Search results for "Limits access" in Home Design Ideas

Keeping cleaning items organized and easy to access is solved by a simple utility rack on the inside of the laundry room storage closet. Don't overlook your vertical space when organizing.

A young couple with three small children purchased this full floor loft in Tribeca in need of a gut renovation. The existing apartment was plagued with awkward spaces, limited natural light and an outdated décor. It was also lacking the required third child’s bedroom desperately needed for their newly expanded family. StudioLAB aimed for a fluid open-plan layout in the larger public spaces while creating smaller, tighter quarters in the rear private spaces to satisfy the family’s programmatic wishes. 3 small children’s bedrooms were carved out of the rear lower level connected by a communal playroom and a shared kid’s bathroom. Upstairs, the master bedroom and master bathroom float above the kid’s rooms on a mezzanine accessed by a newly built staircase. Ample new storage was built underneath the staircase as an extension of the open kitchen and dining areas. A custom pull out drawer containing the food and water bowls was installed for the family’s two dogs to be hidden away out of site when not in use. All wall surfaces, existing and new, were limited to a bright but warm white finish to create a seamless integration in the ceiling and wall structures allowing the spatial progression of the space and sculptural quality of the midcentury modern furniture pieces and colorful original artwork, painted by the wife’s brother, to enhance the space. The existing tin ceiling was left in the living room to maximize ceiling heights and remain a reminder of the historical details of the original construction. A new central AC system was added with an exposed cylindrical duct running along the long living room wall. A small office nook was built next to the elevator tucked away to be out of site.

A furniture-style vanity, cement tile and a curbless shower all come together to present a bathroom suitable for any guest--even those with limited mobility.
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This was an exceptional challenge due to elevation and access. This spa sits 17 feet above grade and is over 6 feet above the pool. The space was extremely limited but we found the perfect fit. This project includes an infinity edge spa with a Faux edge pool. It also includes a lean to cabana and an automated fire pit. Secured by tempered glass railing and accentuated by beautiful Artistry in mosaics glass tile.

Goals
While their home provided them with enough square footage, the original layout caused for many rooms to be underutilized. The closed off kitchen and dining room were disconnected from the other common spaces of the home causing problems with circulation and limited sight-lines. A tucked-away powder room was also inaccessible from the entryway and main living spaces in the house.
Our Design Solution
We sought out to improve the functionality of this home by opening up walls, relocating rooms, and connecting the entryway to the mudroom. By moving the kitchen into the formerly over-sized family room, it was able to really become the heart of the home with access from all of the other rooms in the house. Meanwhile, the adjacent family room was made into a cozy, comfortable space with updated fireplace and new cathedral style ceiling with skylights. The powder room was relocated to be off of the entry, making it more accessible for guests.
A transitional style with rustic accents was used throughout the remodel for a cohesive first floor design. White and black cabinets were complimented with brass hardware and custom wood features, including a hood top and accent wall over the fireplace. Between each room, walls were thickened and archway were put in place, providing the home with even more character.

This beautiful, all-cedar privacy fence warmly welcomes visitors and keeps the eyes looking around the yard. The arbor extends over the patio to continue the green-black trim to better frame the white house. The HVAC units have been fenced in with a visual screen that lets airflow through - and the panels are removable for maintenance access. We also replaced the old planter boxes on the front windows.

Door style: Savannah Inset | Species: Paint grade | Finish: Soft Cream with Oatmeal glaze
Island: Vintage Graphite
What appears to be tall cabinets to the left of the refrigerator are actually a Showplace walk-in pantry cabinet. The doors open to provide convenient access to the spacious pantry room behind.
Learn more about FREE Showplace glazing: http://www.showplacewood.com/ProdGuide1/ProdGuideGlaze1.html

Sponsored
Sunbury, OH
J.Holderby - Renovations
Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

