Birds Hill Rustic is a custom residential project located in the beautiful acreage setting of Birds Hill, Manitoba. The home is engineered as a highly efficient hybrid timber frame residence, demonstrating how structural pragmatism can meet luxury design. The architecture strategically utilizes stunning, exposed heavy timber framing in the primary living spaces—delivering maximum architectural impact, soaring volume, and warmth exactly where the family gathers. Meanwhile, secondary areas utilize conventional framing. This hybrid approach perfectly balances budget and breathtaking craftsmanship, allowing the homeowners to experience the distinct character and permanence of a timber frame without the requirement of a full-structure build.

Birds Hill Rustic is a custom residential project located in the beautiful acreage setting of Birds Hill, Manitoba. The home is engineered as a highly efficient hybrid timber frame residence, demonstrating how structural pragmatism can meet luxury design. The architecture strategically utilizes stunning, exposed heavy timber framing in the primary living spaces—delivering maximum architectural impact, soaring volume, and warmth exactly where the family gathers. Meanwhile, secondary areas utilize conventional framing. This hybrid approach perfectly balances budget and breathtaking craftsmanship, allowing the homeowners to experience the distinct character and permanence of a timber frame without the requirement of a full-structure build.

Birds Hill Rustic is a custom residential project located in the beautiful acreage setting of Birds Hill, Manitoba. The home is engineered as a highly efficient hybrid timber frame residence, demonstrating how structural pragmatism can meet luxury design. The architecture strategically utilizes stunning, exposed heavy timber framing in the primary living spaces—delivering maximum architectural impact, soaring volume, and warmth exactly where the family gathers. Meanwhile, secondary areas utilize conventional framing. This hybrid approach perfectly balances budget and breathtaking craftsmanship, allowing the homeowners to experience the distinct character and permanence of a timber frame without the requirement of a full-structure build.

Discover a cozy cottage kitchen where timeless elegance meets modern allure, enveloped in a palette of pristine white, rich dark green, and warm rift oak. The space exudes a sense of tranquillity and refinement, with crisp white surfaces creating an inviting backdrop for culinary creativity. Bold dark green accents inject a pop of personality, infusing the room with energy and character. Meanwhile, the natural beauty of rift oak adds a touch of rustic charm, grounding the space in earthy warmth. With its seamless blend of classic design and contemporary flair, this kitchen is a haven for culinary inspiration and heartfelt gatherings.

Brunswick Parlour transforms a Victorian cottage into a hard-working, personalised home for a family of four. Our clients loved the character of their Brunswick terrace home, but not its inefficient floor plan and poor year-round thermal control. They didn't need more space, they just needed their space to work harder. The front bedrooms remain largely untouched, retaining their Victorian features and only introducing new cabinetry. Meanwhile, the main bedroom’s previously pokey en suite and wardrobe have been expanded, adorned with custom cabinetry and illuminated via a generous skylight. At the rear of the house, we reimagined the floor plan to establish shared spaces suited to the family’s lifestyle. Flanked by the dining and living rooms, the kitchen has been reoriented into a more efficient layout and features custom cabinetry that uses every available inch. In the dining room, the Swiss Army Knife of utility cabinets unfolds to reveal a laundry, more custom cabinetry, and a craft station with a retractable desk. Beautiful materiality throughout infuses the home with warmth and personality, featuring Blackbutt timber flooring and cabinetry, and selective pops of green and pink tones. The house now works hard in a thermal sense too. Insulation and glazing were updated to best practice standard, and we’ve introduced several temperature control tools. Hydronic heating installed throughout the house is complemented by an evaporative cooling system and operable skylight. The result is a lush, tactile home that increases the effectiveness of every existing inch to enhance daily life for our clients, proving that good design doesn’t need to add space to add value.

It was important not to interrupt the dynamic of this home's historic Church Hill neighborhood, and so all the exterior changes were kept to the back of the house, with the front remaining mostly unchanged. Although the front of the house doesn’t give away its secrets, the back of the house is an unexpected but delightful surprise. Embracing the new rear addition is the home’s original brick wall. Architectural design as well as Commission of Architectural Review requirements put a lot of emphasis on keeping the original masonry intact, which was no small feat. It took a lot of planning, some delicate demolition and talented carpentry to ensure this piece of history remained. In addition to the brick wall, other original aspects of the home were carefully preserved including the windows, floors and much of the trim work. Meanwhile all new, modern plumbing and fixtures were installed and custom cabinetry with inset routed “handles” were fabricated by Polosko Woodworks. Inside the home is even more appreciation of the original masonry with exposed brick walls in the primary bath.

