Photo Credit: David Bader
Example of a classic hallway design in Milwaukee

This 1950's ranch had a huge basement footprint that was unused as living space. With the walkout double door and plenty of southern exposure light, it made a perfect guest bedroom, living room, full bathroom, utility and laundry room, and plenty of closet storage, and effectively doubled the square footage of the home. The bathroom is designed with a curbless shower, allowing for wheelchair accessibility, and incorporates mosaic glass and modern tile. The living room incorporates a computer controlled low-energy LED accent lighting system hidden in recessed light coves in the utility chases.

This 1950's ranch had a huge basement footprint that was unused as living space. With the walkout double door and plenty of southern exposure light, it made a perfect guest bedroom, living room, full bathroom, utility and laundry room, and plenty of closet storage, and effectively doubled the square footage of the home. The bathroom is designed with a curbless shower, allowing for wheelchair accessibility, and incorporates mosaic glass and modern tile. The living room incorporates a computer controlled low-energy LED accent lighting system hidden in recessed light coves in the utility chases.

This 1950's ranch had a huge basement footprint that was unused as living space. With the walkout double door and plenty of southern exposure light, it made a perfect guest bedroom, living room, full bathroom, utility and laundry room, and plenty of closet storage, and effectively doubled the square footage of the home. The bathroom is designed with a curbless shower, allowing for wheelchair accessibility, and incorporates mosaic glass and modern tile. The living room incorporates a computer controlled low-energy LED accent lighting system hidden in recessed light coves in the utility chases.

This 1950's ranch had a huge basement footprint that was unused as living space. With the walkout double door and plenty of southern exposure light, it made a perfect guest bedroom, living room, full bathroom, utility and laundry room, and plenty of closet storage, and effectively doubled the square footage of the home. The bathroom is designed with a curbless shower, allowing for wheelchair accessibility, and incorporates mosaic glass and modern tile. The living room incorporates a computer controlled low-energy LED accent lighting system hidden in recessed light coves in the utility chases.

The Wallace property started with a prime waterfront location. The DSI team created two unique entertainment spaces, each with views of the water. “Whenever you are working on a property with an existing pond or lake, it is paramount that the water is the focal point,” says Matt, the DSI designer and project manager. The circle terrace, considered by the DSI team to be the heart of the property, is ideal for outdoor dining and a resting point between the bungalow and lower terrace. The lower terrace was designed to be an area to let loose and relax by a warm fire while enjoying the tranquil sounds of the pond fountains. The Wallace’s were looking to modify their driveway to set it apart from the others. DSI exhibited thorough attention to detail to ensure the new hardscape elements matched existing ones. A soft curvilinear line was quilted into the driveway with an inviting pattern. This project required a great deal of collaboration with utility contractors, the builder, and the developer. Together we were able to reconfigure the original property lines, the main irrigation line for the entire site as well as the utilities to adjacent properties. DSI coordinated all of these contractors to provide the Wallace’s with their dream retreat. Drastic changes in the elevation required major excavation and grading to implement the lower waterfront terrace. An intricate retaining wall was installed to accommodate this terrace. A bright lighting display was implemented to illuminate the new features as well as to ensure safe pedestrian traffic throughout the areas. Upon completion of the project, the Wallace’s were thrilled with its beauty, functionality and aptness for its natural surroundings. The end product was a collaborative effort, each team member exhibiting the utmost creativity, readiness to meet challenges and painstaking attention to detail-qualities which are apparent in every Decra-Scape project.

This 1950's ranch had a huge basement footprint that was unused as living space. With the walkout double door and plenty of southern exposure light, it made a perfect guest bedroom, living room, full bathroom, utility and laundry room, and plenty of closet storage, and effectively doubled the square footage of the home. The bathroom is designed with a curbless shower, allowing for wheelchair accessibility, and incorporates mosaic glass and modern tile. The living room incorporates a computer controlled low-energy LED accent lighting system hidden in recessed light coves in the utility chases.