The owners of a charming home in the hills west of Paso Robles recently decided to remodel their not-so-charming kitchen. Referred to San Luis Kitchen by several of their friends, the homeowners visited our showroom and soon decided we were the best people to design a kitchen fitting the style of their home. We were delighted to get to work on the project right away.
When we arrived at the house, we found a small, cramped and out-dated kitchen. The ceiling was low, the cabinets old fashioned and painted a stark dead white, and the best view in the house was neglected in a seldom-used breakfast nook (sequestered behind the kitchen peninsula). This kitchen was also handicapped by white tile counters with dark grout, odd-sized and cluttered cabinets, and small ‘desk’ tacked on to the side of the oven cabinet. Due to a marked lack of counter space & inadequate storage the homeowner had resorted to keeping her small appliances on a little cart parked in the corner and the garbage was just sitting by the wall in full view of everything! On the plus side, the kitchen opened into a nice dining room and had beautiful saltillo tile floors.
Mrs. Homeowner loves to entertain and often hosts dinner parties for her friends. She enjoys visiting with her guests in the kitchen while putting the finishing touches on the evening’s meal. Sadly, her small kitchen really limited her interactions with her guests – she often felt left out of the mix at her own parties! This savvy homeowner dreamed big – a new kitchen that would accommodate multiple workstations, have space for guests to gather but not be in the way, and maybe a prettier transition from the kitchen to the dining (wine service area or hutch?) – while managing the remodel budget by reusing some of her major appliances and keeping (patching as needed) her existing floors.
Responding to the homeowner’s stated wish list and the opportunities presented by the home's setting and existing architecture, the designers at San Luis Kitchen decided to expand the kitchen into the breakfast nook using Wood-Mode cabinetry. This change allowed the work area to be reoriented to take advantage of the great view – we replaced the existing window and added another while moving the door to gain space. A second sink and set of refrigerator drawers (housing fresh fruits & veggies) were included for the convenience of this mainly vegetarian cook – her prep station. The clean-up area now boasts a farmhouse style single bowl sink – adding to the ‘cottage’ charm. We located a new gas cook-top between the two workstations for easy access from each. Also tucked in here is a pullout trash/recycle cabinet for convenience and additional drawers for storage.
Running parallel to the work counter we added a long butcher-block island with easy-to-access open shelves for the avid cook and seating for friendly guests placed just right to take in the view. A counter-top garage is used to hide excess small appliances. Glass door cabinets and open shelves are now available to display the owners beautiful dishware. The microwave was placed inconspicuously on the end of the island facing the refrigerator – easy access for guests (and extraneous family members) to help themselves to drinks and snacks while staying out of the cook’s way.
We also moved the pantry storage away from the dining room (putting it on the far wall and closer to the work triangle) and added a furniture-like hutch in its place allowing the more formal dining area to flow seamlessly into the up-beat work area of the kitchen. This space is now also home (opposite wall) to an under counter wine refrigerator, a liquor cabinet and pretty glass door wall cabinet for stemware storage – meeting Mr. Homeowner’s desire for a bar service area.
And then the aesthetic: an old-world style country cottage theme. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to have a warm feel while still loving the look of white cabinetry. San Luis Kitchen melded country-casual knotty pine base cabinets with vintage hand-brushed creamy white wall cabinets to create the desired cottage look. We also added bead board and mullioned glass doors for charm, used an inset doorstyle on the cabinets for authenticity, and mixed stone and wood counters to create an eclectic nuance in the space. All in all, the happy homeowners now boast a charming county cottage kitchen with plenty of space for entertaining their guests while creating gourmet meals to feed them.

