This custom kitchen renovation made use of what was once an eat-in area to maximize storage and cabinet space. The classic shaker-style cabinets in this kitchen design maximize longevity and keep the space looking bright and spacious.

Inspiration for a modern kitchen remodel in Philadelphia

For many, the idea of downsizing can be daunting, especially when moving from a spacious rural home to a compact condo. However, our clients were determined to embrace this change to simplify their lives and indulge in waterfront living. With panoramic views of Lake Nepahwin, they were eager to create a retreat maximizing space without compromising style. To optimize space, we adopted a minimalist approach, focusing on multifunctional furniture and clever storage solutions. By strategically placing furniture and incorporating a pantry, disguised as an built-in armoire in the living room, we were able to make the most of every square inch while maximizing the expanse. “Every inch of real estate is valued,” says Lauren Perry “and that is how downsizing becomes a delight.” The original pantry was excessive for the couple, but the primary bedroom was lacking closet space. Enter demolition. We opened a bathroom wall and converted the existing pantry into a walk-in closet for our client’s impressive wardrobe. Prioritizing the built-ins with plenty of drawers customized this space for our client’s personal needs and showcased her impeccable taste in clothes, shoes, and accessories. Every selection had to be carefully considered so the space is inviting, without feeling congested. The fixtures and decor were curated to layer interest, but not detract from the beautiful views of the condo, a delicate balance best left to the professionals.

Before, this kitchen felt dated and lacked the functionality today’s homeowner needs. A bulky peninsula interrupted the flow, storage was limited, and the layout didn’t maximize usable workspace or reflect how the homeowner wanted to live in the space. Now to the After… By removing the peninsula, we opened up the kitchen and extended the countertop along the window and wall, creating significantly more usable prep space and a brighter, more open feel. We also added a dedicated serving and pantry area along the dining room wall, giving the homeowner both additional storage and a functional space for entertaining. This transitional kitchen remodel blends timeless design with modern functionality using all-new cabinetry in a rich Slate-stained finish on Birch wood with the sleek Catalina door style. The space is elevated with stunning Calacatta Laza quartz countertops and a full-height backsplash, creating a clean, seamless look that instantly modernizes the kitchen. But this transformation isn’t just about looks. It is built for real life. Thoughtful upgrades like rollout shelves, a two-tier cutlery drawer, utensil and spice pullouts, a blind corner swing-out, and a double 50qt trash pullout maximize every inch of storage and make daily use effortless. The addition of solid maple floating shelves brings warmth and a custom, personalized touch. The result is a kitchen that feels open, organized, and designed around how the homeowner actually lives. It is beautiful, functional, and perfect for everyday use and entertaining.

The primary goal of the Ithaca II project was to open up the home to amplify natural light, bring outdoor views inside, and create a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Additional updates refreshed the interiors with a focus on millwork and storage. The previous floor plan of this 1963 home carved up the main level into separate living, dining, family room and kitchen spaces that limited both sunlight and usable space for the way contemporary families live and entertain. By opening the layout and expanding the kitchen, the main floor instantly became more functional without disrupting the curved central staircase — an integral architectural element of the home. Adding a glass-inset front door, opening up exterior walls and incorporating wide folding glass doors instantly maximized natural light. In the all-new kitchen, maple cabinetry, a painted white island, quartz counters, backsplashes and appliances have created a space perfect for cooking and casual dining. The new accordion doors open both the adjacent dining area and living room to an expanded deck for seamless al fresco gatherings. Alpine Summit Homes added new four-inch white oak hardwood flooring to the main level. Trim molding was refreshed throughout the home with clean lines to add a modern look while maintaining the classic midcentury architectural roots. New storage cabinetry was added to the living room and powder/laundry room, while the primary suite received new doors and bathroom fixtures to match the main-level updates.

Dare to achieve the home of your dreams! U.S. Builders maximizes available space to increase comfort (as well as property value). Well planned, detail oriented custom designs translate to real enjoyment. Contact us to help you bring your ideas about the perfect space to life.

