While we typically focus on high end homes, this small 1980's house in Stafford sold for under $200,000. We did a remodel and make ready for the homeowner prior to listing so they could take advantage of our hot market. This house is proof that good design can make inexpensive material selections look really good, and that you don't have to spend a fortune on a nice remodel. Floors: Emser Tile 6x24 Heritage Walnut Backsplash: Emser Tile 6x6 Ancient Tumbled Travertine Backsplash Insert: Emser Tile Lucente Grazia Mosaic 5/8" Bath Floors: Emser Tile 18x18 St Moritz Silver Bath Insert: Emser Tile Lucente Grazia Linear Kitchen Granite: Diamond Arrow Master Bath Granite: Diamond Arrow Guest Bath Granite: White Galaxy Wall Paint: PPG Grey Marble Trim Paint: PPG Arctic Cotton Ceiling Paint: PPG Arctic Cotton All Photos by Curtis Lawson

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER; 2012 QUALIFIED REMODELER MASTER DESIGN AWARD This 1950 brick colonial featured a floor plan typical of homes of that era--small boxy rooms, each separated by four walls. The young couple who owned the home loved its potential, but needed more space. The main goal of this project was to create a seamless and open floor plan on the first floor, adding a family room and enlarging the kitchen. A master bedroom and bathroom suite were planned to make better use of the second level. To accomplish these goals, a 20’ x 20’ two-story addition was designed by Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes. The new expanded kitchen and family room features limestone floors, a new gas fireplace surrounded with built-ins and glass stone hearth to complement the kitchen countertops and backsplash. Use of espresso colored cabinetry topped by a light granite countertop with brown veins running through it is one of the decorative touches that make this project stunning. The large middle island which consists of a second sink, wine chiller and seating space is another bonus point of this kitchen. Commercial quality appliances assure gourmet cooking at its finest. Large first floor windows face the home’s new flagstone patio, which can be accessed via a French door. The second floor consists of the master bedroom with a sitting area , French doors leading into a French balcony facing back yard, double-sided stoned gas fireplace (between the bedroom and master bath) and a cathedral ceiling. The master bathroom features a large steam shower, body sprays and rain shower, a large double person Jacuzzi, tumbled marble floor and wall tiles with accents. The use of wide plank exotic tiger wood has beautified this master suite. Keeping the homeowners’ contemporary style in mind and achieving their wishes has transformed this old 1950 colonial into a fully functional 21st Century dream home.

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.

This modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income. FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own. SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio. MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch. SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf) RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property. COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort. ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements. OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income. PROJECT TEAM ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry Lisa Finch - Original Artwork European Architectural Supply - Windows Eric Roth Photography - Photography

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.

The exterior of what looks like a vernacular Hamptons shingle cottage, designed by architect Blaze Makoid, is intentionally deceiving. For the interiors, Axis Mundi typically decided not to play by the rules. Instead of de rigeur nautical artifacts, floppy sofas and wicker furniture, the firm responded to Makoid’s all-white interior envelope by injecting rooms with comfortable modern elegance that’s more contemporary Cap Ferrat than Eastern Long Island. Clean furniture silhouettes—from Cassina, Poltrona Frau and B&B Italia—a Massimo Vitali beach scene, a Moooi chandelier and industrial finishes (such as the steel of the fireplace surround and the anodized aluminum of a sleek Bulthaup kitchen) spark a creative tension between indoors and out. The gray palette provides a quiet backdrop for the nature outside, except for the master suite, where custom oak panels and blue shades create a reassuring warmth conducive to sleep. Photography: Mark Roskams

This typical Brownstone went from a construction site, to a sophisticated family sanctuary in the middle of Hoboken, New Jersey. Together with our team we took the opportunity to extend and redefine the existing layout to create a bright space that was both functional and elegant. Master bedroom addition with a serene and comfortable feel. The wallpaper added texture. The quatrefoil design is repeated throughout the room on the mirror, nightstands and rug design. The custom cabinetry millwork provides most needed storage as well as a beautiful showcase for the wall mounted TV. Photo Credit: Francis Augustine

Example of a large transitional master medium tone wood floor bedroom design in Phoenix with white walls

