Search results for "Master equalization" in Home Design Ideas

With nearly 14,000 square feet of transparent planar architecture, In Plane Sight, encapsulates — by a horizontal bridge-like architectural form — 180 degree views of Paradise Valley, iconic Camelback Mountain, the city of Phoenix, and its surrounding mountain ranges.
Large format wall cladding, wood ceilings, and an enviable glazing package produce an elegant, modernist hillside composition.
The challenges of this 1.25 acre site were few: a site elevation change exceeding 45 feet and an existing older home which was demolished. The client program was straightforward: modern and view-capturing with equal parts indoor and outdoor living spaces.
Though largely open, the architecture has a remarkable sense of spatial arrival and autonomy. A glass entry door provides a glimpse of a private bridge connecting master suite to outdoor living, highlights the vista beyond, and creates a sense of hovering above a descending landscape. Indoor living spaces enveloped by pocketing glass doors open to outdoor paradise.
The raised peninsula pool, which seemingly levitates above the ground floor plane, becomes a centerpiece for the inspiring outdoor living environment and the connection point between lower level entertainment spaces (home theater and bar) and upper outdoor spaces.
Project Details: In Plane Sight
Architecture: Drewett Works
Developer/Builder: Bedbrock Developers
Interior Design: Est Est and client
Photography: Werner Segarra
Awards
Room of the Year, Best in American Living Awards 2019
Platinum Award – Outdoor Room, Best in American Living Awards 2019
Silver Award – One-of-a-Kind Custom Home or Spec 6,001 – 8,000 sq ft, Best in American Living Awards 2019

The glasswork captures it all - breath-taking views and wildlife. Stone and cedar shake make the home seem as if it has grown from nature. An impressive barrel-vault entryway leads into an equally impressive interior. Exposed wood beams and columns bring the outdoors inside. Flanking closets and art niches lead from the foyer to an open hall and great room. The dining room connects to the kitchen by a pass-thru. A bowed breakfast nook features a built-in banquette. Screened porches and open porches take living outside. The sleeping quarters are located on one side of the house, separate from the gathering rooms, and aside from the versatile bedroom/study, the master bedroom and secondary bedrooms have their own private baths and walk-in closets.

With nearly 14,000 square feet of transparent planar architecture, In Plane Sight, encapsulates — by a horizontal bridge-like architectural form — 180 degree views of Paradise Valley, iconic Camelback Mountain, the city of Phoenix, and its surrounding mountain ranges.
Large format wall cladding, wood ceilings, and an enviable glazing package produce an elegant, modernist hillside composition.
The challenges of this 1.25 acre site were few: a site elevation change exceeding 45 feet and an existing older home which was demolished. The client program was straightforward: modern and view-capturing with equal parts indoor and outdoor living spaces.
Though largely open, the architecture has a remarkable sense of spatial arrival and autonomy. A glass entry door provides a glimpse of a private bridge connecting master suite to outdoor living, highlights the vista beyond, and creates a sense of hovering above a descending landscape. Indoor living spaces enveloped by pocketing glass doors open to outdoor paradise.
The raised peninsula pool, which seemingly levitates above the ground floor plane, becomes a centerpiece for the inspiring outdoor living environment and the connection point between lower level entertainment spaces (home theater and bar) and upper outdoor spaces.
Project Details: In Plane Sight
Architecture: Drewett Works
Developer/Builder: Bedbrock Developers
Interior Design: Est Est and client
Photography: Werner Segarra
Awards
Room of the Year, Best in American Living Awards 2019
Platinum Award – Outdoor Room, Best in American Living Awards 2019
Silver Award – One-of-a-Kind Custom Home or Spec 6,001 – 8,000 sq ft, Best in American Living Awards 2019
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The romantic elegance of this lakeside master bath required an equally classically refined and alluring approach to finishing and detailing its cabinetry and walls to hone its place in the realm of magnificence.
Cabinetry: washes of cool and warm accentuate the vanity profile while the elegance of gold leaf detailing highlight the graceful movement of the moulding appliqués.
Walls: a two layer color wash finish was hand-applied to gracefully enhance the soft skip trowel texture of the walls with warmth, depth and the aura that only rise from gently aged sophistication.

