Search results for "Obstacle" in Home Design Ideas
TVL Creative Ltd.Cramped kitchen be gone! That was the project motto and top priority. The goal was to transform the current layout from multiple smaller spaces into a connected whole that would activate the main level for our clients, a young family of four.
The biggest obstacle was the wall dividing the kitchen and the dining room. Removing this wall was central to opening up and integrating the main living spaces, but the existing ductwork that ran right through the center of the wall posed a design challenge, er design opportunity. The resulting design solution features a central pantry that captures the ductwork and provides valuable storage- especially when compared to the original kitchen's 18" wide pantry cabinet. The pantry also anchors the kitchen island and serves as a visual separation of space between the kitchen and homework area.
Through our design development process, we learned the formal living room was of no service to their lifestyle and therefore space they rarely spent time in. With that in mind, we proposed to eliminate the unused living room and make it the new dining room. Relocating the dining room to this space inherently felt right given the soaring ceiling and ample room for holiday dinners and celebrations. The new dining room was spacious enough for us to incorporate a conversational seating area in the warm, south-facing window alcove.
Now what to do with the old dining room?! To answer that question we took inspiration from our clients' shared profession in education and developed a craft area/homework station for both of their boys. The semi-custom cabinetry of the desk area carries over to the adjacent wall and forms window bench base with storage that we topped with butcher block for a touch of warmth. While the boys are young, the bench drawers are the perfect place for a stash of toys close to the kitchen.
The kitchen begins just beyond the window seat with their refrigerator enclosure. Opposite the refrigerator is the new pantry with twenty linear feet of shelving and space for brooms and a stick vacuum. Extending from the backside of the pantry the kitchen island design incorporates counter seating on the family room side and a cabinetry configuration on the kitchen side with drawer storage, a trashcan center, farmhouse sink, and dishwasher.
We took careful time in design and execution to align the range and sink because while it might seem like a small detail, it plays an important role in supporting the symmetrical configuration of the back wall of the kitchen. The rear wall design utilizes an appliance garage mirrors the visual impact of the refrigerator enclosure and helps keep the now open kitchen tidy. Between the appliance garage and refrigerator enclosure is the cooking zone with 30" of cabinetry and work surface on either side of the range, a chimney style vent hood, and a bold graphic tile backsplash.
The backsplash is just one of many personal touches we added to the space to reflect our client's modern eclectic style and love of color. Swooping lines of the mid-mod style barstools compliment the pendants and backsplash pattern. A pop of vibrant green on the frame of the pantry door adds a fresh wash of color to an otherwise neutral space. The big show stopper is the custom charcoal gray and copper chevron wall installation in the dining room. This was an idea our clients softly suggested, and we excitedly embraced the opportunity. It is also a kickass solution to the head-scratching design dilemma of how to fill a large and lofty wall.
We are so grateful to bring this design to life for our clients and now dear friends.
GramophoneThis project entailed updating a finished basement and boys' playroom that was underutilized and contained many design obstacles from lolly columns to mechanical equipment. The client wanted the space to blend with the eclectic old style of the rest of her home, and also wanted to incorporate a couple of existing custom millwork pieces. With three boys, all with varying interests from art to toy collections, the client needed this space to cater to their hobbies. Ultimately the clients received exactly what they wanted- a multifunctional space that all could enjoy that can only be defined as breathtaking.
Photography: Maryland Photography Inc.
Aleto Construction GroupA couple living in the Central West End in St. Louis wasn’t enjoying cooking in their kitchen very much. The reason soon became clear to them: It wasn’t their galley kitchen, it was their parents’- or at least a clone of their parents’ kitchen, complete with vintage 1980s cabinetry, floors, fixtures and finishes.
They needed something bigger, something smarter, and something from the 21st century. The biggest challenge was figuring out how to move walls to bring their vision to life. When they called Aleto to help them make their vision a reality, they worked with our designers to find a smart solution in the removal of the wall between kitchen and dining room. The new open space felt natural and connected, the perfect place to rebuild the perfect modern kitchen.
With the space obstacles overcome, the clients were free to dream big and Aleto helped turn their ideas into a practical kitchen work triangle configuration. With the expanded space, a large island with sink and dishwasher was added, with space for kitchen seating. The addition of floating shelves over bright, charming wallpaper provided both storage and showcasing opportunities for the dry bar.
