Search results for "Modifications" in Home Design Ideas

Photography by Ken Wyner
2101 Connecticut Avenue (c.1928), an 8-story brick and limestone Beaux Arts style building with spacious apartments, is said to have been “the finest apartment house to appear in Washington between the two World Wars.” (James M. Goode, Best Addresses, 1988.) As advertised for rent in 1928, the apartments were designed “to incorporate many details that would aid the residents in establishing a home atmosphere, one possessing charm and dignity usually found only in a private house… the character and tenancy (being) assured through careful selection of guests.” Home to Senators, Ambassadors, a Vice President and a Supreme Court Justice as well as numerous Washington socialites, the building still stands as one of the undisputed “best addresses” in Washington, DC.)
So well laid-out was this gracious 3,000 sf apartment that the basic floor plan remains unchanged from the original architect’s 1927 design. The organizing feature was, and continues to be, the grand “gallery” space in the center of the unit. Every room in the apartment can be accessed via the gallery, thus preserving it as the centerpiece of the “charm and dignity” which the original design intended. Programmatic modifications consisted of the addition of a small powder room off of the foyer, and the conversion of a corner “sun room” into a room for meditation and study. The apartment received a thorough updating of all systems, services and finishes, including a new kitchen and new bathrooms, several new built-in cabinetry units, and the consolidation of numerous small closets and passageways into more accessible and efficient storage spaces.

Our client, with whom we had worked on a number of projects over the years, enlisted our help in transforming her family’s beloved but deteriorating rustic summer retreat, built by her grandparents in the mid-1920’s, into a house that would be livable year-‘round. It had served the family well but needed to be renewed for the decades to come without losing the flavor and patina they were attached to.
The house was designed by Ruth Adams, a rare female architect of the day, who also designed in a similar vein a nearby summer colony of Vassar faculty and alumnae.
To make Treetop habitable throughout the year, the whole house had to be gutted and insulated. The raw homosote interior wall finishes were replaced with plaster, but all the wood trim was retained and reused, as were all old doors and hardware. The old single-glazed casement windows were restored, and removable storm panels fitted into the existing in-swinging screen frames. New windows were made to match the old ones where new windows were added. This approach was inherently sustainable, making the house energy-efficient while preserving most of the original fabric.
Changes to the original design were as seamless as possible, compatible with and enhancing the old character. Some plan modifications were made, and some windows moved around. The existing cave-like recessed entry porch was enclosed as a new book-lined entry hall and a new entry porch added, using posts made from an oak tree on the site.
The kitchen and bathrooms are entirely new but in the spirit of the place. All the bookshelves are new.
A thoroughly ramshackle garage couldn’t be saved, and we replaced it with a new one built in a compatible style, with a studio above for our client, who is a writer.
Find the right local pro for your project

Family room design by Du interiors
Photo by Elle M Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in Portland with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, subway tile backsplash and brown countertops
Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in Portland with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, subway tile backsplash and brown countertops

Interior design by Krista Watterworth Alterman
Example of a transitional open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room design in Miami with white walls and a wall-mounted tv
Example of a transitional open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room design in Miami with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

Example of a transitional dark wood floor kitchen design in Charlotte with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Scott Amundson Photography
Inspiration for a farmhouse enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Minneapolis with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a tv stand
Inspiration for a farmhouse enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Minneapolis with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a tv stand

Exterior Elevation of the Front Compound of Buildings. Photo Credit Cally.
Example of a country exterior home design in Charleston
Example of a country exterior home design in Charleston

Scott Hargis Photo
Mid-sized trendy light wood floor kitchen photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island
Mid-sized trendy light wood floor kitchen photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island

Tom Arena
Large traditional three-story brick exterior home idea in Providence with a hip roof
Large traditional three-story brick exterior home idea in Providence with a hip roof

Partial gut and redesign of the Kitchen and Dining Room, including a floor plan modification of the Kitchen. Bespoke kitchen cabinetry design and custom modifications to existing cabinetry. Metal range hood design, along with furniture, wallpaper, and lighting updates throughout the first floor. Complete powder bathroom redesign including sink, plumbing, lighting, wallpaper, and accessories.
When our clients agreed to the navy and brass range hood we knew this kitchen would be a showstopper. There’s no underestimated what an unexpected punch of color can achieve.

Side Addition to Oak Hill Home
After living in their Oak Hill home for several years, they decided that they needed a larger, multi-functional laundry room, a side entrance and mudroom that suited their busy lifestyles.
A small powder room was a closet placed in the middle of the kitchen, while a tight laundry closet space overflowed into the kitchen.
After meeting with Michael Nash Custom Kitchens, plans were drawn for a side addition to the right elevation of the home. This modification filled in an open space at end of driveway which helped boost the front elevation of this home.
Covering it with matching brick facade made it appear as a seamless addition.
The side entrance allows kids easy access to mudroom, for hang clothes in new lockers and storing used clothes in new large laundry room. This new state of the art, 10 feet by 12 feet laundry room is wrapped up with upscale cabinetry and a quartzite counter top.
The garage entrance door was relocated into the new mudroom, with a large side closet allowing the old doorway to become a pantry for the kitchen, while the old powder room was converted into a walk-in pantry.
A new adjacent powder room covered in plank looking porcelain tile was furnished with embedded black toilet tanks. A wall mounted custom vanity covered with stunning one-piece concrete and sink top and inlay mirror in stone covered black wall with gorgeous surround lighting. Smart use of intense and bold color tones, help improve this amazing side addition.
Dark grey built-in lockers complementing slate finished in place stone floors created a continuous floor place with the adjacent kitchen flooring.
Now this family are getting to enjoy every bit of the added space which makes life easier for all.

