Charles Davis Smith, AIA
Small elegant powder room photo in Dallas with a vessel sink, dark wood cabinets and furniture-like cabinets

For this mid-century modern kitchen our team came up with a design plan that gave the space a completely new look. We went with grey and white tones to balance with the existing wood flooring and wood vaulted ceiling. Flush panel cabinets with linear hardware provided a clean look, while the handmade yellow subway tile backsplash brought warmth to the space without adding another wood feature. Replacing the swinging exterior door with a sliding door made for better circulation, perfect for when the client entertains. We replaced the skylight and the windows in the eat-in area and also repainted the windows and casing in the kitchen to match the new windows. The final look seamlessly blends with the mid-century modern style in the rest of the home, and and now these homeowners can really enjoy the view!

Bathroom Remodeling Project done by American Home Improvement
Example of a mid-sized trendy master marble floor and white floor freestanding bathtub design in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, white walls, marble countertops and shaker cabinets

The cool and refreshing palette continues upstairs to the master bedroom, where a custom chair and ottoman offer a luxurious spot catch up on some reading. "I loved the fabric, and I had [the chair] made," says Sherri. The pale blue and brown define the color scheme for the room, while espresso and oil-rubbed bronze finishes anchor the arrangement. Photo: Adrienne DeRosa © Houzz 2014

The original deck railing on this home was made of beautifully turned spindles and newel posts, but was made of Hemlock. That is a good interior-use wood but does not hold up well outdoors. We made exact replicas of the spindles, newels, and rail profile, but made the replacements out of premium Cedar. This new rail system should should hold up much better in the long term.

The original deck railing on this home was made of beautifully turned spindles and newel posts, but was made of Hemlock. That is a good interior-use wood but does not hold up well outdoors. We made exact replicas of the spindles, newels, and rail profile, but made the replacements out of premium clear Cedar. This new rail system should should hold up much better in the long term.

The original deck railing on this home was made of beautifully turned spindles and newel posts, but was made of Hemlock. That is a good interior-use wood but does not hold up well outdoors. We made exact replicas of the spindles, newels, and rail profile, but made the replacements out of premium clear Cedar. This new rail system should should hold up much better in the long term.

The original deck railing on this home was made of beautifully turned spindles and newel posts, but was made of Hemlock. That is a good interior-use wood but does not hold up well outdoors. We made exact replicas of the spindles, newels, and rail profile, but made the replacements out of premium clear Cedar. This new rail system should should hold up much better in the long term.

The original deck railing on this home was made of beautifully turned spindles and newel posts, but was made of Hemlock. That is a good interior-use wood but does not hold up well outdoors. We made exact replicas of the spindles, newels, and rail profile, but made the replacements out of premium Cedar. This new rail system should should hold up much better in the long term.

Justin Ramsdell Photography
Kitchen - farmhouse kitchen idea in DC Metro

The overarching design intent for this 1,455-square-foot West Vine Street condominium was to make the spaces contemporary and functional. The renovation began with an unexpected structural deficiency in the form of a post located in the middle of the living room that was causing a three-inch dip in the floor. It was removed and replaced with steel columns running down through the walls and into a footing pad with a three-foot depth. The main living spaces underwent significant changes; the kitchen was reconfigured to open up a formerly cramped space, and the removal of a wall made room for a cascading island with Cesarstone countertops—a crowning feature. Additionally, an electrical panel was relocated to be able to wrap the refrigerator with a wood veneer frame. Notable materials include eight-inch-wide ‘Esplanade’ French oak plank floors chosen to complement the reclaimed wood-wrapped ceiling beams, which feature a combination of LED downlighting and uplighting. A sleek gas fireplace with horizontal slate surround and paneled wall backing replaced an old wood-burning stove—furthering the design program. Pacheco-Robb Architects dismantled an existing spiral stair and replaced it with a cable-rail system—a nautical nod—which is noteworthy for the way it meets code; by running a contiguous oak banister for the entire length of the stair, they were able to avoid having to add a second railing, which would shrink the already narrow stairwell. Upstairs, a tight bedroom with gabled ceilings was addressed by adding a solar-operated skylight with built-in shade, plus minimalistic furnishings. Structural changes in the master bedroom included eliminating a closest to widen the room, and reconfiguring a bathroom to fit a small walk-in closet in lieu of a long, thin hallway. The formerly unfinished rooftop deck is now accessed via a six-foot door that opens more than 90 degrees. Azek decking was laid over the rubber roof, and two-inch stanchions were located around the rail’s outer edge. By opening the floor plan and streamlining the aesthetic, the place now breathes.