The brief was to transform the apartment into a home that was suited to our client’s (a young married couple) needs of entertainment and desire for an open plan. By reimagining the spatial hierarchy of a typical Singaporean home, the existing living room was converted nto a guest room, 2 bedrooms were also transformed into a single living space centered in the heart of the apartment. White frameless doors were used in the master and guest bedrooms, extending and brightening the hallway when left open. Accents of graphic and color were also used against a pared down material palette to form the backdrop for the owners’ collection of objects and artwork that was a reflection of the young couple’s vibrant personalities. Photographer: Tessa Choo

The exterior of what looks like a vernacular Hamptons shingle cottage, designed by architect Blaze Makoid, is intentionally deceiving. For the interiors, Axis Mundi typically decided not to play by the rules. Instead of de rigeur nautical artifacts, floppy sofas and wicker furniture, the firm responded to Makoid’s all-white interior envelope by injecting rooms with comfortable modern elegance that’s more contemporary Cap Ferrat than Eastern Long Island. Clean furniture silhouettes—from Cassina, Poltrona Frau and B&B Italia—a Massimo Vitali beach scene, a Moooi chandelier and industrial finishes (such as the steel of the fireplace surround and the anodized aluminum of a sleek Bulthaup kitchen) spark a creative tension between indoors and out. The gray palette provides a quiet backdrop for the nature outside, except for the master suite, where custom oak panels and blue shades create a reassuring warmth conducive to sleep. Photography: Mark Roskams

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

The exterior of what looks like a vernacular Hamptons shingle cottage, designed by architect Blaze Makoid, is intentionally deceiving. For the interiors, Axis Mundi typically decided not to play by the rules. Instead of de rigeur nautical artifacts, floppy sofas and wicker furniture, the firm responded to Makoid’s all-white interior envelope by injecting rooms with comfortable modern elegance that’s more contemporary Cap Ferrat than Eastern Long Island. Clean furniture silhouettes—from Cassina, Poltrona Frau and B&B Italia—a Massimo Vitali beach scene, a Moooi chandelier and industrial finishes (such as the steel of the fireplace surround and the anodized aluminum of a sleek Bulthaup kitchen) spark a creative tension between indoors and out. The gray palette provides a quiet backdrop for the nature outside, except for the master suite, where custom oak panels and blue shades create a reassuring warmth conducive to sleep. Photography: Mark Roskams

Free ebook, CREATING THE IDEAL KITCHEN Download now → http://bit.ly/idealkitchen After having remodeled their kitchen, and two other baths in the home, the master bathroom was the last on the list of rooms to update for this couple. The existing bath had a small sink area with his and hers sinks and then a pocket door into the main bath which housed the tub, shower and commode. The main problem was the outdated look of the space, which was rather dark and dreary, and the giant unused whirlpool tub which took up more than its fair share of the footprint. To brighten the space, we used a pallet of soft gray porcelain tile on the floor and ceramic subway tiles on the walls. Carrera marble and nickel plumbing brighten the room and help amplify the sunlight streaming in through the existing skylight and vaulted ceiling. We first placed the new freestanding tub on an angle near the window so that users can take advantage of the view and light while soaking in the tub. A new, much larger shower takes up the other corner and delivers some symmetry to the room and is now a luxurious, useable and comfortable size. The commode was relocated to the right of the new shower, so it is visually tucked away. The existing opening between the sink area and the main area was widened and the door removed so that the homeowners can enjoy the light from the larger room while using the sinks each morning. A step up into the tub/shower area provides additional interest and was a happy accident and solution required to accommodate running the plumbing through the existing floor joists. Because the existing room felt quite contemporary with the vaulted ceiling, we added a run of crown molding around the top and a chair rail to the top of the tile to provide some traditional touches to the room. We think this space is lovely, relaxing and serene and are so honored to have been chosen by these wonderful homeowners to help provide them with a relaxing master bath sanctuary! Designer: Susan Klimala Assistant Designer: Keri Rogers

