David Ross, Barend Roberts
Inspiration for a contemporary master bathroom remodel in Other

Forest Road villa. The light-filled unique and eco-friendly home designed by Nico van der Meulen Architects is situated in Inanda, with views of the Sandton skyline to the north. The stand is 1511 sq.m. and the glass, steel and stone clad built home faces 15° east of north. Approaching the home, the first view is of the cantilevered porte cochere screen of suspended steel tubes with double sliding garage doors clad in dark limestone to blend with the wall. A steel sculpture by Regardt van der Meulen twirls on a podium next to the front door built of privacy glass. Upon entering the transparency of the house becomes evident with views out over the multi-level hall, lounge, spa and pool to the water feature and the garden beyond, as well as over the double volume family room, dining room, lanai and kitchen. A steel and glass structure enables the whole of the living/kitchen/ breakfast area to open totally through the use of frameless concertina doors to the lanai, pool and garden. Although the spa, pool and water feature are three separate bodies of water, the effect created was that it is one interconnected system flowing into each other. Sliding glass panels hide the bar and kitchen when not in use, creating a more intimate setting, while a skylight lit catwalk between the main suite and guest bedrooms allows views of the living spaces and garden through the brise soleil on the north side. On the catwalk a study, pyjama lounge and kitchenette are hidden behind sliding wooden panels. The study and pyjama lounge leads onto an expansive private balcony. The LED illuminated polished concrete and wood staircase cantilevers out of the wall with vertical steel bars acting as balustrades and supports at the same time. A recessed illuminated handrail forms a graphic line in the wall, while a hidden horizontal sliding door enables the owner to cut the upper floor off from the ground floor for security. The lanai and brise soleil on the north side cantilevers 18 meters by 6 meters unsupported by columns, partially over the pool. The lanai consists of a seating area, dining area and bar cum barbeque, seamlessly connected with the living spaces and kitchen, while the brise soleil consists of suspended steel tubes, to create both privacy and sun control. The breakfast room is situated on the north-east corner of the kitchen, to bask in the morning and winter sun. The main suite is also placed on the north-east corner of the first floor, divided by sliding smoked glass screens. The bathroom with a free-standing spa bath gets the morning and winter sun, while the bedroom is exposed to the winter sun. Expansive his and her dressing rooms are situated behind the bedroom and bathroom. On the opposite side of the building are two guest suites, both north facing with en-suite bathrooms and walk-in cupboards. A geothermal system is used to heat and cool the home, and also to heat the pool and spa. Nine boreholes were sunk to a depth of 100 meter for this purpose, and a special room created in the basement to house the equipment. The photo voltaic panels on the roof have an output of 10KVA, while rain water is harvested and the whole house is double glazed, except for the frameless concertina doors. Also in the basement is a home theatre with an adjoining light-well which allows winter sun to penetrate even this space through sliding doors into the atrium created at the bottom of the light-well. A window looks into the spa. The kitchen and built-in cupboards were built by Dada and Porro respectively, and imported from Italy by M Square Lifestyle necessities, while the interior design was done by M Square Lifestyle design. All the furniture was also supplied by M Square Lifestyle Necessities.

Photo: A Darling Felicity Photography © 2015 Houzz
Home design - mid-sized eclectic home design idea in Seattle

Inspiration for a contemporary carpeted and gray floor bedroom remodel in New York with white walls

Combining an everyday hallway bathroom with the main guest bath/powder room is not an easy task. The hallway bath needs to have a lot of utility with durable materials and functional storage. It also wants to be a bit “dressy” to make house guests feel special. This bathroom needed to do both. We first addressed its utility with bathroom necessities including the tub/shower. The recessed medicine cabinet in combination with an elongated vanity tackles all the storage needs including a concealed waste bin. Thoughtfully placed towel hooks are mostly out of sight behind the door while the half-wall hides the paper holder and a niche for other toilet necessities. It’s the materials that elevate this bathroom to powder room status. The tri-color marble penny tile sets the scene for the color palette. Carved black marble wall tile adds the necessary drama flowing along two walls. The remaining two walls of tile keep the room durable while softening the effects of the black walls and vanity. Rounded elements such as the light fixtures and the apron sink punctuate and carry the theme of the floor tile throughout the bathroom. Polished chrome fixtures along with the beefy frameless glass shower enclosure add just enough sparkle and contrast.

Removal of the walls that separated a once tiny kitchen from the dining room was like that feeling of relief when you unbutton those far too tight pants at the end of the day. It opened up the core of the house, let the daylight flood in, and provided a desired social connection between the cooking, dining, and entertaining experience, plus views to the front yard. One step towards achieving historic status to even apply for the MILS act - all the windows were replaced and returned back to their wood frame glory, and a previously modified window was returned back to it's orginal glass door and window configuration with direct access to the front porch. Existing harwood floors were patched and refinished, structural beams and footings were added as required, and all well worth the effort. The coveted island/ "command station" features a natural quartzite countertop, farmhouse sink, beautiful hand-painted tile, and uber comfortable counter height stools - perfectly proportioned to where the seat back will never get dinged up against the stone top and can tuck completely under the countertop when not in use. Tall, flanking pantries are convenient for everyday items, and deep lower drawers house all the necessities a home chef wants within arms reach.