A ground up design and build of a modern seven bedroom primary residence incorporating sustainable design principles built for an international family of four. The concept revolved around the need for environmental sustainability while having plentiful communal spaces to create ease for a vibrant family and their guests. Equally important was that the private spaces functioned as a retreat.
Natural light creates shifting patterns on the opposing wall of the glass paned hallway leading from the main house past the guest bedrooms and to the master suite. Subtle color palette and interior design use contrasting tactile elements to create an environment of luxury and accessibility. The views of the pool and garden through the large and continuous windows enable an ever-present connection to nature.

Rich is a custom home builder with an emphasis on structural performance and energy efficiency. He is a Certified Master Builder building for over 20 years, in the resort mountain areas of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and now in the Orlando, Florida area for the last decade.
Rich seamlessly blends different architectural details, energy performance, and hardened structures to create high performance luxury homes. He gives personal attention to "Easy Living Design" in order to create a home that can adapt to the aging homeowner making life more convenient, enjoyable, and safe.
Rich works closely with his customers to ensure every detail, need, and expectation is exceeded. He has chosen a team of tradesmen that compliment his work and share the same work ethic and thoughts of delivering a quality product, and who desires to build lasting relationships with the homeowner long after their project is complete.
Rich engages the homeowner throughout the entire building project to ensure that he educates them on products and methods that are compatible with their desired goals. Understanding that the financial goals of a project are of equal importance, Rich provides a detailed job cost budget, so the homeowners are given the opportunity to help guide their project financially.

A simplified roofline creates interest with thoughtfully placed gable accents. Tapered columns highlight the front porch and welcome guests to the sidelight framed entry. Inside, the floor plan is equally thoughtful, with a spacious great room, open kitchen with island, and single dining space. The master suite is expansive with dual walk-in closets and a bathroom comfortably suited for two. Additional features include a walk-in pantry, oversized utility room, three-car garage, and an inviting screened porch with cathedral ceiling, skylights, and a fireplace. Two additional bedrooms and a study round-out this classic design.

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Wannemacher Interiors
Customized Award-Winning Interior Design Solutions in Franklin Cnty OH

PROJECT DESCRIPTION & RESIDENCE OWNER’S REVIEW
My husband and I came across some of Alex Sukhomlinov’s beautifully handcrafted pieces of “Décor” at an antique shop in Vancouver about 4 years ago. We were so impressed with his work that we set up an appointment to meet him at his studio. At that time, we were setting up law offices in Vancouver and were looking for items to add to the overall ‘Old World Charm’ to accompany several French Empire Antiques we had brought up from L.A. His abilities as an artist and a master craftsman were matched equally by his passion and vision for what we were looking for.
Thrilled with the finished offices we then invited him to our home in Cochrane, Alberta and that is when we let him have free reign on designing our library décor and add finishing touches to our living room. We have had several world-renowned artists and many world travellers to our home since the completion of Alex’s work. The overall comments are: THIS IS IN CANADA??? THIS IS BETTER THAN ANY MANSION I’VE EVER BEEN TO!! THIS BLOWS NAPOLEAN’S LIBRARY OUT OF THE WATER!! THIS IS BETTER THAN VERSAILLES!! We are pleased to pass on any photos or answer any questions prospective clients may have. Alex was very easy and accommodating to work with. He takes enormous pride in his work. There is NO ONE ELSE that can do what he does. He creates Masterpieces that are so worthy of his time and effort. We are very honoured to have him contribute to our beautiful home and look forward to future projects with him.
Janet Munro and Patrick Fagan

