Nestled in the heart of Kirkland, this condominium underwent a breathtaking transformation. While most rooms had a good layout, with living and dining room windows offering a stunning view of Lake Washington against the backdrop of majestic mountains, I opted to give the kitchen and both bathrooms a complete layout makeover. This intricate project necessitated the expertise of structural and mechanical engineers. Now, let's delve into the kitchen remodel—a true masterpiece. It entailed dramatic changes in layout, plumbing, and equipment placement. We closely collaborated with the client to craft a brand-new design. A primary goal was to create a spacious, functional kitchen space with ample storage, perfect for family gatherings. By removing two interior walls and retaining a structural column, we fashioned an inviting island with a cozy seating area.

A single-story rear extension has been added to seamlessly integrate home living with the garden. By incorporating flush seals, we have established a harmonious connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces. Maximising the roof space within the extension enhances the open-plan atmosphere, fostering a more expansive and connected living environment. The existing space, initially a dining room, necessitated the relocation of the kitchen from the front of the house to the rear. This transformation has given rise to a new area that now serves as an integrated space for dining, lounging, and an enhanced overall living experience.

This client brought me a catalog featuring entertainment furniture and asked if we could do something similar with built-in cabinetry customized to their needs. I replied in the positive and asked what their specific needs were -- what electronic components did they want, what would be stored here, did they want any open shelves for display or books, etc? Using primarily inset style cabinetry we created a built-in wall unit that includes storage drawers (for both their video library and for the grandkids toys and games), open shelves and display cabinets. Centrally we have the TV, video and audio equipment (infrared remotes necessitated the glass doors), and additional storage -- we used frame-less construction cabinets here to gain usable space inside the base unit. Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry, Galleria Raised

Full gut renovation and facade restoration of an historic 1850s wood-frame townhouse. The current owners found the building as a decaying, vacant SRO (single room occupancy) dwelling with approximately 9 rooming units. The building has been converted to a two-family house with an owner’s triplex over a garden-level rental. Due to the fact that the very little of the existing structure was serviceable and the change of occupancy necessitated major layout changes, nC2 was able to propose an especially creative and unconventional design for the triplex. This design centers around a continuous 2-run stair which connects the main living space on the parlor level to a family room on the second floor and, finally, to a studio space on the third, thus linking all of the public and semi-public spaces with a single architectural element. This scheme is further enhanced through the use of a wood-slat screen wall which functions as a guardrail for the stair as well as a light-filtering element tying all of the floors together, as well its culmination in a 5’ x 25’ skylight.

Full gut renovation and facade restoration of an historic 1850s wood-frame townhouse. The current owners found the building as a decaying, vacant SRO (single room occupancy) dwelling with approximately 9 rooming units. The building has been converted to a two-family house with an owner’s triplex over a garden-level rental. Due to the fact that the very little of the existing structure was serviceable and the change of occupancy necessitated major layout changes, nC2 was able to propose an especially creative and unconventional design for the triplex. This design centers around a continuous 2-run stair which connects the main living space on the parlor level to a family room on the second floor and, finally, to a studio space on the third, thus linking all of the public and semi-public spaces with a single architectural element. This scheme is further enhanced through the use of a wood-slat screen wall which functions as a guardrail for the stair as well as a light-filtering element tying all of the floors together, as well its culmination in a 5’ x 25’ skylight.

This complex project necessitated the installation of a new pad mount transformer onto the project site, moving all existing and future feeds underground–an unusual undertaking for a residence, requiring extensive coordination with the local utility and the City. Project pictures of the estate’s enormous kitchen provide insights into the massive scale of this project.

