A Lake Michigan Home gets a Modern Refresh from Dresner Design. Photos by Tony Soluri. This couple moved from Chicago’s Wicker Park to a rural setting but wanted to maintain their modern aesthetic. Scott Dresner of Dresner Design created a light bright clean-lined kitchen perfect for the couple’s need to entertain. Must have’s included a drawer for over sixty spices, storage for three sets of dishes, a coffee bar, and a huge island the couple uses for entertaining. The palette is mostly white to maximize outdoor views. Constraints were plenty both timeline and budgetary. Dresner came up with some creative solutions, which allowed the homeowners to save on cabinetry and materials and splurge on appliances.

New deck and screened porch overlooking back yard. All structural wood is completely covered in composite trim and decking for a long lasting, easy to maintain structure. Custom composite handrails and stainless steel cables provide a nearly uninterrupted view of the back yard. Architecture and photography by Omar Gutiérrez, NCARB

PGA Pro Paul Casey's new backyard artificial putting green complex by Celebrity Greens. PlushGrass drove to Arizona to install the sod wall bunker for Paul.

This vanity lighting brings in a touch of a modern feel while still maintaining the intergrity of the overall design concept. Buras Photography
Alcove shower - mid-sized transitional master beige tile ceramic tile alcove shower idea in Chicago with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, an undermount tub, a two-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink and quartz countertops

This childrens bathroom was design for (2) small children. The custom cabintry at the vanity includes speically designed lower drawers that can act as step stools while still maintaining the storage below.

This basement area was a complete renovation, down to the studs. We had walls removed, and reinvented the space to include a theatre room, a gym, a bathroom complete with steam shower, a lounge area as well as the recreation and bar area. The whole area maintains the elegance and colour schemes of the upper levels, but was carefully designed to accommodate the husband’s collection of sports memorabilia and allow lots of room for billiards or watching the game with friends. The limestone wall behind the bar carries over to a wall in the gym as well as the fireplaces on the basement and main level great room. We used smooth granite on the main bar counter, while a leathered version with a chiseled edge accents the seating bar. Custom cabinets, oil rubbed bronze hardware, high-end faucets, along with a hammered copper sink maintain the luxury of the rest of the home. Even the billiards table was carefully chosen to maintain a furniture look in keeping with the other pieces. Photo by Graham Twomey

This season, ‘Windy City Rehab’ star Alison Victoria and her partner Mike Holmes from ‘Holmes + Holmes’ teamed up to win the kitchen challenge for the second year in a row. They carried their vision of creating a French countryside home into this space. When it came time to select the appliances Alison just knew she had to go with BlueStar®. She was able to maintain a sense of history without giving up the cutting-edge performance that they provide. After using BlueStar® in her season 1 winning design and being an owner of one herself she knew the combination of cooking performance with almost unlimited customization would be the perfect way to make her kitchen stand out. For this season she chose a 48” Nova (RNB) Series range in Signal White with Jet Black knobs and Antique Brass trim that perfectly matched the surrounding elements and seamlessly blended into her French countryside design. It’s searing 22,000 BTU burners and oversized oven capacity are perfect for any home chef, while the 1,000+ color and designer trim options only help to enhance any space. For the refrigerator she selected the 36” PRO French Door Built-In Refrigerator customized with the same Signal White and Antique Brass trim design as used on the range. By including a painted top grill, the refrigerator becomes more a part of the overall room design and less of an appliance. Featuring an over-sized capacity of 22.4 cu. ft., all stainless steel and glass interiors and the ability to accommodate a full-size baking sheet it is the perfect refrigerator for the home entertainer or a large family.

Open galley kitchen that is perfect for entertaining. Co-ordinating layered light fixtures all have crystal aspects. The stone/glass mosaic tile backsplash gives the space a little glitter above and below the cabinets. Porcelain tile floor is elegant and rugged. The custom, three panel closet door adds reflected light and the feeling of more space. Photos by Shelly Harrison

Original 1953 mid century custom home was renovated with minimal wall removals in order to maintain the original charm of this home. Several features and finishes were kept or restored from the original finish of the house. The new products and finishes were chosen to emphasize the original custom decor and architecture. Design, Build, and most of all, Enjoy!