This interior design project involved a comprehensive renovation that completely transformed the appearance and features of an apartment located on the Costa del Sol, Spain. The goal was to modernize the space, enhance functionality, and create a more sophisticated and welcoming atmosphere, aligned with a Nordic style that emphasizes warmth and natural elements.
### Space Redistribution:
Originally, the apartment had only one bedroom and one bathroom. The first phase of the renovation involved redistributing the space to add a second bathroom, with one of them becoming an en-suite connected directly to the master bedroom. This addition significantly improved comfort and privacy, allowing each bedroom to have its own bathroom. Additionally, a new laundry area was created, providing a dedicated space for the washing machine, water heater, and cleaning supplies, optimizing the home's functionality without compromising aesthetics.
### Flooring and Visual Continuity:
The old dark, square-patterned flooring was replaced with porcelain tiles that mimic the texture and tone of wood. This new material was extended from the interior to the terrace, creating a sense of continuity and spaciousness. This change not only modernized the apartment's appearance but also reinforced the visual harmony between indoor and outdoor spaces, inviting residents to enjoy the natural light and views offered by the coastal location.
### Bathroom Renovation:
With the addition of a second bathroom, both spaces were completely renovated. The old tiles and bathtub were removed in favor of a more modern and functional design. Light-colored ceramics reflecting the Nordic style were installed, along with contemporary fixtures and clean lines. The en-suite bathroom was designed to offer an intimate and luxurious space, while the second bathroom, though equally modern, provides comfort and accessibility for the rest of the home.
### Style and Décor:
The predominant Nordic style was reflected in the choice of materials and colors. The walls were adorned with wooden slats, a detail that adds texture and warmth to the space, while the décor focused on natural elements like wood, linen, and plant fibers, creating a serene and relaxing atmosphere. Neutral tones and simple lines prevail, achieving a perfect balance between sophistication and comfort.
### Final Result:
The result is an apartment that not only looks more spacious and modern but also exudes a sense of tranquility and comfort. The renovation has transformed the space into a home that invites you to enjoy sunny days on the Costa del Sol, with a terrace seamlessly integrated with the interior and living spaces that reflect a sophisticated, functional, and inviting lifestyle.
Este proyecto de interiorismo consistió en una reforma integral que transformó por completo el aspecto y las características de un apartamento ubicado en la Costa del Sol, España. El objetivo era modernizar el espacio, mejorar la funcionalidad y crear un ambiente más sofisticado y acogedor, alineado con un estilo nórdico que resalta la calidez y la naturalidad.
### Redistribución del Espacio:
Inicialmente, el apartamento contaba con una sola habitación y un solo baño. La primera fase de la reforma implicó una redistribución del espacio, añadiendo un segundo baño, de los cuales uno se convirtió en suite, conectado directamente con la habitación principal. Esta ampliación mejoró significativamente la comodidad y privacidad, permitiendo que cada habitación tuviera su propio baño. Además, se creó una nueva zona de lavadero, un espacio dedicado para la lavadora, el termotanque y los elementos de limpieza, optimizando la funcionalidad del hogar sin sacrificar la estética.
### Suelos y Continuidad Visual:
Se reemplazaron los antiguos suelos de color oscuro, de apariencia cuadrada, por un porcelánico que imita la textura y el tono de la madera. Este nuevo material se extendió desde el interior hasta la terraza, creando una sensación de continuidad y amplitud. Este cambio no solo modernizó el aspecto del apartamento, sino que también reforzó la armonía visual entre los espacios interiores y exteriores, invitando a disfrutar de la luz natural y las vistas que ofrece la ubicación costera.
### Renovación de Baños:
Con la adición de un segundo baño, ambos espacios fueron completamente renovados. Se eliminaron los viejos azulejos y la bañera en favor de un diseño más moderno y funcional. Se instalaron cerámicas de tonos claros que reflejan el estilo nórdico, junto con elementos contemporáneos y líneas limpias. El baño en suite, en particular, fue diseñado para ofrecer un espacio íntimo y lujoso, mientras que el segundo baño, aunque igualmente moderno, ofrece comodidad y accesibilidad para el resto de la casa.
### Estilo y Decoración:
El estilo nórdico predominante se reflejó en la elección de materiales y colores. Las paredes fueron adornadas con palillería, un detalle que aporta textura y calidez al espacio, mientras que la decoración se basó en elementos naturales como madera, lino y fibras vegetales, creando una atmósfera serena y relajante. Los tonos neutros y las líneas simples predominan, logrando un equilibrio perfecto entre sofisticación y comodidad.
### Resultado Final:
El resultado es un apartamento que no solo se ve más amplio y moderno, sino que también transmite una sensación de tranquilidad y confort. La reforma ha transformado el espacio en un hogar que invita a disfrutar de los días soleados en la Costa del Sol, con una terraza que se integra perfectamente con el interior, y unos ambientes interiores que reflejan un estilo de vida sofisticado, funcional y acogedor.

By combining the natural beauty of nature with the craftsmanship of master stone workers, we can create patios, stairways and outdoor rooms that equal a 5 star resort. Dimensional flagstone offers a natural look with a formal feel.