Full gut renovation and facade restoration of an historic 1850s wood-frame townhouse. The current owners found the building as a decaying, vacant SRO (single room occupancy) dwelling with approximately 9 rooming units. The building has been converted to a two-family house with an owner’s triplex over a garden-level rental. Due to the fact that the very little of the existing structure was serviceable and the change of occupancy necessitated major layout changes, nC2 was able to propose an especially creative and unconventional design for the triplex. This design centers around a continuous 2-run stair which connects the main living space on the parlor level to a family room on the second floor and, finally, to a studio space on the third, thus linking all of the public and semi-public spaces with a single architectural element. This scheme is further enhanced through the use of a wood-slat screen wall which functions as a guardrail for the stair as well as a light-filtering element tying all of the floors together, as well its culmination in a 5’ x 25’ skylight.

Challenge: Our clients wanted to modernize the look of their 1997 home, and update all electrical and plumbing infrastructure. Structural issues were apparent at the onset of the project with missing bearing points and beams that should have been incorporated into the original build. Solution: The work started with a complete strip out of the interior. Existing finishes, appliances, kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, electrical, plumbing, doors and frames, heating systems, all trim, drywall, insulation and vapour barrier were all removed. This left a bare wood frame shell which required some tricky structural changes to open up the interior necessitating load transfer modifications and additional foundations. The main stair was widened to create a luxurious ascent to the master bedroom overlooking the golf course. All bathrooms were fully replaced with a new kitchen designed to be open to the dining room and living room. The new interior finishes, and the essential design thereof, came together smoothly with all trades meeting agreed time frames and prices. We had a great time working with the client throughout the project. Communication was strong during the course of construction which resulted in a renovation that exceeded the client’s criteria and that also met our exacting level of quality.

Many recent renovations had already taken place at this phenomenal old Tudor home. The kitchen redo was saved for last. Our mission, imposed by our client, was to create a jaw-dropping, ultra-functional space for family and friends to gather in for years to come. Naturally, the new kitchen would have to reflect the style of the home seamlessly. One challenge was to incorporate very large professional style appliances into the space while keeping the feel of a stately, yet warm home. Custom wood panels were designed for the refrigerator units to give a furniture feel. A copper hood was designed to bring in an old world element. Wood panels were applied to all other appliances – two dishwashers, a wine refrigerator, and a beverage refrigerator. An iron I-beam that separated the original kitchen from the butler’s pantry and back entry was covered in wood with chamfers to match the other ceiling beams in the home by a local woodworker. Due to the age of the home, the outside walls are concrete block. This necessitated chiseling troughs into the concrete for electrical wiring. Ceilings were studded randomly, so finding openings for recessed lighting was hit or miss. A large cluster of wiring and plumbing to the second floor had to be hidden behind cabinetry to the left of and above the refrigerators. HVAC wasn’t straight forward either. Toe kick heaters from the old kitchen had to be replaced with other sources. A propane tank had to be added to fuel the large dual fuel, double oven range. The homeowner wanted to add a walk-in pantry for extra storage, so space was taken from an existing exterior space. This created the need for extra insulation, supplemental heat and added lighting. Needless to say, mechanicals were a big challenge. Natural stone was added in backsplash areas to the ceiling to mimic the rectangular stone on the exterior of the home. Wood panels fill the backsplash areas under wall cabinets. Large chandeliers light the space. Open shelves at the wet bar/prep area offer convenient storage for grab and go service items. A built-in pantry with antique mirrored mullion doors hides a microwave, several other small appliances as well as dishes and food items. This pantry was tucked into an alcove for an added architectural element. Herringbone wood floors are classic and timeless. Wrought iron hardware and shelf brackets fit right in. Large Barclay twist legs ground the island giving a nod to the Tudor style. Mission accomplished. Matt Villano Photography

Full gut renovation and facade restoration of an historic 1850s wood-frame townhouse. The current owners found the building as a decaying, vacant SRO (single room occupancy) dwelling with approximately 9 rooming units. The building has been converted to a two-family house with an owner’s triplex over a garden-level rental. Due to the fact that the very little of the existing structure was serviceable and the change of occupancy necessitated major layout changes, nC2 was able to propose an especially creative and unconventional design for the triplex. This design centers around a continuous 2-run stair which connects the main living space on the parlor level to a family room on the second floor and, finally, to a studio space on the third, thus linking all of the public and semi-public spaces with a single architectural element. This scheme is further enhanced through the use of a wood-slat screen wall which functions as a guardrail for the stair as well as a light-filtering element tying all of the floors together, as well its culmination in a 5’ x 25’ skylight.

