Old farmhouses offer charm and character but usually need some careful changes to efficiently serve the needs of today’s families. This blended family of four desperately desired a master bath and walk-in closet in keeping with the exceptional features of the home. At the top of the list were a large shower, double vanity, and a private toilet area. They also requested additional storage for bathroom items. Windows, doorways could not be relocated, but certain nonloadbearing walls could be removed. Gorgeous antique flooring had to be patched where walls were removed without being noticeable. Original interior doors and woodwork were restored. Deep window sills give hints to the thick stone exterior walls. A local reproduction furniture maker with national accolades was the perfect choice for the cabinetry which was hand planed and hand finished the way furniture was built long ago. Even the wood tops on the beautiful dresser and bench were rich with dimension from these techniques. The legs on the double vanity were hand turned by Amish woodworkers to add to the farmhouse flair. Marble tops and tile as well as antique style fixtures were chosen to complement the classic look of everything else in the room. It was important to choose contractors and installers experienced in historic remodeling as the old systems had to be carefully updated. Every item on the wish list was achieved in this project from functional storage and a private water closet to every aesthetic detail desired. If only the farmers who originally inhabited this home could see it now! Matt Villano Photography

Joshua Caldwell
Inspiration for a large transitional master beige tile and subway tile travertine floor bathroom remodel in Salt Lake City with a two-piece toilet and white walls

Outdoor Pizza Ovens are todays hottest trend in Outdoor Living. Outdoor Living should look, feel and taste FABULOUS. The free standing wood fired Tuscany Fire Outdoor Pizza Oven is perfect for family outings. The realism is the trend of outdoor dining and preparation that reaches far beyond the grill. The wood fired Outdoor Pizza oven can cook pizza, calzones, baked stuff shells, breads and much more. Two ways to cook with the Wood Fired Pizza Oven. One way with the door open and flamed pushed to the side and pizza place on the other. The Pizza is cooked right on the floor of the oven. Secondly is the old fashioned hearth oven technique of escalating the temperature of the oven and then closing the door with the food placed in the now temperate oven heat. The Outdoor Pizza oven is a great way to anchor teens home outdoors with family and friends. Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE.Outdoor Living should look, feel and taste FABULOUS. The free standing DI FIORE Outdoor Pizza Oven is perfect for family outings. The realism is the trend of outdoor dining and preparation that reaches far beyond the grill. The wood fired Outdoor Pizza oven can cook pizza, calzones, baked stuff shells, breads and much more. Two ways to cook with the Wood Fired Pizza Oven. One way with the door open and flamed pushed to the side and pizza place on the other. The Pizza is cooked right on the floor of the oven. Secondly is the old fashioned hearth oven technique of escalating the temperature of the oven and then closing the door with the food placed in the now temperate oven heat. The Outdoor Pizza oven is a great way to anchor teens home outdoors with family and friends. For more great Outdoor Pizza Oven ideas and projects go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.Outdoorkitchendesigner.com www.OutdoorLivingDesignerCt.com For more great Outdoor Pizza Oven ideas and projects go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.Outdoorkitchendesigner.com Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE

This is an old fashioned functional cooking fireplace on one side with a lovely little woodstove on the other. Surrounded by antique pots and pans and other stuff to set the quaint old fashioned mood. Photos taken by Paul S.Robinson

Example of a transitional galley enclosed kitchen design in Columbus with black cabinets, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash

Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, brown backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Chic entry hall with pale purple walls, zebra striped side chairs, dark floors and dramatic oversized framed fashion art in shades of purple and bottle green. Framed art print © Beverly Brown

When we were approached us to tackle the kitchen design for this full house remodel, the homeowner had clear expectations of what she wanted her “new” kitchen to resemble. She hoped to create a late 19th century Soda Fountain Shop in her own home. Through a careful design process, we were able to create exactly the look that this discerning homeowner was looking for without giving up and modern conveniences that are found in today’s upscale kitchens. As a design firm, we were lucky that the remodeling process was extensive enough to allow us the freedom to create a space where this family of five could enjoy the comforts of classic Americana in their very own Soda Fountain Shop.

