This project encompasses the renovation of two aging metal warehouses located on an acre just North of the 610 loop. The larger warehouse, previously an auto body shop, measures 6000 square feet and will contain a residence, art studio, and garage. A light well puncturing the middle of the main residence brightens the core of the deep building. The over-sized roof opening washes light down three masonry walls that define the light well and divide the public and private realms of the residence. The interior of the light well is conceived as a serene place of reflection while providing ample natural light into the Master Bedroom. Large windows infill the previous garage door openings and are shaded by a generous steel canopy as well as a new evergreen tree court to the west. Adjacent, a 1200 sf building is reconfigured for a guest or visiting artist residence and studio with a shared outdoor patio for entertaining. Photo by Peter Molick, Art by Karin Broker

A 6,000 square foot 2-story new home complex in Milpitas was designed to facilitate the owners’ large business parties and gatherings, to have rooms for the kids to come back to upstairs, and a ground floor master suite with a huge walk-in closet. Several separate structures make up the dwelling: The main house, 3-car garage with carport for overflow parking, and a separate entertainment and recreation building separated by a courtyard from the main house. The business activities include gatherings in the hundreds of people, so parking was maximized and guests can flow in through a separate gate to party in the courtyard and recreation building. Inside this structure is a wet bar, billiard room, workout gym and home theater. The main house ground floor has formal and informal living rooms, open kitchen and master suite with views and expansive windows in every direction. The house is sited on the crestline of a hill with views of the San Francisco Bay and private golf course below. The indoor-outdoor aspect of the house is further accentuated with outside living and dining areas. High ceilings and expansive glass walls dissolve the sense of enclosure taking advantage of the site’s openness and privacy. The owner’s suite is downstairs in anticipation of aging-in-place, and upstairs there are three bedrooms and four bathrooms plus a sitting area lounge and casual TV loft area. The house sits on one acre at the top of a low hill range overlooking Milpitas. The city was very cognizant of the importance of keeping a low profile at this crestline and required extensive story poles and photo evidence of the proper height and siting so as not to be seen from certain selected vantage points. GENERAL CONTRACTOR: JCD Builders Inc. LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Morf Chang Landscape Architecture / ODS Architecture PHOTOGRAPHS: Paul Dyer Photography

Inspiration for a bathroom remodel in Sacramento

GC: Ekren Construction Photo Credit: Tiffany Ringwald
Inspiration for a large transitional master white tile and marble tile marble floor, gray floor, single-sink and vaulted ceiling bathroom remodel in Charlotte with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, gray countertops and a built-in vanity

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Photography Eric Roth Photo

A dramatic master suite flooded with natural light make this master bathroom a visual delight. Long awaited master suite we designed, lets take closer look inside the featuring Ann Sacks Luxe tile add a sense of sumptuous oasis. The shower is covered in Calacatta ThinSlab Porcelain marble-look slabs, unlike natural marble, ThinSlab Porcelain does not require sealing and will retain its polished or honed finish under all types of high-use conditions. The free standing tub is positioned for drama. Signature Designs Kitchen Bath Photos by Jon Upson

This bathroom was remodeled for wheelchair accessibility in mind. We made a roll under vanity with a tilting mirror and granite counter tops with a towel ring on the side. A barrier free shower and bidet were installed with accompanying grab bars for safety and mobility of the client.

Our clients wished to remodel their master bedroom and bath to accommodate their changing mobility challenges. They expressed the importance of maximizing functionality to allow accessibility in a space that was elegant, refined and felt like home. We crafted a design plan that included converting two smaller bedrooms, a small bath and walk-in closet into a spacious master suite with a wheelchair accessible bathroom and three closets. Custom, double pocket doors invite you into the 25-foot wide, light-filled bedroom with generous floor space to maneuver around the bed and furniture. Hardwood floors, recessed lighting and window views to the owner’s gardens make this bedroom particularly warm and inviting. In the bathroom, the 5×7 roll-in shower features natural marble tile with a custom rug pattern. There’s also a new, accessible sink and vanity with plenty of storage. Wider hallways and pocket doors were installed throughout as well as a completely updated seated chairlift that allows access from the garage to the second floor. Altogether, it’s a beautiful space where the homeowners can comfortably live for years to come.

Kara Spelman
Alcove shower - mid-sized transitional master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and gray floor alcove shower idea in Boston with a one-piece toilet, gray walls, solid surface countertops and a hinged shower door

Handsome 22 foot wide Bloomfield Street home perfect for today’s urban family. With a distinctive mansard roof and restored brick facade, this 4 story, 4 bedroom, 3½ bathroom home has undergone a complete renovation. The parlor floor features an open, airy layout with custom chef’s kitchen featuring quartz counters, classic white cabinets, top of the line Thermador appliance package and access to a low-maintenance landscaped yard. Master suite features dressing room, sitting area and en suite spa bath. Additional bedroom and office alcove complete the second floor. The top floor features 2 additional bedrooms each with custom en suite baths, generous closets and with soaring ceilings. Garden level playroom/media room features hot water radiant heated floors, oversized wood porcelain tile and full height ceilings. Wide plank white oak flooring, designer lighting, dual zone heating and cooling, full size laundry, custom Marvin windows and roof mounted backup generator. Private garage parking available for rent 1 block away

