What a fun yet challenging project. After numerous space plan options, we've finally decided on removing a wall and switching it out with cabinetry that is functional for a kitchen and the dining area. We've added a peninsula at a 120 degree corner to expand the working surface, add bar seating and still keep the space open and inviting from adjoining spaces. Blueberry oak cabinets with satin brass hardware are balanced out with white quartz countertop and gray uppers. Wide plank vinyl helped keep this space masculine and formal while the stairs add a softer touch that's being complimented by warm tone furniture. To tie in warmth and masculinity, we've opted for custom miter-cut shelves in the corner. Windows give us great light and a corner cabinet can block a lot of it out, so floating shelves seemed most appropriate (no visible hardware). With a lot of material and colors, space still seems cohesive and inviting. Very formal, yet ready to be used for entertaining and day to day living. Hale Production Studios

The Ellis is a three-bedroom, two-story Cottage Home filled with character and charm inside and out. Functioning as an additional room, the large, covered front porch stretches the entire width of the home and serves as the primary entrance. It also happens to be a great spot to enjoy a family dinner or a cup of tea on a cool summer night. Inside, the comfort and charm continues: hardwood flooring, high ceilings, and numerous, large windows flood the interior with natural light, creating a warm and inviting space.

Example of a mid-sized minimalist single-wall light wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen design in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops, black backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

This dream bathroom has everything one can wish for an ideal bathroom escape. It doesn’t just look fabulous – it works well and it is built to stand the test of time. This bathroom was designed as a private oasis, a place to relax and unwind. Spa-like environment is created by expansive double-sink custom vanity, an elegant free standing tub, and a spacious two-person barrier-free shower with a floating bench. Toilet is concealed within a separate nook behind a pocket door. Main bathroom area is outlined by a tray ceiling perimeter. The room looks open, airy and spacious. Nothing interferes with the ceiling design and overall space configuration. It hasn’t always been that way. Former layout had serious pitfalls that made the room look much smaller. The shower concealed behind solid walls protruded into the main area clashing with the tray ceiling geometry. Massive shower stall took up significant amount of the room leaving no continuous wall space for a double sink vanity. There were two separate vanities with a dead corner space between them. At the same time, the toilet room was quite spacious with just one fixture in the far end. New layout not only looks better, it allows for a better functionality and fully reveals the space potential. The toilet was relocated to occupy the former linen closet space slightly expanded into adjacent walk-in closet. Shower was moved into the bigger alcove, away from the tray ceiling area. It opened up the room while giving space for a gorgeous wall-to-wall vanity. Having a full glass wall, the shower extends the space even further. Sparkling glass creates no barrier to the eyesight. The room feels clean, breezy and extra spacious. Gorgeous frameless shower enclosure with glass-to-glass clamps and hinges shows off premium tile designs of the accent shower wall. Free standing tub remained in its original place in front of the window. With no solid shower walls nearby, it became a focal point adorned with the new crystal chandelier above it. This two-tier gorgeous chandelier makes the bathroom feel incredibly grand. A touch of luxury is showing up in timeless polished chrome faucet finish selections as well. New expansive custom vanity has his and her full height linen towers, his and her sink cabinets with two individual banks of drawers on the sides and one shared drawer cabinet in the middle containing a charging station in the upper drawer. Vanity counter tops and floating shower seat top are made of high-end quartz. Vessel sinks resemble the shape and style of the free-standing tub. To make the room feel even more spacious and to showcase the shower area in the reflection, a full size mirror is installed over the vanity. Crystal sconces are installed directly into the mirror. Crisp classic white tile gives the room a timeless sense of polish and luxury. Walls around the perimeter of the entire bathroom are tiled half way. Three rows of 12”x 24” porcelain tile resembling white marble are crowned with a thin row of intricate glass tiles with marble accents, and a chair rail tile. Tile design flows into a spacious barrier-free two-person walk-in shower. Two more tile patterns of the same tile collection are brought into play. Rear wall is adorned with a picture frame made out of 12”x12” tiles laid at 45 degree angle within the same chair rail and glass tile border. Shower floor is made of small hexagon tiles for proper drainage. Shower area has two hidden from plain sight niches to contain shampoo bottles and toiletries. The rear side of the niches is made of glass mosaics for a waterfall effect. To showcase the picture frame inside the shower, the accent shower wall is washed with cascading light from a discrete LED strip tucked in a cove behind “floating” shower ceiling platform. Multiple shower heads (two ceiling-mount rain heads, one multi-functional wall mount shower head, and a handheld shower) are able to provide a fully customizable shower experience. Despite of many hard surfaces and shiny finishes, which can sometimes lead to a cold impersonal feeling, this bathroom is cozy and truly welcoming. This sense of warms is maintained by exclusive multi-functional layered lighting. Carefully designed groups of lights (all having a dimmer control) can be used simultaneously, in various combinations, or separately to create numerous different effects and perfect atmosphere for every mood and occasion. Some lights have smart controls and can be operated remotely. Amazing effect can be achieved by dimmable toe kick perimeter lighting. With the ceiling lights turned off, the vanity looks as if it is floating in the air. Multifaceted crystal fixtures produce cascades of sparkling rainbow reflections dancing around the room and creating an illusion of a starry sky. Programmable radiant heating floor offers additional warmth and comfort to the room. This bathroom is well suited for either a quick morning shower or a night in for ultimate relaxation with a champagne toast and a long soak in the freestanding tub.