The exterior of what looks like a vernacular Hamptons shingle cottage, designed by architect Blaze Makoid, is intentionally deceiving. For the interiors, Axis Mundi typically decided not to play by the rules. Instead of de rigeur nautical artifacts, floppy sofas and wicker furniture, the firm responded to Makoid’s all-white interior envelope by injecting rooms with comfortable modern elegance that’s more contemporary Cap Ferrat than Eastern Long Island. Clean furniture silhouettes—from Cassina, Poltrona Frau and B&B Italia—a Massimo Vitali beach scene, a Moooi chandelier and industrial finishes (such as the steel of the fireplace surround and the anodized aluminum of a sleek Bulthaup kitchen) spark a creative tension between indoors and out. The gray palette provides a quiet backdrop for the nature outside, except for the master suite, where custom oak panels and blue shades create a reassuring warmth conducive to sleep. Photography: Mark Roskams

While we typically focus on high end homes, this small 1980's house in Stafford sold for under $200,000. We did a remodel and make ready for the homeowner prior to listing so they could take advantage of our hot market. This house is proof that good design can make inexpensive material selections look really good, and that you don't have to spend a fortune on a nice remodel. Floors: Emser Tile 6x24 Heritage Walnut Backsplash: Emser Tile 6x6 Ancient Tumbled Travertine Backsplash Insert: Emser Tile Lucente Grazia Mosaic 5/8" Bath Floors: Emser Tile 18x18 St Moritz Silver Bath Insert: Emser Tile Lucente Grazia Linear Kitchen Granite: Diamond Arrow Master Bath Granite: Diamond Arrow Guest Bath Granite: White Galaxy Wall Paint: PPG Grey Marble Trim Paint: PPG Arctic Cotton Ceiling Paint: PPG Arctic Cotton All Photos by Curtis Lawson

This project represents an increasingly popular type of project - combining 2 bedrooms into a single master suite. The house is a 1910 craftsman, with 4 bedrooms on the second floor. Typical of older homes, the master bedroom had a very small bathroom, and very little closet space. The owners decided to sacrifice an adjacent guest bedroom to create a spacious master suite. The new rooms include a large bathroom, with hers and his vanities, separate toilet room, custom tile shower and soaking tub. The extra space also allowed us to install a luxurious custom walk-in closet. Design Criteria: - Increase size and utility of closet space. - Create a large, luxury bathroom with distinctly separate hers/his spaces. Special Features: - Custom tile shower, with frameless glass door - Platform soaking tub w/ custom tile deck - His/Hers vanities with quartz countertops. - Separate toilet room. - Room-sized walk-in closet with custom cabinet system. - Custom 5-Panel doors and built-up mouldings to match the original woodwork.

Example of a small beach style gray floor powder room design in Phoenix with multicolored walls and a pedestal sink

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER; 2012 QUALIFIED REMODELER MASTER DESIGN AWARD This 1950 brick colonial featured a floor plan typical of homes of that era--small boxy rooms, each separated by four walls. The young couple who owned the home loved its potential, but needed more space. The main goal of this project was to create a seamless and open floor plan on the first floor, adding a family room and enlarging the kitchen. A master bedroom and bathroom suite were planned to make better use of the second level. To accomplish these goals, a 20’ x 20’ two-story addition was designed by Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes. The new expanded kitchen and family room features limestone floors, a new gas fireplace surrounded with built-ins and glass stone hearth to complement the kitchen countertops and backsplash. Use of espresso colored cabinetry topped by a light granite countertop with brown veins running through it is one of the decorative touches that make this project stunning. The large middle island which consists of a second sink, wine chiller and seating space is another bonus point of this kitchen. Commercial quality appliances assure gourmet cooking at its finest. Large first floor windows face the home’s new flagstone patio, which can be accessed via a French door. The second floor consists of the master bedroom with a sitting area , French doors leading into a French balcony facing back yard, double-sided stoned gas fireplace (between the bedroom and master bath) and a cathedral ceiling. The master bathroom features a large steam shower, body sprays and rain shower, a large double person Jacuzzi, tumbled marble floor and wall tiles with accents. The use of wide plank exotic tiger wood has beautified this master suite. Keeping the homeowners’ contemporary style in mind and achieving their wishes has transformed this old 1950 colonial into a fully functional 21st Century dream home.

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.