Maximizing space: dining room to bedroom conversion
Minimalist living room photo in Los Angeles

A 43” diameter heritage pecan guided the plan of this neighborhood-scaled, modestly-priced, single-story, L-shaped house. In Austin’s seemingly perpetual drought, the goal was to create a symbiotic relationship between house and tree: to complement, not combat each other. The roof’s east/west parallel ridges create a valley directly across from the base, where water is collected at a grate, nourishing the tree. The roof also maximizes south facing surfaces, elevated at 15 degrees for future solar collection. The open, public spaces of the home maximize the north-south light. The private zone of the bedrooms and bathrooms include a generous gallery; its angled walls and large sliding doors are faceted about the tree. The pecan becomes a central focus for indoor and outdoor living, participating in the house in both plan and section. The design welcomes and nurtures the tree as integral to its success. Photo Credit: Chris Diaz

This project is an incredible transformation and the perfect example of successful style mixing! This client, and now a good friend of TVL (as they all become), is a wonderfully eclectic and adventurous one with immense interest in texture play, pops of color, and unique applications. Our scope in this home included a full kitchen renovation, main level powder room renovation, and a master bathroom overhaul. Taking just over a year to complete from the first design phases to final photos, this project was so insanely fun and packs an amazing amount of fun details and lively surprises. The original kitchen was large and fairly functional. However, the cabinetry was dated, the lighting was inefficient and frankly ugly, and the space was lacking personality in general. Our client desired maximized storage and a more personalized aesthetic. The existing cabinets were short and left the nice height of the space under-utilized. We integrated new gray shaker cabinets from Waypoint Living Spaces and ran them to the ceiling to really exaggerate the height of the space and to maximize usable storage as much as possible. The upper cabinets are glass and lit from within, offering display space or functional storage as the client needs. The central feature of this space is the large cobalt blue range from Viking as well as the custom made reclaimed wood range hood floating above. The backsplash along this entire wall is vertical slab of marble look quartz from Pental Surfaces. This matches the expanse of the same countertop that wraps the room. Flanking the range, we installed cobalt blue lantern penny tile from Merola Tile for a playful texture that adds visual interest and class to the entire room. We upgraded the lighting in the ceiling, under the cabinets, and within cabinets--we also installed accent sconces over each window on the sink wall to create cozy and functional illumination. The deep, textured front Whitehaven apron sink is a dramatic nod to the farmhouse aesthetic from KOHLER, and it's paired with the bold and industrial inspired Tournant faucet, also from Kohler. We finalized this space with other gorgeous appliances, a super sexy dining table and chair set from Room & Board, the Paxton dining light from Pottery Barn and a small bar area and pantry on the far end of the space. In the small powder room on the main level, we converted a drab builder-grade space into a super cute, rustic-inspired washroom. We utilized the Bonner vanity from Signature Hardware and paired this with the cute Ashfield faucet from Pfister. The most unique statements in this room include the water-drop light over the vanity from Shades Of Light, the copper-look porcelain floor tile from Pental Surfaces and the gorgeous Cashmere colored Tresham toilet from Kohler. Up in the master bathroom, elegance abounds. Using the same footprint, we upgraded everything in this space to reflect the client's desire for a more bright, patterned and pretty space. Starting at the entry, we installed a custom reclaimed plank barn door with bold large format hardware from Rustica Hardware. In the bathroom, the custom slate blue vanity from Tharp Cabinet Company is an eye catching statement piece. This is paired with gorgeous hardware from Amerock, vessel sinks from Kohler, and Purist faucets also from Kohler. We replaced the old built-in bathtub with a new freestanding soaker from Signature Hardware. The floor tile is a bold, graphic porcelain tile with a classic color scheme. The shower was upgraded with new tile and fixtures throughout: new clear glass, gorgeous distressed subway tile from the Castle line from TileBar, and a sophisticated shower panel from Vigo. We finalized the space with a small crystal chandelier and soft gray paint. This project is a stunning conversion and we are so thrilled that our client can enjoy these personalized spaces for years to come. Special thanks to the amazing Ian Burks of Burks Wurks Construction for bringing this to life!

Mudrooms are often difficult rooms to furnish. Store bought storage systems often do not maximize the storage needs for most homes and do not fit properly in the space. Huntington Closet & Cabinet will design, build, and install a custom mudroom that will maximize your storage requirements and exceed all of your design and decor needs as well. If you can envision it, we can build it for less than store bought mudroom storage systems that fall short of what your home deserves.

