A handy, empty-nester couple, nearing retirement, sold their mansion, and purchased a fixer-upper on a sunlit hillside that features the spectacular ocean view of the Channel Islands. ENRarchitects was hired to assist with making minor enhancements to the plan, integrating the lower level parking court, and adding a patio deck. The owner, a retiring engineer, took on the responsibilities of general contracting during construction. Our collaboration included opening the kitchen to the Living-Dining space, so all can enjoy the ocean view. A balcony was added to second floor Master Study, with a new laundry room below it. Both bathrooms were modestly enlarged to provide more spacious showers. Lastly, the Entry Foyer was opened to ceiling height into the Living Room. In California, ocean views inherently include relentless west sunshine, and formidable interior heat gain. Multiple design studies explored various means to incorporate shading and solar screening measures to permit the view, and to reduce heat gain. Additional studies featured more substantial proposed additions, including a lower level guest suite, and a detached office. A key feature, is the addition of a raised, covered entry porch, where passengers and goods can be offloaded, prior to parking on the lower level. The new porch also provides a secondary transition around the structure to the ocean view, split-level patio. A 2nd phase included the suggestion of rebuilding the lower covered parking to include a roof deck, rooftop guest suite, and solar electricity, which was successfully completed. The property is now mildly reminiscent of the Sea Ranch community. With the blessing of year-round comfortable weather, and ever-changing, dynamic views, the successfully remodeled home takes full advantage for a new generation of colorful living. (photo by owner) "We are so happy with the results, and proud you’d include our place in your client list. We are extremely happy and will always tout your skills." -Bill & Janice, Camarillo

This was the second phase of an extensive remodel for this Ham Lake family, so from the outset the design team knew they needed to compliment what had been done in the lower level, bringing some of those elements to the main floor above while achieving other goals. In the lower level we had all but eliminated the influence of the honey oak, which was overwhelming the space devoted to entertainment, replacing it with an ebonized treatment of the trim and cabinetry. “The homeowner had two concerns in this second phase, explains McKenzie Pederson, the Murphy Bros. Design Build Consultant assigned to the project. “The honey oak had to go as it did in the lower level, and a rather large wall that stopped you as you entered the home had to go too. That opened up the whole space,” explained McKenzie. In this second phase, we created a very large custom island, refurbished the fireplace, which had failed, in a new lighter stone, added a hand-scrapped flooring throughout the entire level, updated the pantry and laundry and the powder room. The staircase was recreated in block rod iron and red oak to carry forward the scheme from the lower level. “The homeowners were driven by a strong need to make this home their own and that meant some very specific surface selections and colors,” recalls McKenzie. She really liked earth tones and patterns with lots of movement. You can see that in the granite she chooses. It is huge (122”) was about as large a single piece as you can have and featured a custom hand-hewn 60-degree bevel. Most are 45 degrees. “I think this remodel is a perfect example of the new “forever home” trend,” says McKenzie. People realize they can remodel to please themselves and not just for resale value. That whole return on enjoyment idea is what’s at play here.”

Guest bathroom in lower level.
Bathroom - mid-sized traditional 3/4 ceramic tile, gray floor and single-sink bathroom idea in Minneapolis with recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a built-in vanity

This lovely Brookridge II plan, located at 16716 Haskins Street in the Chapel Hill neighborhood, features a larger lot, covered deck, full walkout lower level, lower level bar and vaulted beam ceiling. (Designer - Teri Stolz, Photographer - E.S. Photography)

The original rear elevation enclosed the lower level behind a heavy perimeter—a raised deck wrapped in a tall picket guardrail and supported on thick masonry pilasters that broke up the ground floor and cut off both the views and the connection to grade. The redesign opens the whole level by dropping it down to meet the landscape, trading the elevated wood deck for a series of poured concrete terraces and walkways that step gently across the slope. With the floor brought lower, the lower level becomes genuinely usable outdoor and living space rather than a dead zone tucked beneath a deck. The bulky pilasters are replaced by slender steel posts, which carry the upper deck on a far lighter structural footprint and clear the sightlines through to the interior and out to the view. Above, the heavy railing gives way to cable railings, which preserve the open views from the upper deck while keeping the edge light and unobtrusive. The result is a rear façade that feels lower, broader, and more transparent—more glass, more grade-level connection, and considerably more functional space than the original.