Not everyone would see the hidden beauty in the Yonkers property destined for the wrecking ball in 2000. But one family took the serious fixer-upper under their wing. Crumbling walls, overgrown maples (indeed, saplings were busting through the brick walls), and deer living in the basement was the state of affairs when Westover Landscape Design initially arrived on the scene. A year of intensive, meticulous, thoughtful renovation by the homeowner followed while the house was brought up to speed. When the last construction machine finally rumbled out, that’s when Robert Welsch and his crew began their odyssey. The goal was to honor the newly restored relic and deliver it into the future with fitting surroundings. “We wanted to bring that treasure back to life,” Robert Welsch explains. Working closely with the homeowner as well as the city of Yonkers to guide the restoration, their first feat was to install a proper drainage system with catchments capable of keeping storm water from the massive roof flowing away. Before anything was visible on the surface, extensive work was accomplished underground. Meanwhile, a plan was drafted to honor the era of the house. Westover chose bluestone as the primary path material for its easy maintenance and simplicity when laying the swank configuration of pathways around the house and outward to an entertaining pavilion. By cleverly hemming the bluestone with period brick that echoes the building material for the house for continuity, the result is a smart and sophisticated finish to a promenade that constantly draws the family and their pets outdoors. Brick was also used to rebuild the walled gardens for the much-needed privacy in a close-knit Yonkers community. And a graceful wrought iron gate enhances the arrival experience. But walls and gates were not the only element to screen and reveal views—plant selection was critical. Few landscapers would go the extra mile to find period perfect plants for a 19th Century restoration, but Robert Welsch saw the importance of authenticity in creating the mood. He repeated large trees—such as an exquisite London plane tree in the front yard—to balance the expression in the back. Recognizing the need for immediate stature, he selected a weeping willow to gain instant volume, giving the landscape a sense of deep roots. A weeping Camperdown elm adds sophisticated drama to the walled stroll gardens. Hydrangeas were incorporated for their billowy stature, easy maintenance, and long blooming season. Similarly, all the plants in residence play their part in the display that goes beyond the usual spring fling to extend throughout the growing season—offering visual interest even when they are not performing. From spring bulbs to autumn perennials, there is never a dull moment. Meanwhile, every step along the way was a collaboration working hand-in-hand with the homeowner and the city to make certain that the historic landmark status of the property was upheld and honored. The result goes beyond a landscape that is just old faithful. It adds life to the picture, creating a jewel-like setting for the newly proud house. In a word, it is sublime. By planting wisely and using sustainable elements, the restored house and its surroundings are ready for the next generation and beyond. This Yonkers gem remains meticulously groomed under the watchful eye and skill of Westover Landscape Design’s team of gardeners—It’s a keeper.

Photos by Valerie Wilcox
Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Toronto

Nursery - nursery idea in Edinburgh

In this project, Rochman Design Build converted an unfinished basement of a new Ann Arbor home into a stunning home pub and entertaining area, with commercial grade space for the owners' craft brewing passion. The feel is that of a speakeasy as a dark and hidden gem found in prohibition time. The materials include charcoal stained concrete floor, an arched wall veneered with red brick, and an exposed ceiling structure painted black. Bright copper is used as the sparkling gem with a pressed-tin-type ceiling over the bar area, which seats 10, copper bar top and concrete counters. Old style light fixtures with bare Edison bulbs, well placed LED accent lights under the bar top, thick shelves, steel supports and copper rivet connections accent the feel of the 6 active taps old-style pub. Meanwhile, the brewing room is splendidly modern with large scale brewing equipment, commercial ventilation hood, wash down facilities and specialty equipment. A large window allows a full view into the brewing room from the pub sitting area. In addition, the space is large enough to feel cozy enough for 4 around a high-top table or entertain a large gathering of 50. The basement remodel also includes a wine cellar, a guest bathroom and a room that can be used either as guest room or game room, and a storage area.

When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950’s. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the décor with a painting from my client’s father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Grey from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.

