vanity Setback: The unexpected out-of-stock situation with the original vanity color required a quick and effective re-selection process, which ultimately led to an even better design outcome. This highlighted the importance of flexibility and collaboration during a renovation.

This private studio, built in collaboration with producer, engineer, and pianist Ian Miller, is a fully custom creative space designed around his workflow and artistic process. The project blended NILES’ technical execution with Ian’s hands-on finishing work, resulting in a studio where every corner has intention and every system supports a seamless, plug-and-play workflow.
The structure began as a barn-style two-car garage with a second floor. After exploring several layouts and engineering options, we landed on a design that leveraged the high ceilings and existing footprint to create a dynamic and spacious acoustic environment. Generous daylight from surrounding windows connects the interior to the outdoors, while layered textures, warm tones, and custom finishes create a grounded yet inspiring atmosphere.
The Control Room is fully isolated from the rest of the building with sound-reducing wall systems, a full soft-ceiling bass trap, tuned corner traps, treatment throughout, and full-lite doors for controlled transmission and visibility. Though modest in size, it delivers accurate monitoring and integrates smoothly with the larger live environment.
Roasted Bean Studio was built to support any direction Ian pursues—from producing to mixing to live performance. The space provides the sonic palette and creative flexibility needed for a wide range of projects, offering a visually inspiring and acoustically reliable environment that empowers his work every day.

This residence represents the dynamic collaboration between artist and architect. The architectural experience seeks to unite the tactile warmth of earth and clay with the compositional elegance of craft. Against a textured canvas of linen and limestone, light is leveraged to bring dimension and life to the architecture on every level.
Through the radical embrace of nature, guests are greeted by a 16’ tall Australian Brachychiton tree as they enter the double-height entry. The home is organized around a large, outdoor courtyard which creates fluid continuity and access between the indoor and outdoors. From a chandelier of ceramic bells to a locally sourced, custom dining table, every major element has been calibrated to add to timeless composition of the home.

This private studio, built in collaboration with producer, engineer, and pianist Ian Miller, is a fully custom creative space designed around his workflow and artistic process. The project blended NILES’ technical execution with Ian’s hands-on finishing work, resulting in a studio where every corner has intention and every system supports a seamless, plug-and-play workflow.
The structure began as a barn-style two-car garage with a second floor. After exploring several layouts and engineering options, we landed on a design that leveraged the high ceilings and existing footprint to create a dynamic and spacious acoustic environment. Generous daylight from surrounding windows connects the interior to the outdoors, while layered textures, warm tones, and custom finishes create a grounded yet inspiring atmosphere.
The Control Room is fully isolated from the rest of the building with sound-reducing wall systems, a full soft-ceiling bass trap, tuned corner traps, treatment throughout, and full-lite doors for controlled transmission and visibility. Though modest in size, it delivers accurate monitoring and integrates smoothly with the larger live environment.
Roasted Bean Studio was built to support any direction Ian pursues—from producing to mixing to live performance. The space provides the sonic palette and creative flexibility needed for a wide range of projects, offering a visually inspiring and acoustically reliable environment that empowers his work every day.

This new construction residence in the prestigious Stonebriar Creek Estates embraces refined rustic elements with transitional styling to create a beautiful classic home full of luxury features. We designed this home from the ground up, selecting all finishes and fixtures. We had a blast co-creating with the homeowners to attain their perfectly designed dream home. One of our favorite parts in the home are the exquisite Panoramic doors which span across the back of the house to let the outdoors in with visual impact and allow viewing the beautiful backyard from all of the first floor main rooms. Even better, the door panels can be positioned in a variety of ways to allow a completely open back of the house or in strategic ways to direct traffic flow when entertaining a large number of guests. Another show stopper is the kitchen island stone, a semi-precious find that uniquely captures all of the homeowners’ favorite colors and will be leveraged throughout the future furnishings.

The tile design craftsmen at Mediterranea have leveraged 21st century technology to create the Boardwalk series -- a product that evokes the classic seaside destinations to which Americans have aspired for over 100 years. Painstakingly designed to emulate the weathered hardwood planks found in some of America’s most unique architectural destinations, Boardwalk features fully rectified tiles in a full 48” length – a size never before manufactured in the USA, offering amazing graphics and limitless design possibilities.
Ever since the construction of the famous promenade in Atlantic City in 1870, the Boardwalk has a time-honored place in American lore as an exclusive seaside destination. Mediterranea honors this tradition in four classic colors, named after America’s most distinctive Boardwalks – Atlantic City (Ash), Coney Island (Walnut), Myrtle Beach (Whitewash) and Venice Beach (Amber). Using its exclusive Dynamic HD Imaging™ technology, Mediterranea takes ink-jet design to an entirely new level in the Boardwalk series – bringing the charm of these unique destinations to life for the first time in a manufactured and fully rectified product. Boardwalk is offered in 8” x 48” and 6” x 24” sizes, complete with 3” x 24” bullnose trim pieces.
Mediterranea’s Boardwalk collection perfectly evokes the unique spirit of America’s exclusive seaside resorts, premium residences and commercial destinations. Take a walk on Boardwalk - manufactured exclusively by Mediterranea.