The design of the cabin began with the client’s discovery of an old mirror which had once been part of a hall tree. A custom vanity was fashioned to match the details on the antique mirror and a textured iron vessel sink sits atop. Polished nickel faucets, cast iron tub, and old fashioned toilet are from Herbeau. Rohl towel bar with crystal ends and polished nickel enhance the room. Designed by Melodie Durham of Durham Designs & Consulting, LLC. Photo by Livengood Photographs [www.livengoodphotographs.com/design].

Large cottage master gray tile and marble tile ceramic tile and white floor bathroom photo in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Example of a southwest patio design in San Francisco

The Challenge: Create a rugged yet warm farmhouse feel in a high rise tower. Start with an entire 9600 gross square foot penthouse floor of raw concrete floor, walls and ceiling. Devise inventive ways to address intractable existing conditions including a plumbing layout inconsistent with our Client program, a relatively low ceiling and a massive elevator core and yet take of advantage of panoramic views of the city from all sides. For example, rather than make a bulky drywall enclosure for existing pipes that poke thru the kitchen counter, they are wrapped with antique painted galvanized sheet metal to keep sight lines around the corner as open as possible. Or, transform an unattractive and inconveniently located 24” diameter vertical duct in the middle of Samantha’s and Hannah’s (grandchildren’s) guest bedroom into part of a lovely arched top bed nook. Or, disguise a chase for above floor plumbing runs as the base for an open buffet counter. The oppressive elevator lobby was shortened; terminating in handmade glass and steel garden doors at both ends. Custom details include a groined vaulted ceiling and arched openings with stone pilasters (for future trompe-l’oeil images of a Tuscany countryside). To maximize a feeling of height, the ceilings start low and get higher as they progress to the outside walls. The Program: Create a five bedroom condo for an elderly couple with specific and different needs. Mr. likes his privacy and to stay up late into the night on the internet. He likes order. Mrs. has some physical limits that have been addressed in various ways such as shorter travel distances, a step down shower, raised dishwasher and custom cast (to ensure that they won’t rust) iron grab bars. She prefers more disorder. Spaces should be visually arresting, full of detail and easy to maintain. Private spaces include separate master bathrooms, his and her offices and a multi screened Media Room. The balance of the floor must link spaces into one continuous open room along the south and east elevations using large elements yet keeping an intimate scale, sound control and privacy. For example, a substantial fireplace made of old barn timber framing, country stone and a hammered iron grill is strategically located at the critical Southeast corner. Above, black iron offset pintel hardware allow custom double doors to hide a large flat screen TV. High technology is in place for inconspicuous yet easy use. Icon driven key pads operate lighting, window treatments, audio visual systems with multiple sources and access to movie and music databases and five HVAC zones with independent humidity controls. Outstanding Features: Exterior masonry walls have stone culled from five quarries. Sprinkled throughout are surprises - bricks with words as messages from the past, wood trimmed niches and colored glass. Glass pieces set in window corners offer bursts of color when backlit by the sun. These materials are assembled in a rough irregular fashion to look like the work of a mason from the Italian countryside. Interior ceilings and walls have overlapping layers of two plaster colors. Perimeter ceilings are made of smooth random width cedar. Rough planed cedar beams hide ductwork and allow the maximum ceiling height between them. Custom details are everywhere-consider the ten foot barn doors on overhead track at the service elevator, cedar benches/storage areas that run below window banks, antique air registers, acid washed piano hinges and transom window operators and existing concrete piers that are featured instead of hidden. The floors are made of random width wide plank old oak with hand planed faces and edges. Overall, the elements were carefully selected or painted/stained to form a soft muted gray palate The Country kitchen features an old fashioned style ice box appearance for the refrigerator/freezer, a tin ceiling, a distressed assortment of cabinets in multiple heights, colors and woods such as the cherry wood buffet cabinet with sliding glass doors on both sides. A backlit breakfast counter, a hammered copper hood and chicken wire inserts are part of the effort to make a comfortable, eclectic old fashioned looking Kitchen while containing the latest appliances and storage systems. Awards: This project has won several kitchen and bath awards: Felman Kitchen Awards 2009 St. Louis Homes and Lifestyles Kitchen of the Year – Gold Award 2008-2009 SubZero Wolf Kitchen Design Contest – Regional Winner, Regional Designer’s Choice 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – Pinnacle of Design Award 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – First Place Medium Kitchen 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – Consumer’s Choice Award 2010 K&BB Kitchen of the Year Award Felman Bath Awards 2010 Ladue News Award—Master Bathroom