The master bathroom is a complete change from the original layout including installing a bathtub where there was none, adding a shower on the opposite side of the bathroom and also moving the vanities as well as removing a wall between two rooms to create a larger space. The teak wood platform for the bathtub was an addition to the project after it was found out that the 4” slurry topper to the cement slab could not be 100% removed due to structural constraints. This necessitated us to move the plumbing to above the floor line so the platform covers this plumbing. Designed by Chi Renovation & Design who serve Chicago and it's surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on the North Side and North Shore. You'll find their work from the Loop through Lincoln Park, Skokie, Wilmette, and all of the way up to Lake Forest.

Design work for this eclectic 1900’s home in Maplewood started with making infrastructure improvements throughout the house. The new owners wanted systems that would be energy efficient and ecologically friendly. We installed a very high efficiency HVAC system, replaced the piping and plumbing throughout, and specified new super high efficiency windows. Other exterior improvements included new leaders and gutters, insulation, and new siding in some locations. These upgrades were balanced with maintaining as many as the original details of the house as possible. When you walk into the house, you still sense the original character and charm of the house, but are surrounded by modern amenities and environmentally sensitive finishes. Specific renovations include updated and reconfigured bathrooms throughout, a new kitchen, finishing of the basement, and repurposing of several rooms so the house would have better flow. In 2011 the family moved back to New York City, and new owners purchased this Maplewood home. We had the pleaser of working with them to design further improvements to the house necessitated by their growing family. We added a porte cochere, a family-room, and increased the ceiling height in their master bedroom. These improvements augmented our design work previously completed in 2008, and the house continues to be a blend of traditional old-house details with modern, contemporary furnishings that perfectly suite a family with young children.

The layout was sparked by the need to replace the refrigerator. The space previously allocated was too narrow to accommodate the new 36" wide counter-depth model selected, so we switched the locations for fridge and pantry. This necessitated replacing all the cabinets in this section. Previously a desk had been located next to the former pantry, but we didn't like the idea of having one next to the new fridge. Now this area is home to a wine-serving area, conveniently close to the dining table. A bank of wide shallow drawers houses up to 50 bottles. Wine glasses are housed in the cabinet overhead. The niche sparkles thanks to the mosaic backsplash in a mix of grey-toned glass, marble, and machined metal, illuminated by under-cabinet lighting. Note the modern update on the classic cup pull hardware.

