This brand-new guest bathroom, part of the second-story addition, brings both style and function to the home. A serene walk-in shower with glass doors serves as a stunning focal point, while custom-built-in cabinetry with a linen closet keeps the space organized. Playful sconces add personality, making this previously non-existent bathroom a bright and inviting retreat.

Hammer & Hand and architect Mitch Snyder transformed a hot, cramped, non-code-compliant attic space into a bright and functional master suite. The existing upstairs attic space had two small and hard-to-access bedrooms and a dangerous staircase. The team added a new dormer on the west side of the house which added an additional 195 square feet to the home. The new space includes a master bedroom, master bathroom with vanity and shower, separate water closet, laundry, walk-in master closet, and option to add a small bedroom (the space is currently being used as an open office area). Additional improvements to the home include an upgraded building envelope, insulation, high efficiency water heater, and minisplit heat pump. Photos by Mitchell Snyder Architecture.

This set of doors offer a semi-custom look without designing from scratch or disregarding the existing style of the home. The flush steel door along with the glass/steel door provide a nice contrast to the overall masonry clad home.

This duplex is located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood, which was once farmland on the estate of the Holmead family. The building was originally built in 1911 as a single family dwelling. The structure underwent several use changes throughout its history, including residential, mercantile/business (as a deli), assembly (as a place of worship), and residential again (as a non-transient boarding house). As part of the recent conversion from assembly/boarding house into three-level duplex residential units, the renovation of the existing building comprised a near total replacement of the original building elements with a penthouse addition at the top, various minor exterior modifications, new unit-demising wall, new interior partitions, new kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and media rooms. The new structure offers two roof top terraces, an areaway, and rear yard with concrete walkway.

Photo © Bruce Damonte
Powder room - contemporary powder room idea in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored walls and an undermount sink

Renovisions recently remodeled a first-floor bath for this South Shore couple. They needed a better solution to their existing, outdated fiberglass shower stall and had difficulty squatting to enter the shower. As bathroom designers, we realize that a neo-angle shower is a simple and minimalistic design option where space is a premium. The clipped corner creates an angled opening that allows easy access to the shower between other fixtures in the bathroom. This new shower has a curb using a combination of glass and tile for the walls. Taking advantage of every possible inch for the shower made an enormous difference in comfort while showering. A traditional shower head along with a multi-function hand-held shower head and a shampoo niche both save space and provide a relaxing showering experience. The custom 3/8″ thick glass shower enclosure with mitered corners provides a clean and seamless appearance. The vanity’s bead-board design in sage green compliments the unique veining and hues in the quartz countertop. Overall, the clients were ecstatic with their newly transformed bathroom and are eager to share it with friends and family. One friend in fact, exclaimed that the bathroom resembled one she had seen in a five star resort!

Atherton has many large substantial homes - our clients purchased an existing home on a one acre flag-shaped lot and asked us to design a new dream home for them. The result is a new 7,000 square foot four-building complex consisting of the main house, six-car garage with two car lifts, pool house with a full one bedroom residence inside, and a separate home office /work out gym studio building. A fifty-foot swimming pool was also created with fully landscaped yards. Given the rectangular shape of the lot, it was decided to angle the house to incoming visitors slightly so as to more dramatically present itself. The house became a classic u-shaped home but Feng Shui design principals were employed directing the placement of the pool house to better contain the energy flow on the site. The main house entry door is then aligned with a special Japanese red maple at the end of a long visual axis at the rear of the site. These angles and alignments set up everything else about the house design and layout, and views from various rooms allow you to see into virtually every space tracking movements of others in the home. The residence is simply divided into two wings of public use, kitchen and family room, and the other wing of bedrooms, connected by the living and dining great room. Function drove the exterior form of windows and solid walls with a line of clerestory windows which bring light into the middle of the large home. Extensive sun shadow studies with 3D tree modeling led to the unorthodox placement of the pool to the north of the home, but tree shadow tracking showed this to be the sunniest area during the entire year. Sustainable measures included a full 7.1kW solar photovoltaic array technically making the house off the grid, and arranged so that no panels are visible from the property. A large 16,000 gallon rainwater catchment system consisting of tanks buried below grade was installed. The home is California GreenPoint rated and also features sealed roof soffits and a sealed crawlspace without the usual venting. A whole house computer automation system with server room was installed as well. Heating and cooling utilize hot water radiant heated concrete and wood floors supplemented by heat pump generated heating and cooling. A compound of buildings created to form balanced relationships between each other, this home is about circulation, light and a balance of form and function. Photo by Philip Liang Photography.