The cabinet drawers were designed to clear the drain while providing more accessible storage. The integral sink helps with cleaning.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary master beige tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile doorless shower remodel in Austin with shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an integrated sink, solid surface countertops and beige countertops
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary master beige tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile doorless shower remodel in Austin with shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an integrated sink, solid surface countertops and beige countertops

This home in the upscale Dominion area was completely transformed from an outdated rustic interior to a fresh and modern space! The kitchen has an upgraded island with Taj Mahal waterfall panels and mitered edges, similar to the rest of the kitchen Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and backsplash. The existing perimeter cabinets in the kitchen were painted a classic white lacquer finish. A new dual finish Blue Star vent hood was installed, along with gorgeous matching brass knobs and faucets.
The kitchen flooring is white oak herringbone pattern hardwood which flows throughout the house. The entryway has a brand new iron pivot door making for a seamless transition into the home.
This homeowner's guest bathroom was completely gutted and replaced with a quartz countertop, wainscoting dolomite tile on bathroom walls, and mother of pearl floor tile. The connecting guest bedroom was completely repainted and given a brand new look with bright blue and white wallpaper.
The powder room is to die for, with gold and black accents, a gorgeous new moss green vanity, and a black quartzite countertop with an golden under-mount sink.
Lastly, we completed the home bar area, installing a antiqued backsplash and custom lit floating shelves, perfect for keeping the homeowner's liquor of choice. It's 5 o'clock somewhere!

Situated on the west slope of Mt. Baker Ridge, this remodel takes a contemporary view on traditional elements to maximize space, lightness and spectacular views of downtown Seattle and Puget Sound. We were approached by Vertical Construction Group to help a client bring their 1906 craftsman into the 21st century. The original home had many redeeming qualities that were unfortunately compromised by an early 2000’s renovation. This left the new homeowners with awkward and unusable spaces. After studying numerous space plans and roofline modifications, we were able to create quality interior and exterior spaces that reflected our client’s needs and design sensibilities. The resulting master suite, living space, roof deck(s) and re-invented kitchen are great examples of a successful collaboration between homeowner and design and build teams.

Designer Fernanda Conrad of K&W Interiors chose Merillat Tolani Cotton white cabinets extended to the ceiling to maximize the space and give the illusion of height. Stainless steel open shelves provide roomy storage and enhance the decor. The white gloss subway tile used for the backsplash provides the classic, clean look our client wanted, while the mix of Formica laminate and unfinished butcher block countertops give the kitchen interest. The old carpet and vinyl were replaced with a beautiful engineered, hand-scraped hickory floor throughout the entire first floor. Lastly, our client needed a table to accommodate her large extended family. We custom built the table from maple finished butcher block and Cayenne painted chunky legs to give the room a pop of color. With a modification to the sliding doors, and the right appliances and lighting fixtures, this kitchen became the bright, welcoming environment with a modern vibe that has become the heart of this home.

Designer Fernanda Conrad of K&W Interiors chose Merillat Tolani Cotton white cabinets extended to the ceiling to maximize the space and give the illusion of height. Stainless steel open shelves provide roomy storage and enhance the decor. The white gloss subway tile used for the backsplash provides the classic, clean look our client wanted, while the mix of Formica laminate and unfinished butcher block countertops give the kitchen interest. The old carpet and vinyl were replaced with a beautiful engineered, hand-scraped hickory floor throughout the entire first floor. Lastly, our client needed a table to accommodate her large extended family. We custom built the table from maple finished butcher block and Cayenne painted chunky legs to give the room a pop of color. With a modification to the sliding doors, and the right appliances and lighting fixtures, this kitchen became the bright, welcoming environment with a modern vibe that has become the heart of this home.

An existing 70’s brick home nestled streets away from the beach, is in dire need of a transformation. The existing home had the bones to accommodate a substantial renovation, some modifications to the layout, adding an extension and exaggerating the existing raked ceilings in the main living area impacts the new home.
The home itself is a relatively disjointed 70’s home, so cleaver planning was imperative to make the most of the interior space. Large open plan living areas with adjoining outdoor entertaining was important. The owners are a young family who enjoy family and entertaining so interaction with the outdoor alfresco was essential not only for quality of living but to appear as a continuation of the main living area to increase the zone visually.
My client’s fresh approach; introduction of modern materials with a hint of Scandinavian and industrial, an improved working area and a functional space for cooking and preparing meals.
29