A fun exercise in division of space. The upper Westside duplex was a shared his and hers space but HE needed a bit more room to equally share with HER. Let there be peace in storage for all! Project in conjunction with Erik Smith Inc.. Photography by Genevieve Garruppo

A fun exercise in division of space. The upper Westside duplex was a shared his and hers space but HE needed a bit more room to equally share with HER. Let there be peace in storage for all! Project in conjunction with Erik Smith Inc.. Photography by Genevieve Garruppo

Outdoor furniture from Restoration Hardware really made this Houston outdoor living space design project shine.
“It really went well,” says Wayne Franks, owner of Outdoor Homescapes of Houston. “It's not a huge space, but moving the existing two columns about four feet and bringing the roof out only three feet made all the difference in the world.”
“This particular client wanted a larger space to entertain,” says senior designer Lisha Maxey, who served as an outdoor furniture consultant while managing construction for the project.
The original space, Lisha explains, had two oddly placed columns blocking a clear view of the beautiful pool area from inside the home. “We removed those columns and gave her three more feet of roof, which extended her living area while also giving her the view she wanted.”
Since the client - a woman in her mid-50s with grown children who visit frequently - only wanted a small outdoor kitchen island with a 30-inch RCS grill Outdoor Homescapes closed up a French door that led from the master bedroom (which she never used) and created a new stucco wall for the kitchen.
“I would definitely call the style of this space ‘transitional,” says Lisha. The client is a very eclectic world traveler and a collector of art, yet wanted her outdoor living space to feel like a warm, homey living room once we placed the furniture and décor. In the end, her finishes centered around rustic stone, detailed columns and furniture leaning towards the contemporary.”
Much of the warmth in the space, she says, comes from the colors of the dry-stacked Sunset Canyon ledgestone. “It looks just like it sounds – like the sun setting in a deep canyon!”
“The columns are unique – decorative and fluted,” adds Wayne.
The client, who’d received five free hours of outdoor furniture consultation as part of an ongoing promotion, also wanted Lisha to help her select, buy and help place furnishings.
“I believe that now - more than ever - consumers are looking for turn-key operations in any type of service industry - a ‘one-stop-shop,’ so to speak,” says Lisha. “It gives us a more personal touch with the client, as well as an edge in the industry in terms of selling our designs, as the client is reassured that we’ll work with them in every aspect to give them the outdoor living space of their dreams.”
The client ended up choosing the Biscayne collection – including a chair that rocks and swivels - from Restoration Hardware. They also went with a lower, unique teak coffee table from the Belvedere collection.
“We mixed wicker with teak for an equally soft and hard look and added pops of color to bring out the beautiful art collection inside,” says Lisha. “The neutral gray wicker, by the way, was the perfect match for the distressed teak coffee table and credenza. The grays of the Key West granite countertop also echoed this color palette.”
For the fabric, Lisha helped keep it neutral with a Mocha linen and popped the color with royal blue throw pillows matching the area rug: “To make the space truly her own, we added some unique copper pots from her collection and a few items she's collected abroad.”
Ready to let outdoor furniture transform your living space? Contact us, and we'll get your outdoor design project started!

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Wannemacher Interiors
Customized Award-Winning Interior Design Solutions in Franklin Cnty OH

A simplified roofline creates interest with thoughtfully placed gable accents. Tapered columns highlight the front porch and welcome guests to the sidelight framed entry. Inside, the floor plan is equally thoughtful, with a spacious great room, open kitchen with island, and single dining space. The master suite is expansive with dual walk-in closets and a bathroom comfortably suited for two. Additional features include a walk-in pantry, oversized utility room, three-car garage, and an inviting screened porch with cathedral ceiling, skylights, and a fireplace. Two additional bedrooms and a study round-out this classic design.