While DC summers are long and warm (sometimes very warm), those summers are also shared with lots of flying insects. These clients wanted to replace their aging backyard deck with a screened porch to make the outside time more enjoyable. Some of their specifications included both a sitting space and a place large enough to enjoy meals with friends; a design that complemented the existing house, and a non-swinging door large enough to carry a large serving tray through. The door ended up being custom built using barn door hardware and extra large sweeps to keep the bugs out. MARK IV Builder, Inc.

This renovation/addition transformed a non-descript raised-ranch into a unique island home, better suited to its Vineyard Haven neighborhood on Martha’s Vineyard. A cantilevered bay over the garage draws attention away from the existing front garage doors, while a dormered addition off to the side beckons visitors to the reconfigured entrance. Other small, discreetly placed additions make room for a new stair hall, mudroom, and new full bathroom, while also enlarging the living room, three bedrooms, and the master bath. Katie Hutchison Studio collaborated with Geoffrey Koper Architect of Yarmouth Port, Mass. on the Vineyard Haven Raised-Ranch Renovation. Interior finishes by others. photo by Katie Hutchison

In Southern California there are pockets of darling cottages built in the early 20th century that we like to call jewelry boxes. They are quaint, full of charm and usually a bit cramped. Our clients have a growing family and needed a modern, functional home. They opted for a renovation that directly addressed their concerns. When we first saw this 2,170 square-foot 3-bedroom beach cottage, the front door opened directly into a staircase and a dead-end hallway. The kitchen was cramped, the living room was claustrophobic and everything felt dark and dated. The big picture items included pitching the living room ceiling to create space and taking down a kitchen wall. We added a French oven and luxury range that the wife had always dreamed about, a custom vent hood, and custom-paneled appliances. We added a downstairs half-bath for guests (entirely designed around its whimsical wallpaper) and converted one of the existing bathrooms into a Jack-and-Jill, connecting the kids’ bedrooms, with double sinks and a closed-off toilet and shower for privacy. In the bathrooms, we added white marble floors and wainscoting. We created storage throughout the home with custom-cabinets, new closets and built-ins, such as bookcases, desks and shelving. White Sands Design/Build furnished the entire cottage mostly with commissioned pieces, including a custom dining table and upholstered chairs. We updated light fixtures and added brass hardware throughout, to create a vintage, bo-ho vibe. The best thing about this cottage is the charming backyard accessory dwelling unit (ADU), designed in the same style as the larger structure. In order to keep the ADU it was necessary to renovate less than 50% of the main home, which took some serious strategy, otherwise the non-conforming ADU would need to be torn out. We renovated the bathroom with white walls and pine flooring, transforming it into a get-away that will grow with the girls.

While DC summers are long and warm (sometimes very warm), those summers are also shared with lots of flying insects. These clients wanted to replace their aging backyard deck with a screened porch to make the outside time more enjoyable. Some of their specifications included both a sitting space and a place large enough to enjoy meals with friends; a design that complemented the existing house, and a non-swinging door large enough to carry a large serving tray through. The door ended up being custom built using barn door hardware and extra large sweeps to keep the bugs out. MARK IV Builder, Inc.

While DC summers are long and warm (sometimes very warm), those summers are also shared with lots of flying insects. These clients wanted to replace their aging backyard deck with a screened porch to make the outside time more enjoyable. Some of their specifications included both a sitting space and a place large enough to enjoy meals with friends; a design that complemented the existing house, and a non-swinging door large enough to carry a large serving tray through. The door ended up being custom built using barn door hardware and extra large sweeps to keep the bugs out. MARK IV Builder, Inc.