This home is truly waterfront living at its finest. This new, from-the-ground-up custom home highlights the modernity and sophistication of its owners. Featuring relaxing interior hues of blue and gray and a spacious open floor plan on the first floor, this residence provides the perfect weekend getaway. Falcon Industries oversaw all aspects of construction on this new home - from framing to custom finishes - and currently maintains the property for its owners.

Sources: Floating shelves: Custom design (Rethink Design Studio x AWD of Savannah) Table lamp: Caravan Pacific Credenza: Schoolhouse Electric Co. Woven baskets: Target Turkish towels: bathstyle (Etsy) Glass decanters: Vintage Wall color: BM Silver Song 1557 Vanity color: BM Arctic Shadows 1559 Vanity mirror: Custom teak mirror (Rethink Design Studio x AWD of Savannah) Vanity hardware: Anthropologie Flooring: Heart of Pine Richard Leo Johnson

The opportunities for expanse glass, yet maintaining some idea of traditional window feel was a fun balance on this project. Photos by Jay Weiland
Huge transitional formal and open concept slate floor living room photo with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a media wall

Induction cooktop with front controls and chimney-style hood maintain the clean lines of the space.
Large trendy u-shaped light wood floor kitchen photo in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Patio - patio idea in DC Metro

The homeowner's bought this antique farmhouse on the coast of Maine with the intention of renovating it to provide a peaceful summer retreat for their family. They wanted to maintain some of the charming antique features, while also adding space, modern amenities, and views of the marshland and ocean beyond. The home was expanded with a two story addition featuring complementary rooflines and the same simple, low slung shed dormers as the original home. The result is an eclectic, comfortable cottage that mixes the old with the new and features a variety of porches and balconies tucked under rooflines, as well as indoor spaces, to enjoy the exquisite views. The second floor features a new master suite at the far end, creating a luxurious retreat. A romantic, private gable-end balcony offers sweeping views of the marsh and ocean. The room also has access to a shared deck nestled between roof lines. and family.

An enchanting, L-shaped front porch lends charm and grace to this country home with dual dormers and gables. Bay windows expand both of the home’s dining areas, while the great room and kitchen are amplified by a shared cathedral ceiling. The generous great room features a fireplace with flanking built-ins, skylights, and access to a marvelous back porch. Perfect for young families, this mid size home maintains master suite privacy while keeping close proximity to children’s bedrooms. A cathedral ceiling enhances the master bedroom, which enjoys a large walk-in closet and luxurious bath. Two more bedrooms, one with cathedral ceiling, share a generous hall bath with dual sink vanity.

Our 2"x2" Cable Railing Post provides structure for your railing, while maintaining a sleek & elegant profile. Posts can be customized with any powder coat color.

visual obstruction, these units bring natural light into the home while maintaining a sleek, modern appearance.
Inspiration for a contemporary metal fence landscaping in Los Angeles.

Looking at this home today, you would never know that the project began as a poorly maintained duplex. Luckily, the homeowners saw past the worn façade and engaged our team to uncover and update the Victorian gem that lay underneath. Taking special care to preserve the historical integrity of the 100-year-old floor plan, we returned the home back to its original glory as a grand, single family home. The project included many renovations, both small and large, including the addition of a a wraparound porch to bring the façade closer to the street, a gable with custom scrollwork to accent the new front door, and a more substantial balustrade. Windows were added to bring in more light and some interior walls were removed to open up the public spaces to accommodate the family’s lifestyle. You can read more about the transformation of this home in Old House Journal: http://www.cummingsarchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Old-House-Journal-Dec.-2009.pdf Photo Credit: Eric Roth