Combining an everyday hallway bathroom with the main guest bath/powder room is not an easy task. The hallway bath needs to have a lot of utility with durable materials and functional storage. It also wants to be a bit “dressy” to make house guests feel special. This bathroom needed to do both. We first addressed its utility with bathroom necessities including the tub/shower. The recessed medicine cabinet in combination with an elongated vanity tackles all the storage needs including a concealed waste bin. Thoughtfully placed towel hooks are mostly out of sight behind the door while the half-wall hides the paper holder and a niche for other toilet necessities. It’s the materials that elevate this bathroom to powder room status. The tri-color marble penny tile sets the scene for the color palette. Carved black marble wall tile adds the necessary drama flowing along two walls. The remaining two walls of tile keep the room durable while softening the effects of the black walls and vanity. Rounded elements such as the light fixtures and the apron sink punctuate and carry the theme of the floor tile throughout the bathroom. Polished chrome fixtures along with the beefy frameless glass shower enclosure add just enough sparkle and contrast.

Entryway - transitional entryway idea in Baltimore

This is an example of a mediterranean porch design in Miami with decking and a roof extension.

David Ross, Barend Roberts
Contemporary one-story flat roof idea in Other

Our client had been living in her beautiful lakeside retreat for about 3 years. All around were stunning views of the lake and mountains, but the view from inside was minimal. It felt dark and closed off from the gorgeous waterfront mere feet away. She desired a bigger kitchen, natural light, and a contemporary look. Referred to JRP by a subcontractor our client walked into the showroom one day, took one look at the modern kitchen in our design center, and was inspired! After talking about the frustrations of dark spaces and limitations when entertaining groups of friends, the homeowner and the JRP design team emerged with a new vision. Two walls between the living room and kitchen would be eliminated and structural revisions were needed for a common wall shared a wall with a neighbor. With the wall removals and the addition of multiple slider doors, the main level now has an open layout. Everything in the home went from dark to luminous as sunlight could now bounce off white walls to illuminate both spaces. Our aim was to create a beautiful modern kitchen which fused the necessities of a functional space with the elegant form of the contemporary aesthetic. The kitchen playfully mixes frameless white upper with horizontal grain oak lower cabinets and a fun diagonal white tile backsplash. Gorgeous grey Cambria quartz with white veining meets them both in the middle. The large island with integrated barstool area makes it functional and a great entertaining space. The master bedroom received a mini facelift as well. White never fails to give your bedroom a timeless look. The beautiful, bright marble shower shows what's possible when mixing tile shape, size, and color. The marble mosaic tiles in the shower pan are especially bold paired with black matte plumbing fixtures and gives the shower a striking visual. Layers, light, consistent intention, and fun! - paired with beautiful, unique designs and a personal touch created this beautiful home that does not go unnoticed.   PROJECT DETAILS: • Style: Contemporary • Colors: Neutrals • Countertops: Cambria Quartz, Luxury Series, Queen Anne • Kitchen Cabinets: Slab, Overlay Frameless Uppers: Blanco Base: Horizontal Grain Oak • Hardware/Plumbing Fixture Finish: Kitchen – Stainless Steel • Lighting Fixtures: • Flooring: Hardwood: Siberian Oak with Fossil Stone finish • Tile/Backsplash: Kitchen Backsplash: White/Clear Glass Master Bath Floor: Ann Sacks Benton Mosaics Marble Master Bath Surround: Ann Sacks White Thassos Marble Photographer: Andrew – Open House VC

David Ross, Barend Roberts
Trendy boy kids' bedroom photo in Other

Combining an everyday hallway bathroom with the main guest bath/powder room is not an easy task. The hallway bath needs to have a lot of utility with durable materials and functional storage. It also wants to be a bit “dressy” to make house guests feel special. This bathroom needed to do both. We first addressed its utility with bathroom necessities including the tub/shower. The recessed medicine cabinet in combination with an elongated vanity tackles all the storage needs including a concealed waste bin. Thoughtfully placed towel hooks are mostly out of sight behind the door while the half-wall hides the paper holder and a niche for other toilet necessities. It’s the materials that elevate this bathroom to powder room status. The tri-color marble penny tile sets the scene for the color palette. Carved black marble wall tile adds the necessary drama flowing along two walls. The remaining two walls of tile keep the room durable while softening the effects of the black walls and vanity. Rounded elements such as the light fixtures and the apron sink punctuate and carry the theme of the floor tile throughout the bathroom. Polished chrome fixtures along with the beefy frameless glass shower enclosure add just enough sparkle and contrast.