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.

Eat-in kitchen - rustic u-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Denver with dark wood cabinets, blue backsplash, an island, a farmhouse sink, glass tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

“This design originated with the client’s desire to duplicate the warmth of Tuscan Architecture,” says Stolz. “The vision that South Coast Architects set forth was to create the feel of an old Tuscan Village as a private residence at their golf community, ‘The Hideaway’ in La Quinta, California. However, we had to keep in mind that we were still designing for a desert lifestyle, which meant an emphasis on indoor/outdoor living and capturing the spectacular views of the golf course and neighboring mountains,” Stolz adds. “The owners had spent a lot of time in Europe and knew exactly what they wanted when it came to the overall look of the home, especially the stone,” says Muth. “The mason ended up creating a dozen mock-ups of various stone profiles and blends to help the family decide what really worked for them. Ultimately, they selected Eldorado Stone’s Orchard Cypress Ridge profile that offers a beautiful blend of stone sizes and colors.” “The generous use of Eldorado Stone with brick detailing over the majority of the exterior of the home added the authenticity and timelessness that we were striving for in the design,” says Stolz. “Our clients want the very best, but if we can duplicate something and save money, what client would say no? That’s why we use Eldorado Stone whenever we can. It gives us the opportunity to save money and gives clients exactly the look they desire so we can use more of their budget in other areas.” Stolz explained that Eldorado Stone was also brought into the interior to continue that feel of authenticity and historical accuracy. Stone is used floor to ceiling in the kitchen for a pizza oven, as well as on the fireplace in the Great Room and on an entire wall in the master bedroom. “Using a material like Eldorado Stone allows for the seamless continuation of space” says Stolz. “Stone is what made the house so authentic-looking” says Muth. “It’s such an integral part of the house that it either was going to be a make or break scenario if we made the wrong choice. Luckily, Eldorado Stone really made it!” Eldorado Stone Profile Featured: Orchard Cypress Ridge with a khaki grout color (overgrout technique) Eldorado Brick Profile Featured: Cassis ModenaBrick with a khaki grout color (overgrout technique) Architect: South Coast Architects Website: www.southcoastarchitects.com Builder: Andrew Pierce Corporation, Palm Desert, CA Website: www. andrewpiercecorp.com Mason: RAS Masonry, Inc. Bob Serna, Corona, CA Phone: 760-774-0090 Photography: Eric Figge Photography, Inc.

Our busy Silicon Valley clients asked us to convert their tight-quartered 1960’s ranch house to a gracious family home that would meet their long term needs. Ease of living was paramount, both in functionality and in ordered design. The project was completed on a moderate budget.While retaining most of the structure of the existing house to avoid costly structural changes, we opened walls to improve the sight lines and flow of the house and bring in more light. We made small additions at the front and back bedrooms to gain space for the family and relatives. An existing underused patio area was improved with a simple outdoor kitchen and overhang to extend the living space to the outside. Costs were kept down with choices of modest materials. Everything was made to be functional. Ample storage has been built into the right places. The details of the kitchen were carefully worked out to accommodate all the wishes of the various cooks in the family. The house is set up to be easy to keep clean. Acoustic walls separate living from bedroom spaces so adults can enjoy time together while children sleep. The outdoor kitchen has easy access to the indoor kitchen and the garage, and its setup promotes socializing while cooking outdoors. A large part of the narrow back yard was previously unusable space due to a steep slope up to a neighbor’s higher fence. With a new retaining wall and some re-grading we took back more of the yard for the patio and play space on a new lawn. The remodeled house is a mix of contemporary and traditional elements. Cool colors have a calming effect. Traditional items such as prairie style windows, trellis, mosaic tiles, and Shaker style cabinets, break down the scale in an otherwise streamlined, contemporary design. A new gabled roof with a broad arch at the front of the house marks the entry and resolves a challenging form where the central entry is set back from walls on both sides. Photography: Kurt Manley https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-ranch/

