As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

This shower features an elegant barndoor slider with chrome hardware. Alongside the inside wall there is an L-shaped bench for ample setting ang storage options. The mixture of the larger tiles on the wall of the shower and the smaller tiles for flooring gives this shower depth and contrasting features.

Nestled in the heart of Cowes on the Isle of Wight, this gorgeous Hampton's style cottage proves that good things, do indeed, come in 'small packages'! Small spaces packed with BIG designs and even larger solutions, this cottage may be small, but it's certainly mighty, ensuring that storage is not forgotten about, alongside practical amenities.

This awe-inspiring Abstract art by Dan H. is a print on wrapped canvas that will be a stunning addition to your home decor. This tan color abstract canvas wall art piece is a stretched printed canvas. Hang this piece in your study for some inspiration or hang alongside coordinating wall art, and its range of colors will add class to any room in your home. This eclectic art is a gorgeous piece, that will be a treasure for your home. It's packaged with care and is shipped to you ready to hang on your wall.

Completed in 2018, this duplex, designed by Alterstudio Architects, underwent a dramatic transformation by mixing light & airy with dark & moody design. The goal of the project was to create a more intimate environment using a more saturated and dramatic palette. Additionally, it draws from warmer wood tones such as walnut alongside luxurious textures, particularly in navy, dark grey, and emerald green. The end result is an elegant, timeless, and comfortable space conducive to cozying up with a book at the end of a long day.

Relax, rejuvenate and enjoy the luxury of this wet area with the combined offering of the freestanding bath and walk-in shower. The herringbone tiles are truly a statement piece, especially the teal colour. Shower niche is a popular element found in modern bathroom design, built into the wall cavity alongside your shower or bath. Servicing practical storage needs and by eliminating any unsightly messy bottles on your shower floor. It can also be a great design feature within your bathroom. The bespoke cabinetry details in the vanity are certainly a focal point with the luxurious sculptural counter top basin in charcoal along side the warming timber grains.

In this renovation, we redid the entire kitchen, ensuite, and main bathroom. Brand new quartz countertops were installed alongside custom cabinetry - white in the kitchen, and natural wood finish in the ensuite. A beautiful shower was installed in the ensuite bathroom, and custom shelving was added to the pantry as well as the mudroom. To finish it off, we added a fresh coat of paint to the walls, trim, and doors throughout the main floor, as well as refinished the hardwood flooring.

Words by Wilson Hack The best architecture allows what has come before it to be seen and cared for while at the same time injecting something new, if not idealistic. Spartan at first glance, the interior of this stately apartment building, located on the iconic Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona, quickly begins to unfold as a calculated series of textures, visual artifacts and perfected aesthetic continuities. The client, a globe-trotting entrepreneur, selected Jeanne Schultz Design Studio for the remodel and requested that the space be reconditioned into a purposeful and peaceful landing pad. It was to be furnished simply using natural and sustainable materials. Schultz began by gently peeling back before adding only the essentials, resulting in a harmoniously restorative living space where darkness and light coexist and comfort reigns. The design was initially guided by the fireplace—from there a subtle injection of matching color extends up into the thick tiered molding and ceiling trim. “The most reckless patterns live here,” remarks Schultz, referring to the checkered green and white tiles, pink-Pollack-y stone and cast iron detailing. The millwork and warm wood wall panels devour the remainder of the living room, eliminating the need for unnecessary artwork. A curved living room chair by Kave Home punctuates playfully; its shape reveals its pleasant conformity to the human body and sits back, inviting rest and respite. “It’s good for all body types and sizes,” explains Schultz. The single sofa by Dareels is purposefully oversized, casual and inviting. A beige cover was added to soften the otherwise rectilinear edges. Additionally sourced from Dareels, a small yet centrally located side table anchors the space with its dark black wood texture, its visual weight on par with the larger pieces. The black bulbous free standing lamp converses directly with the antique chandelier above. Composed of individual black leather strips, it is seemingly harsh—yet its soft form is reminiscent of a spring tulip. The continuation of the color palette slips softly into the dining room where velvety green chairs sit delicately on a cascade array of pointed legs. The doors that lead out to the patio were sanded down and treated so that the original shape and form could be retained. Although the same green paint was used throughout, this set of doors speaks in darker tones alongside the acute and penetrating daylight. A few different shades of white paint were used throughout the space to add additional depth and embellish this shadowy texture. Specialty lights were added into the space to complement the existing overhead lighting. A wall sconce was added in the living room and extra lighting was placed in the kitchen. However, because of the existing barrel vaulted tile ceiling, sconces were placed on the walls rather than above to avoid penetrating the existing architecture.

This bathroom features some patterned black and white tile that looks like it was stenciled alongside white subway tile. The other other striking part of this bathroom is the authentic vintage American Standard sink from 1932 that my client found. The cabinet was custom built by Freedom Valley Cabinets (Freedom, IN) who do great work.