Outdoor Pizza Ovens are todays hottest trend in Outdoor Living. Outdoor Living should look, feel and taste FABULOUS. The free standing wood fired Tuscany Fire Outdoor Pizza Oven is perfect for family outings. The realism is the trend of outdoor dining and preparation that reaches far beyond the grill. The wood fired Outdoor Pizza oven can cook pizza, calzones, baked stuff shells, breads and much more. Two ways to cook with the Wood Fired Pizza Oven. One way with the door open and flamed pushed to the side and pizza place on the other. The Pizza is cooked right on the floor of the oven. Secondly is the old fashioned hearth oven technique of escalating the temperature of the oven and then closing the door with the food placed in the now temperate oven heat. The Outdoor Pizza oven is a great way to anchor teens home outdoors with family and friends. Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE.Outdoor Living should look, feel and taste FABULOUS. The free standing DI FIORE Outdoor Pizza Oven is perfect for family outings. The realism is the trend of outdoor dining and preparation that reaches far beyond the grill. The wood fired Outdoor Pizza oven can cook pizza, calzones, baked stuff shells, breads and much more. Two ways to cook with the Wood Fired Pizza Oven. One way with the door open and flamed pushed to the side and pizza place on the other. The Pizza is cooked right on the floor of the oven. Secondly is the old fashioned hearth oven technique of escalating the temperature of the oven and then closing the door with the food placed in the now temperate oven heat. The Outdoor Pizza oven is a great way to anchor teens home outdoors with family and friends. For more great Outdoor Pizza Oven ideas and projects go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.Outdoorkitchendesigner.com www.OutdoorLivingDesignerCt.com For more great Outdoor Pizza Oven ideas and projects go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.Outdoorkitchendesigner.com Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE

Outdoor Living should look, feel and taste FABULOUS. The free standing DI FIORE Outdoor Pizza Oven is perfect for family outings. The realism is the trend of outdoor dining and preparation that reaches far beyond the grill. The wood fired Outdoor Pizza oven can cook pizza, calzones, baked stuff shells, breads and much more. Two ways to cook with the Wood Fired Pizza Oven. One way with the door open and flamed pushed to the side and pizza place on the other. The Pizza is cooked right on the floor of the oven. Secondly is the old fashioned hearth oven technique of escalating the temperature of the oven and then closing the door with the food placed in the now temperate oven heat. The Outdoor Pizza oven is a great way to anchor teens home outdoors with family and friends. Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE.Outdoor Living should look, feel and taste FABULOUS. The free standing DI FIORE Outdoor Pizza Oven is perfect for family outings. The realism is the trend of outdoor dining and preparation that reaches far beyond the grill. The wood fired Outdoor Pizza oven can cook pizza, calzones, baked stuff shells, breads and much more. Two ways to cook with the Wood Fired Pizza Oven. One way with the door open and flamed pushed to the side and pizza place on the other. The Pizza is cooked right on the floor of the oven. Secondly is the old fashioned hearth oven technique of escalating the temperature of the oven and then closing the door with the food placed in the now temperate oven heat. The Outdoor Pizza oven is a great way to anchor teens home outdoors with family and friends. For more great Outdoor Pizza Oven ideas and projects go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.Outdoorkitchendesigner.com www.OutdoorLivingDesignerCt.com For more great Outdoor Pizza Oven ideas and projects go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.Outdoorkitchendesigner.com Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE

The "silo" containing a grand spiral staircase sits next to the original 200 year old barn. There is an observatory at the very top, and wine cellar down below. Interior Design: Megan at M Design and Interiors