It was important not to interrupt the dynamic of this home's historic Church Hill neighborhood, and so all the exterior changes were kept to the back of the house, with the front remaining mostly unchanged. Although the front of the house doesn’t give away its secrets, the back of the house is an unexpected but delightful surprise. Embracing the new rear addition is the home’s original brick wall. Architectural design as well as Commission of Architectural Review requirements put a lot of emphasis on keeping the original masonry intact, which was no small feat. It took a lot of planning, some delicate demolition and talented carpentry to ensure this piece of history remained. In addition to the brick wall, other original aspects of the home were carefully preserved including the windows, floors and much of the trim work. Meanwhile all new, modern plumbing and fixtures were installed and custom cabinetry with inset routed “handles” were fabricated by Polosko Woodworks. Inside the home is even more appreciation of the original masonry with exposed brick walls in the primary bath.

It was important not to interrupt the dynamic of this home's historic Church Hill neighborhood, and so all the exterior changes were kept to the back of the house, with the front remaining mostly unchanged. Although the front of the house doesn’t give away its secrets, the back of the house is an unexpected but delightful surprise. Embracing the new rear addition is the home’s original brick wall. Architectural design as well as Commission of Architectural Review requirements put a lot of emphasis on keeping the original masonry intact, which was no small feat. It took a lot of planning, some delicate demolition and talented carpentry to ensure this piece of history remained. In addition to the brick wall, other original aspects of the home were carefully preserved including the windows, floors and much of the trim work. Meanwhile all new, modern plumbing and fixtures were installed and custom cabinetry with inset routed “handles” were fabricated by Polosko Woodworks. Inside the home is even more appreciation of the original masonry with exposed brick walls in the primary bath.

The space is now vibrant and functional. The incorporation of simple and affordable white subway tile mounted vertically, creates a sense of "height" in the bathroom. The custom cabinetry was key. This custom vanity offers ample drawer and closed storage in the condo sized hall bathroom. Meanwhile, the custom linen cabinet, which is recessed into the wall, increases the storage options without losing any main floor space. Another perk...the bottom compartment of the linen cabinet houses the litterbox - a great feature for our client to conveniently hide it when entertaining guests. Even the furry members of the family are taken into account during our design process. Photo: Virtual 360NY

Not everyone would see the hidden beauty in the Yonkers property destined for the wrecking ball in 2000. But one family took the serious fixer-upper under their wing. Crumbling walls, overgrown maples (indeed, saplings were busting through the brick walls), and deer living in the basement was the state of affairs when Westover Landscape Design initially arrived on the scene. A year of intensive, meticulous, thoughtful renovation by the homeowner followed while the house was brought up to speed. When the last construction machine finally rumbled out, that’s when Robert Welsch and his crew began their odyssey. The goal was to honor the newly restored relic and deliver it into the future with fitting surroundings. “We wanted to bring that treasure back to life,” Robert Welsch explains. Working closely with the homeowner as well as the city of Yonkers to guide the restoration, their first feat was to install a proper drainage system with catchments capable of keeping storm water from the massive roof flowing away. Before anything was visible on the surface, extensive work was accomplished underground. Meanwhile, a plan was drafted to honor the era of the house. Westover chose bluestone as the primary path material for its easy maintenance and simplicity when laying the swank configuration of pathways around the house and outward to an entertaining pavilion. By cleverly hemming the bluestone with period brick that echoes the building material for the house for continuity, the result is a smart and sophisticated finish to a promenade that constantly draws the family and their pets outdoors. Brick was also used to rebuild the walled gardens for the much-needed privacy in a close-knit Yonkers community. And a graceful wrought iron gate enhances the arrival experience. But walls and gates were not the only element to screen and reveal views—plant selection was critical. Few landscapers would go the extra mile to find period perfect plants for a 19th Century restoration, but Robert Welsch saw the importance of authenticity in creating the mood. He repeated large trees—such as an exquisite London plane tree in the front yard—to balance the expression in the back. Recognizing the need for immediate stature, he selected a weeping willow to gain instant volume, giving the landscape a sense of deep roots. A weeping Camperdown elm adds sophisticated drama to the walled stroll gardens. Hydrangeas were incorporated for their billowy stature, easy maintenance, and long blooming season. Similarly, all the plants in residence play their part in the display that goes beyond the usual spring fling to extend throughout the growing season—offering visual interest even when they are not performing. From spring bulbs to autumn perennials, there is never a dull moment. Meanwhile, every step along the way was a collaboration working hand-in-hand with the homeowner and the city to make certain that the historic landmark status of the property was upheld and honored. The result goes beyond a landscape that is just old faithful. It adds life to the picture, creating a jewel-like setting for the newly proud house. In a word, it is sublime. By planting wisely and using sustainable elements, the restored house and its surroundings are ready for the next generation and beyond. This Yonkers gem remains meticulously groomed under the watchful eye and skill of Westover Landscape Design’s team of gardeners—It’s a keeper.