PBA designed the renovation of this two story, 1,800 square foot, Henderson’s Wharf penthouse condominium in the historic Fell’s Point community to take advantage of the breathtaking views of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The existing floor plan was configured with living spaces on the lower level, and bedrooms with terraces on the upper level: PBA inverted the layout by creating a generous foyer at the lower level entry with a stair leading to the living spaces on the upper level. The lower level was renovated for a master suite and guest bedroom, while the upper floor was converted to an open great room taking advantage of the breathtaking views of the Harbor (along with a powder room, office and laundry room). The project presented very difficult challenges since sanitary plumbing lines could not be relocated due to the unavailability of access from the unit below, so the design was forced to conform with existing lower level plumbing locations. In addition, PBA utilized computer aided design (BIM) to route ductwork throughout the unit due to extremely limited space.

Minneapolis homeowners came to Castle ready to transform their whole house including: renovating their kitchen, living, main floor hall bath, and lower level mudroom + laundry. They also added a new 3/4 bath, completed a basement full finish, selected new exterior siding and new Marvin windows. To round things out, new exterior Thermatru doors and garage door were installed, our team updated millwork to birch and installed new siding and exterior trim. The kitchen renovation started with opening up the walls to both the living room and dining room to create a much desired new open floor plan. Our skillful team was able to patch the new hardwoods in the kitchen and refinishing of the main level. The new gourmet kitchen also features a large island topped with gorgeous new Silestone Quartz countertops. The modern Crystal frameless cabinets, set in a Natural Cherry finish, accent nicely with a quartz backsplash. The living room was completed with a new modern gas stove. Main floor hall bath: The homeowners decided to do a full remodel to create better layout of the room. This included adding a new white Crystal Frameless linen cabinet, a larger Crystal Frameless vanity in blue, a brand new window, and new tub. The room was complete with brand new ceramic tile floor and the tub/ shower walls. A custom accent tile was installed in the shower niche. On the lower level of the home, a new garage door and new door to the backyard were installed. A second laundry in home with mudroom storage was also added. A new 3/4 bath with new cultured marble shower walls + pan were also added to the lower level. The entire lower level space was finished with Adura LVT flooring throughout. Basement level: The homeowners chose to do a complete full finish of the basement with framing for a new family room, utility room, bedroom and future second laundry. The space also features a second modern gas stove. The entire basement was finished with new Adura LVP wood plank flooring. The most unique feature in the space is the use of double custom barn doors from the new bedroom to the family room for transitional use of space.

Minneapolis homeowners came to Castle ready to transform their whole house including: renovating their kitchen, living, main floor hall bath, and lower level mudroom + laundry. They also added a new 3/4 bath, completed a basement full finish, selected new exterior siding and new Marvin windows. To round things out, new exterior Thermatru doors and garage door were installed, our team updated millwork to birch and installed new siding and exterior trim. The kitchen renovation started with opening up the walls to both the living room and dining room to create a much desired new open floor plan. Our skillful team was able to patch the new hardwoods in the kitchen and refinishing of the main level. The new gourmet kitchen also features a large island topped with gorgeous new Silestone Quartz countertops. The modern Crystal frameless cabinets, set in a Natural Cherry finish, accent nicely with a quartz backsplash. The living room was completed with a new modern gas stove. Main floor hall bath: The homeowners decided to do a full remodel to create better layout of the room. This included adding a new white Crystal Frameless linen cabinet, a larger Crystal Frameless vanity in blue, a brand new window, and new tub. The room was complete with brand new ceramic tile floor and the tub/ shower walls. A custom accent tile was installed in the shower niche. On the lower level of the home, a new garage door and new door to the backyard were installed. A second laundry in home with mudroom storage was also added. A new 3/4 bath with new cultured marble shower walls + pan were also added to the lower level. The entire lower level space was finished with Adura LVT flooring throughout. Basement level: The homeowners chose to do a complete full finish of the basement with framing for a new family room, utility room, bedroom and future second laundry. The space also features a second modern gas stove. The entire basement was finished with new Adura LVP wood plank flooring. The most unique feature in the space is the use of double custom barn doors from the new bedroom to the family room for transitional use of space.