About the Gainey Ranch Project by Adam Paul Schiff Designs: Located within the exclusive gated enclaves of the Gainey Ranch golf club community in Central Scottsdale, Arizona, this full-scale residential transformation showcases the pinnacle of high-end modern urban luxury. Our studio reimagined the interior architecture to maximize natural light, establishing an open-concept flow and a seamless indoor-outdoor transition to the private patio enclaves. Moving away from standard, predictable monochromatic modern palettes, the design leverages our signature mastery of color theory and rich material contrast. By weaving together sophisticated color consulting, architectural lighting design, and curated luxury textiles, we transformed this property into a warm, tranquil, and editorial-worthy contemporary estate tailored for the upscale Scottsdale lifestyle.

This busy family has two active teenagers and multiple pets. They essentially had out grown their kitchen and dining area. To give the family much needed space, walls were removed and windows were added to dramatically open up the area and let in more natural light. A large kitchen island was installed and topped with a beautiful Quartz Coastal Grey countertop. Contrasting dark grey cabinets were used to compliment the white, shaker style cabinets located throughout the rest of the kitchen.
This family loves to bake, so we installed a lower counter for kneading or rolling out dough—a perfect height for getting the right amount of leverage. For a more custom look, all of the appliances were covered in wood panels to match the surrounding cabinets. Tile flooring was replaced with engineered hardwood throughout the whole first floor for a more streamlined look.

Framed by mature trees and nestled within Sarasota’s historic McClellan Park, Sunset Place is a home shaped by a deep understanding of, and sensibility for, its setting—reflecting the charm of the neighborhood, the rhythm of downtown living, and the client’s vision of entertaining, connection, and family life. Every decision—from site strategy to spatial flow—was made with intention: to support a lifestyle centered on warmth, community, and a strong sense of place.
At its core, the project is a masterclass in leveraging zoning and code to unlock the full potential of a complex site. Though landlocked, the home lives like waterfront—offering openness, privacy, and expansive sunset views. Placing the pool in the front yard, within the 25-foot setback, redefines the entry experience. It captures the western light and sets a relaxed, resort-like tone from the very first step inside the gate. Paired with a rear-loaded garage, accessed discreetly via the side setback, the layout transforms the site’s limitations into its greatest assets. Architecture and landscape take center stage, while the full buildable envelope is maximized without compromise.
A natural rise of eight feet from front to back—rare in Sarasota—was embraced as an opportunity. Site walls function as both retaining structures and architectural elements, elevating the pool terrace and entry by over four feet to align with the main interior floor level. The result is a fluid connection between indoors and out: kitchen, dining, and living spaces unfold onto the terrace, blurring boundaries and enhancing everyday rituals as well as social gatherings.
Architecturally, the home is coastal contemporary: open yet composed, airy yet grounded. Clarity in the massing tells a story of the inhabitants from the first glance, while the interior planning offers spatial generosity and ease. The interiors echo this sensibility with a palette that is soft, natural, and tactile—serene without being neutral. The landscape design provides a lush tropical frame, softening edges and reinforcing privacy through layered plantings rather than enclosure.
Ultimately, Sunset Place is not defined by any single gesture, but by the way the home reflects its owners. Their gracious, family-centered nature informed every layer of design—resulting in a space that feels deeply personal, tailored for connection and ease, and perfectly suited for gathering, unwinding, and watching the sun slip behind the trees from the comfort of home.

This 600 SF, three car garage with a living unit above takes advantage of a wide site and a recent zoning change. Globeville continues to see investment and change due to the upcoming expansion of the National Western Complex. This was one of the first projects to leverage recent changes in the Denver Master Plan to allow ADU's in the area. The project consists of a shifting metal box with the void space becoming an entry. A perforated facade screen creates a unique character for the entry, both day and night. The glass garage door opens to expand the side yard and provide a covered option for outdoor events.
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