Our clients wished to remodel their master bedroom and bath to accommodate their changing mobility challenges. They expressed the importance of maximizing functionality to allow accessibility in a space that was elegant, refined and felt like home. We crafted a design plan that included converting two smaller bedrooms, a small bath and walk-in closet into a spacious master suite with a wheelchair accessible bathroom and three closets. Custom, double pocket doors invite you into the 25-foot wide, light-filled bedroom with generous floor space to maneuver around the bed and furniture. Hardwood floors, recessed lighting and window views to the owner’s gardens make this bedroom particularly warm and inviting. In the bathroom, the 5×7 roll-in shower features natural marble tile with a custom rug pattern. There’s also a new, accessible sink and vanity with plenty of storage. Wider hallways and pocket doors were installed throughout as well as a completely updated seated chairlift that allows access from the garage to the second floor. Altogether, it’s a beautiful space where the homeowners can comfortably live for years to come.

Our clients wished to remodel their master bedroom and bath to accommodate their changing mobility challenges. They expressed the importance of maximizing functionality to allow accessibility in a space that was elegant, refined and felt like home. We crafted a design plan that included converting two smaller bedrooms, a small bath and walk-in closet into a spacious master suite with a wheelchair accessible bathroom and three closets. Custom, double pocket doors invite you into the 25-foot wide, light-filled bedroom with generous floor space to maneuver around the bed and furniture. Hardwood floors, recessed lighting and window views to the owner’s gardens make this bedroom particularly warm and inviting. In the bathroom, the 5×7 roll-in shower features natural marble tile with a custom rug pattern. There’s also a new, accessible sink and vanity with plenty of storage. Wider hallways and pocket doors were installed throughout as well as a completely updated seated chairlift that allows access from the garage to the second floor. Altogether, it’s a beautiful space where the homeowners can comfortably live for years to come.

A vaulted ceiling creates a spacious atmosphere in this accessible aging in place master bath. Raleigh custom homes with wheelchair accessibility. Built by Stanton Homes.

Timeless design can address future potential mobility issues such as this zero entry walk-in shower that looks great, but also serves the dual purpose for safety and ease of access as a homeowner ages. In this ????????? ?????? ????? with porcelain wood-look floor tile and stone-look shower tile, durability and longevity of use is taken into consideration. “Urban Gray” stained Poplar cabinets with a lightly detailed white quartz countertop complete the classic look with a contemporary touch.

Timeless design can address future potential mobility issues such as this zero entry walk-in shower that looks great, but also serves the dual purpose for safety and ease of access as a homeowner ages. In this ????????? ?????? ????? with porcelain wood-look floor tile and stone-look shower tile, durability and longevity of use is taken into consideration. “Urban Gray” stained Poplar cabinets with a lightly detailed white quartz countertop complete the classic look with a contemporary touch.

Timeless design can address future potential mobility issues such as this zero entry walk-in shower that looks great, but also serves the dual purpose for safety and ease of access as a homeowner ages. In this ????????? ?????? ????? with porcelain wood-look floor tile and stone-look shower tile, durability and longevity of use is taken into consideration. “Urban Gray” stained Poplar cabinets with a lightly detailed white quartz countertop complete the classic look with a contemporary touch.

Master Bathroom -- Elegant bathtub with beautiful sculptured legs. Antiqued bronze finished lighting chandelier whisper the age of the house
Large elegant master porcelain tile and white floor claw-foot bathtub photo in San Francisco with blue walls

New age sink
Bathroom - mid-sized traditional master beige tile and stone tile travertine floor bathroom idea in New York with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, beige walls, a vessel sink and granite countertops

Objectives: · 55+ living with future aging in place requirements · One bathroom on this level of home for both guests and clients · Lots of storage and lighting Design Challenges · This room was a bedroom, all mechanical needed to be moved or added. The soil stack could only be in one location. Could not move the window. · Client wanted a large roll in shower · Contemporary styling with walnut , white and marble Design Solutions · 2-Pocket doors were added, from hallway and to master bedroom. this also helped with floor space and door swing with aging-in place · Large curb less shower with trench drain, bench, 2-grab bars, heated tile floor, niche, hand-held shower head and heavy clear glass shower door. Everything accessible for aging-in-place · Long vanity with 2 sinks. Height of vanity was to be under the window trim. Taller and deeper toe kicks for better wheelchair access. Vanity looks like all drawers-but the 2 sink cabinets are doors. · Ample Storage: each drawer has a drawer with in the drawer (extra 6 drawers), wall cabinets next to each vanity, 3 recess medicine cabinets, tall linen cabinet (open shelves below because the doors would hit the toilet and a place to store scale on bottom) ·Toilet has a washlet to help with clean-up in the future and grab bar paper holder Special Features · Heated towel bar ·Heated floors · Marble tile on floor and walls of shower and vanity mirror surround · Niche under recess medicine cabinets Lighting: Thin wall sconces, decorative ceiling fan and puck light