Curtis and Peggy had been thinking of a kitchen remodel for quite some time, but they knew their house would have a unique set of challenges. Their older Victorian house was built in 1891. The kitchen cabinetry was original, and they wanted to keep the authenticity of their period home while adding modern comforts that would improve their quality of life. A friend recommended Advance Design Studio for their exceptional experience and quality of work. After meeting with designer Michelle Lecinski at Advance Design, they were confident they could partner with Advance to accomplish the unique kitchen renovation they’d been talking about for years. “We wanted to do the kitchen for a long, long time,” Curtis said. “(We asked ourselves) what are we actually going to do? How are we going to do this? And who are we going to find to do exactly what we want?” The goal for the project was to keep the home renovation and new kitchen feeling authentic to the time in which it was built. They desperately wanted the modern comforts that come with a larger refrigerator and the dishwasher that they never had! The old home was also a bit drafty so adding a fireplace, wall insulation and new windows became a priority. They very much wanted to create a comfortable hearth room adjacent to the kitchen, complete with old world brick. The original cabinetry had to go to make way for beautiful new kitchen cabinetry that appears as if it was a hundred years old, but with all the benefits of cutting-edge storage, self-closing drawers, and a brand-new look. “We just wanted to keep it old looking, but with some modern updates,” Peggy said. Dura Supreme Highland Cabinets with a Heritage Old World Painted Finish replaced the original 1891 cabinets. The hand-applied careful rubbed-off detailing makes these exquisite cabinets look as if they came from a far-gone era. Despite the small size of the kitchen, Peggy, Curtis and Michelle utilized every inch with custom cabinet sizes to increase storage capacity. The custom cabinets allowed for the addition of a 24” Fisher Paykel dishwasher with a concealing Dura Supreme door panel. Michelle was also able to work into the new design a larger 30” Fisher Paykel French refrigerator. “We made every ¼ inch count in this small space,” designer Michelle said. “Having the ability to custom size the cabinetry was the only way to achieve this.” “The kitchen essentially was designed around the Heartland Vintage range and oven,” says Michelle. A classic appliance that combines nostalgic beauty and craftsmanship for modern cooking, with nickel plated trim and elegantly shaped handles and legs; the not to miss range is a striking focal point of the entire room and an engaging conversation piece. Granite countertops in Kodiak Satin with subtle veining kept with the old-world style. The delicate porcelain La Vie Crackle Sonoma tile kitchen backsplash compliments the home’s style perfectly. A handcrafted passthrough designed to show off Peggy’s fine china was custom built by project carpenters Justin Davis and Jeff Dallain to physically and visually open the space. Additional storage was created in the custom panty room with Latte Edinburg cabinets, hand-made weathered wood shelving with authentic black iron brackets, and an intricate tin copper ceiling. Peggy and Curtis loved the idea of adding a Vermont stove to make the hearth-room not only functional, but a truly beckoning place to be. A stunning Bordeaux red Vermont Castings Stove with crisp black ventilation was chosen and combined with the authentic reclaimed Chicago brick wall. Advance’s talented carpenters custom-built elegant weathered shelves to house family memorabilia, installed carefully chosen barn sconces, and made the hearth room an inviting place to relax with a cup of coffee and a good book. “Peggy and Curtis’ project was so much fun to work on. Creating a space that looks and feels like it always belonged in this beautiful old Victorian home is a designer’s dream. To see the delight in their faces when they saw the design details coming together truly made it worth the time and effort that went into making the very compact kitchen space work”, said Michelle. “The result is an amazing custom kitchen, packed with functionality in every inch, nook and cranny!” exclaims Michelle. The renovation didn’t end with the kitchen. New Pella windows were added to help lessen the drafts. The removal of the original windows and trim necessitated the re-creation of hand-made corbels and trim details no longer available today. The talented carpenter team came to the rescue, crafting new pieces and masterfully finishing them as if they were always there. New custom gutters were formed and installed with a front entry rework necessary to accommodate the changes. The whole house functions better, but it still feels like the original 1891 home. “From start to finish it’s just a much better space than we used to have,” Peggy said. “Jeff and Justin were amazing.” Curtis added; “We were lucky to find Advance Design, because they really came through for us. I loved that they had everything in house, anything you needed to have done, they could do it”.

#thevrindavanproject ranjeet.mukherjee@gmail.com thevrindavanproject@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/The.Vrindavan.Project

Nestled in the heart of Kirkland, this condominium underwent a breathtaking transformation. While most rooms had a good layout, with living and dining room windows offering a stunning view of Lake Washington against the backdrop of majestic mountains, I opted to give the kitchen and both bathrooms a complete layout makeover. This intricate project necessitated the expertise of structural and mechanical engineers. Now, let's delve into the kitchen remodel—a true masterpiece. It entailed dramatic changes in layout, plumbing, and equipment placement. We closely collaborated with the client to craft a brand-new design. A primary goal was to create a spacious, functional kitchen space with ample storage, perfect for family gatherings. By removing two interior walls and retaining a structural column, we fashioned an inviting island with a cozy seating area.