Our clients came to us after recently purchasing this 1967 home in the lovely Spring Creek neighborhood. They originally considered adding on to the master bedroom or possibly putting an addition above the garage. After all considerations, they decided to work within the existing sq. ft. of the home. They wanted to update their kitchen, they needed to add an office, as she works from home and they wanted consistent flooring throughout the front of the house. They had a small galley kitchen that you could enter from the front formal living/dining room or from the other end but it was completely closed off to the main living area, other than a small window. They really wanted to open it up but worried it might be too opened up. In addition to adding new ceiling height cabinets, they wanted to completely gut this outdated kitchen and start over with a cleaner, simpler looking kitchen. They had trouble envisioning what their space would look like opened up, so using our technology and being able to show them a rendering and being able to do a virtual walk-through, really helped them see their future.
We demoed the entire kitchen and all of the flooring throughout the kitchen, family room, living room and formal living room. We removed most of the wall that closed off the kitchen to the living room, with the exception of the half wall that became part of the new island. The doorway that used to go between the formal dining and kitchen was closed off, creating more kitchen wall space and allowing an office to be added at the back of the formal dining that could be closed off, when needed.
White Chandler cabinets were installed with beautiful Macaubus Giotto Quartzite countertops. Our clients chose to install a spice pull out and utensil caddy pull out on either side of the oven and a tray pull out for cookie sheets, as well. A wooden vent-hood was also built by Chandler, creating a nice contrast to the white cabinets. Matte black Stanton pulls and Elara knobs were installed coordinating with the Forge Industrial Pendant Island lights and the Doster Dome kitchen table pendant. A Kohler vault Smart Divide®top-/under-mount double-equal bowl kitchen sink was installed in the island with a Kohler Simplice kitchen faucet, also in matte black. Detailed posts were added to each corner on the back side of the island, giving it a more custom finished look. In the formal dining room, a 4-light Forge Industrial Island Light was installed, which coordinated with the two pendant lights above the island. Adjacent to the living room was an office/wet bar area, leading to the back porch. We replaced the existing wet bar with a new cabinet and countertop and faucet, matching the kitchen and installed a wine refrigerator, too. Hardwood floors were installed throughout the entire front of the house, tying it all together. Recessed lighting was installed throughout the dining room, living room and kitchen, really giving the space some much needed light. A fresh coat of paint to top it all off really brightened up the space and gave our clients exactly what they were wanting.

The romantic elegance of this lakeside master bath required an equally classically refined and alluring approach to finishing and detailing its cabinetry and walls to hone its place in the realm of magnificence.
Cabinetry: washes of cool and warm accentuate the vanity profile while the elegance of gold leaf detailing highlight the graceful movement of the moulding appliqués.
Walls: a two layer color wash finish was hand-applied to gracefully enhance the soft skip trowel texture of the walls with warmth, movement and the aura that arises only out of gently aged sophistication.

For our full gut renovation of this Manhattan loft penthouse, we partnered with architecture firm Todd Zwigard Architects. Many of our clients know us as experts in the full design-build approach, where we handle every aspect of the project. But in this case, architectural plans were already drawn, the full schedule was finished, and our clients needed a partner to execute on the architectural plans – enter Gallery. Construction management is as vital to a project as the design phase, so we’re happy to offer our expertise in this type of scenario.
A DIFFERENT APPROACH
Construction and design are often the face of most renovations, but the planning and follow-through are naturally just as necessary to make it all come together. The project itself was a fairly straightforward gut renovation of the loft. Everything was included: new floors, a new kitchen, new bathrooms, new lighting. Our task was to manage every aspect of the construction, ensuring that the planning work of Todd Zwigard Architects was executed to the exact vision imagined for this Manhattan loft renovation.
CONTEMPORARY GOES ECLECTIC
Although we didn’t contribute to the aesthetic of the interior design in this project, we did carry out the plans that brought it life. The tone was very modern, with some eclectic touches. The kitchen, featuring an island with a baby blue lacquered finish, blends contemporary clean lines into an industrial-tinged, almost futuristic aesthetic. Reclaimed wooden doors and art pieces collected throughout the years are an ode to the client's travels, an artistic touch from Todd Zwigard Architects.
LET’S TALK
Quality of work is of course important, but there are several components of construction management that are equally vital: communication; processes that make sure you're able to adhere to schedules; protocols with both safety and communication. You might say this is the nerding out of the construction process. It’s not often the face of a project, but it’s absolutely massive in terms of carrying out a successful renovation, whether it’s a penthouse loft in Manhattan, a condo in Prospect Heights, or a kitchen in a Brooklyn brownstone. Quality construction management is probably one of the biggest ways to separate professional contractors from those who aren’t.
ART FROM CHAOS
This was such a large project, so our ability to procure and source all the finishes and fixtures was hugely important to our clients. The sheer number of floors, tiles, and plumbing fixtures alone that need to be ordered, in addition to everything else, plus figuring out lead times, shipments, deliveries, and inspections. It can quickly become chaotic, but there’s an art to the planning and organization, and we’ve mastered it.
The larger a project is, the more likely that havoc will rear its head. The antidote is not only really proper planning and construction management, as we achieved in this Manhattan loft penthouse renovation, but also a great working relationship with everyone else involved in the project: contractors, architect, and clients alike.
GET IN TOUCH
Is a loft renovation in New York in your future? We’re experts in renovating New York homes, from apartment combinations in managed buildings to kitchens and bathrooms in co-ops and condos to gut renovations of historic spaces and landmark renovations.
Contact us to learn more about our approach as a design-and-build firm, where all aspects of your project are handled under the same roof. In addition to construction management, you’ll get our in-house architect in-house and the added renovation benefits of experts in design, material selection, and paperwork.