Stately, modern blue cabinetry and top-shelf appliances put the perfect finish on this new center of the house. The dramatic focus of the stainless range hood, as well as the refined look of the broad stone backsplash, give the kitchen an interest – and a functionality – that the clients’ parents could only have dreamed of.
Find the right local pro for your project
BasementByDesignThis guest's view from the ‘porch-style’ swing bench seating overlooks the distinct basement areas, seamlessly brought together by espresso stained wood, rustic lanterns, walnut flooring and comfortably carpeting. The soffits overcome beam and utility obstacles to maximize height, eliminating the claustrophobic feel of many basements.
Michael Nash Design, Build & HomesThis townhome located on Lake Anna of Reston, VA own into a confined gall kitchen with a very limited cabinet space, short wall cabinets, big closet taking over big portion of kitchen, duct chase creating a big barrier, plumbing chases causing bulkhead and a bearing wall header to name a few of obstacles
Their dream was to walk in from front door and have a clear view of wall to wall scenic view of the lake.
Modernize the kitchen, eliminate bearing walls, lots of storage, upgraded appliances and so much more.
They have been chasing this dream for years and have been turned down by multiple firms due to level of difficulty of the project, budget constraint and as she put it “cleeking with a design firm that can feel her needs”
Our staff spent countless number of hours to hear her and bring her dream to reality.
The main constraint was the bearing wall on corner of foyer and living room, which was a closet, main duct chase and return ducts, obscene amount of plumbing and not to mention structural load.
By the way of re-routing mechanical chases, and reformulating all second-floor plumbing stack to back walls, and then inserting few structural beams that transfer the second-floor joists to front and back wall, we have accomplished the biggest goals of all and created the view open floor plan
Now home to a big island with cooktop and beverage center. The home has front to back clear view of the scenic lake.
¬¬¬With expanding the kitchen into front breakfast area, we have doubled up on storage and cabinet space.
Long line of gorgeous counter top and full backsplash under new Led lighting has glorified this kitchen project.
The linear porcelain floor tile has complimented the counter top and her trophy accessories.
Green Bay Remodeling Inc.When challenges arise, Green Bay Remodeling delivers solutions! This client called us ‘problem solvers’ after we transformed their space with precision and creativity. Watch how we tackled obstacles to create a home that exceeds expectations.
YORK ENTERPRISES LLCIt was time to replace/repair the exterior siding on this three story modern view home. The homeowners wanted a modern, unique look with low maintenance. We found three products, normally used for commercial applications that the homeowners loved. New custom gutters, Andersen windows and custom garage doors were installed. The biggest obstacle on this project was the elevation 56 steps. A new larger walkway was built with an upgraded railing. New structural concrete stairs were poured. A new roof, new exterior lights and a new front door completed the project.
Caroline Kopp Interior DesignCaroline Kopp transformed a small, beat up space and cleverly overcame the obstacle of an an awkward radiator that did not allow room for furniture, in this charming entryway for a client in Irvington, NY. A custom floating cream lacquer console perfectly fills the space and draws the eye away from the radiator. The beautiful custom mirror enlarges the small entry while the backdrop of grasscloth walls bring texture and interest to this elegant vignette. Tasteful accessories and a functional catchall tray complete the look.
Rikki Snyder
Tutto InteriorsThis Renovation was given a complete overhaul including additions to the home. During the planning stages of this home we had so many structural obstacles to contend with, but ended up being the most interesting and unique parts to the home. Our approach for this home was to have a modern organic feeling with Asian influence. The design process began in the kitchen and as the kitchen took on its own personality the other design elements throughout the home carried thru to a clean and classic modern style.
Photography by Carlson Productions, LLC
Thinkterior LLCContemporary Clubhouse
Bringing the outdoors inside for a bright and colorful indoor playroom perfect for playtime, arts and crafts or schoolwork.
Theme:
The theme for this inviting and playful space is a creative take on a functional playroom blending the contemporary and functional base of the room with the playful and creative spirit that will engage these lucky children.
Focus:
The playroom centers on an amazing lofted clubhouse perched against a custom painted pasture and perched on makeshift trees boasting the perfect place for creative adventures or quiet reading and setting the inviting feel for the entire room. The creative and playful feeling is expanded throughout the space with bright green patches of shag carpet invoking the feel of the pasture continuing off the wall and through the room. The space is then flanked with more contemporary and functional elements perfect for children ages 2-12 offering endless hours of play.