Goals While their home provided them with enough square footage, the original layout caused for many rooms to be underutilized. The closed off kitchen and dining room were disconnected from the other common spaces of the home causing problems with circulation and limited sight-lines. A tucked-away powder room was also inaccessible from the entryway and main living spaces in the house. Our Design Solution We sought out to improve the functionality of this home by opening up walls, relocating rooms, and connecting the entryway to the mudroom. By moving the kitchen into the formerly over-sized family room, it was able to really become the heart of the home with access from all of the other rooms in the house. Meanwhile, the adjacent family room was made into a cozy, comfortable space with updated fireplace and new cathedral style ceiling with skylights. The powder room was relocated to be off of the entry, making it more accessible for guests. A transitional style with rustic accents was used throughout the remodel for a cohesive first floor design. White and black cabinets were complimented with brass hardware and custom wood features, including a hood top and accent wall over the fireplace. Between each room, walls were thickened and archway were put in place, providing the home with even more character.

Nestled in a Mickleover home, this beautifully designed kitchen blends classic craftsmanship with modern elegance. This kitchen features the Hunton range from Second Nature, offering a contemporary take on shaker-style cabinetry. The cabinetry is finished in Chalk Blue, which is a paint-to-order shade, for a fresh and inviting look. Meanwhile, elegant gold cabinet cup pulls, and knobs provide the perfect finishing touch. The worktops are 30mm Calacatta Lincoln Quartz, featuring delicate veining that enhances the kitchen’s timeless charm. This luxurious surface provides both beauty and durability, ensuring effortless maintenance for years to come. A full suite of NEFF appliances integrates seamlessly into the design, delivering exceptional performance and modern convenience. Thoughtfully chosen details elevate this kitchen to another level of luxury. A Quooker gold tap with a matching soap dispenser offers instant boiling water and a refined aesthetic. The Rangemaster 1.5 bowl gold sink pairs beautifully with the tap, adding a cohesive, high-end feel. To complete the look, Amtico Herringbone flooring brings warmth and character, enhancing the space's traditional-meets-modern appeal. If you're ready to transform your space, get in touch with our team today.

It was important not to interrupt the dynamic of this home's historic Church Hill neighborhood, and so all the exterior changes were kept to the back of the house, with the front remaining mostly unchanged. Although the front of the house doesn’t give away its secrets, the back of the house is an unexpected but delightful surprise. Embracing the new rear addition is the home’s original brick wall. Architectural design as well as Commission of Architectural Review requirements put a lot of emphasis on keeping the original masonry intact, which was no small feat. It took a lot of planning, some delicate demolition and talented carpentry to ensure this piece of history remained. In addition to the brick wall, other original aspects of the home were carefully preserved including the windows, floors and much of the trim work. Meanwhile all new, modern plumbing and fixtures were installed and custom cabinetry with inset routed “handles” were fabricated by Polosko Woodworks. Inside the home is even more appreciation of the original masonry with exposed brick walls in the primary bath.

In this project, Rochman Design Build converted an unfinished basement of a new Ann Arbor home into a stunning home pub and entertaining area, with commercial grade space for the owners' craft brewing passion. The feel is that of a speakeasy as a dark and hidden gem found in prohibition time. The materials include charcoal stained concrete floor, an arched wall veneered with red brick, and an exposed ceiling structure painted black. Bright copper is used as the sparkling gem with a pressed-tin-type ceiling over the bar area, which seats 10, copper bar top and concrete counters. Old style light fixtures with bare Edison bulbs, well placed LED accent lights under the bar top, thick shelves, steel supports and copper rivet connections accent the feel of the 6 active taps old-style pub. Meanwhile, the brewing room is splendidly modern with large scale brewing equipment, commercial ventilation hood, wash down facilities and specialty equipment. A large window allows a full view into the brewing room from the pub sitting area. In addition, the space is large enough to feel cozy enough for 4 around a high-top table or entertain a large gathering of 50. The basement remodel also includes a wine cellar, a guest bathroom and a room that can be used either as guest room or game room, and a storage area.