A retired couple desired a valiant master suite in their “forever home”. After living in their mid-century house for many years, they approached our design team with a concept to add a 3rd story suite with sweeping views of Puget sound. Our team stood atop the home’s rooftop with the clients admiring the view that this structural lift would create in enjoyment and value. The only concern was how they and their dear-old dog, would get from their ground floor garage entrance in the daylight basement to this new suite in the sky? Our CAPS design team specified universal design elements throughout the home, to allow the couple and their 120lb. Pit Bull Terrier to age in place. A new residential elevator added to the westside of the home. Placing the elevator shaft on the exterior of the home minimized the need for interior structural changes. A shed roof for the addition followed the slope of the site, creating tall walls on the east side of the master suite to allow ample daylight into rooms without sacrificing useable wall space in the closet or bathroom. This kept the western walls low to reduce the amount of direct sunlight from the late afternoon sun, while maximizing the view of the Puget Sound and distant Olympic mountain range. The master suite is the crowning glory of the redesigned home. The bedroom puts the bed up close to the wide picture window. While soothing violet-colored walls and a plush upholstered headboard have created a bedroom that encourages lounging, including a plush dog bed. A private balcony provides yet another excuse for never leaving the bedroom suite, and clerestory windows between the bedroom and adjacent master bathroom help flood the entire space with natural light. The master bathroom includes an easy-access shower, his-and-her vanities with motion-sensor toe kick lights, and pops of beachy blue in the tile work and on the ceiling for a spa-like feel. Some other universal design features in this master suite include wider doorways, accessible balcony, wall mounted vanities, tile and vinyl floor surfaces to reduce transition and pocket doors for easy use. A large walk-through closet links the bedroom and bathroom, with clerestory windows at the high ceilings The third floor is finished off with a vestibule area with an indoor sauna, and an adjacent entertainment deck with an outdoor kitchen & bar.

Just beyond the new bathtub is the large custom linen cabinet where the second vanity once stood. This was the perfect place to install built-in cabinetry, as it fit perfectly within the existing nook without extending into the walkway or requiring additional structural changes. Aesthetically, this bank of cabinets looks as though it has always been a part of this bathroom! Final photos by www.impressia.net

Glass tile swimming pool, glass tile mosaic infinity edge spa, glass tile entry fountain adorn this Hollywood Hills, CA Estate Pool, spa, entry fountain and details by Paolo Benedetti, Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa, www.aquatictechnology.com, 408-776-8220.

While the lighting of this bathroom is a bit aggressive in the photo, this Atlas Concorde Dune White 3D wave tiles gives a calming feeling while you enjoy your shower!

Kirsten Houvener shelterhomephotography@gmail.com
Example of a mid-sized mountain style guest dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom design in Seattle with gray walls and no fireplace

Mount Airy MD General Contractor: Mueller Homes Photo: Julia Heine / McInturff Architects
Modern exterior home idea in DC Metro

Example of a huge classic beige two-story mixed siding exterior home design in Wichita

Michele Fambrough
Inspiration for a timeless home design remodel in Atlanta

THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.

Home expansion services including second-story additions, master suite expansions, guest bedroom additions, and multi-room projects. EDR Design Build handles structural analysis, foundation work, roofing integration, interior finishes, and seamless connection to existing home systems. Manages permits, zoning compliance, and ensures architectural consistency between original structure and new construction. Typical projects 500-2000 sq ft with 6-12 month timelines.

Amazing modern bathroom vanity designed and handcrafted in Spain by Coleccion Alexandra, one the most prestigious brands in Europe. This contemporary bathroom vanity is available as special order only . The structure of the vanity is made of MDF lacquered. Front of the drawer upholstered in leather . Structure gloss cracked lacquer available in 5 different finishes. Front of the drawer made of waterproof stitched lather available in 5 different finishes. Drawer soft close. Solid surface countertop. Undermount square sink. Faucet not include but available in store.

Drapery Panel in alternate fabric from roman shade and banded on bottom.
Transitional master home design photo

Example of a 1950s staircase design in DC Metro

Transitional master porcelain tile porcelain tile corner shower photo in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, granite countertops, a hinged shower door, a niche and a built-in vanity

For home renovations and remodeling projects, Best Electrical Company is the Orange County electrical contractor you can count on to help you with your interior lighting project. Whether you are looking for modern light fixtures, recessed lighting, track lighting, or ceiling fan installation, our expert Orange County lighting contractors will provide you with Service At Its Best. Our team of expert Anaheim lighting technicians will help integrate a beautiful and functional lighting design that will bring light and life to your home. We are available for electrical safety inspections, electrical wiring installation and lighting installation for new houses and home additions as well, ensuring the whole project comes together smoothly. Contact BEC today to discuss your interior lighting design, and allow us to install your lights and ceiling fans with precision and ease.

Jim Bartsch
Home design - contemporary home design idea in Santa Barbara

Home expansion services including second-story additions, master suite expansions, guest bedroom additions, and multi-room projects. EDR Design Build handles structural analysis, foundation work, roofing integration, interior finishes, and seamless connection to existing home systems. Manages permits, zoning compliance, and ensures architectural consistency between original structure and new construction. Typical projects 500-2000 sq ft with 6-12 month timelines.

Home expansion services including second-story additions, master suite expansions, guest bedroom additions, and multi-room projects. EDR Design Build handles structural analysis, foundation work, roofing integration, interior finishes, and seamless connection to existing home systems. Manages permits, zoning compliance, and ensures architectural consistency between original structure and new construction. Typical projects 500-2000 sq ft with 6-12 month timelines.