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 best features of this loft were formerly obscured by its worst. While the apartment has a rich history—it’s located in a former bike factory, it lacked a cohesive floor plan that allowed any substantive living space. A retired teacher rented out the loft for 10 years before an unexpected fire in a lower apartment necessitated a full building overhaul. He jumped at the chance to renovate the apartment and asked InSitu to design a remodel to improve how it functioned and elevate the interior. We created a plan that reorganizes the kitchen and dining spaces, integrates abundant storage, and weaves in an understated material palette that better highlights the space’s cool industrial character.

The desire for a modern, energy efficient home on a modest budget necessitated a tight plan and simple, durable materials. The uncomplicated program consists of an open plan living space, master suite and home office, all with ample connection to the outdoors. Straightforward construction techniques yield light-filled volumes that take advantage of passive heating and natural ventilation. Coming in at a modest 1,700 square feet of living space with a 200 square foot detached garage, this dwelling delivers all the comforts of home in a compact package.

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.

This home in Bonita Bay, Florida is located in a development designed with a tropical, entertaining-friendly courtyard floor plan, barrel tile roofs, and arched windows. The only thing missing was a modern, elegant and functional kitchen where two chefs could work simultaneously and have better flow among the surrounding spaces. Having worked with Progressive Design before on three prior renovations, all in less than one year, Progressive was the obvious choice for their fourth major remodel—this masterful kitchen renovation. Challenge Ultimately, Progressive Design Build was tasked with transforming a closed-off kitchen into an open concept floor plan. The design and production team began working on a solution to the structural beam support—confirming its adequacy for supporting the loft above after cutting a few holes in the drywall. Secondly, the size of the current marble tile flooring was no longer available. We needed a solution that would seamlessly blend the new flooring with the old. Thirdly, the existing lighting plan was inefficient and would need to be updated to accommodate the new island location and kitchen layout. Solution Since the existing marble flooring tile size was no longer available, we designed a beautiful stone border between the new kitchen and the existing living space to create a small break in the two-floor patterns, minimizing the noticeable difference in the tile sizes. Once installed, we re-polished and sealed the entire floor creating a beautiful sheen and natural flow throughout the space. The new location of the kitchen island, as well as additional perimeter lighting, necessitated the need to move electrical outlets and light switches to a more convenient and intuitive location. This was implemented strategically using a well-thought-out lighting plan. The clients were thrilled when we suggested removing a sink from their existing wet bar (which was rarely used) and moved the wet bar drain to the new laundry room, located on the backside of the wet bar. Special features include custom-designed Dura Supreme cabinets painted in a white finish, for the kitchen, wet bar, and laundry room; Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, and an impressive gas range with downdraft at the cooktop. Results Not only was this Bonita Bay couple thrilled to receive all of their remodel wish list items, but Progressive Design Build was able to complete their project ahead of schedule and on budget.

Red glass tiles set into the diagonal blue glass tiles create the wave pattern. Getting the swerve just right, at times, meant moving one tile 1/8", thereby necessitating moving all the other tiles a very slight amount to maintain the smooth curve.

The best features of this loft were formerly obscured by its worst. While the apartment has a rich history—it’s located in a former bike factory, it lacked a cohesive floor plan that allowed any substantive living space. A retired teacher rented out the loft for 10 years before an unexpected fire in a lower apartment necessitated a full building overhaul. He jumped at the chance to renovate the apartment and asked InSitu to design a remodel to improve how it functioned and elevate the interior. We created a plan that reorganizes the kitchen and dining spaces, integrates abundant storage, and weaves in an understated material palette that better highlights the space’s cool industrial character.

