Bob Fortner
Elegant porch photo in Raleigh

Specifications Kitchen Features Kitchen Island Butler S Pantry Peninsula Eating Bar Walk In Pantry Cabinet Pantry Nook Breakfast Area Dining Garage Oversized Garage Side Entry Garage Lot Characteristics Suited For View Lot Suited For Corner Lot Basic Features Potential Bedrooms 0 Bedrooms 5 Stories 2 Garage Stalls 3 Baths 5.5 Exterior Wall Framing Framing 2"x4" Bedroom Features Walk In Closet Upstairs Master Bdrm Main Floor Master Bed Bath Additional Rooms Family Room Keeping Room Hobby Rec Room Game Room Library Room Den Office Study Computer Master Sitting Area Outdoor Spaces Covered Rear Porch Loft Balcony Covered Front Porch Plan Feature Teen Suite Jack Jill Bath Area Total Sq Ft 5726 sq ft Main Floor Sq Ft 2891 sq ft Upper Floor Sq Ft 2835 sq ft Dimension Width 69' Height 36' Depth 70'

Pristine and impeccably maintained wide 17.75’ single family, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath brownstone on uptown Park Avenue with large professionally landscaped backyard. Stunning kitchen renovation with large rear window, Scavolini cabinets, SubZero refrigerator, Miele ovens and Bosch dishwasher with separate pantry and bar; powder room and rear door for easy access to yard. Elegant double parlor with potential 4th bedroom/master suite. Master bedroom with custom walk-in closet. Finished basement with family room and storage. Renovated bathrooms. Beautiful period details throughout; 5 mantles, original kitchen stove, stained glass skylight, ceiling medallions, pocket doors and exposed brick. Central air, gas/radiators, Pella windows with Hunter Douglas shades, laundry, hardwood floors throughout, all on uptown Park Avenue’s loveliest block.

Our clients came to us with a desire to completely renovate their master bathroom and enlarge the shower. We were able to double the size of the shower in width by taking space from an adjacent room. By not including a shower door, we were able to maximize the full potential of the space. An off set vanity bowl allowed us to provided four functional drawers for plenty of storage. Using a lighter tile in the shower and the floor we were able to create an interesting contrast in the vanity and granite. The bathroom fixtures in the Venetian Bronze was and excellent finish to this elegant master bathroom. Photographer: Ilona Kalimov

Our clients never felt their summer home had reached its full potential. After our initial walk through, we could see they were right. Beautiful water views gave us our color palette right from the start. We let the beach hues dictate this design. Soft blues, grays, whites and neutrals marry perfectly with open spaces of his home, Each piece of furniture chosen with high style and ultimate comfort in mind, This home has officially arrived!

Example of a large trendy master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and gray floor freestanding bathtub design in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and a hinged shower door

Great room style formal living room attached to the kitchen and dinette. Ten foot ceilings, huge windows, and coffered ceilings all make this living room an airy and spacious room for relaxation and entertaining. Photography by Spacecrafting

This beautiful North Vancouver home belongs to a nature-loving and health-conscious couple, Emma and Vince (names changed), their two young children, and their dog, Jasper. When they contacted us about renovating and furnishing their kitchen and family room, we walked in and saw a world of potential waiting to be uncovered. Before: Larkhall Crescent Home: Like many original North Vancouver homes, the interior was definitely dated. We encountered late ‘80s finishes in powder pink and teal green, old carpet, and a kitchen that wasn’t maximized to suit this family’s modern-day lifestyle. However, the size of the rooms offered us a ton of space with which to get creative. Knowing our clients’ love of cooking, need for work spaces (Emma and Vince both work remotely), and growing family, we developed a design concept that would increase usable space, optimize storage, and create intimacy in this large area. As for the style, we were inspired by their European roots, inventing a new and modern take on “Belgian Farmhouse” style. Now, the home is truly one-of-a-kind. After: Warm & Cozy Family Room: Fresh, bright, and comfortable, this living area has been transformed! We started with the fireplace as a focal point, selecting aged brick tiles for added texture and a crisp wood mantle. The taupe-coloured sectional infuses the room with visual warmth and serves the added purpose of separating the family room from the kitchen. Emma and Vince were also keen on using non-toxic materials in their home, and we were happy to oblige. To meet their needs, we sourced natural wood elements and sought out Canadian-made products - that adhere to high health standards - whenever possible. Look closer at the elements of this space, and you will find this stunning, honeycomb-patterned rug in earthy gold, beige, and charcoal tones. It’s plush to the touch and full of visual texture that brings this room’s colour palette together. We sourced these two-tone chairs with caning, petrified wood side table, black sconces, and botanical prints in greyscale from local artist, Heather Johnston. We topped off the space with this dark wood and rattan console that offers storage facing the kitchen and presents an opportunity to display cherished items. The result is a cozy lounging space brimming with comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for enjoying quality family time, or Emma can simply slide the coffee table away to make room for her morning yoga practice. Now, let’s turn around and give some attention to the kitchen. Do you remember what the original kitchen looked like? If not, scroll back up, because the transformation is shocking… Moody & Welcoming Kitchen for Healthy Living: This kitchen looks very different from how it started, right? Though we didn’t touch any walls, the kitchen has almost doubled in usable space! We created a long, extended island with storage, an outlet for small appliances, and seating for comfortable prep, after-school snacking, or mingling among friends. On the other side of the island, the family has even more storage and an integrated dishwasher within easy reach of the sink, perfect for quick clean-up. From this angle, you can also see the expansive custom Shaker cabinetry in white and the integrated double ovens. These facilitate their cooking experience and gave us the opportunity to add an additional surprise… A coffee garage station and more hidden storage! Keeping these items located along the perimeter allows them to be accessed by the family or their guests without someone getting under the cook’s feet. These are the little details that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Moving deeper into the kitchen, the seamless induction cooktop topped with a freestanding concealed hood fan commands attention in a soft yet prominent way. The natural wood accent mirrors the fireplace mantle, and the choice of off-black wood-grain cabinets not only continues our black-and-white colour palette but adds a sense of depth and contrast. The corner sink is located to the right and perfectly positioned with a view of their thriving backyard. To invite more of this family’s character into the space, we mixed metals for interest — matte black, dark pewter, and warm brass — and created open shelves in white oak for their plants and decor. You can also glimpse the tumbled edge of the backsplash tile, which echoes the rustic brick of the fireplace. It adds that farmhouse charm while still feeling timeless and sophisticated. Last but not least, we designed this dining banquette in the bay window (with integrated bench storage, of course), where the family can share a meal together, the kids can do homework, or Emma and Vince can work and enjoy a change of scenery from their offices. Like the other spaces in the home, it was designed to be beautiful, multi-functional, and long-lasting. Praise from Our Clients: It is clear that we love this home, but what did our clients have to say? “Lori is a visionary and masters execution to the finest detail all at the same time. When she first met us to know more about who we are and how we live, she could right away envision how we could use the space in our kitchen and living room…The results exceeded our expectations. Lori and her team were also a delight to work with — coordination with all the trades, fast problem-solving, regular updates, professional and friendly attitude of her entire team — made it the dream team. Thank you SHD for making our space so beautiful!” In turn, we are so grateful for this family’s trust, their open communication, and for being wonderful people with whom to work. (So, thank you!)