Several years ago, Jill and Brian remodeled their kitchen with TKS Design Group and recently decided it was time to look at a primary bath remodel. Jill and Brian wanted a completely fresh start. We tweaked the layout slightly by reducing the size of the enormous tub deck and expanding the vanities and storage into the old tub deck zone as well as pushing a bit into the awkward carpeted dressing area. By doing so, we were able to substantially expand the existing footprint of the shower. We also relocated the French doors so that the bath would take advantage of the light brought in by the skylight in that area. A large arched window was replaced with a similar but cleaner lined version, and we removed the large bulkhead and columns to open the space. A simple freestanding tub now punctuates the area under the window and makes for a pleasing focal point. Subtle but significant changes. We chose a neutral gray tile for the floor to ground the space, and then white oak cabinetry and gold finishes bring warmth to the pallet. The large shower features a mix of white and gray tile where an electronic valve system offers a bit of modern technology and customization to bring some luxury to the everyday. The bathroom remodel also features plenty of storage that keeps the everyday necessities tucked away. The result feels modern, airy and restful!

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW As with most projects, it all started with the kitchen layout. The home owners came to us wanting to upgrade their kitchen and overall aesthetic in their suburban home, with a combination of fresh paint, updated finishes, and improved flow for more ease when doing everyday activities. A monochromatic, earth-toned palette left the kitchen feeling uninspired. It lacked the brightness they wanted from their space. An eat-in table underutilized the available square footage. The butler’s pantry was out of the way and hard to access, and the dining room felt detached from the kitchen. Lead Designer, Stephanie Cole, saw an improved layout for the spaces that were no longer working for this family. By eliminating an existing wall between the kitchen and dining room, and relocating the bar area to the dining room, we opened up the kitchen, providing all the space we needed to create a dreamy and functional layout. A new perimeter configuration promoted circulation while also making space for a large and functional island loaded with seating – a must for any family. Because an island that isn’t big enough for everyone (and a few more) is a recipe for disaster. The light white cabinetry is fresh and contrasts with the deeper tones in the wood flooring, creating a modern aesthetic that is elevated, yet approachable for everyday living. With better flow as the overarching goal, we made some structural changes too. To remove a bottleneck in the entryway, we angled one of the dining room walls to create more natural separation between rooms and facilitate ease of movement throughout the large space. At The Kitchen Studio, we believe a well-designed kitchen uses every square inch to the fullest. By starting from scratch, it was possible to rethink the entire kitchen layout and design the space according to how it is used, because the kitchen shouldn’t make it harder to feed the family. A new location for the existing range, flanked by a new column refrigerator and freezer on each side, worked to anchor the space. The very large and very spacious island (a dream island if we do say so ourselves) now houses the primary sink and provides ample space for food prep and family gathering. The new kitchen table and coordinating banquette seating provide a cozy nook for quick breakfasts before school or work, and evening homework sessions. Elegant gold details catch the natural light, elevating the aesthetic. The dining room was transformed into one of this client’s favorite spaces and we couldn’t agree more. We saw an opportunity to give the dining room a more distinguished identity by closing off the entrance from the foyer. The relocated wet bar enhances the sophisticated vibe of this gathering space, complete with beautiful antique mirror tiles and open shelving encased by moody built-in cabinets. Updated furnishings add warmth. A rich walnut table is paired with custom chairs in a muted coral fabric. The large, transitional chandelier grounds the room, pairing beautifully with the gold finishes prevalent in the faucet and cabinet hardware. Linen-inspired wallpaper and cream-toned window treatments add to the glamorous feel of this entertainment space. There is no way around it. The laundry room was cramped. The large washer and dryer blocked access to the sink and left little room for the space to serve its other essential function – as a mudroom. Because we reworked the kitchen layout to create more space overall, we could rethink the mudroom too – an essential for any busy family. The first step was moving the washer and dryer to an existing area on the second floor, where most of the family’s laundry lives (no one wants to carry laundry up and down the stairs if they don’t have to anyway). This is a more functional solution and opened up the space for all the mudroom necessities – including the existing kitchen refrigerator, loads of built-in cubbies, and a bench. It’s hard to not fall in love with every detail of a new space, especially when it serves your day-to-day life. But that doesn’t mean the clients didn’t have their favorite features they use on the daily. This remodel was focused largely on function with a new kitchen layout. And it’s the functional features that have the biggest impact. The large island provides much needed workspace in the kitchen and is a spot where everyone gathers together – it grounds the space and the family. And the custom counter stools are the icing on the cake. The nearby mudroom has everything their previous space was lacking – ample storage, space for everyone’s essentials, and the beloved cement floor tiles that are both durable and artistic.

David Ross, Barend Roberts
Inspiration for a contemporary flat roof remodel in Other

David Ross, Barend Roberts
Inspiration for a contemporary flat roof remodel in Other

David Ross, Barend Roberts
Trendy brown flat roof photo in Other

Interior Design: Liz Stiving-Nichols and Erin Dykman Architecture: Travis Ritchie, r+d studio Photography: Michael J. Lee
Bathroom - cottage bathroom idea in Boston