Storage:
This playroom offers storage options on every wall, in every corner and even on the floor. The myWall storage and entertainment unit offers countless storage options and configurations along the main wall with open shelving, hanging buckets, closed shelves and pegs, anything you want to store or hang can find a home. Even the floor under the myWall panel is a custom floordrobe perfect for all those small floor toys or blankets. The pasture wall has a shelving unit cloaked as another tree in the field offering opened and closed cubbies for books or toys. The sink and craft area offers a home to all the kids craft supplies nestled right into the countertop with colorful containers and buckets.
Growth:
While this playroom provides fun and creative options for children from 2-12 it can adapt and grow with this family as their children grow and their interests or needs change. The myWall system is developed to offer easy and immediate customization with simple adjustments every element of the wall can be moved offering endless possibilities. The full myWall structure can be moved along with the family if necessary. The sink offers steps for the small children but as they grow they can be removed.
Safety:
The playroom is designed to keep the main space open to allow for creative and safe playtime without obstacles. The myWall system uses a custom locking mechanism to ensure that all elements are securely locked into place not to fall or become loose from wear. Custom cushioned floor rugs offer another level of safety and comfort to the little ones playing on the floor.
House to Home SolutionsWe were thrilled to partner with our clients in updating and renovating the entire main floor of their inviting Silver Spring home. Tucked away in one of the area’s most beautiful and historic neighborhoods this once ultra-traditional-style home is now the ideal blend of past and present. Knowing that we were not only bringing their space current but also creating a tailored in-law suite for their mother’s upcoming stay — we got right to work on our mission of removing all obstacles to this family’s vision.
This comprehensive project includes a larger, more functional kitchen plus Great Room addition; in-law suite with bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette and living space; family room; and screened in porch / deck combination ideal for grilling, entertaining and enjoying the outdoors.
The expansive and open-layout-kitchen features Dura Supreme Shaker Cabinetry painted white and paired with glistening quartz counters. The space continues on and seamlessly opens up into the breezy Great Room and dining area.
The newly equipped Mini-Split HVAC System provides independent temperature control and the elegant Universal Design In-Law Bathroom ensures both safety and usability.
Hardwood flooring was installed and the existing flooring throughout was refinished to match — giving way to the smooth and continuous feel throughout the entire main level.
We are proud to have created and delivered this transitional redesign and remodel all while keeping a small footprint for the in-law suite and not losing any of the original space.
Drury DesignThe family liked having a general dining area as well as a formal dining room but wanted to change up the overall layout while opening up the kitchen.
Design Objectives
• Open up the space to the formal dining room and move the general dining area to be next to the living room
• Give the space an expansive feel
• Create multiple work areas
• Create easy flow/walkways/continuity to allow a family of four to move about freely and complete different tasks in the space
• Make the space adaptable for entertaining
• Bring in more natural light
Design Challenges
• Work around obstacles like the fireplace in the dining room and structural fixtures between the dining room and the kitchen
• Design a plan for a very big area that is proportional with no wasted space
Design Solutions
• A structural engineer was brought in to give options for relocating duct work and building a new header.
• Combining the old kitchen and dining room resulted in a great new space that was very long. This allowed us to create new workspaces across two islands.
• A contrasting color theme (bright perimeter cabinets and dark islands) helped ground the space, making it flow while still feeling intimate and inviting.
The homeowners love their new space and report that the aesthetic and functional changes allow them to do more, both individually and together. As a hub for everything their busy lives entail – from day-to-day routines to a wide range of entertaining arrangements – their wide-open kitchen handles it all while keeping the space and the family connected.
Masters CountertopsA young professional purchased a 40th floor condo with a stunning view of the lake shore. The tiny galley kitchen was dated and poorly designed. Limited counter space and few cabinets, made this a difficult and uncomfortable place to cook and entertain.
The age and the construction of the building made redesign very challenging. With patience and determination, we overcame each obstacle and created the perfect space for this client’s needs and lifestyle.
The new kitchen is open to the living space and shares its spectacular views. A large island dramatically expanded the cooking area, houses several appliances, adds lots of storage, and serves as the main eating area. The newly designed kitchen is the center piece of this lovely condo.
