Built in 1948 on a hill high above Compo Cove and Sherwood Millpond, the original bungalow underwent a major renovation in 2000 during which a second story was added in a contemporized Nantucket style vocabulary. In 2015, Scott Springer Architect was hired to design an expansion of the second floor. The directive of the clients was to closely match the massing and details of the existing structure and allow the addition to appear as if it had always been a part of the house. The addition is comprised of a new bathroom and corridor over the vaulted entrance hall—which remained undisturbed during construction—and two bedrooms and a laundry room over the existing garage. Windows at the east side of the addition allow for spectacular views of Long Island Sound while the windows on the other side overlook a patio and garden. The house is featured in the April 2016 issue of Connecticut Cottages & Gardens ( http://www.cottages-gardens.com/Connecticut-Cottages-Gardens/April-2016/Westport-Real-Estate-Long-Island-Sound/).

After water damage caused the shower floor to sink, this 1997 West Linn home underwent a thoughtful kitchen and bathroom remodel. The updates addressed structural issues, modernized the kitchen for potential resale, and replaced family room carpet with hardwoods to create a cohesive flow. The homeowners prioritized quality materials while staying mindful of costs.

This remodel addressed issues including peeling vinyl flooring, outdated fixtures, and safety hazards due to deferred maintenance. Challenges included: sourcing budget-sensitive materials with a high-end feel; slip-resistant hexagon floor tiles; a new pedestal sink; a water-saving toilet; and a larger medicine cabinet, while correcting code violations. Universal Design created an open floor plan, low-maintenance finishes, zero-threshold entries into the bathroom and shower, in addition to highly-contrasting materials, grab bars with blocking, accessible towel bars for user convenience, and dimmable lighting with anti-glare trim. We combined modern materials for a noir style and universal functionality for our aging-in-place clients and their forever home.

This home was well appointed but the scale and size of the rooms was an issue for prospective buyers. My company staged this house making the rooms seem more intimate, bringing the scale down to a more human size. By adding rugs and softness to the spaces the house became an inviting prospective home. Home Value: $2 Million

This bathroom was designed for two professionals who dedicate themselves to the health and wellness of others. The objective of the project was to be able to practice for themselves, what they preach to their patients. The original 90” x 162” primary bathroom had so many pain points (would you to look at a toilet when taking a relaxing bath?), that it should have been an easy task to meet their needs and desires, but it was anything but due to structural issues with the home. Several design layouts were considered before it was concluded that the only approach to check the ‘needs’ boxes was to flip the primary fixtures in the room from one end of this long, narrow bathroom to the other and incorporating a wet room. The needs list included a soaking tub, a spacious shower that accommodated dual showering on business workday morning, more counter space, a bidet toilet, more storage, better lighting, better heat and humidity control, a soothing color pallet and privacy from the neighbors. An air jet soaking tub (motor concealed in the nearby vented base cabinet) under a new window with privacy glass on the bottom and a clear glass awning window on top checked two boxes. The center drain for the bathing features provides space for two people to shower simultaneously while highlighting the soothing color pallet from every view point in the room. The integrated bidet toilet is an affordable luxury that delivers health and wellness multiples times in a day. The expanded vanity optimized storage while providing more, clutter free countertop space. Utilizing a variety of lighting types, with dimmers, provides the right illumination for every bathroom activity. Lastly, the in-floor heat, toe-kick heater and relocated bathroom exhaust fan over the shower help maintain a consistently comfortable temperature and humidity level in this bathroom transformation.