The owners of a charming home in the hills west of Paso Robles recently decided to remodel their not-so-charming kitchen. Referred to San Luis Kitchen by several of their friends, the homeowners visited our showroom and soon decided we were the best people to design a kitchen fitting the style of their home. We were delighted to get to work on the project right away.
When we arrived at the house, we found a small, cramped and out-dated kitchen. The ceiling was low, the cabinets old fashioned and painted a stark dead white, and the best view in the house was neglected in a seldom-used breakfast nook (sequestered behind the kitchen peninsula). This kitchen was also handicapped by white tile counters with dark grout, odd-sized and cluttered cabinets, and small ‘desk’ tacked on to the side of the oven cabinet. Due to a marked lack of counter space & inadequate storage the homeowner had resorted to keeping her small appliances on a little cart parked in the corner and the garbage was just sitting by the wall in full view of everything! On the plus side, the kitchen opened into a nice dining room and had beautiful saltillo tile floors.
Mrs. Homeowner loves to entertain and often hosts dinner parties for her friends. She enjoys visiting with her guests in the kitchen while putting the finishing touches on the evening’s meal. Sadly, her small kitchen really limited her interactions with her guests – she often felt left out of the mix at her own parties! This savvy homeowner dreamed big – a new kitchen that would accommodate multiple workstations, have space for guests to gather but not be in the way, and maybe a prettier transition from the kitchen to the dining (wine service area or hutch?) – while managing the remodel budget by reusing some of her major appliances and keeping (patching as needed) her existing floors.
Responding to the homeowner’s stated wish list and the opportunities presented by the home's setting and existing architecture, the designers at San Luis Kitchen decided to expand the kitchen into the breakfast nook using Wood-Mode cabinetry. This change allowed the work area to be reoriented to take advantage of the great view – we replaced the existing window and added another while moving the door to gain space. A second sink and set of refrigerator drawers (housing fresh fruits & veggies) were included for the convenience of this mainly vegetarian cook – her prep station. The clean-up area now boasts a farmhouse style single bowl sink – adding to the ‘cottage’ charm. We located a new gas cook-top between the two workstations for easy access from each. Also tucked in here is a pullout trash/recycle cabinet for convenience and additional drawers for storage.
Running parallel to the work counter we added a long butcher-block island with easy-to-access open shelves for the avid cook and seating for friendly guests placed just right to take in the view. A counter-top garage is used to hide excess small appliances. Glass door cabinets and open shelves are now available to display the owners beautiful dishware. The microwave was placed inconspicuously on the end of the island facing the refrigerator – easy access for guests (and extraneous family members) to help themselves to drinks and snacks while staying out of the cook’s way.
We also moved the pantry storage away from the dining room (putting it on the far wall and closer to the work triangle) and added a furniture-like hutch in its place allowing the more formal dining area to flow seamlessly into the up-beat work area of the kitchen. This space is now also home (opposite wall) to an under counter wine refrigerator, a liquor cabinet and pretty glass door wall cabinet for stemware storage – meeting Mr. Homeowner’s desire for a bar service area.
And then the aesthetic: an old-world style country cottage theme. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to have a warm feel while still loving the look of white cabinetry. San Luis Kitchen melded country-casual knotty pine base cabinets with vintage hand-brushed creamy white wall cabinets to create the desired cottage look. We also added bead board and mullioned glass doors for charm, used an inset doorstyle on the cabinets for authenticity, and mixed stone and wood counters to create an eclectic nuance in the space. All in all, the happy homeowners now boast a charming county cottage kitchen with plenty of space for entertaining their guests while creating gourmet meals to feed them.

