Here in Florida, we’re blessed with great weather year-round. So it’s no surprise that outdoor entertaining areas are an extremely popular way to enhance outdoor living. When our clients requested an update to their existing outdoor kitchen while they were away on vacation, we were ready to hit the ground running. While their beautiful 2-story home on a golf course had a pool and covered lanai area, the existing outdoor kitchen just didn’t function well for their needs. Mainly, they craved additional counter space and more seating. And, as avid football fans, with a son playing on a renown Division 1 college team, they also wanted a large screen TV to watch games. After all, what better way to share game day excitement than at a barbecue with family and friends? A Bigger, Better Kitchen Layout Our brilliant design team came up with a much larger, u-shaped outdoor kitchen layout for increased functionality. The extra base cabinets provided plenty of storage as well as a foundation for additional countertop space. Adjacent to the sink, we added a 24” outdoor refrigerator to keep food and beverages chilled, and the high top bar allowed for more seating around the perimeter. For cooking, our clients selected a much larger Lynx grill and side burner to replace the original grill. While the kitchen was already set up for a grilling area, it required a hood, so we built and installed a custom hood for proper ventilation. Then, we added a large screen TV above the hood for easy viewing. Finishing Touches To softly illuminate the entire space at night, we installed additional recessed light fixtures into the ceiling and under the grill hood. We also tied the Cypress wood ceiling and the crown molding together into the design with a luxurious cabinet stain. Along with these finishing touches, we added a decorative travertine stone backsplash behind the grill and homogenized the front face of the bar for a polished, matching look. Ventilation Challenges With the outdoor kitchen lanai located directly under a second-floor living area, we had expected to tuck away ventilation ductwork between the second-level floor joists and the exterior wall running parallel to the grill hood. However, upon further investigation, we discovered the second floor joist system, in fact, ran perpendicular to the grill hood. In short, we needed a new way to hide the venting without compromising the original design. Our team came up with an inspired solution: Construction of a false wall behind the outdoor kitchen allowed us to run ductwork without creating a visible chase for the vent, thus maintaining a symmetrical look on both sides of the grill and decorative hood. Exceeding Expectations In the end, we didn’t just meet our clients’ needs for a beautiful outdoor kitchen update – we exceeded them. As planned, we completed the new outdoor kitchen while they were out of town. But when our clients returned from vacation, they were so impressed with the results (and the stress-free design/build experience) that they promptly hired us for another extensive remodel – a stunning home addition!

Tuscan wine cellar photo in Dallas

This outdoor living addition was built with an original-to-the-home look including matching shingles, paint, and brick. The tongue and groove wood ceiling and stamped concrete enhance the feel of this outdoor project. Ceiling fans create a sweet breeze throughout this patio, and the recessed lighting allows for an enjoyable evening outdoors. Flood lights were also placed on the exterior of the patio to increase nighttime visibility and security.

This outdoor living addition was built with an original-to-the-home look including matching shingles, paint, and brick. The tongue and groove wood ceiling and stamped concrete enhance the feel of this outdoor project. Ceiling fans create a sweet breeze throughout this patio, and the recessed lighting allows for an enjoyable evening outdoors. Flood lights were also placed on the exterior of the patio to increase nighttime visibility and security.

Wide sweeping windows up to 13’ and full-lite doors were installed throughout the home preserving the unobstructed views from the home. Additionally, four 12’ wide Lift and Slide doors were installed in the living room and dining room. Increased natural light, fewer framing members, and the ability to open the door wide for indoor/outdoor living are just a few of the benefits of such large sliding doors. The rear of the home takes full advantage of the expansive marine landscape with full height windows and doors. Glo A5h and A5s Series were selected with concealed hinges. The Glo A5h, hidden sash, ensures that operational windows share the same profile thickness as fixed units. A uniform and cohesive look adds simplicity to the overall aesthetic, supporting the minimalist design. The A5s is Glo’s slimmest profile, allowing for more glass, less frame, and wider sight lines. The concealed hinge creates a clean interior look while also providing a more energy efficient air-tight window. The increased performance is also seen in the triple pane glazing used in both series. The windows and doors alike provide a larger continuous thermal break, multiple air seals, high performance spacers, low-e glass, and argon filled glazing, with U-values as low as 0.20. Energy efficiency and effortless minimalism creates a breathtaking Scandinavian-style remodel.