A stunning home we got to work alongside Bracket Builders Inc. This home features Marsh Furniture's Jamestown and Atlanta door styles and Marsh's Linen and Clove finishes. The use of off whites and greige make for a modern yet warm and inviting space. Let us know what you think!

In this renovation, we redid the entire kitchen, ensuite, and main bathroom. Brand new quartz countertops were installed alongside custom cabinetry - white in the kitchen, and natural wood finish in the ensuite. A beautiful shower was installed in the ensuite bathroom, and custom shelving was added to the pantry as well as the mudroom. To finish it off, we added a fresh coat of paint to the walls, trim, and doors throughout the main floor, as well as refinished the hardwood flooring.

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

This ornate period style bathroom has received a new lease of life in this Kew home in Melbourne. The owners were keen to preserve some original features with the lead light windows being a beautiful backdrop as you soak in the bath or enjoy a shower. We also love the texture in the floor & wall tiles which have been laid in place of the original timber floors. The traditional brass finishes bring a homey luxury, pair well with the shaker style cabinetry. Wall-mounted vanities give more space to the room along with a sleek clean look, double vanity, undermount sinks and low-maintenance engineered stone. The wet room opens up this space featuring a large walk-in shower alongside a freestanding bathtub.

This bathroom features some patterned black and white tile that looks like it was stenciled alongside white subway tile. The other other striking part of this bathroom is the authentic vintage American Standard sink from 1932 that my client found. The cabinet was custom built by Freedom Valley Cabinets (Freedom, IN) who do great work.

Another stunning home we got to work alongside with G.A. White Homes. It has a clean, modern look with elements that make it cozy and welcoming. With a focus on strong lines, a neutral color palette, and unique lighting creates a classic look that will be enjoyed for years to come.

A home this vibrant is something to admire. We worked alongside Greg Baudoin Interior Design, who brought this home to life using color. Together, we saturated the cottage retreat with floor to ceiling personality and custom finishes. The rich color palette presented in the décor pairs beautifully with natural materials such as Douglas fir planks and maple end cut countertops. Surprising features lie around every corner. In one room alone you’ll find a woven fabric ceiling and a custom wooden bench handcrafted by Birchwood carpenters. As you continue throughout the home, you’ll admire the custom made nickel slot walls and glimpses of brass hardware. As they say, the devil is in the detail. Photo credit: Jacqueline Southby

This spacious shower is a real focal point of this master bath. Using a combination or porcelain tile and natural stone keeps the shower light and clean looking, the mostly frameless glass is accented in oil rubbed bronze.

Today’s investment landscape in California features a surge in transforming single-family lots into vibrant multi-family residences, facilitated by recent SB9 and ADU laws. This project exemplifies how a modest 6,750-square-foot lot can accommodate a 1,500-square-foot primary home alongside a 2,500-square-foot duplex, seamlessly integrating design, functionality, and neighborhood aesthetics. The primary residence underwent a meticulous interior transformation, evolving from a 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath layout into a spacious 4-bedroom, 2-bath home. Strategic reconfigurations centered around creating an expansive great room—an open-concept space adorned with vaulted ceilings—where the kitchen, dining, and living areas converge into a magnificent communal zone. Exterior updates further distinguish the property. The front and side yards are enclosed with fencing and privacy hedges, linked by concrete pathways that enhance outdoor functionality while compensating for backyard space lost during renovations. The exterior façade was refreshed with darker tones, deliberately contrasting with the duplex to emphasize architectural separation. Designed to preserve the suburban charm, the duplex visually mimics a single-family home from the street. Its facade creates an illusion of a two-story residence, maintaining harmony within the neighborhood fabric. The main unit, developed under SB9 guidelines, features three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a luxurious parents’ suite situated upstairs. Downstairs, two bedrooms share a full bath, creating a balanced family-oriented layout. The duplex’s interior boasts 9-foot ceilings throughout, elevating the sense of space and openness. The design thoughtfully places the kitchen at the front, inviting guests into the home, while stairs on the right lead to the private upstairs bedroom suite. The ADU offers a two bedroom and two & half baths. the unit is accessible via a private side entrance with a dedicated walkway. Its layout includes a ground-floor living room, a galley kitchen, and a discreet powder room beneath the stairs, designed to contain guest traffic and maintain privacy upstairs. The upstairs bedrooms each feature luxurious bathrooms with expansive showers, adding an element of modern elegance. Both units enjoy thoughtfully landscaped outdoor spaces—private patios, backyard areas, and gated front yards—creating welcoming environments for residents and visitors alike. This project exemplifies innovative urban infill solutions, blending architectural elegance with legal compliance and community harmony—an inspiring blueprint for the future of residential development in California.

The gray vanity features two sinks with a seated makeup table between them. A combination of drawers sit alongside doors that look like drawers, to provide visual consistency with maximum functionality.