Siesta House spills out onto its site from a set of stacked and interlocking volumes that hold similarly interwoven spaces. Organized around a central breezeway clad in thin planks of warm wood, the house’s spaces are split into two zones: a primary living area for the owners and a set of private spaces for their adult children and grandchildren. The site’s location in a flood zone necessitated a six-foot elevation change between the first floor and grade. To negotiate this difference, we designed a courtyard at the level of the first floor that connects the interior to the pool area just beyond. From there, a series of concrete plinths cascade from the courtyard level gently back down to the land. Here, the steps, rather than distancing the house from the ground through unoccupied space, tangibly link the two. The connection between inside and outside, built and natural, is felt throughout the home. Large glass panels delineate a delicate line between the courtyard and the interior living space that disappears when the panels are opened, folded and stacked. Upstairs, carefully placed openings capture sea breezes and frame views in the distance, while a large window on the third-floor filters northern sunlight into the main living spaces three stories below. Recessed wood clad balconies provide private exterior nooks for each bedroom and mitigate the effects of west facing sunlight. Interior and exterior staircases connect the spaces of the home and culminate in a roof deck that allows peeks through the treetops to the Gulf of Mexico and the horizon beyond.

The complete Fire Magic outdoor kitchen with a trash bin, refrigerator, power burner and storage doors.
Example of a trendy patio design in Other

This new construction timber lake house kitchen captures the long water views from both the island prep sink and perimeter clean up sink, which are both flanked by their own respective dishwashers. The homeowners often entertain parties of 14 to 20 friends and family who love to congregate in the kitchen and adjoining keeping room which necessitated the six-place snack bar. Although a large space overall, the work triangle was kept tight. Gourmet chef appliances include 2 warming drawers, 2 ovens and a steam oven, and a microwave, with a hidden drop-down TV tucked between them.

Built in 1997, this home’s original kitchen had great bones, but an impractical appliance and cabinetry layout obstructed the room’s natural flow, necessitating a makeover to improve form and function. A new appliance arrangement, custom cabinetry, and updated finishes resulted in a wow-worthy space that is as functional as it is stylish.

A wine bar off this new construction timber lake house kitchen captures the long water views from both the island prep sink and perimeter clean up sink, which are both flanked by their own respective dishwashers. The homeowners often entertain parties of 14 to 20 friends and family who love to congregate in the kitchen and adjoining keeping room which necessitated the six-place snack bar. Although a large space overall, the work triangle was kept tight. Gourmet chef appliances include 2 warming drawers, 2 ovens and a steam oven, and a microwave, with a hidden drop-down TV tucked between them.

Photo: Danielle Sykes © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic kitchen remodel in Providence

Like its namesake, Santorini freestanding tub exemplifies romance with its beauty and history. Its graceful lines and pedestal base necessitate long, lazy soaks that, quite naturally, make bathers feel like royalty. Artisan-crafted and forged of high-quality recycled copper, Santorini pays homage to the copper bathtub’s European heritage and tells the story of generations of Mexican artisanship.

A matching buffet was added to the floor plan for easy entertaining. New pendant lights add a modern touch over the peninsula to enhance this wood themed kitchen.

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.

When this multi-generational family embarked on rebuilding their Palo Alto home, they had to rethink the entire design due to FEMA regulations. Located in a flood zone, the finished floor had to be raised 4 feet, necessitating a full demolition. This challenge became an opportunity to create a residence that better suited the family’s needs — with three bedrooms on the second floor and a ground floor in-law suite. Drawing references from the previous Eichler-inspired house, the new iteration features glass walls and expressed structure that recalls a midcentury design that is entirely modern. The great room opens onto the garden, where a raised terrace provides outdoor living space. Wraparound planters and tiered stairs ease the transition between levels, allowing the home to blend seamlessly into the neighborhood.

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.

The best features of this loft were formerly obscured by its worst. While the apartment has a rich history—it’s located in a former bike factory, it lacked a cohesive floor plan that allowed any substantive living space. A retired teacher rented out the loft for 10 years before an unexpected fire in a lower apartment necessitated a full building overhaul. He jumped at the chance to renovate the apartment and asked InSitu to design a remodel to improve how it functioned and elevate the interior. We created a plan that reorganizes the kitchen and dining spaces, integrates abundant storage, and weaves in an understated material palette that better highlights the space’s cool industrial character.