A 43” diameter heritage pecan guided the plan of this neighborhood-scaled, modestly-priced, single-story, L-shaped house. In Austin’s seemingly perpetual drought, the goal was to create a symbiotic relationship between house and tree: to complement, not combat each other. The roof’s east/west parallel ridges create a valley directly across from the base, where water is collected at a grate, nourishing the tree. The roof also maximizes south facing surfaces, elevated at 15 degrees for future solar collection. The open, public spaces of the home maximize the north-south light. The private zone of the bedrooms and bathrooms include a generous gallery; its angled walls and large sliding doors are faceted about the tree. The pecan becomes a central focus for indoor and outdoor living, participating in the house in both plan and section. The design welcomes and nurtures the tree as integral to its success. Photo Credit: Chris Diaz

A luxury 1700 Sqft residence, in the heart of TriBeCa, one of New York City’s most desirable neighborhoods. The apartment is designed for modern living, whilst maximizing the comfort and ease of every day life. With an ode to the 70’s, this residence is a clever combination of sourced vintage pieces and bespoke designed interiors from wallpaper to soft furnishings. Whilst boasting top of line appliances and integrated living system including lights, music and drapery. Design and storage solutions were tasked to Labscape, who maximized space by integrating existing, oversized structural columns into the dynamic design of a wet bar in the living/ dining area and vanity desk in bedroom, both with incorporated hidden storage.

Open concept to maximize functional use of space for residents and caregivers. Universal design elements to maximize independence and remove barriers in areas of high use by residents with mixed abilities, e.g. open-concept shower, no threshold shower, waterproof room design, unique placement of faucet and shower head for independent use and caregiver assistance. Light, bright, happy and safe. Designed for independence, mobility and safety for residents with developmental disabilities living in a house with extra care provided.

Bursting with craft to enhance true Muskoka living, the vision for this Lake Muskoka custom build was to bring family to the forefront of every day living. Classic, timeless, modern and clean, with a touch of rustic elements throughout. Our client envisioned a streamlined, elegant home that maximized the impact of the glorious views and showcased their love of natural materials. ABOVE & BEYOND provided full planning and design services and executed a re-zoning and site plan agreement for the property in order to accomplish the client’s vision for their cottage. This open-concept space framed with floor-to-celing windows, is defined by a custom stone fireplace, complete with reclaimed barn beam for the feature mantle. A cool, fresh palette and simple lines bring focus to the fine details and rustic finishes that distinguish this exceptional home. Standout features include custom cabinetry and built-ins, a massive island draped with white granite, and brushed steel hardware. Bursting with craft and fine woodwork, including a graceful, fine-lined staircase, maximize the light that makes this family home so magnificent.

Steps from the seating area, level two of this new deck offers a custom outdoor kitchen/eating area with a new grill, refrigerator, and smoker/cooker all set within curved custom cabinetry with raised bar that mimics the decking. www.deckandpatio.com

Client Needs: • Empty-Nesters desire to Age in Place and fulfill future accessibility needs. • Bedroom desired for aging parent. • Provide for large extended family multiday visits year round. • Maximize a simple live-work-play experience. • Owner’s desire to live off the land and grid. • Cost-conscious Net-Zero Energy Passive House quality required. • Maximize views from hill over farm land. • Inexperienced subcontractors to build. The Solution: • 1-story slab-on-grade design provides accessible rooms and circulation. • Matched cost-effective construction and insulation level with room needs. • High-performing construction at primary living areas meet Passive House standards. • Lighter insulated, wood stove heated rooms provide for extended 4-season use: - Glazed Screen Porch: living & sleeping. - Greenhouse: extended growing season. - Garage: storage & maintenance work. • Root Cellar: insulated concrete room stores food and provides storm sheltering. The Result: • Each room and the entire house serve the couple, additional parent, and large extended family gatherings well. • Cook(s) stay engaged with living and dining room guests while cooking in the open kitchen. • Easy living provided with uniquely placed activity areas and rooms flowing together, allowing circular movement thru the house. • Sweeping indoor and outdoor views provided. • Owners self-performed large parts of the construction using the simple building design. • A ground mounted solar array makes the Passive House home Net-Zero Energy. • The couple is practically self-sustaining for food, water and energy.

