Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Example of a trendy pool design in Los Angeles

Custom made Red High Fire Paver with Pillow Edges. They have a hand look that will give your space a realistic view but with the quality of a High Fire Tile Paver.

This is an after picture after the Mexican tiles have been stripped
Inspiration for a rustic home design remodel in Miami

Armstrong Alterna 12" x 24" Durango Bleached Sand Floor. Alterna is a great alternative to tile as it is warmer and softer on your feet.
Eat-in kitchen - small victorian single-wall vinyl floor eat-in kitchen idea in Bridgeport with raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets and no island

Example of a mid-sized mountain style light wood floor hallway design in Boston with white walls

While we're refinishing your kitchen cabinets we can also add other touches. Cap the end of your cabinets with molding, we can add crown molding across the top. When some contractors finish installing their kitchen cabinets it looks as though the the cabinets are just hanging there. When we finish it can feel as though the your cabinets were built there and meant to stay for years to come. Remodeling an entire kitchen can cost over $10,000 when refinishing depending on your requests it's likely we'll be able to give you a new unique look for well under that cost. This home owner wanted to brighten up the kitchen from their older darker cabinets. Kitchen cabinet refinishing allowed her to pick the color and brighten the place up without the look of flat white cabinets. There are no kitchen lights on in these photos. Just a late afternoon, and it's still pretty bright in this space.

300yr. old reclaimed wood and iron x-base desk. Designed by The Good Home and Tim Hill Fine Woodworking. Built by Tim Hill Fine Woodworking. Photo by Maine Photo Co. - Liz Donnelly

The house gallery hedge was adorned with Asparagus Aethiopicus; Schefflera arboricola 'Variegata'; Ixoras (varied colors: pink, yellow and white).
Mid-sized island style home design photo

The transparent silver shimmer transforms the yellowish OSB-structure in cool and glamorous rooms.

D. Johnson
Elegant exterior home photo in Denver

Coffee Marble table Athena is made of two main elements; thin elegant handmade metal base and handcrafted natural marble top. This coffee table is perfect for two-seat or three-seat sofas. Graceful and elegant Athena will not take a lot of space but still serve its main function. Dim. 90x45x45cm Available in a gorgeous variety of marbles in either Nero Marquina, Coffee Marble, Calacatta Gold, Carrara, Verde Alpi, Hotavlje, Vetro Bianco and a variety of elegant polished metal bases in either chrome, brass or black.

This painting was a fun departure from the very traditional dining room in which it was placed. Photo by M Haven
Mid-sized eclectic dining room photo

The freestanding design has arms that slide independently to accommodate all bikes. Soft rubber cradles won't damage frame's finish.
Mid-sized urban attached two-car home design photo in Denver

The Glenview Haus Rustic Collection of front doors finds inspiration in the solid barn doors and American country style of living. Emulating the textures, different stains, and authentic materials from this American tradition, you will find many variations in these artisan-crafted solid wood doors.

This Denver Area home in Parker had failing composite wood siding. The homeowner elected to update the style and look of the siding by installing alternating exposures lap siding, a beautiful contemporary design. We used James Hardie HardiePlank fiber cement siding and trim, and painted with Sherwin-Williams Duration paint. The results were stunning and the homeowner was thrilled. Wouldn't it be great to love where you live, and get excited every time you pulled up to your house?

Carolina Craftsman Builders is a Craftsman Style Custom Home Builder in Charlotte, North Carolina. Neighborhoods Chantilly, Elizabeth, Plaza Midwood, Dilworth, and NoDa's Builder, Specializing in New Construction Custom Homes, Remodeling, Renovations, and Design.