Situated on the west slope of Mt. Baker Ridge, this remodel takes a contemporary view on traditional elements to maximize space, lightness and spectacular views of downtown Seattle and Puget Sound. We were approached by Vertical Construction Group to help a client bring their 1906 craftsman into the 21st century. The original home had many redeeming qualities that were unfortunately compromised by an early 2000’s renovation. This left the new homeowners with awkward and unusable spaces. After studying numerous space plans and roofline modifications, we were able to create quality interior and exterior spaces that reflected our client’s needs and design sensibilities. The resulting master suite, living space, roof deck(s) and re-invented kitchen are great examples of a successful collaboration between homeowner and design and build teams.

This project is a new 5,900 sf. primary residence for a couple with three children. The site is slightly elevated above the residential street and enjoys winter views of the Potomac River. The family’s requirements included five bedrooms, five full baths, a powder room, family room, dining room, eat-in kitchen, walk-in pantry, mudroom, lower level recreation room, exercise room, media room and numerous storage spaces. Also included was the request for an outdoor terrace and adequate outdoor storage, including provision for the storage of bikes and kayaks. The family needed a home that would have two entrances, the primary entrance, and a mudroom entry that would provide generous storage spaces for the family’s active lifestyle. Due to the small lot size, the challenge was to accommodate the family’s requirements, while remaining sympathetic to the scale of neighboring homes. The residence employs a “T” shaped plan to aid in minimizing the massing visible from the street, while organizing interior spaces around a private outdoor terrace space accessible from the living and dining spaces. A generous front porch and a gambrel roof diminish the home’s scale, providing a welcoming view along the street front. A path along the right side of the residence leads to the family entrance and a small outbuilding that provides ready access to the bikes and kayaks while shielding the rear terrace from view of neighboring homes. The two entrances join a central stair hall that leads to the eat-in kitchen overlooking the great room. Window seats and a custom built banquette provide gathering spaces, while the French doors connect the great room to the terrace where the arbor transitions to the garden. A first floor guest suite, separate from the family areas of the home, affords privacy for both guests and hosts alike. The second floor Master Suite enjoys views of the Potomac River through a second floor arched balcony visible from the front. The exterior is composed of a board and batten first floor with a cedar shingled second floor and gambrel roof. These two contrasting materials and the inclusion of a partially recessed front porch contribute to the perceived diminution of the home’s scale relative to its smaller neighbors. The overall intention was to create a close fit between the residence and the neighboring context, both built and natural. Builder: E.H. Johnstone Builders Anice Hoachlander Photography