Basement Apartment Interior Design This stylish and functional basement apartment transforms what was once a simple underground space into a comfortable, modern living area. The design focuses on maximizing light and space, with bright, neutral color schemes, strategic lighting solutions, and smart furniture choices. Open Concept Living Area: The open floor plan seamlessly connects the living, dining, and kitchen spaces, creating a sense of flow and maximizing the available space. Modern Kitchen: The kitchen features sleek, contemporary cabinetry with an innovative design, including an invisible door that leads to the bathroom. The opposite side of the kitchen flows into custom storage that also doubles as part of the TV stand for the living room, creating a minimalist and clean look. Basement Yard: A thoughtfully designed outdoor seating area brings natural light into the space, making the apartment feel brighter and more inviting. The basement yard serves as a relaxing extension of the living space, perfect for enjoying the outdoors. This basement apartment design blends practicality with aesthetic appeal, offering a sophisticated living space that is both functional and stylish. It’s the perfect combination of modern comfort and smart design.

When Irvine designer, Richard Bustos’ client decided to remodel his Orange County 4,900 square foot home into a contemporary space, he immediately thought of Cantoni. His main concern though was based on the assumption that our luxurious modern furnishings came with an equally luxurious price tag. It was only after a visit to our Irvine store, where the client and Richard connected that the client realized our extensive collection of furniture and accessories was well within his reach.

“Richard was very thorough and straight forward as far as pricing,” says the client. "I became very intrigued that he was able to offer high quality products that I was looking for within my budget.” The next phases of the project involved looking over floor plans and discussing the client’s vision as far as design. The goal was to create a comfortable, yet stylish and modern layout for the client, his wife, and their three kids. In addition to creating a cozy and contemporary space, the client wanted his home to exude a tranquil atmosphere. Drawing most of his inspiration from Houzz, (the leading online platform for home remodeling and design) the client incorporated a Zen-like ambiance through the distressed greyish brown flooring, organic bamboo wall art, and with Richard’s help, earthy wall coverings, found in both the master bedroom and bathroom. Over the span of approximately two years, Richard helped his client accomplish his vision by selecting pieces of modern furniture that possessed the right colors, earthy tones, and textures so as to complement the home’s pre-existing features. The first room the duo tackled was the great room, and later continued furnishing the kitchen and master bedroom. Living up to its billing, the great room not only opened up to a breathtaking view of the Newport coast, it also was one great space. Richard decided that the best option to maximize the space would be to break the room into two separate yet distinct areas for living and dining. While exploring our online collections, the client discovered the Jasper Shag rug in a bold and vibrant green. The grassy green rug paired with the sleek Italian made Montecarlo glass dining table added just the right amount of color and texture to compliment the natural beauty of the bamboo sculpture. The client happily adds, “I’m always receiving complements on the green rug!” Once the duo had completed the dining area, they worked on furnishing the living area, and later added pieces like the classic Renoir bed to the master bedroom and Crescent Console to the kitchen, which adds both balance and sophistication. The living room, also known as the family room was the central area where Richard’s client and his family would spend quality time. As a fellow family man, Richard understood that that meant creating an inviting space with comfortable and durable pieces of furniture that still possessed a modern flare. The client loved the look and design of the Mercer sectional. With Cantoni’s ability to customize furniture, Richard was able to special order the sectional in a fabric that was both durable and aesthetically pleasing. Selecting the color scheme for the living room was also greatly influenced by the client’s pre-existing artwork as well as unique distressed floors. Richard recommended adding dark pieces of furniture as seen in the Mercer sectional along with the Viera area rug. He explains, “The darker colors and contrast of the rug’s material worked really well with the distressed wood floor.” Furthermore, the comfortable American Leather Recliner, which was customized in red leather not only maximized the space, but also tied in the client’s picturesque artwork beautifully. The client adds gratefully, “Richard was extremely helpful with color; He was great at seeing if I was taking it too far or not enough.” It is apparent that Richard and his client made a great team. With the client’s passion for great design and Richard’s design expertise, together they transformed the home into a modern sanctuary. Working with this particular client was a very rewarding experience for Richard. He adds, “My client and his family were so easy and fun to work with. Their enthusiasm, focus, and involvement are what helped me bring their ideas to life. I think we created a unique environment that their entire family can enjoy for many years to come.” https://www.cantoni.com/project/a-contemporary-sanctuary

This urbanKITCHEN combines functionality and space to achieve a visually appealing kitchen space. Combining contemporary and traditional style, this urbanKITCHEN features white handle-less drawers and swing doors. For storage, space has been maximised by using LEGRABOX pull-out system as well as AVENTOS lift system for wall cabinets.