BYTR architects designd the extension of this charming detached house in the old town of Zeist (NL). The characteristic contour of the existing home is used as a reference for the of 19th century house. Two modern gable roofs, together with the historical mansard roof make a surprising composition. The extension of the house has doubled the living space. Despite the increase in volume, you experience the new building from the street as a little addition. The extension is hidden behind the existing building. Also inside you experience the expressive roof shape which creates a spacious and contemporary atmosphere. The monolithic extension contrasts in materials and detailing of the existing house. The relief of the old brick walls defines the contrast with the anthracite flat façade panel of the extension. The interior also shows the contrast between old and new. Through a large sliding façade you step into the modern living kitchen. A tight plastered ceiling and concrete floor stands in contracst to the original wooden beams and an oak parquet. Classic and modern brought together in a charming way.

This second floor apartment was renovated and incorporated into a Master Suite for the home. By removing the exterior entryway, the living space increased to allow this spectacular master bath. The white bead board detail frames the white oval clawfoot tub and clear glass shower enclosure keeps the site lines clean and simple.

The Owners of a home that had been consumed by the moving dunes of Lake Michigan wanted a home that would not only stand the test of aesthetic time, but survive the vicissitudes of the environment. With the assistance of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as well as the consulting civil engineer and the City of Grand Haven Zoning Department, a soil stabilization site plan was developed based on raising the new home’s main floor elevation by almost three feet, implementing erosion studies, screen walls and planting indigenous, drought tolerant xeriscaping. The screen walls, as well as the low profile of the home and the use of sand trapping marrum beachgrass all help to create a wind shadow buffer around the home and reduce blowing sand erosion and accretion. The Owners wanted to minimize the stylistic baggage which consumes most “cottage” residences, and with the Architect created a home with simple lines focused on the view and the natural environment. Sustainable energy requirements on a budget directed the design decisions regarding the SIPs panel insulation, energy systems, roof shading, other insulation systems, lighting and detailing. Easily constructed and linear, the home harkens back to mid century modern pavilions with present day environmental sensitivities and harmony with the site. James Yochum

3,500 sq. ft. full-home renovation completed by Homewrap Construction in Scarborough, Ontario, transforming a four-bedroom brick bungalow into a modern, open-concept home designed for both comfortable living and increased property value. Completed in 2025 over three months, the renovation included a custom kitchen, multiple bathroom renovations, a finished basement, premium flooring, contemporary finishes, exterior upgrades, landscaping, and architectural lighting. From design and permits to construction and final detailing, every stage was managed by Homewrap's in-house team to deliver a seamless, high-quality renovation with exceptional craftsmanship.

Designed by Interior Designer, A. Lantz Design, this Lake Charlevoix project was featured on the cover of Traditional Home magazine! Hop off the boat! The bar is open! A little apres (water) ski refreshment is being served! This back patio is located on the lower-level of the home and allows for the best indoor-outdoor entertaining space! These comfortable teak bar stools allow for comfort and casual conversations in swim suits. The windows easily open to allow conversations to pour in while waiting for another glass of Rose. We love the stone design in the bar and counter tops - a great mixture of warm and cool. You can't go wrong with a classic, nautical, navy and white cedar shake exterior. Oh, and the concrete tiles are heated for the cooler months. ;)

85'' Sony 4K TV
Inspiration for a large contemporary formal and open concept light wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Orange County with beige walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Teri Fotheringham Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary living room remodel in Denver with a ribbon fireplace