The client had several requirements for this Seattle kids bathroom remodel. They wanted to keep the existing bathtub, toilet and flooring; they wanted to fit two sinks into the space for their two teenage children; they wanted to integrate a niche into the shower area; lastly, they wanted a fun but sophisticated look that incorporated the theme of African wildlife into the design. Ellen Weiss Design accomplished all of these goals, surpassing the client's expectations. The client particularly loved the idea of opening up what had been a large unused (and smelly) built-in medicine cabinet to create an open and accessible space which now provides much-needed additional counter space and which has become a design focal point.

Mid-sized elegant single-wall ceramic tile and gray floor eat-in kitchen photo in Raleigh with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, solid surface countertops, gray backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Hammer & Hand and architect Mitch Snyder transformed a hot, cramped, non-code-compliant attic space into a bright and functional master suite. The existing upstairs attic space had two small and hard-to-access bedrooms and a dangerous staircase. The team added a new dormer on the west side of the house which added an additional 195 square feet to the home. The new space includes a master bedroom, master bathroom with vanity and shower, separate water closet, laundry, walk-in master closet, and option to add a small bedroom (the space is currently being used as an open office area). Additional improvements to the home include an upgraded building envelope, insulation, high efficiency water heater, and minisplit heat pump. Photos by Mitchell Snyder Architecture.

This Winchester home was love at first sight for this young family of four. The layout lacked function, had no master suite to speak of, an antiquated kitchen, non-existent connection to the outdoor living space and an absentee mud room… yes, true love. Windhill Builders to the rescue! Design and build a sanctuary that accommodates the daily, sometimes chaotic lifestyle of a busy family that provides practical function, exceptional finishes and pure comfort. We think the photos tell the story of this happy ending. Feast your eyes on the kitchen with its crisp, clean finishes and black accents that carry throughout the home. The Imperial Danby Honed Marble countertops, floating shelves, contrasting island painted in Benjamin Moore Timberwolfe add drama to this beautiful space. Flow around the kitchen, cozy family room, coffee & wine station, pantry, and work space all invite and connect you to the magnificent outdoor living room complete with gilded iron statement fixture. It’s irresistible! The master suite indulges with its dreamy slumber shades of grey, walk-in closet perfect for a princess and a glorious bath to wash away the day. Once an absentee mudroom, now steals the show with its black built-ins, gold leaf pendant lighting and unique cement tile. The picture-book New England front porch, adorned with rocking chairs provides the classic setting for ‘summering’ with a glass of cold lemonade. Joyelle West Photography

Hammer & Hand and architect Mitch Snyder transformed a hot, cramped, non-code-compliant attic space into a bright and functional master suite. The existing upstairs attic space had two small and hard-to-access bedrooms and a dangerous staircase. The team added a new dormer on the west side of the house which added an additional 195 square feet to the home. The new space includes a master bedroom, master bathroom with vanity and shower, separate water closet, laundry, walk-in master closet, and option to add a small bedroom (the space is currently being used as an open office area). Additional improvements to the home include an upgraded building envelope, insulation, high efficiency water heater, and minisplit heat pump. Photos by Mitchell Snyder Architecture.

The existing wood paneling is a very nice feature to this space. Although the space is small, we maximized every inch by turning the furniture on an angle & placing the TV over the fireplace. Placing a large area rug helped to warm up & anchor the furniture.

Project: Full Ensuite Bathroom Renovation Location: Mississauga – Square One Area This full ensuite renovation focused on improving layout, comfort, and functionality. The original bathroom felt enclosed and outdated. The shower was dark, closed off, and had a low ceiling due to a bulkhead. A large deck-mounted bathtub occupied significant space and was never used by the homeowner. The existing cabinetry lacked proper storage and did not meet the client’s needs. To transform the space, we fully opened the shower area by removing the bulkhead and side wall, allowing for better light flow and ceiling height. The deck-mounted bathtub, old tile, and existing furniture were completely removed. The new walk-in shower features a linear drain with a non-threshold Schluter system, creating a seamless, clean look and improving accessibility. The custom glass enclosure was designed to maintain openness while defining the space. We installed a custom vanity to maximize storage and discreetly conceal electrical outlets, keeping the design streamlined and practical. Key features include: Zitta freestanding bathtub Tenzo freestanding tub filler Tenzo shower valve with thermostatic and volume control The result is a bright, functional, and thoughtfully planned ensuite that feels open, modern, and tailored to the homeowner’s lifestyle.