This project is a new 5,900 sf. primary residence for a couple with three children. The site is slightly elevated above the residential street and enjoys winter views of the Potomac River. The family’s requirements included five bedrooms, five full baths, a powder room, family room, dining room, eat-in kitchen, walk-in pantry, mudroom, lower level recreation room, exercise room, media room and numerous storage spaces. Also included was the request for an outdoor terrace and adequate outdoor storage, including provision for the storage of bikes and kayaks. The family needed a home that would have two entrances, the primary entrance, and a mudroom entry that would provide generous storage spaces for the family’s active lifestyle. Due to the small lot size, the challenge was to accommodate the family’s requirements, while remaining sympathetic to the scale of neighboring homes. The residence employs a “T” shaped plan to aid in minimizing the massing visible from the street, while organizing interior spaces around a private outdoor terrace space accessible from the living and dining spaces. A generous front porch and a gambrel roof diminish the home’s scale, providing a welcoming view along the street front. A path along the right side of the residence leads to the family entrance and a small outbuilding that provides ready access to the bikes and kayaks while shielding the rear terrace from view of neighboring homes. The two entrances join a central stair hall that leads to the eat-in kitchen overlooking the great room. Window seats and a custom built banquette provide gathering spaces, while the French doors connect the great room to the terrace where the arbor transitions to the garden. A first floor guest suite, separate from the family areas of the home, affords privacy for both guests and hosts alike. The second floor Master Suite enjoys views of the Potomac River through a second floor arched balcony visible from the front. The exterior is composed of a board and batten first floor with a cedar shingled second floor and gambrel roof. These two contrasting materials and the inclusion of a partially recessed front porch contribute to the perceived diminution of the home’s scale relative to its smaller neighbors. The overall intention was to create a close fit between the residence and the neighboring context, both built and natural. Builder: E.H. Johnstone Builders Anice Hoachlander Photography

Diane Gassman This brick detail really sets this kitchen apart. Set between numerous cabinets for maximum storage and organization, this brick offsets the white finish and adds interest and creativity to the room.

This is by far everybody’s favorite space. The kitchen is definitely the heart of the home where the dinner is getting ready, the homework is done, and in the family room the whole family can relax in front of the fireplace, while watching TV, listening to music, or playing video games. Whites with warm walnuts, light marble, and splashes of color are the key features in this modern family headquarters. The kitchen was meticulously designed to accommodate storage for numerous kitchen gadgets, cookware, and dinnerware that the family owned. Behind these simple and clean contemporary kitchen cabinet doors, there are multiple ergonomic and functional features that make this kitchen a modern chef’s dream

Tuscan Stone Mantels uses a centuries old process to produce fine architectural stonework. By using this process, our stone is completely formed and finished by hand reflecting the beauty of natural quarried stone. By employing modern gypsums and techniques, we are able to offer products of strength and durability for numerous architectural applications such as mantels & over-mantels, entertainment centers, cladding, niches, shelving, corbels/brackets, molding, kitchen hoods, columns, pediments, and more. Tuscan Stone Mantels provides architects, builders, designers and homeowners with hand crafted stone products of exceptional beauty and durability.

Photography by Ken Wyner 2101 Connecticut Avenue (c.1928), an 8-story brick and limestone Beaux Arts style building with spacious apartments, is said to have been “the finest apartment house to appear in Washington between the two World Wars.” (James M. Goode, Best Addresses, 1988.) As advertised for rent in 1928, the apartments were designed “to incorporate many details that would aid the residents in establishing a home atmosphere, one possessing charm and dignity usually found only in a private house… the character and tenancy (being) assured through careful selection of guests.” Home to Senators, Ambassadors, a Vice President and a Supreme Court Justice as well as numerous Washington socialites, the building still stands as one of the undisputed “best addresses” in Washington, DC.) So well laid-out was this gracious 3,000 sf apartment that the basic floor plan remains unchanged from the original architect’s 1927 design. The organizing feature was, and continues to be, the grand “gallery” space in the center of the unit. Every room in the apartment can be accessed via the gallery, thus preserving it as the centerpiece of the “charm and dignity” which the original design intended. Programmatic modifications consisted of the addition of a small powder room off of the foyer, and the conversion of a corner “sun room” into a room for meditation and study. The apartment received a thorough updating of all systems, services and finishes, including a new kitchen and new bathrooms, several new built-in cabinetry units, and the consolidation of numerous small closets and passageways into more accessible and efficient storage spaces.

This wall of built-in pantry storage offers numerous height wood pull-outs and full extension slow close drawers below
Mid-sized transitional home design photo in Other

Character and charm are abundant in this main floor remodel. The home edged toward a traditional style going in and we chose to honor this feel and carry it throughout while updating the space. From a space-planning perspective, the first volley was to remove the wall between the kitchen and dining room and let the light shine in. And shine in it does! The numerous windows stayed in place and now do their job allowing light to flow from room to room. Those very windows are trimmed in natural white oak and paired with arched wood-cased openings to add warmth to the scene. Wood beams between the kitchen and the family room and new stone on the fireplace add a nuanced rustic touch while keeping with the overall feel of the home. These organic elements beautifully offset the crisp whites and blues found everywhere you look. A patterned tile offers visual interest in the backsplash and travels from the counters to the ceiling bringing the eye with it. Orb-like woven pendant lights lend texture and interest to the marble topped island and brushed gold accent task lighting hangs above the apron sink. When a traditional style is held in high regard, and implemented well, it is nothing short of priceless.