This family and had been living in their 1917 Tangletown neighborhood, Minneapolis home for over two years and it wasn’t meeting their needs. The lack of AC in the bathroom was an issue, the bathtub leaked frequently, and their lack of a shower made it difficult for them to use the space well. After researching Design/Build firms, they came to Castle on the recommendations from others. Wanting a clean “canvas” to work with, Castle removed all the flooring, plaster walls, tiles, plumbing and electrical fixtures. We replaced the existing window with a beautiful Marvin Integrity window with privacy glass to match the rest of the home. A bath fan was added as well as a much smaller radiator. Castle installed a new cast iron bathtub, tub filler, hand shower, new custom vanity from the Woodshop of Avon with Cambria Weybourne countertop and a recessed medicine cabinet. Wall sconces from Creative lighting add personality to the space. The entire space feels charming with all new traditional black and white hexagon floor tile, tiled shower niche, white subway tile bath tub surround, tile wainscoting and custom shelves above the toilet. Just outside the bathroom, Castle also installed an attic access ladder in their hallway, that is not only functional, but aesthetically pleasing. Come see this project on the 2018 Castle Educational Home Tour, September 29 – 30, 2018.

This whole house remodel, designed by Lynne Parker and built by H&H, turned an average ranch house in Portland’s Council Crest neighborhood into a magazine-worthy designer’s haven (see the August/September 2014 issue of GRAY magazine). H&H reconfigured the master suite, originally two bathrooms and two bedrooms, into one master bedroom, a luxurious master bath, and two walk-in closets. The team also reconfigured the basement area to include two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a laundry room. The remodeled kitchen opens the space up and connects it to the living room.

A large walk-in shower with a shower bench is a wise renovation if accessibility is an issue.
Large master ceramic tile, gray floor and single-sink bathroom photo in Other with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, a drop-in sink, laminate countertops, gray countertops and a built-in vanity

To maintain matrimonial harmony, it was time to transform the primary bathroom into a room built for two with two sinks being at the top of the needs list (the original sink and dinky mirror were located between the two exterior windows). Finishes throughout were also ready for an update. The bathroom was gutted which provided an opportunity to open up the cave like shower and install the much-desired dual sinks and bidet toilet. The challenge was how to place mirrors and lighting for each sink which were centered on the exterior windows. The exterior wall framing, and the windows prohibited the placement of both a light fixture and a mirror above the sink(s). To remedy this issue, the casing on either side of the window was removed and wiring for lights was installed. The casing was bored to allow the wiring to run through to the surface mounted Twiggy LED lights (by Edge Lighting) which are hinged to allow the user to move the lights in for full illumination of the face. The mirrors, in frames to match the cabinetry, where then mounted on a barn door track installed above the window frame. The mirrors not only clear the Twiggy lights but can be moved to the left of their original location to allow the natural light from the windows to pour through. To round out the new design, more and better organized storage and a rear grooming mirror were incorporated in this small, narrow bathroom.

This bathroom started with all the classic problems: dated tiles, dark grout, and black mold hiding behind the surfaces. Instead of just masking the issues, we stripped everything back, treated the mold, and prepared the space for a seamless microcement finish. Follow our page or visit our website to see how we turn problem bathrooms into clean, modern space. The final result: a fully renewed bathroom with continuous microcement on the walls and floor, no grout lines, and a clean, minimalist shower and sink area. Easy to clean, resistant to moisture, and designed to last in a humid environment. If you’re thinking about a similar makeover, visit our website or message us on Instagram to talk about your own microcement project

Large transitional master beige tile marble floor and white floor bathroom photo in Charleston with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink, solid surface countertops and a hinged shower door