The owners of a charming home in the hills west of Paso Robles recently decided to remodel their not-so-charming kitchen. Referred to San Luis Kitchen by several of their friends, the homeowners visited our showroom and soon decided we were the best people to design a kitchen fitting the style of their home. We were delighted to get to work on the project right away.
When we arrived at the house, we found a small, cramped and out-dated kitchen. The ceiling was low, the cabinets old fashioned and painted a stark dead white, and the best view in the house was neglected in a seldom-used breakfast nook (sequestered behind the kitchen peninsula). This kitchen was also handicapped by white tile counters with dark grout, odd-sized and cluttered cabinets, and small ‘desk’ tacked on to the side of the oven cabinet. Due to a marked lack of counter space & inadequate storage the homeowner had resorted to keeping her small appliances on a little cart parked in the corner and the garbage was just sitting by the wall in full view of everything! On the plus side, the kitchen opened into a nice dining room and had beautiful saltillo tile floors.
Mrs. Homeowner loves to entertain and often hosts dinner parties for her friends. She enjoys visiting with her guests in the kitchen while putting the finishing touches on the evening’s meal. Sadly, her small kitchen really limited her interactions with her guests – she often felt left out of the mix at her own parties! This savvy homeowner dreamed big – a new kitchen that would accommodate multiple workstations, have space for guests to gather but not be in the way, and maybe a prettier transition from the kitchen to the dining (wine service area or hutch?) – while managing the remodel budget by reusing some of her major appliances and keeping (patching as needed) her existing floors.
Responding to the homeowner’s stated wish list and the opportunities presented by the home's setting and existing architecture, the designers at San Luis Kitchen decided to expand the kitchen into the breakfast nook using Wood-Mode cabinetry. This change allowed the work area to be reoriented to take advantage of the great view – we replaced the existing window and added another while moving the door to gain space. A second sink and set of refrigerator drawers (housing fresh fruits & veggies) were included for the convenience of this mainly vegetarian cook – her prep station. The clean-up area now boasts a farmhouse style single bowl sink – adding to the ‘cottage’ charm. We located a new gas cook-top between the two workstations for easy access from each. Also tucked in here is a pullout trash/recycle cabinet for convenience and additional drawers for storage.
Running parallel to the work counter we added a long butcher-block island with easy-to-access open shelves for the avid cook and seating for friendly guests placed just right to take in the view. A counter-top garage is used to hide excess small appliances. Glass door cabinets and open shelves are now available to display the owners beautiful dishware. The microwave was placed inconspicuously on the end of the island facing the refrigerator – easy access for guests (and extraneous family members) to help themselves to drinks and snacks while staying out of the cook’s way.
We also moved the pantry storage away from the dining room (putting it on the far wall and closer to the work triangle) and added a furniture-like hutch in its place allowing the more formal dining area to flow seamlessly into the up-beat work area of the kitchen. This space is now also home (opposite wall) to an under counter wine refrigerator, a liquor cabinet and pretty glass door wall cabinet for stemware storage – meeting Mr. Homeowner’s desire for a bar service area.
And then the aesthetic: an old-world style country cottage theme. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to have a warm feel while still loving the look of white cabinetry. San Luis Kitchen melded country-casual knotty pine base cabinets with vintage hand-brushed creamy white wall cabinets to create the desired cottage look. We also added bead board and mullioned glass doors for charm, used an inset doorstyle on the cabinets for authenticity, and mixed stone and wood counters to create an eclectic nuance in the space. All in all, the happy homeowners now boast a charming county cottage kitchen with plenty of space for entertaining their guests while creating gourmet meals to feed them.

This project, in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood of Seattle, added a backyard office / guest room above an existing garage and workshop. The owners wanted their new cottage to match the style of the existing house.
There were several challenges. The garage was nonconforming on the rear and side, i.e. the existing structure was too close to the property lines. The new second story had to conform to the setback requirements, so on both the side and back it had to be offset from the garage walls below. The design balances this asymmetry by means of a “false front” on the north side of the garage, through which the stairs to the new upstairs DADU are accessed.
The existing garage had some structural issues, and had to be reinforced to support its new upper story.
The site was small, and the buildable area limited – for this reason the backyard cottage had to be very compact. And because it was limited by code to 800 s.f., including the existing garage and new exterior stairs, there wasn’t much space to work with. In the end the design met the owners’ goals, and is functioning well as a home office (and occasional guest bedroom). Incidentally the limited size also helped keep the project within a tight budget. The total square footage is 658 s.f. (378 s.f. garage, 280 s.f. upper unit).
By the way “Carriage House” originally meant a small outbuilding to house horse-drawn carriages. Today it generally means an accessory structure which contains a garage below, and a living unit above.
The City of Seattle is considering changes to the Land Use Code to facilitate the construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single-family zones: http://www.seattle.gov/council/adu-eis