Using a different color for your island can add interest and make it feel like a free-standing piece of furniture. In this kitchen, designed and installed by Allen's Fine Woodworking, we used Medallion Cabinetry. The main cabinets are maple in Mission door style with White Icing paint. The island is maple in Park Place door style with Chestnut stain and picks up the rich colors of the vent hood and glass tile backsplash. Photos by Zach Luellen Photography, LLC

The client had Oak cabinets, circa 1990 with a raised panel cathedral arch style of door. The cabinets were refinished in a dark stain 5 years ago, which was done professionally. Unfortunately, the finish did not last and was peeling and flaking in numerous locations on the doors and cabinetry. The owners chose to have their existing cabinets refaced with Maple plywood veneer in a CC Café stain. The matching color solid maple doors selected were in a shaker style with a beveled edge detail; the drawer fronts were a solid maple slab type. New base shoe moldings were also added to complete the project. New Blum hinges were installed using Blumotion soft-close hinges. Amerock Antique Silver pulls were chosen to compliment the cabinet refacing project.

Using a different color for your island can add interest and make it feel like a free-standing piece of furniture. In this kitchen, designed and installed by Allen's Fine Woodworking, we used Medallion Cabinetry. The main cabinets are maple in Mission door style with White Icing paint. The island is maple in Park Place door style with Chestnut stain and picks up the rich colors of the vent hood and glass tile backsplash. Photos by Zach Luellen Photography, LLC

Studioteka was asked to gut renovate a pair of apartments in two historic tenement buildings owned by a client as rental properties in the East Village. Though small in footprint at approximately 262 and 278 square feet, respectively, the units each boast well appointed kitchens complete with custom built shaker-style cabinetry and a full range of appliances including a dishwasher, 4 burner stove with oven, and a full height refrigerator with freezer, and bathrooms with stackable or combined washer/dryer units for busy downtown city dwellers. The shaker style cabinetry also has integrated finger pulls for the drawers and cabinet doors, and so requires no hardware. Our innovative client was a joy to work with, and numerous layouts and options were explored in arriving at the best possible use of the space. The angled wall in the smaller of the two units was a part of this collaborative process as it allowed us to be able to fit a stackable unit in the bathroom while ensuring that we also met ADA adaptable standards. New warm wooden flooring was installed in both units to complement the light, blond color of the cabinets which in turn contrast with the cooler stone countertop and gray wooden backsplash. The same wood for the backsplash is then used on the bathroom floor, where it provides a contrast with the simple, white subway tile, sleek silver hanging rods, and white plumbing fixtures.

Studioteka was asked to gut renovate a pair of apartments in two historic tenement buildings owned by a client as rental properties in the East Village. Though small in footprint at approximately 262 and 278 square feet, respectively, the units each boast well appointed kitchens complete with custom built shaker-style cabinetry and a full range of appliances including a dishwasher, 4 burner stove with oven, and a full height refrigerator with freezer, and bathrooms with stackable or combined washer/dryer units for busy downtown city dwellers. The shaker style cabinetry also has integrated finger pulls for the drawers and cabinet doors, and so requires no hardware. Our innovative client was a joy to work with, and numerous layouts and options were explored in arriving at the best possible use of the space. The angled wall in the smaller of the two units was a part of this collaborative process as it allowed us to be able to fit a stackable unit in the bathroom while ensuring that we also met ADA adaptable standards. New warm wooden flooring was installed in both units to complement the light, blond color of the cabinets which in turn contrast with the cooler stone countertop and gray wooden backsplash. The same wood for the backsplash is then used on the bathroom floor, where it provides a contrast with the simple, white subway tile, sleek silver hanging rods, and white plumbing fixtures.

The client had Oak cabinets, circa 1990 with a raised panel cathedral arch style of door. The cabinets were refinished in a dark stain 5 years ago, which was done professionally. Unfortunately, the finish did not last and was peeling and flaking in numerous locations on the doors and cabinetry. The owners chose to have their existing cabinets refaced with Maple plywood veneer in a CC Café stain. The matching color solid maple doors selected were in a shaker style with a beveled edge detail; the drawer fronts were a solid maple slab type. New base shoe moldings were also added to complete the project. New Blum hinges were installed using Blumotion soft-close hinges. Amerock Antique Silver pulls were chosen to compliment the cabinet refacing project.