Thyme & Place Design LLCMy clients always wanted a fireplace in the family room but could not build the necessary chimney due to building restrictions. To overcome this obstacle we installed an Eco Smart bio fuel fireplace. which became the focal point of the room. Next we added custom cabinetry for storage which coordinated with the kitchen (which is an open room adjacent to this space). Custom furnishings from American Leather and Hickory Chair were selected for my tall client. High performance fabrics were selected to provide worry free enjoyment of the furniture. Finishing accent pieces from Charleston Forge add a warm and contemporary vibe to the pace. The dark stain is a beautiful contrast to the lighter colorway. As you can see there are 2 skylights and 2 very large windows so light is not a problem but sun and heat are. With the height of the ceilings, we needed a large but good looking ceiling fan to control the temperature. An oversize custom ceiling fan was chosen. The walls are a coordinated blue grey to compliment the Venetian plaster finished fireplace column. The rear wall is painted a contrasting color to highlight the fireplace and the built in cherry cabinetry. a Vintage Patchwork rug defines the furniture area and helps soften the sound in the room Custom artwork by the clients mother add the final touches. Peter Rymwid Architectural Photography
Great American LandscapesThe owners of this Laytonsville, Maryland home wanted easy access to their backyard as well as a large outdoor entertaining area to host their friends and family.
To create a more natural and authentic look, we installed flagstone steps to match the patio's architecture. An entranceway was added with landings on basement levels so that it is easy for the owners to access without any obstacles in sight! Finally: An ornamental gravel patio and trees were installed as well as an ornamental gravel walkway leading to the fence gate. As far as challenges go we had to be mindful of the client's budget and design around various elevations.
All in all, the client was delighted when we delivered their backyard makeover. They can now let the dogs out from the back door and have a great space for entertaining guests!
TVL Creative Ltd.This kitchen remodel in Lakewood has undergone such an amazing transformation from a dark, dated space to bright and functional! We experienced many obstacles in this tight space but was able to design around the challenges to create a beautiful and functional space. The original design intent was to bring the cabinets all the way to the ceiling but found out this wasn’t an option as all the soffits had interior mechanical systems and couldn’t be reconfigured. One solution was to raise the soffits on the range and sink walls to gain an extra 6” of cabinet space and build out the soffit above the refrigerator to create a custom built-in look. This extension of the soffit created the perfect opportunity for a narrow pantry cabinet facing the dining room which adds much needed storage space. By painting the soffits the same color as the cabinets, we were able to install the crown trim on top of the soffit in lieu of the cabinets to create the illusion of taller cabinets and lengthening the ceiling height. We omitted the wall cabinet to the left of the range to create a more open space both visibly and functionally. This provided the opportunity to install an accent pendant over the open counter which has been lowered to maintain one counter height throughout for a seamless look. Decorative door panels give the perfect finishing touches on the cabinetry and truly convey a custom look. The cabinets were finished in Waypoint’s Shaker style in Linen color and were paired with Amrock’s stunning gunmetal finish hardware. The existing floor tile was replaced with Daltile’s Forest Park Maple wood-look plank which now extends into the dining room creating a natural separation of kitchen/dining space to the adjacent Family room. The warmth of the floor tile compliments the Linen cabinetry color and Gunmetal finishes throughout. This beautiful kitchen offers a beautiful and functional design solution and we are thrilled our client can love their personalized kitchen for many years to come!
Designscapes of Long IslandDesignscapes of Long Island installs ClifRock specialty masonry features across Long Island. At Designscapes, we never want our customers to have to compromise their outdoor living space due to restrictions or expense obstacles. We install an engineered stone panel system that makes it possible to bring high-end outdoor living features and resort style environments to absolutely any property. We design, build and install outdoor kitchens, fire pits, fireplaces, swimming pool grottos and caves, waterfalls, wet bars, barbeques and so much more! If you can imagine it, we can build it. Call today!
Green Bay Remodeling Inc.When challenges arise, Green Bay Remodeling delivers solutions! This client called us ‘problem solvers’ after we transformed their space with precision and creativity. Watch how we tackled obstacles to create a home that exceeds expectations.
MarraumA stunning position for a contemporary build, but with an obstacle in its direct line of sight. More of a challenge than an issue for the Märraum team – and one that they relished.
StairworksThis project was a commercial law office that needed staircases to service the two floors. We designed these stairs with a lot of influence from the client as they liked the industrial look with exposed steel. We stuck with a minimalistic design which included grip tread at the top and a solid looking balustrade. One of the staircases is U-shaped, two of the stairs are L-shaped and one is a straight staircase. One of the biggest obstacles was accessing the space, so we had to roll everything around on flat ground and lift up with a spider crane. This meant we worked closely alongside the builders onsite to tackle any hurdles.
26