After six years of living in their Huntley IL home, Chris and Meghan were tired of their dark, dingy, outdated kitchen and it was finally time for a long-anticipated change. “The kitchen is the place where we live, it’s where we do everything,” Meghan said. “It was important that it be a space where we wanted to be.” Meghan loves cooking and enjoys including their girls in healthy meal prepping, this led them to want a brighter, more enjoyable kitchen with increased functionality and improved storage. For Chris especially, the laundry room was an entirely dysfunctional eyesore. “We had a washer and a dryer, but it was all kind-of cobbled together!” Chris said. “There were always laundry piles everywhere, we weren’t really sure what we wanted to do in there, but it was time for us to make a change.” The mess of the space was stressful every time they walked in the door from the garage each day. Kids’ backpacks and shoes piled up haphazardly in the makeshift boot-bench closet left the family feeling disorganized and stressed. They needed space for folding clothes and locker cubbies to help keep the family organized. Having known Christine and Todd in the Huntley community for years, Chris and Meghan were familiar with their work. “We already trusted them personally and having seen their projects for years we knew they did top notch work. After we reviewed the initial round of designs, we knew that hiring them was definitely the right choice,” Meghan and Chris said. Although Chris had done a lot of work in their home himself, the kitchen and laundry room renovation was such a large undertaking that he didn’t want to steal time away from his family to spend what would surely be many long weekends doing the job himself. “That would not have been a wise choice for us,” Chris laughed. “Our designer, Michelle was very, very, easy to work with; anything we wanted to see or weren’t sure about, she went above and beyond to make this easy for us. She was easy to get hold of and always quick to respond,” the couple said. Michelle pulled ideas that mirrored the couple’s taste and style and was adept at directing the couple to limited choices that didn’t overwhelm them and kept the process moving. “I have a hard time making decisions. Michelle made the decision-making process so easy. I loved how she listened to what I liked and then presented three great options for me to choose from,” Meghan said. The main objectives for the kitchen were better storage solutions, they wanted the space to reflect their lifestyle and taste, and they wanted it to last for years with low maintenance. One of the first steps in creating a more functional kitchen was relocating the refrigerator, creating an improved workflow for the busy family. “We didn’t know that we could even move the refrigerator to a new location where it is now, that was something that we never would have thought of,” Chris said. “The new refrigerator location makes the kitchen feel so much bigger. We didn’t add any space, but our whole kitchen with the new design just seems like it’s so much larger than before!” Meghan said. The perimeter mist colored cabinets helped warm and brighten the entire room, while the graphite colored cabinets on the island added contrast. Using this fresh, clean color palette satisfied the couple’s desire for a bright space that was the exact opposite of what they had before. Organization accessories were also added to the cabinets such as a spice drawer tray and roll outs to create hidden convenience. “I absolutely love the hidden spices – it makes cooking so much more enjoyable!” Chris said. “And all the pull outs, and the double trash bin, who would think you could get so excited about organization!” the couple said in unison. One thing they hated in their original kitchen was how dark the space felt. Added lighting on the ceiling with the new light fixtures combined with the lighter cabinetry colors throughout solved this problem. “Our new kitchen has this warm, almost cozy feeling that our old kitchen never had, it’s just a space that I love spending my time in now,” Meghan said. The light airy feeling was accentuated with the use of floating white shelves on either side of the decorative range hood. “We have so much cabinetry space, the new design is amazing we actually have more storage space than we will ever need,” Meghan said. The island was extended to create more work surface and added space for stool seating. “The new island changes how we live. Now the kids can be in the kitchen with us, doing homework, eating breakfast, and the three of us have special dinners there when Chris is working late,” Meghan said. The Carrara Marmi Quartz countertops were chosen because they are, not only beautiful, but are made from hard-working material that doesn’t require maintenance. The white subway tile backsplash that wraps to the ceiling behind the focal point cooktop range/hood compliments the crisp white countertops perfectly, while brushed brass hardware and light fixtures keep the design fresh and new. The couple had a few fears at the beginning of the project, as most homeowners do. Their biggest fear was being out of their kitchen and laundry room for an extended time. The crew made it very easy for the family to work in a limited space keeping the washer and dryer hooked up the majority of the time, and also getting appliances working with minimal downtime. “They above and beyond accommodated us to get us through the process,” Meghan said. “They did a great job making sure we were as comfortable as possible throughout the process,” Chris added. “Our project manager DJ did a great job. He was very good at updating us on schedule changes, getting guys in as quickly as possible. Everyone that stepped in the house was nice and did great work,” said Chris. They thought Advance’s carpenter was phenomenal and were impressed when he took a conceptual idea from a photograph and worked with designer Michelle to create a one of a kind range/hood that has become the topic of conversation with friends and family who visit the new kitchen. “He was in our house literally every day for several weeks. He was easy to work with and good at what he did,” Meghan and Chris said. The focal point of the kitchen; a hand-crafted, custom-built ventilation hood was clad with handpicked reclaimed barnwood. Advance Design’s carpenter built the framework and the cladding to create a one-of-a-kind design element that the couple loves. “I think it was especially fun for him to create something unique from scratch, showcasing his talent in this area,” Meghan said. “I love that my kitchen is not like everyone else’s. I got to pick out the wood on my hood and watch it being built and was able to choose what pieces of wood went where on it. It’s totally unique.” Red Oak flooring was toothed-in throughout the kitchen and the rest of the first floor anywhere changes were made. Then the whole floor was refinished to tone down the orange undertones in the existing floor stain, ultimately changing the color complexion of the entire first floor. The result is a completely new feeling to the entire home. Renovating the laundry room was extremely important to Meghan and Chris, but they had trouble visualizing what the possibilities were for the seemingly small space. Michelle produced beautiful 3D illustrations that helped them envision the space in a whole new way. “I must have told Michelle 100 times that I am a visual person, seeing the designs in 3D made it so easy to make decisions and see what we could really do with our space,” Meghan said. A dividing wall and doorway were removed between the existing laundry room and hallway formerly containing a coat closet, providing space to design specialized graphite colored cabinetry matching the kitchen island to house custom storage cubbies for each family member. Adding the tall utility cabinetry in the new laundry area helped solve the storage issue, tucking away cleaning supplies, household items, and even the cat got its own cubby. “I love how everything is now hidden in its own space. I can’t tell you how much I hated coming home and seeing everything sitting around on counters,” Chris said. Electrical outlets were planned for the inside of utility cabinets, so devices could charge in hidden locations. Stacking the washer and dryer allowed for wider countertop space to provide a folding area and a special space for clothes to hang. “The way I do laundry has been completely transformed! I can actually fold clothes and hang them now right out of the washer and dryer,” Meghan said. “The end result in the kitchen and the laundry/mud room was an updated light and bright space, with a smarter work flow that better meets the needs of this family,” Michelle said. “I would totally recommend Advance Design,” Meghan said. “Sometimes I sit and just look at my kitchen and laundry room and think ‘Wow, I can’t believe I get to live here!’ It’s an understatement to say we love our new space.”