Modern Wall Unit Lyrics 26 by Up Huppe Made in Canada The Lyrics by Up Huppe is a modular line of wall units made of specially selected American walnut veneer and a blend of micro-textured lacquer. The collection is equipped with top quality hardware and the drawers, specially treated and stained to match the exterior and equipped with invisible self-closing slow-motion slides, shut gently and silently. All the modules of the Lyrics line can be set on a base, placed on the floor or hung on a wall in unique configurations and ambiances while providing functional storage space. Black smoked glass fronts of the TV base units let remote control rays through and cut-outs on the backs and on the adjustable shelves of each unit provide maximum ventilation. Designed by Joel Dupras and manufactured in Canada by a passionate team, the customer is ensured that his products are unique, authentic and of top quality. Lyrics by Huppe provides you with unlimited design flexibility, you can choose from one of our pre-designed compositions or build your own composition according to your taste and needs. The starting price is for the Lyrics Wall Unit Composition 26 in Espresso Walnut and White Lacquered finishes as shown in the main picture. (Two Glass Front TV Bases W60" + Wooden Front TV Base W30" + TV Back Panel + Two 9046C Bookcases + Two 9046B Bookcases + 9046A Bookcase + 9046D Bookcase). Dimensions: Wall Unit: W150" x D21.5" x H61.5" Individual Components: TV Base W60" (each): W60" x D21.5" x H15.5" Wooden Front TV Base W60": W30" x D21.5" x H15.5" TV Back Panel: W60" x D2" x H44" 9046B Bookcase (each): W17.2" x D15.7" x H46" 9046C Bookcase (each): W12.7" x D15.7" x H46" 9046A Bookcase: W12.7" x D15.7" x H46" 9046D Bookcase: W17.2" x D15.7" x H46"

To give this condo a more prominent entry hallway, our team designed a large wooden paneled wall made of Brazilian plantation wood, that ran perpendicular to the front door. The paneled wall. To further the uniqueness of this condo, we added a sophisticated wall divider in the middle of the living space, separating the living room from the home office. This divider acted as both a television stand, bookshelf, and fireplace. The floors were given a creamy coconut stain, which was mixed and matched to form a perfect concoction of slate grays and sandy whites. The kitchen, which is located just outside of the living room area, has an open-concept design. The kitchen features a large kitchen island with white countertops, stainless steel appliances, large wooden cabinets, and bar stools. Project designed by Skokie renovation firm, Chi Renovation & Design. They serve the Chicagoland area, and it's surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on the North Side and North Shore. You'll find their work from the Loop through Lincoln Park, Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, and all of the way up to Lake Forest. For more about Chi Renovation & Design, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/

With enormous rectangular beams and round log posts, the Spanish Peaks House is a spectacular study in contrasts. Even the exterior—with horizontal log slab siding and vertical wood paneling—mixes textures and styles beautifully. An outdoor rock fireplace, built-in stone grill and ample seating enable the owners to make the most of the mountain-top setting. Inside, the owners relied on Blue Ribbon Builders to capture the natural feel of the home’s surroundings. A massive boulder makes up the hearth in the great room, and provides ideal fireside seating. A custom-made stone replica of Lone Peak is the backsplash in a distinctive powder room; and a giant slab of granite adds the finishing touch to the home’s enviable wood, tile and granite kitchen. In the daylight basement, brushed concrete flooring adds both texture and durability. Roger Wade

The architect’s plans had a single island with large windows on both main walls. The one window overlooked the unattractive side of a neighbor’s house while the other was not large enough to see the beautiful large back yard. The kitchen entry location made the mudroom extremely small and left only a few design options for the kitchen layout. The almost 14’ high ceilings also gave lots of opportunities for a unique design, but care had to be taken to still make the space feel warm and cozy. After drawing four design options, one was chosen that relocated the entry from the mudroom, making the mudroom a lot more accessible. A prep island across from the range and an entertaining island were included. The entertaining island included a beverage refrigerator for guests to congregate around and to help them stay out of the kitchen work areas. The small island appeared to be floating on legs and incorporates a sink and single dishwasher drawer for easy clean up of pots and pans.