The owners of a charming home in the hills west of Paso Robles recently decided to remodel their not-so-charming kitchen. Referred to San Luis Kitchen by several of their friends, the homeowners visited our showroom and soon decided we were the best people to design a kitchen fitting the style of their home. We were delighted to get to work on the project right away. When we arrived at the house, we found a small, cramped and out-dated kitchen. The ceiling was low, the cabinets old fashioned and painted a stark dead white, and the best view in the house was neglected in a seldom-used breakfast nook (sequestered behind the kitchen peninsula). This kitchen was also handicapped by white tile counters with dark grout, odd-sized and cluttered cabinets, and small ‘desk’ tacked on to the side of the oven cabinet. Due to a marked lack of counter space & inadequate storage the homeowner had resorted to keeping her small appliances on a little cart parked in the corner and the garbage was just sitting by the wall in full view of everything! On the plus side, the kitchen opened into a nice dining room and had beautiful saltillo tile floors. Mrs. Homeowner loves to entertain and often hosts dinner parties for her friends. She enjoys visiting with her guests in the kitchen while putting the finishing touches on the evening’s meal. Sadly, her small kitchen really limited her interactions with her guests – she often felt left out of the mix at her own parties! This savvy homeowner dreamed big – a new kitchen that would accommodate multiple workstations, have space for guests to gather but not be in the way, and maybe a prettier transition from the kitchen to the dining (wine service area or hutch?) – while managing the remodel budget by reusing some of her major appliances and keeping (patching as needed) her existing floors. Responding to the homeowner’s stated wish list and the opportunities presented by the home's setting and existing architecture, the designers at San Luis Kitchen decided to expand the kitchen into the breakfast nook. This change allowed the work area to be reoriented to take advantage of the great view – we replaced the existing window and added another while moving the door to gain space. A second sink and set of refrigerator drawers (housing fresh fruits & veggies) were included for the convenience of this mainly vegetarian cook – her prep station. The clean-up area now boasts a farmhouse style single bowl sink – adding to the ‘cottage’ charm. We located a new gas cook-top between the two workstations for easy access from each. Also tucked in here is a pullout trash/recycle cabinet for convenience and additional drawers for storage. Running parallel to the work counter we added a long butcher-block island with easy-to-access open shelves for the avid cook and seating for friendly guests placed just right to take in the view. A counter-top garage is used to hide excess small appliances. Glass door cabinets and open shelves are now available to display the owners beautiful dishware. The microwave was placed inconspicuously on the end of the island facing the refrigerator – easy access for guests (and extraneous family members) to help themselves to drinks and snacks while staying out of the cook’s way. We also moved the pantry storage away from the dining room (putting it on the far wall and closer to the work triangle) and added a furniture-like hutch in its place allowing the more formal dining area to flow seamlessly into the up-beat work area of the kitchen. This space is now also home (opposite wall) to an under counter wine refrigerator, a liquor cabinet and pretty glass door wall cabinet for stemware storage – meeting Mr. Homeowner’s desire for a bar service area. And then the aesthetic: an old-world style country cottage theme. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to have a warm feel while still loving the look of white cabinetry. San Luis Kitchen melded country-casual knotty pine base cabinets with vintage hand-brushed creamy white wall cabinets to create the desired cottage look. We also added bead board and mullioned glass doors for charm, used an inset doorstyle on the cabinets for authenticity, and mixed stone and wood counters to create an eclectic nuance in the space. All in all, the happy homeowners now boast a charming county cottage kitchen with plenty of space for entertaining their guests while creating gourmet meals to feed them. Credits: Custom cabinetry by Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry Contracting by Michael Pezzato of Lost Coast Construction Stone counters by Pyramid M.T.M.