Jennifer Creasser
Bathroom - traditional bathroom idea in Charlotte

New babies have a way to raising the importance of additions and remodeling. So it was with this project. This 1920’ era DC home has lots of character, but not of space or bathrooms for this growing family. The need for a larger master suite with its own bath necessitated a 2nd floor bedroom addition. The clients wanted a large bedroom with a fresh look while still harmonizing with the traditional character of the house. Interesting water jet cut steel doors with barn door hardware and cathedral ceilings fit the bill. Contemporary lighting teamed with complex tile makes a good marriage of the new and old space. While the new mom got her new master suite, the new dad wanted an entertainment space reminiscent of his home in Argentina. The 2nd floor bedroom addition provided a covered porch below that then allowed for a very large Asada grill/fireplace. Argentinians are very serious about their barbeques and so was this client. The fireplace style barbeque has a large exotic grilling area along with a dedicated space for making his own charcoal for the grill. The addition above provides cover and also allows for a ceiling fan to cool the hardworking grillmaster. MARK IV Builders, Inc.

Designed By: Sarah Buehlman Marc and Mandy Maister were clients and fans of Cantoni before they purchased this harbor home on Balboa Island. The South African natives originally met designer Sarah Buehlman and Cantoni’s Founder and CEO Michael Wilkov at a storewide sale, and quickly established a relationship as they bought furnishings for their primary residence in Newport Beach. So, when the couple decided to invest in this gorgeous second home, in one of the ritziest enclaves in North America, they sought Sarah’s help in transforming the outdated 1960’s residence into a modern marvel. “It’s now the ultimate beach house,” says Sarah, “and finished in Cantoni from top to bottom—including new custom cabinetry installed throughout.” But let’s back up. This project began when Mandy contacted Sarah in the midst of the remodel process (in December 2010), asking if she could come take a look and help with the overall design. “The plans were being drawn up with an architect, and they opted not to move anything major. Instead, they updated everything—as in the small carpeted staircase that became a gorgeous glass and metal sculpture,” Sarah explains. She took photographs and measurements, and then set to work creating the scaled renderings. “Marc and Mandy were drawn to the One and Only Collection. It features a high-gloss brown and white color scheme which served as inspiration for the project,” says Sarah. Primary pieces in the expansive living area include the Mondrian leather sectional, the Involution sculpture, and a pair of Vladimir Kagan Corkscrew swivel chairs. The Maisters needed a place to house all their electronics but didn’t want a typical entertainment center. The One and Only buffet was actually modified by our skilled shop technicians, in our distribution center, so it could accommodate all the couple’s media equipment. “These artisans are another one of our hidden strengths—in addition to the design tools, inventory and extensive resources we have to get a job done,” adds Sarah. Marc and Mandy also fell in love with the exotic Makassar ebony wood in the Ritz Collection, which Sarah combined in the master bedroom with the Ravenna double chaise to provide an extra place to sit and enjoy the beautiful harbor views. Beyond new furnishings, the Maisters also decided to completely redo their kitchen. And though Marc and Mandy did not have a chance to actually see our kitchen displays, having worked with Sarah over the years, they had immense trust in our commitment to craftsmanship and quality. In fact, they opted for new cabinetry in four bathrooms as well as the laundry room based on our 3D renderings and lacquer samples alone—without ever opening a drawer. “Their trust in my expertise and Cantoni’s reputation were a major deciding factor,” says Sarah. This plush second home, complete with a private boat dock right out back, counts as one of Sarah’s proudest accomplishments. “These long-time clients are great. They love Cantoni and appreciate high quality Italian furnishings in particular. The home is so gorgeous that once you are inside and open the Nano doors, you simply don’t want to leave.” The job took almost two years to complete, but everyone seems quite happy with the results, proving that large or small—and in cases necessitating a quick turnaround or execution of a long-term vision—Cantoni has the resources to come through for all clients.