This project included a massive renovation to nearly all spaces in the home: the entry, living room, family room, dining room, kitchen, staircase, and master bathroom. Each space underwent a massive transformation in order to create the elegant & traditional aesthetic that our clients love. On the main level of the home, the original space layout was extremely compartmentalized and dark. Our clients wanted to open up and brighten the space as much as possible. In addition to this, a major goal was to increase function and to create a welcoming environment for guests and the clients alike. We started by opening up the space plan significantly. This allows for flowing space between the kitchen, front living room, and rear family room. Light is better carried through these spaces, and further emphasized with airy colors, light cabinetry, and a better lighting plan overall. We removed the old decorative ceiling beams and reworked closets and hallways to create a more open and functional main level. The kitchen offers a large amount of counter space and storage opportunity, but also welcomes guests at a sizable island and secondary peninsula. Beyond the kitchen, we designed a work nook where display storage and functional workspace are both present. We reworked both fireplaces in the home to create warm nooks for gathering: both fireplaces feature large format stone and are flanked with display shelving. The master bathroom upstairs was completely reworked as well. We eliminated the oversized drop-in tub and in-wall fireplace, and took away the steam shower that had been causing water and mildew issues for years. We relocated the toilet and developed a gorgeous vanity area in the space where the old bathtub and fireplace used to be. We then created a massive shower room in lieu of a tub/shower combination. The bathroom is adorned with warm tones and natural textures: marble subway tile runs up the entire wall behind the vanity, wood-look porcelain covers the floor and back wall of the shower, and simple artisan subway tiles in a creamy vanilla tone cover the shower walls. These spaces completely transformed the look and feel of the house, and we are so happy our amazing clients get to enjoy this home with their family for years to come!

We had so much fun decorating this space. No detail was too small for Nicole and she understood it would not be completed with every detail for a couple of years, but also that taking her time to fill her home with items of quality that reflected her taste and her families needs were the most important issues. As you can see, her family has settled in.

We had so much fun decorating this space. No detail was too small for Nicole and she understood it would not be completed with every detail for a couple of years, but also that taking her time to fill her home with items of quality that reflected her taste and her families needs were the most important issues. As you can see, her family has settled in.

3,800sf, 4 bdrm, 3.5 bath with oversized 4 car garage and over 270sf Loggia; climate controlled wine room and bar, Tech Room, landscaping and pool. Solar, high efficiency HVAC and insulation was used which resulted in huge rebates from utility companies, enhancing the ROI. The challenge with this property was the downslope lot, sewer system was lower than main line at the street thus requiring a special pump system. Retaining walls to create a flat usable back yard. ESI Builders is a subsidiary of EnergyWise Solutions, Inc. and was formed by Allan, Bob and Dave to fulfill an important need for quality home builders and remodeling services in the Sacramento region. With a strong and growing referral base, we decided to provide a convenient one-stop option for our clients and focus on combining our key services: quality custom homes and remodels, turnkey client partnering and communication, and energy efficient and environmentally sustainable measures in all we do. Through energy efficient appliances and fixtures, solar power, high efficiency heating and cooling systems, enhanced insulation and sealing, and other construction elements – we go beyond simple code compliance and give you immediate savings and greater sustainability for your new or remodeled home. All of the design work and construction tasks for our clients are done by or supervised by our highly trained, professional staff. This not only saves you money, it provides a peace of mind that all of the details are taken care of and the job is being done right – to Perfection. Our service does not stop after we clean up and drive off. We continue to provide support for any warranty issues that arise and give you administrative support as needed in order to assure you obtain any energy-related tax incentives or rebates. This ‘One call does it all’ philosophy assures that your experience in remodeling or upgrading your home is an enjoyable one. ESI Builders was formed by professionals with varying backgrounds and a common interest to provide you, our clients, with options to live more comfortably, save money, and enjoy quality homes for many years to come. As our company continues to grow and evolve, the expertise has been quickly growing to include several job foreman, tradesmen, and support staff. In response to our growth, we will continue to hire well-qualified staff and we will remain committed to maintaining a level of quality, attention to detail, and pursuit of perfection.