The Setup
When our clients decided to remodel their primary bathroom, the goal was to transform the space into a brighter, more open retreat tailored to their needs. The previous layout, with its enclosed zones and limited functionality, no longer met their needs. By reimagining the layout and introducing thoughtful design choices, we created a modern, elegant bathroom that serves their current and future lifestyle.
Design objectives:
- Create a brighter, more open bathroom while maintaining privacy.
- Provide functional storage solutions without relying on the old linen closet.
- Incorporate a freestanding tub, large shower, and a makeup area for added versatility.
- Retain natural light from existing windows.
- Introduce elegant finishes and accents for a timeless aesthetic.
The Remodel
Design challenges to be solved:
- Reconfiguring the layout while keeping the existing plumbing for the toilet.
- Creating storage that houses everything that resided within the linen closet.
- Designing clearance and functionality for a freestanding tub, shower, and makeup area within the limited space.
- Accommodating the client’s desire for a pocket door in the commode room despite spatial constraints.
Introducing accent tile and cabinetry colors that align with the client’s vision yet maintain a cohesive look with the rest of the home.
The Renewed Space
Design solutions:
- Reimagined Layout: Moved the shower from the back of the room, creating a more open feel with additional glass while preserving privacy with a wing wall and bench. The freestanding tub was angled to optimize space and enhance circulation, with textured tile behind it adding visual interest.
- Efficient Storage: Eliminated the original linen closet and incorporated functional base cabinet storage and a designated makeup area for added utility.
- Optimized Access: Adjusted the depth of the makeup vanity to provide sufficient walkway clearance, ensuring a comfortable flow around the tub.
- Tailored Features: Installed a smaller pocket door in the commode room to resolve framing and plumbing limitations.
- Elegant Accents: Introduced a subtle marble herringbone mosaic tile in the shower and textured tile behind the tub to enhance the monochromatic palette. Painted cabinetry in a dark gray finish provided a bold yet refined contrast to the light countertops.
Final Thoughts:
The reimagined primary bathroom is a true reflection of the client’s needs and style preferences. By thoughtfully reworking the layout and incorporating functional yet elegant design elements, we created a serene and practical space that serves as a personal retreat. The result is a timeless bathroom that supports their busy lifestyle while providing moments of tranquility.

DT The surrounding grab bars in the shower installed on wood grounds within the finished walls keep the user safe. The low profile shower base threshold aids those with limited mobility. The porcelain floor tile is non-skid for wet feet when exiting the shower.

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Columbus, OH
Free consultation for landscape design!
Peabody Landscape Group
Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

David Morello
Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Houston.
Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Houston.

The Setup
When our clients decided to remodel their primary bathroom, the goal was to transform the space into a brighter, more open retreat tailored to their needs. The previous layout, with its enclosed zones and limited functionality, no longer met their needs. By reimagining the layout and introducing thoughtful design choices, we created a modern, elegant bathroom that serves their current and future lifestyle.
Design objectives:
- Create a brighter, more open bathroom while maintaining privacy.
- Provide functional storage solutions without relying on the old linen closet.
- Incorporate a freestanding tub, large shower, and a makeup area for added versatility.
- Retain natural light from existing windows.
- Introduce elegant finishes and accents for a timeless aesthetic.
The Remodel
Design challenges to be solved:
- Reconfiguring the layout while keeping the existing plumbing for the toilet.
- Creating storage that houses everything that resided within the linen closet.
- Designing clearance and functionality for a freestanding tub, shower, and makeup area within the limited space.
- Accommodating the client’s desire for a pocket door in the commode room despite spatial constraints.
Introducing accent tile and cabinetry colors that align with the client’s vision yet maintain a cohesive look with the rest of the home.
The Renewed Space
Design solutions:
- Reimagined Layout: Moved the shower from the back of the room, creating a more open feel with additional glass while preserving privacy with a wing wall and bench. The freestanding tub was angled to optimize space and enhance circulation, with textured tile behind it adding visual interest.
- Efficient Storage: Eliminated the original linen closet and incorporated functional base cabinet storage and a designated makeup area for added utility.
- Optimized Access: Adjusted the depth of the makeup vanity to provide sufficient walkway clearance, ensuring a comfortable flow around the tub.
- Tailored Features: Installed a smaller pocket door in the commode room to resolve framing and plumbing limitations.
- Elegant Accents: Introduced a subtle marble herringbone mosaic tile in the shower and textured tile behind the tub to enhance the monochromatic palette. Painted cabinetry in a dark gray finish provided a bold yet refined contrast to the light countertops.
Final Thoughts:
The reimagined primary bathroom is a true reflection of the client’s needs and style preferences. By thoughtfully reworking the layout and incorporating functional yet elegant design elements, we created a serene and practical space that serves as a personal retreat. The result is a timeless bathroom that supports their busy lifestyle while providing moments of tranquility.