This 1933 Wauwatosa basement was dark, dingy and lacked functionality. The basement was unfinished with concrete walls and floors. A small office was enclosed but the rest of the space was open and cluttered. The homeowners wanted a warm, organized space for their family. A recent job change meant they needed a dedicated home office. They also wanted a place where their kids could hang out with friends. Their wish list for this basement remodel included: a home office where the couple could both work, a full bathroom, a cozy living room and a dedicated storage room. This basement renovation resulted in a warm and bright space that is used by the whole family. Highlights of this basement: - Home Office: A new office gives the couple a dedicated space for work. There’s plenty of desk space, storage cabinets, under-shelf lighting and storage for their home library. - Living Room: An old office area was expanded into a cozy living room. It’s the perfect place for their kids to hang out when they host friends and family. - Laundry Room: The new laundry room is a total upgrade. It now includes fun laminate flooring, storage cabinets and counter space for folding laundry. - Full Bathroom: A new bathroom gives the family an additional shower in the home. Highlights of the bathroom include a navy vanity, quartz counters, brass finishes, a Dreamline shower door and Kohler Choreograph wall panels. - Staircase: We spruced up the staircase leading down to the lower level with patterned vinyl flooring and a matching trim color. - Storage: We gave them a separate storage space, with custom shelving for organizing their camping gear, sports equipment and holiday decorations. CUSTOMER REVIEW “We had been talking about remodeling our basement for a long time, but decided to make it happen when my husband was offered a job working remotely. It felt like the right time for us to have a real home office where we could separate our work lives from our home lives. We wanted the area to feel open, light-filled, and modern – not an easy task for a previously dark and cold basement! One of our favorite parts was when our designer took us on a 3D computer design tour of our basement. I remember thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, this could be our basement!?!’ It was so fun to see how our designer was able to take our wish list and ideas from my Pinterest board, and turn it into a practical design. We were sold after seeing the design, and were pleasantly surprised to see that Kowalske was less costly than another estimate.” – Stephanie, homeowner

Originally a nearly three-story tall 1920’s European-styled home was turned into a modern villa for work and home. A series of low concrete retaining wall planters and steps gradually takes you up to the second level entry, grounding or anchoring the house into the site, as does a new wrap around veranda and trellis. Large eave overhangs on the upper roof were designed to give the home presence and were accented with a Mid-century orange color. The new master bedroom addition white box creates a better sense of entry and opens to the wrap around veranda at the opposite side. Inside the owners live on the lower floor and work on the upper floor with the garage basement for storage, archives and a ceramics studio. New windows and open spaces were created for the graphic designer owners; displaying their mid-century modern furnishings collection. A lot of effort went into attempting to lower the house visually by bringing the ground plane higher with the concrete retaining wall planters, steps, wrap around veranda and trellis, and the prominent roof with exaggerated overhangs. That the eaves were painted orange is a cool reflection of the owner’s Dutch heritage. Budget was a driver for the project and it was determined that the footprint of the home should have minimal extensions and that the new windows remain in the same relative locations as the old ones. Wall removal was utilized versus moving and building new walls where possible. Photo Credit: John Sutton Photography.

For the kitchen, we decided to go with a double-tier upper cabinet to utilize the height of the loft with its very high ceiling. We also decided to go with the Bottle Green cabinet color by Ultracraft that gives an eclectic feel tying in well with the exposed brick and natural wood features. We paired the green with the Rag Bone cabinet color that balanced it out and blended in with the rest of the space, allowing the green and brass hardware to pop. We also extended the lower cabinets and added a wine fridge to better serve the bar area, perfect for entertaining. Finally, the Ventao Gold Quartz countertop with warm veining tied in perfectly with the brass hardware and Black and Brass faucet.

Example of a mid-sized classic porcelain tile mudroom design in Chicago with gray walls

Originally a nearly three-story tall 1920’s European-styled home was turned into a modern villa for work and home. A series of low concrete retaining wall planters and steps gradually takes you up to the second level entry, grounding or anchoring the house into the site, as does a new wrap around veranda and trellis. Large eave overhangs on the upper roof were designed to give the home presence and were accented with a Mid-century orange color. The new master bedroom addition white box creates a better sense of entry and opens to the wrap around veranda at the opposite side. Inside the owners live on the lower floor and work on the upper floor with the garage basement for storage, archives and a ceramics studio. New windows and open spaces were created for the graphic designer owners; displaying their mid-century modern furnishings collection. A lot of effort went into attempting to lower the house visually by bringing the ground plane higher with the concrete retaining wall planters, steps, wrap around veranda and trellis, and the prominent roof with exaggerated overhangs. That the eaves were painted orange is a cool reflection of the owner’s Dutch heritage. Budget was a driver for the project and it was determined that the footprint of the home should have minimal extensions and that the new windows remain in the same relative locations as the old ones. Wall removal was utilized versus moving and building new walls where possible. Photo Credit: John Sutton Photography.

Originally a nearly three-story tall 1920’s European-styled home was turned into a modern villa for work and home. A series of low concrete retaining wall planters and steps gradually takes you up to the second level entry, grounding or anchoring the house into the site, as does a new wrap around veranda and trellis. Large eave overhangs on the upper roof were designed to give the home presence and were accented with a Mid-century orange color. The new master bedroom addition white box creates a better sense of entry and opens to the wrap around veranda at the opposite side. Inside the owners live on the lower floor and work on the upper floor with the garage basement for storage, archives and a ceramics studio. New windows and open spaces were created for the graphic designer owners; displaying their mid-century modern furnishings collection. A lot of effort went into attempting to lower the house visually by bringing the ground plane higher with the concrete retaining wall planters, steps, wrap around veranda and trellis, and the prominent roof with exaggerated overhangs. That the eaves were painted orange is a cool reflection of the owner’s Dutch heritage. Budget was a driver for the project and it was determined that the footprint of the home should have minimal extensions and that the new windows remain in the same relative locations as the old ones. Wall removal was utilized versus moving and building new walls where possible. Photo Credit: John Sutton Photography.