This project included a massive renovation to nearly all spaces in the home: the entry, living room, family room, dining room, kitchen, staircase, and master bathroom. Each space underwent a massive transformation in order to create the elegant & traditional aesthetic that our clients love. On the main level of the home, the original space layout was extremely compartmentalized and dark. Our clients wanted to open up and brighten the space as much as possible. In addition to this, a major goal was to increase function and to create a welcoming environment for guests and the clients alike. We started by opening up the space plan significantly. This allows for flowing space between the kitchen, front living room, and rear family room. Light is better carried through these spaces, and further emphasized with airy colors, light cabinetry, and a better lighting plan overall. We removed the old decorative ceiling beams and reworked closets and hallways to create a more open and functional main level. The kitchen offers a large amount of counter space and storage opportunity, but also welcomes guests at a sizable island and secondary peninsula. Beyond the kitchen, we designed a work nook where display storage and functional workspace are both present. We reworked both fireplaces in the home to create warm nooks for gathering: both fireplaces feature large format stone and are flanked with display shelving. The master bathroom upstairs was completely reworked as well. We eliminated the oversized drop-in tub and in-wall fireplace, and took away the steam shower that had been causing water and mildew issues for years. We relocated the toilet and developed a gorgeous vanity area in the space where the old bathtub and fireplace used to be. We then created a massive shower room in lieu of a tub/shower combination. The bathroom is adorned with warm tones and natural textures: marble subway tile runs up the entire wall behind the vanity, wood-look porcelain covers the floor and back wall of the shower, and simple artisan subway tiles in a creamy vanilla tone cover the shower walls. These spaces completely transformed the look and feel of the house, and we are so happy our amazing clients get to enjoy this home with their family for years to come!

This 1968 single story bungalow had great bones but serious design and storage issues. The kitchen had a drop ceiling and a door that lead into the guest bedroom. The peninsula and cabinet overhang made the kitchen feel small and crowded. A few too many DIY projects made for a mess of style! The bathrooms had never been updated, the closets were in the wrong spots and all the lighting fixtures were dated. A face lift was in order!

Richmond Hill Design + Build brings you this gorgeous American four-square home, crowned with a charming, black metal roof in Richmond’s historic Ginter Park neighborhood! Situated on a .46 acre lot, this craftsman-style home greets you with double, 8-lite front doors and a grand, wrap-around front porch. Upon entering the foyer, you’ll see the lovely dining room on the left, with crisp, white wainscoting and spacious sitting room/study with French doors to the right. Straight ahead is the large family room with a gas fireplace and flanking 48” tall built-in shelving. A panel of expansive 12’ sliding glass doors leads out to the 20’ x 14’ covered porch, creating an indoor/outdoor living and entertaining space. An amazing kitchen is to the left, featuring a 7’ island with farmhouse sink, stylish gold-toned, articulating faucet, two-toned cabinetry, soft close doors/drawers, quart countertops and premium Electrolux appliances. Incredibly useful butler’s pantry, between the kitchen and dining room, sports glass-front, upper cabinetry and a 46-bottle wine cooler. With 4 bedrooms, 3-1/2 baths and 5 walk-in closets, space will not be an issue. The owner’s suite has a freestanding, soaking tub, large frameless shower, water closet and 2 walk-in closets, as well a nice view of the backyard. Laundry room, with cabinetry and counter space, is conveniently located off of the classic central hall upstairs. Three additional bedrooms, all with walk-in closets, round out the second floor, with one bedroom having attached full bath and the other two bedrooms sharing a Jack and Jill bath. Lovely hickory wood floors, upgraded Craftsman trim package and custom details throughout!

Amy Birrer The kitchen pictured here is in a turn of the century home that still uses the original stove from the 1930’s to heat, cook and bake. The porcelain sink with drain boards are also originals still in use from the 1950’s. The idea here was to keep the original appliances still in use while increasing the storage and work surface space. Although the kitchen is rather large it has many of the issues of an older house in that there are 4 integral entrances into the kitchen, none of which could be rerouted or closed off. It also needed to encompass in-kitchen eating and a space for a dishwasher. The fully integrated dishwasher is raised off the floor and sits on ball and claw feet giving it the look of a freestanding piece of furniture. Elevating a dishwasher is a great way to avoid the constant bending over associated with loading and unloading dishes. The cabinets were designed to resemble an antique breakfront in keeping with the style and age of the house.