We were thrilled when our former clients called about their primary bathroom remodel. They were so unhappy with the space that they'd resorted to using it as a storage area, and the entire family shared the hallway bathroom.
Some of the most notable complaints were that the vanity and closet area had no privacy from the primary bedroom, making the space difficult to use while someone was sleeping. The oversized mirrored closet doors had settled and could hardly be opened and closed. More minor complaints included the lack of double sinks, limited vanity storage, nowhere for dirty laundry, a small shower, and poor lighting overall.
We also had a few architectural limitations. The windows in the home had recently been replaced, so we needed to retain their existing locations. Similarly, the toilet line location was very limited in this second-story room, so we needed to work around the current spot.
Our final design included a frosted glass door separating the bedroom and bathroom. This allowed for privacy but retained the natural light provided by the windows in both rooms. We also removed the wall separating the shower and toilet area from the vanity; this made both areas feel larger and more cohesive. The closet doors were replaced with new gliding doors that provide easy access to the entire closet.
The updated vanity area includes ample drawer storage and a large recessed medicine cabinet. The cabinets are stained oak, providing a warm natural texture to balance the cool-toned manufactured tiles. The inky-blue glass wall tile is a focal point and adds a burst of color to the room. Between the new vanity and shower area is an open storage system for baskets, towel storage, and a laundry hamper.
We reconfigured a small closet in the bedroom to create an inviting and large shower. We opted for a full-width shampoo niche along the rear wall with the same accent tile we incorporated into the vanity area. We added a linear shower drain along the same wall to mirror the elongated niche
detail. 'Clear hardware' by-pass shower doors that allow the user to reach the shower controls before stepping in.
Overall, the space is bright and calm, with just the right amount of bold color and natural textures. We will soon begin remodeling the hallway bath because the entire family is now using this new space!

The Setup
When our clients decided to remodel their primary bathroom, the goal was to transform the space into a brighter, more open retreat tailored to their needs. The previous layout, with its enclosed zones and limited functionality, no longer met their needs. By reimagining the layout and introducing thoughtful design choices, we created a modern, elegant bathroom that serves their current and future lifestyle.
Design objectives:
- Create a brighter, more open bathroom while maintaining privacy.
- Provide functional storage solutions without relying on the old linen closet.
- Incorporate a freestanding tub, large shower, and a makeup area for added versatility.
- Retain natural light from existing windows.
- Introduce elegant finishes and accents for a timeless aesthetic.
The Remodel
Design challenges to be solved:
- Reconfiguring the layout while keeping the existing plumbing for the toilet.
- Creating storage that houses everything that resided within the linen closet.
- Designing clearance and functionality for a freestanding tub, shower, and makeup area within the limited space.
- Accommodating the client’s desire for a pocket door in the commode room despite spatial constraints.
Introducing accent tile and cabinetry colors that align with the client’s vision yet maintain a cohesive look with the rest of the home.
The Renewed Space
Design solutions:
- Reimagined Layout: Moved the shower from the back of the room, creating a more open feel with additional glass while preserving privacy with a wing wall and bench. The freestanding tub was angled to optimize space and enhance circulation, with textured tile behind it adding visual interest.
- Efficient Storage: Eliminated the original linen closet and incorporated functional base cabinet storage and a designated makeup area for added utility.
- Optimized Access: Adjusted the depth of the makeup vanity to provide sufficient walkway clearance, ensuring a comfortable flow around the tub.
- Tailored Features: Installed a smaller pocket door in the commode room to resolve framing and plumbing limitations.
- Elegant Accents: Introduced a subtle marble herringbone mosaic tile in the shower and textured tile behind the tub to enhance the monochromatic palette. Painted cabinetry in a dark gray finish provided a bold yet refined contrast to the light countertops.
Final Thoughts:
The reimagined primary bathroom is a true reflection of the client’s needs and style preferences. By thoughtfully reworking the layout and incorporating functional yet elegant design elements, we created a serene and practical space that serves as a personal retreat. The result is a timeless bathroom that supports their busy lifestyle while providing moments of tranquility.