With its motorized swivelling blades, the AZUR S pergola is the ideal product for creating an outdoor living space that offers you and your guests comfort and protection against the elements. With its unique and modern design, durable aluminum structure, climate resistance and easy maintenance, the AZUR S pergola is a must for all high-end outdoor living spaces. The ECLIPSE is a robust mosquito screen or sun shade system ideal for covering large outdoor living spaces. Controlled with a wireless remote control, the ECLIPSE protects you from bugs, sun rays, wind and increases your privacy on demand, increasing your comfort and home value.

Trish Watson, Owner and Property Stylist with Su Casa Home Staging & ReDesign, is a certified, award-winning staging professional. She combines her love of style and design to create stunning spaces that sell for above listing every time. Trish services the Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington and surrounding areas and provides both occupied and vacant home staging services. Her niche is vacant homes because she loves the blank slate upon which she can “tell the story of the home”. She loves to create a lifestyle so any potential buyer walking through the home can envision themselves living in that home. Su Casa works with both realtors and homeowners to help increase property value and speed of sale. Please do not hesitate to reach out and schedule and appointment with Trish today!

Trish Watson, Owner and Property Stylist with Su Casa Home Staging & ReDesign, is a certified, award-winning staging professional. She combines her love of style and design to create stunning spaces that sell for above listing every time. Trish services the Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington and surrounding areas and provides both occupied and vacant home staging services. Her niche is vacant homes because she loves the blank slate upon which she can “tell the story of the home”. She loves to create a lifestyle so any potential buyer walking through the home can envision themselves living in that home. Su Casa works with both realtors and homeowners to help increase property value and speed of sale. Please do not hesitate to reach out and schedule and appointment with Trish today!

Trish Watson, Owner and Property Stylist with Su Casa Home Staging & ReDesign, is a certified, award-winning staging professional. She combines her love of style and design to create stunning spaces that sell for above listing every time. Trish services the Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington and surrounding areas and provides both occupied and vacant home staging services. Her niche is vacant homes because she loves the blank slate upon which she can “tell the story of the home”. She loves to create a lifestyle so any potential buyer walking through the home can envision themselves living in that home. Su Casa works with both realtors and homeowners to help increase property value and speed of sale. Please do not hesitate to reach out and schedule and appointment with Trish today!

With its motorized swiveling blades, the AZUR S pergola is the ideal product for creating an outdoor living space that offers you and your guests comfort and protection against the elements. With its unique and modern design, durable aluminum structure, climate resistance and easy maintenance, the AZUR S pergola is a must for all high-end outdoor living spaces. The ECLIPSE is a robust mosquito screen or sun shade system ideal for covering large outdoor living spaces. Controlled with a wireless remote control, the ECLIPSE protects you from bugs, sun rays, wind and increases your privacy on demand, increasing your comfort and home value.

Trish Watson, Owner and Property Stylist with Su Casa Home Staging & ReDesign, is a certified, award-winning staging professional. She combines her love of style and design to create stunning spaces that sell for above listing every time. Trish services the Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington and surrounding areas and provides both occupied and vacant home staging services. Her niche is vacant homes because she loves the blank slate upon which she can “tell the story of the home”. She loves to create a lifestyle so any potential buyer walking through the home can envision themselves living in that home. Su Casa works with both realtors and homeowners to help increase property value and speed of sale. Please do not hesitate to reach out and schedule and appointment with Trish today!