Originally a nearly three-story tall 1920’s European-styled home was turned into a modern villa for work and home. A series of low concrete retaining wall planters and steps gradually takes you up to the second level entry, grounding or anchoring the house into the site, as does a new wrap around veranda and trellis. Large eave overhangs on the upper roof were designed to give the home presence and were accented with a Mid-century orange color. The new master bedroom addition white box creates a better sense of entry and opens to the wrap around veranda at the opposite side. Inside the owners live on the lower floor and work on the upper floor with the garage basement for storage, archives and a ceramics studio. New windows and open spaces were created for the graphic designer owners; displaying their mid-century modern furnishings collection. A lot of effort went into attempting to lower the house visually by bringing the ground plane higher with the concrete retaining wall planters, steps, wrap around veranda and trellis, and the prominent roof with exaggerated overhangs. That the eaves were painted orange is a cool reflection of the owner’s Dutch heritage. Budget was a driver for the project and it was determined that the footprint of the home should have minimal extensions and that the new windows remain in the same relative locations as the old ones. Wall removal was utilized versus moving and building new walls where possible. Photo Credit: John Sutton Photography.

Originally a nearly three-story tall 1920’s European-styled home was turned into a modern villa for work and home. A series of low concrete retaining wall planters and steps gradually takes you up to the second level entry, grounding or anchoring the house into the site, as does a new wrap around veranda and trellis. Large eave overhangs on the upper roof were designed to give the home presence and were accented with a Mid-century orange color. The new master bedroom addition white box creates a better sense of entry and opens to the wrap around veranda at the opposite side. Inside the owners live on the lower floor and work on the upper floor with the garage basement for storage, archives and a ceramics studio. New windows and open spaces were created for the graphic designer owners; displaying their mid-century modern furnishings collection. A lot of effort went into attempting to lower the house visually by bringing the ground plane higher with the concrete retaining wall planters, steps, wrap around veranda and trellis, and the prominent roof with exaggerated overhangs. That the eaves were painted orange is a cool reflection of the owner’s Dutch heritage. Budget was a driver for the project and it was determined that the footprint of the home should have minimal extensions and that the new windows remain in the same relative locations as the old ones. Wall removal was utilized versus moving and building new walls where possible. Photo Credit: John Sutton Photography.

Available in 8 classic colors. BLANCO PRECIS™ CASCADE super single bowl includes a stainless steel mesh colander, allowing for hands-free rinsing of fruit and produce. Drain NOT included. Product Features - Undermount with ultimate utility - Integrated second level for drying, depositing and draining - Bowl Depths: 7-7/8'' & 5-1/2'' - Required Outside Cabinet: 33'' - Cutout Size: Template provided with approximate 1/8'' reveal - Compact size - 80% solid granite - Heat resistant up to 536°F - Unsurpassed cleanability backed by industry leading 7 patents! - Resistant to scratches, stains and all household acids and alkali solutions - Limited lifetime warranty

Jim Fuhrmann Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional galley porcelain tile and gray floor enclosed kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Originally a nearly three-story tall 1920’s European-styled home was turned into a modern villa for work and home. A series of low concrete retaining wall planters and steps gradually takes you up to the second level entry, grounding or anchoring the house into the site, as does a new wrap around veranda and trellis. Large eave overhangs on the upper roof were designed to give the home presence and were accented with a Mid-century orange color. The new master bedroom addition white box creates a better sense of entry and opens to the wrap around veranda at the opposite side. Inside the owners live on the lower floor and work on the upper floor with the garage basement for storage, archives and a ceramics studio. New windows and open spaces were created for the graphic designer owners; displaying their mid-century modern furnishings collection. A lot of effort went into attempting to lower the house visually by bringing the ground plane higher with the concrete retaining wall planters, steps, wrap around veranda and trellis, and the prominent roof with exaggerated overhangs. That the eaves were painted orange is a cool reflection of the owner’s Dutch heritage. Budget was a driver for the project and it was determined that the footprint of the home should have minimal extensions and that the new windows remain in the same relative locations as the old ones. Wall removal was utilized versus moving and building new walls where possible. Photo Credit: John Sutton Photography.

Living comfortably has never been easier! This gorgeous Craftsman home exposes rich architectural detail throughout the open floor plan. Perfect for those who enjoy outdoor living, this design features copious areas for taking advantage of Mother Nature. A sunroom, rear deck and screened porch are all on the main level, while the lower level boasts a screened porch with summer kitchen, as well as a second covered porch. Entertaining spaces continue with the spacious great room/dining room and lower-level entertainment room with a wet bar and outdoor summer kitchen. Multiple mudrooms, a large pantry and utility room provide abundant storage space, while a covered walkway ensures dry trips to and from the three-car garage.