Minneapolis homeowners came to Castle ready to transform their whole house including: renovating their kitchen, living, main floor hall bath, and lower level mudroom + laundry. They also added a new 3/4 bath, completed a basement full finish, selected new exterior siding and new Marvin windows. To round things out, new exterior Thermatru doors and garage door were installed, our team updated millwork to birch and installed new siding and exterior trim. The kitchen renovation started with opening up the walls to both the living room and dining room to create a much desired new open floor plan. Our skillful team was able to patch the new hardwoods in the kitchen and refinishing of the main level. The new gourmet kitchen also features a large island topped with gorgeous new Silestone Quartz countertops. The modern Crystal frameless cabinets, set in a Natural Cherry finish, accent nicely with a quartz backsplash. The living room was completed with a new modern gas stove. Main floor hall bath: The homeowners decided to do a full remodel to create better layout of the room. This included adding a new white Crystal Frameless linen cabinet, a larger Crystal Frameless vanity in blue, a brand new window, and new tub. The room was complete with brand new ceramic tile floor and the tub/ shower walls. A custom accent tile was installed in the shower niche. On the lower level of the home, a new garage door and new door to the backyard were installed. A second laundry in home with mudroom storage was also added. A new 3/4 bath with new cultured marble shower walls + pan were also added to the lower level. The entire lower level space was finished with Adura LVT flooring throughout. Basement level: The homeowners chose to do a complete full finish of the basement with framing for a new family room, utility room, bedroom and future second laundry. The space also features a second modern gas stove. The entire basement was finished with new Adura LVP wood plank flooring. The most unique feature in the space is the use of double custom barn doors from the new bedroom to the family room for transitional use of space.

Our homeowners wanted to make this walk-out rambler their own while staying faithful to the character of this architect-designed, mid-century modern, Brooklyn Center residence. We started with a full-scale kitchen remodel. Lots of quartz countertops, floating shelving, and cabinets in black walnut. The master and guest bathrooms were also reconfigured as was the lower-level bathroom. On the lower level, we created a sauna, originally planned but never built. We also relocated the laundry out of the mechanical room and into an unused niche in the lower level and added a workout room. The ceilings were retextured, and the flooring was replaced. To honor the mid-century style, we refinished some of the lower cabinets from the kitchen and designed them into a new wet bar now overlooking the river. As the final design element of ultimate cool, we added an eye-popping custom terrazzo floor in the kitchen and the entryway. Overall, a remodel worthy of an architect's creation.

Some basements are finished. Others are designed to be the most remarkable room in the house. This full lower-level transformation in the Denver Metro area reimagines what a basement can be — combining a cinematic media lounge, a custom entertainer's wet bar, and a spa-caliber bathroom into one cohesive, intentionally designed living environment. From the moment you descend the stairs, it is immediately clear this space was built to a completely different standard. The Media Lounge The entertainment space anchors the lower level with a presence most rooms above grade never achieve. A custom built-in media wall in deep teal is flanked by rich walnut millwork with integrated LED-backlit shelving, creating warmth and sophistication that draws you in immediately. Cognac leather recliners, plush area rugs, and precision-placed recessed lighting complete a space designed equally for intimate evenings and effortless hosting. The cohesive material palette — walnut, teal, warm brass, and deep charcoal — runs seamlessly throughout, connecting every element of the lower level without a single detail left to chance. The Custom Wet Bar Adjacent to the media lounge, the custom wet bar delivers everything a serious host needs — and nothing they don't. Walnut cabinetry with matte black hardware, floating shelves illuminated by warm under-shelf LED lighting, a marble-look quartz backsplash, an integrated bar sink, and a full beverage fridge create a bar experience that elevates a casual evening without effort. This is the kind of craftsmanship that transforms a finished basement into a genuine extension of how a family actually lives and entertains. The Spa Bathroom Rarely does a lower-level bathroom command this level of attention. A floating concrete-look vanity with wall-mount matte black fixtures, a backlit LED mirror casting warm ambient light across the space, a walnut floating bench, frameless glass walk-in shower with a rain head, penny tile shower floor, and large-format dark tile throughout — every element selected with the same care and intention as a primary suite. The result is a bathroom that earns its place in any conversation about the home's finest spaces. The DG Difference DGhomepro is Colorado's premier luxury basement remodeling brand and a specialty division of D&G Construction & Remodels, LLC. We serve homeowners throughout the Denver Metro area, including Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, Boulder, Broomfield, Erie, Westminster, Arvada, Longmont, Thornton, Golden, Lakewood, and surrounding communities across the Colorado Front Range.