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional 3/4 white tile and ceramic tile marble floor, white floor and double-sink alcove bathtub remodel in Indianapolis with shaker cabinets, green cabinets, an undermount sink, marble countertops, white countertops, a built-in vanity and white walls

This beautiful totally renovated 4 bedroom home just hit the market. The owners wanted to make sure when potential buyers walked through, they would be able to imagine themselves living here. A lot of details were incorporated into this luxury property from the steam fireplace in the primary bedroom to tiling and architecturally interesting ceilings. If you would like a tour of this property we staged in Pointe Claire South, Quebec, contact Linda Gauthier at 514-609-6721.

Beautiful master bathroom remodel in West Chester. Customer selected Echelon Cabinetry in the Wesley door style in Maple wood with Café stained finish. Granite was chosen as the countertop in Santa Cecelia Light. The shower surround is a large, frameless clear glass enclosure. The tile was a neutral tone porcelain tile with the natural look of Travertine.

Pristine and impeccably maintained wide 17.75’ single family, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath brownstone on uptown Park Avenue with large professionally landscaped backyard. Stunning kitchen renovation with large rear window, Scavolini cabinets, SubZero refrigerator, Miele ovens and Bosch dishwasher with separate pantry and bar; powder room and rear door for easy access to yard. Elegant double parlor with potential 4th bedroom/master suite. Master bedroom with custom walk-in closet. Finished basement with family room and storage. Renovated bathrooms. Beautiful period details throughout; 5 mantles, original kitchen stove, stained glass skylight, ceiling medallions, pocket doors and exposed brick. Central air, gas/radiators, Pella windows with Hunter Douglas shades, laundry, hardwood floors throughout, all on uptown Park Avenue’s loveliest block.

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless l-shaped slate floor and multicolored floor eat-in kitchen remodel in St Louis with a single-bowl sink, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Our clients came to us with a desire to completely renovate their master bathroom and enlarge the shower. We were able to double the size of the shower in width by taking space from an adjacent room. By not including a shower door, we were able to maximize the full potential of the space. An off set vanity bowl allowed us to provided four functional drawers for plenty of storage. Using a lighter tile in the shower and the floor we were able to create an interesting contrast in the vanity and granite. The bathroom fixtures in the Venetian Bronze was and excellent finish to this elegant master bathroom. Photographer: Ilona Kalimov

This beautiful home located near a central Connecticut wine vineyard was purchased by a growing family as their dream home. They decided to make their informal entry into their home a priority. We truly are believers in combining function with elegance. This mudroom opens up to their kitchen so why not create some amazing storage that looks great too! This space speaks to their transitional style with a touch of tradition. From mixing the metal finishes to the herringbone floor pattern we were able to create a timeless, functional first impression to a beautiful home. Every family can benefit from having a space called “Home Central” from pre-school on…come in and take your shoes off. Custom designed by Hartley and Hill Design. All materials and furnishings in this space are available through Hartley and Hill Design. www.hartleyandhilldesign.com 888-639-0639

Patio - patio idea in St Louis

KT2DesignGroup Michael J Lee Photography
Large transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Boston with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

This 1850s farmhouse in the country outside NY underwent a dramatic makeover! Dark wood molding was painted white, shiplap added to the walls, wheat-colored grasscloth installed, and carpets torn out to make way for natural stone and heart pine flooring. We based the palette on quintessential American colors: red, white, and navy. Rooms that had been dark were filled with light and became the backdrop for cozy fabrics, wool rugs, and a collection of art and curios. Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg See this project featured in Home & Design Magazine here: http://www.homeanddesign.com/2016/12/21/farmhouse-fresh

Wendy is a genius at creating specialized storage out of potentially unused space! The rolling island pulls out of the dormer storage area when in use, or tucks back in the dormer for increased floor space when unneeded.