Outdoor furniture from Restoration Hardware really made this Houston outdoor living space design project shine.
“It really went well,” says Wayne Franks, owner of Outdoor Homescapes of Houston. “It's not a huge space, but moving the existing two columns about four feet and bringing the roof out only three feet made all the difference in the world.”
“This particular client wanted a larger space to entertain,” says senior designer Lisha Maxey, who served as an outdoor furniture consultant while managing construction for the project.
The original space, Lisha explains, had two oddly placed columns blocking a clear view of the beautiful pool area from inside the home. “We removed those columns and gave her three more feet of roof, which extended her living area while also giving her the view she wanted.”
Since the client - a woman in her mid-50s with grown children who visit frequently - only wanted a small outdoor kitchen island with a 30-inch RCS grill Outdoor Homescapes closed up a French door that led from the master bedroom (which she never used) and created a new stucco wall for the kitchen.
“I would definitely call the style of this space ‘transitional,” says Lisha. The client is a very eclectic world traveler and a collector of art, yet wanted her outdoor living space to feel like a warm, homey living room once we placed the furniture and décor. In the end, her finishes centered around rustic stone, detailed columns and furniture leaning towards the contemporary.”
Much of the warmth in the space, she says, comes from the colors of the dry-stacked Sunset Canyon ledgestone. “It looks just like it sounds – like the sun setting in a deep canyon!”
“The columns are unique – decorative and fluted,” adds Wayne.
The client, who’d received five free hours of outdoor furniture consultation as part of an ongoing promotion, also wanted Lisha to help her select, buy and help place furnishings.
“I believe that now - more than ever - consumers are looking for turn-key operations in any type of service industry - a ‘one-stop-shop,’ so to speak,” says Lisha. “It gives us a more personal touch with the client, as well as an edge in the industry in terms of selling our designs, as the client is reassured that we’ll work with them in every aspect to give them the outdoor living space of their dreams.”
The client ended up choosing the Biscayne collection – including a chair that rocks and swivels - from Restoration Hardware. They also went with a lower, unique teak coffee table from the Belvedere collection.
“We mixed wicker with teak for an equally soft and hard look and added pops of color to bring out the beautiful art collection inside,” says Lisha. “The neutral gray wicker, by the way, was the perfect match for the distressed teak coffee table and credenza. The grays of the Key West granite countertop also echoed this color palette.”
For the fabric, Lisha helped keep it neutral with a Mocha linen and popped the color with royal blue throw pillows matching the area rug: “To make the space truly her own, we added some unique copper pots from her collection and a few items she's collected abroad.”
Ready to let outdoor furniture transform your living space? Contact us, and we'll get your outdoor design project started!