Minneapolis homeowners came to Castle ready to transform their whole house including: renovating their kitchen, living, main floor hall bath, and lower level mudroom + laundry. They also added a new 3/4 bath, completed a basement full finish, selected new exterior siding and new Marvin windows. To round things out, new exterior Thermatru doors and garage door were installed, our team updated millwork to birch and installed new siding and exterior trim. The kitchen renovation started with opening up the walls to both the living room and dining room to create a much desired new open floor plan. Our skillful team was able to patch the new hardwoods in the kitchen and refinishing of the main level. The new gourmet kitchen also features a large island topped with gorgeous new Silestone Quartz countertops. The modern Crystal frameless cabinets, set in a Natural Cherry finish, accent nicely with a quartz backsplash. The living room was completed with a new modern gas stove. Main floor hall bath: The homeowners decided to do a full remodel to create better layout of the room. This included adding a new white Crystal Frameless linen cabinet, a larger Crystal Frameless vanity in blue, a brand new window, and new tub. The room was complete with brand new ceramic tile floor and the tub/ shower walls. A custom accent tile was installed in the shower niche. On the lower level of the home, a new garage door and new door to the backyard were installed. A second laundry in home with mudroom storage was also added. A new 3/4 bath with new cultured marble shower walls + pan were also added to the lower level. The entire lower level space was finished with Adura LVT flooring throughout. Basement level: The homeowners chose to do a complete full finish of the basement with framing for a new family room, utility room, bedroom and future second laundry. The space also features a second modern gas stove. The entire basement was finished with new Adura LVP wood plank flooring. The most unique feature in the space is the use of double custom barn doors from the new bedroom to the family room for transitional use of space.

Kitchen base cabinets and island cabinets are fabricated in Larice Grigio veneer. Upper cabinets, oven and refrigerator columns are fabricated in white conversion varnish with matte finish.

Home design - transitional home design idea in Milwaukee

Home design - transitional home design idea in Milwaukee

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless gray floor and vaulted ceiling home weight room remodel in Minneapolis with gray walls

Garaventa Wheelchair Lift Lower Level Exterior
Wine cellar - contemporary wine cellar idea in Orange County

This lovely Brookridge II plan, located at 16716 Haskins Street in the Chapel Hill neighborhood, features a larger lot, covered deck, full walkout lower level, lower level bar and vaulted beam ceiling. (Designer - Teri Stolz, Photographer - E.S. Photography)

Minneapolis homeowners came to Castle ready to transform their whole house including: renovating their kitchen, living, main floor hall bath, and lower level mudroom + laundry. They also added a new 3/4 bath, completed a basement full finish, selected new exterior siding and new Marvin windows. To round things out, new exterior Thermatru doors and garage door were installed, our team updated millwork to birch and installed new siding and exterior trim. The kitchen renovation started with opening up the walls to both the living room and dining room to create a much desired new open floor plan. Our skillful team was able to patch the new hardwoods in the kitchen and refinishing of the main level. The new gourmet kitchen also features a large island topped with gorgeous new Silestone Quartz countertops. The modern Crystal frameless cabinets, set in a Natural Cherry finish, accent nicely with a quartz backsplash. The living room was completed with a new modern gas stove. Main floor hall bath: The homeowners decided to do a full remodel to create better layout of the room. This included adding a new white Crystal Frameless linen cabinet, a larger Crystal Frameless vanity in blue, a brand new window, and new tub. The room was complete with brand new ceramic tile floor and the tub/ shower walls. A custom accent tile was installed in the shower niche. On the lower level of the home, a new garage door and new door to the backyard were installed. A second laundry in home with mudroom storage was also added. A new 3/4 bath with new cultured marble shower walls + pan were also added to the lower level. The entire lower level space was finished with Adura LVT flooring throughout. Basement level: The homeowners chose to do a complete full finish of the basement with framing for a new family room, utility room, bedroom and future second laundry. The space also features a second modern gas stove. The entire basement was finished with new Adura LVP wood plank flooring. The most unique feature in the space is the use of double custom barn doors from the new bedroom to the family room for transitional use of space.