Sponsored
Sunbury, OH
J.Holderby - Renovations
Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

The sink base features two full extension rollouts that handle trash and recyclables in the front and have divided storage for cleaning supplies in the back. No more getting on your hands and knees to access this cabinet. Idea found in Fine Homebuilding magazine. Small tilt drawer holds sponges.
The raised panel, French blue cabinets are finished with a dark brown glazing. These are full overlay doors and drawers, constructed with high precision to maintain a 1/8” gap between every side of a door and drawer.
PHOTO CREDIT: John Ray

The Setup
When our clients decided to remodel their primary bathroom, the goal was to transform the space into a brighter, more open retreat tailored to their needs. The previous layout, with its enclosed zones and limited functionality, no longer met their needs. By reimagining the layout and introducing thoughtful design choices, we created a modern, elegant bathroom that serves their current and future lifestyle.
Design objectives:
- Create a brighter, more open bathroom while maintaining privacy.
- Provide functional storage solutions without relying on the old linen closet.
- Incorporate a freestanding tub, large shower, and a makeup area for added versatility.
- Retain natural light from existing windows.
- Introduce elegant finishes and accents for a timeless aesthetic.
The Remodel
Design challenges to be solved:
- Reconfiguring the layout while keeping the existing plumbing for the toilet.
- Creating storage that houses everything that resided within the linen closet.
- Designing clearance and functionality for a freestanding tub, shower, and makeup area within the limited space.
- Accommodating the client’s desire for a pocket door in the commode room despite spatial constraints.
Introducing accent tile and cabinetry colors that align with the client’s vision yet maintain a cohesive look with the rest of the home.
The Renewed Space
Design solutions:
- Reimagined Layout: Moved the shower from the back of the room, creating a more open feel with additional glass while preserving privacy with a wing wall and bench. The freestanding tub was angled to optimize space and enhance circulation, with textured tile behind it adding visual interest.
- Efficient Storage: Eliminated the original linen closet and incorporated functional base cabinet storage and a designated makeup area for added utility.
- Optimized Access: Adjusted the depth of the makeup vanity to provide sufficient walkway clearance, ensuring a comfortable flow around the tub.
- Tailored Features: Installed a smaller pocket door in the commode room to resolve framing and plumbing limitations.
- Elegant Accents: Introduced a subtle marble herringbone mosaic tile in the shower and textured tile behind the tub to enhance the monochromatic palette. Painted cabinetry in a dark gray finish provided a bold yet refined contrast to the light countertops.
Final Thoughts:
The reimagined primary bathroom is a true reflection of the client’s needs and style preferences. By thoughtfully reworking the layout and incorporating functional yet elegant design elements, we created a serene and practical space that serves as a personal retreat. The result is a timeless bathroom that supports their busy lifestyle while providing moments of tranquility.

This project's goal was to creatively design for family lounging, urban gardening, and managing vehicular movement using architectural cues, wood and stone detailing to develop a seamless, unique layout with limited barriers.
Taking advantage of mature vegetation, shade and view into the rear yard beyond the oversized sliding glass doors, we wanted to achieve a yard with limited barriers, soft edges, long vistas and a gentle transition between elevations.
Stacking the two air conditioners and integrating elongated raised planters between deck landings with variegated semi-shade grasses anchored in the corner by a Japanese Maple allowed for an open view of the yard. The frosted glass panels increased the amount of light needed while providing the desired privacy for private entertaining and dining.
We installed lightweight concrete patio slabs with long gaps to allow water to pass through, reducing pooling water and improving water flow to the large shade tree the client wished to retain. As shade gardens provide challenges, we could capitalize on the morning sun for a vegetable garden. The garden was also a transition corridor to access the custom play feature, lawn and zip-line behind the existing garage.
The addition of a custom BBQ and charcoal grill embedded into the counter against the east side property limits stepped with the deck includes storage and additional seating. Finished with stone veneer, wood slats, and multi-sized pebbles retained by a gabion basket was a great contrast of natural finishes seamlessly blended together. Bon Appetit!
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