Meet Meridith: a super-mom who’s as busy as she is badass — and easily my favorite overachiever. She slays her office job and comes home to an equally high-octane family life.
We share a love for city living with farmhouse aspirations. There’s a vegetable garden in the backyard, a black cat, and a floppy eared rabbit named Rocky. There has been a mobile chicken coop and a colony of bees in the backyard. At one point they even had a pregnant hedgehog on their hands!
Between gardening, entertaining, and helping with homework, Meridith has zero time for interior design. Spending several days a week in New York for work, she has limited amount of time at home with her family. My goal was to let her make the most of it by taking her design projects off her to do list and let her get back to her family (and rabbit).
I wanted her to spend her weekends at her son's baseball games, not shopping for sofas. That’s my cue!
Meridith is wonderful. She is one of the kindest people I know. We had so much fun, it doesn’t seem fair to call this “work”. She is loving, and smart, and funny. She’s one of those girlfriends everyone wants to call their own best friend. I wanted her house to reflect that: to feel cozy and inviting, and encourage guests to stay a while.
Meridith is not your average beige person, and she has excellent taste. Plus, she was totally hands-on with design choices. It was a true collaboration. We played up her quirky side and built usable, inspiring spaces one lightbulb moment at a time.
I took her love for color (sacré blue!) and immediately started creating a plan for her space and thinking about her design wish list. I set out hunting for vibrant hues and intriguing patterns that spoke to her color palette and taste for pattern.
I focused on creating the right vibe in each space: a bit of drama in the dining room, a bit more refined and quiet atmosphere for the living room, and a neutral zen tone in their master bedroom.
Her stuff. My eye.
Meridith’s impeccable taste comes through in her art collection. The perfect placement of her beautiful paintings served as the design model for color and mood.
We had a bit of a chair graveyard on our hands, but we worked with some key pieces of her existing furniture and incorporated other traditional pieces, which struck a pleasant balance. French chairs, Asian-influenced footstools, turned legs, gilded finishes, glass hurricanes – a wonderful mash-up of traditional and contemporary.
Some special touches were custom-made (the marble backsplash in the powder room, the kitchen banquette) and others were happy accidents (a wallpaper we spotted via Pinterest). They all came together in a design aesthetic that feels warm, inviting, and vibrant — just like Meridith!
We built her space based on function.
We asked ourselves, “how will her family use each room on any given day?” Meridith throws legendary dinner parties, so we needed curated seating arrangements that could easily switch from family meals to elegant entertaining. We sought a cozy eat-in kitchen and decongested entryways that still made a statement. Above all, we wanted Meredith’s style and panache to shine through every detail. From the pendant in the entryway, to a wild use of pattern in her dining room drapery, Meredith’s space was a total win. See more of our work at www.safferstone.com. Connect with us on Facebook, get inspired on Pinterest, and share modern musings on life & design on Instagram. Or, share what's on your plate with us at hello@safferstone.com.
Photo: Angie Seckinger

For our full gut renovation of this Manhattan loft penthouse, we partnered with architecture firm Todd Zwigard Architects. Many of our clients know us as experts in the full design-build approach, where we handle every aspect of the project. But in this case, architectural plans were already drawn, the full schedule was finished, and our clients needed a partner to execute on the architectural plans – enter Gallery. Construction management is as vital to a project as the design phase, so we’re happy to offer our expertise in this type of scenario.
A DIFFERENT APPROACH
Construction and design are often the face of most renovations, but the planning and follow-through are naturally just as necessary to make it all come together. The project itself was a fairly straightforward gut renovation of the loft. Everything was included: new floors, a new kitchen, new bathrooms, new lighting. Our task was to manage every aspect of the construction, ensuring that the planning work of Todd Zwigard Architects was executed to the exact vision imagined for this Manhattan loft renovation.
CONTEMPORARY GOES ECLECTIC
Although we didn’t contribute to the aesthetic of the interior design in this project, we did carry out the plans that brought it life. The tone was very modern, with some eclectic touches. The kitchen, featuring an island with a baby blue lacquered finish, blends contemporary clean lines into an industrial-tinged, almost futuristic aesthetic. Reclaimed wooden doors and art pieces collected throughout the years are an ode to the client's travels, an artistic touch from Todd Zwigard Architects.
LET’S TALK
Quality of work is of course important, but there are several components of construction management that are equally vital: communication; processes that make sure you're able to adhere to schedules; protocols with both safety and communication. You might say this is the nerding out of the construction process. It’s not often the face of a project, but it’s absolutely massive in terms of carrying out a successful renovation, whether it’s a penthouse loft in Manhattan, a condo in Prospect Heights, or a kitchen in a Brooklyn brownstone. Quality construction management is probably one of the biggest ways to separate professional contractors from those who aren’t.
ART FROM CHAOS
This was such a large project, so our ability to procure and source all the finishes and fixtures was hugely important to our clients. The sheer number of floors, tiles, and plumbing fixtures alone that need to be ordered, in addition to everything else, plus figuring out lead times, shipments, deliveries, and inspections. It can quickly become chaotic, but there’s an art to the planning and organization, and we’ve mastered it.
The larger a project is, the more likely that havoc will rear its head. The antidote is not only really proper planning and construction management, as we achieved in this Manhattan loft penthouse renovation, but also a great working relationship with everyone else involved in the project: contractors, architect, and clients alike.
GET IN TOUCH
Is a loft renovation in New York in your future? We’re experts in renovating New York homes, from apartment combinations in managed buildings to kitchens and bathrooms in co-ops and condos to gut renovations of historic spaces and landmark renovations.
Contact us to learn more about our approach as a design-and-build firm, where all aspects of your project are handled under the same roof. In addition to construction management, you’ll get our in-house architect in-house and the added renovation benefits of experts in design, material selection, and paperwork.
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