Outdoor Living should look, feel and taste FABULOUS. The free standing DI FIORE Outdoor Pizza Oven is perfect for family outings. The realism is the trend of outdoor dining and preparation that reaches far beyond the grill. The wood fired Outdoor Pizza oven can cook pizza, calzones, baked stuff shells, breads and much more. Two ways to cook with the Wood Fired Pizza Oven. One way with the door open and flamed pushed to the side and pizza place on the other. The Pizza is cooked right on the floor of the oven. Secondly is the old fashioned hearth oven technique of escalating the temperature of the oven and then closing the door with the food placed in the now temperate oven heat. The Outdoor Pizza oven is a great way to anchor teens home outdoors with family and friends. Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE.Outdoor Living should look, feel and taste FABULOUS. The free standing DI FIORE Outdoor Pizza Oven is perfect for family outings. The realism is the trend of outdoor dining and preparation that reaches far beyond the grill. The wood fired Outdoor Pizza oven can cook pizza, calzones, baked stuff shells, breads and much more. Two ways to cook with the Wood Fired Pizza Oven. One way with the door open and flamed pushed to the side and pizza place on the other. The Pizza is cooked right on the floor of the oven. Secondly is the old fashioned hearth oven technique of escalating the temperature of the oven and then closing the door with the food placed in the now temperate oven heat. The Outdoor Pizza oven is a great way to anchor teens home outdoors with family and friends. For more great Outdoor Pizza Oven ideas and projects go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.Outdoorkitchendesigner.com www.OutdoorLivingDesignerCt.com For more great Outdoor Pizza Oven ideas and projects go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.Outdoorkitchendesigner.com Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE

Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE.Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE.Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE.Outdoor Living should look, feel and taste FABULOUS. The free standing DI FIORE Outdoor Pizza Oven is perfect for family outings. The realism is the trend of outdoor dining and preparation that reaches far beyond the grill. The wood fired Outdoor Pizza oven can cook pizza, calzones, baked stuff shells, breads and much more. Two ways to cook with the Wood Fired Pizza Oven. One way with the door open and flamed pushed to the side and pizza place on the other. The Pizza is cooked right on the floor of the oven. Secondly is the old fashioned hearth oven technique of escalating the temperature of the oven and then closing the door with the food placed in the now temperate oven heat. The Outdoor Pizza oven is a great way to anchor teens home outdoors with family and friends. Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE.Outdoor Living should look, feel and taste FABULOUS. The free standing DI FIORE Outdoor Pizza Oven is perfect for family outings. The realism is the trend of outdoor dining and preparation that reaches far beyond the grill. The wood fired Outdoor Pizza oven can cook pizza, calzones, baked stuff shells, breads and much more. Two ways to cook with the Wood Fired Pizza Oven. One way with the door open and flamed pushed to the side and pizza place on the other. The Pizza is cooked right on the floor of the oven. Secondly is the old fashioned hearth oven technique of escalating the temperature of the oven and then closing the door with the food placed in the now temperate oven heat. The Outdoor Pizza oven is a great way to anchor teens home outdoors with family and friends. For more great Outdoor Pizza Oven ideas and projects go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.Outdoorkitchendesigner.com www.OutdoorLivingDesignerCt.com For more great Outdoor Pizza Oven ideas and projects go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.Outdoorkitchendesigner.com

Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE.Outdoor Pizza Ovens are todays hottest trend in Outdoor Living. Outdoor Living should look, feel and taste FABULOUS. The free standing wood fired Tuscany Fire Outdoor Pizza Oven is perfect for family outings. The realism is the trend of outdoor dining and preparation that reaches far beyond the grill. The wood fired Outdoor Pizza oven can cook pizza, calzones, baked stuff shells, breads and much more. Two ways to cook with the Wood Fired Pizza Oven. One way with the door open and flamed pushed to the side and pizza place on the other. The Pizza is cooked right on the floor of the oven. Secondly is the old fashioned hearth oven technique of escalating the temperature of the oven and then closing the door with the food placed in the now temperate oven heat. The Outdoor Pizza oven is a great way to anchor teens home outdoors with family and friends. Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE.Outdoor Living should look, feel and taste FABULOUS. The free standing DI FIORE Outdoor Pizza Oven is perfect for family outings. The realism is the trend of outdoor dining and preparation that reaches far beyond the grill. The wood fired Outdoor Pizza oven can cook pizza, calzones, baked stuff shells, breads and much more. Two ways to cook with the Wood Fired Pizza Oven. One way with the door open and flamed pushed to the side and pizza place on the other. The Pizza is cooked right on the floor of the oven. Secondly is the old fashioned hearth oven technique of escalating the temperature of the oven and then closing the door with the food placed in the now temperate oven heat. The Outdoor Pizza oven is a great way to anchor teens home outdoors with family and friends. For more great Outdoor Pizza Oven ideas and projects go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.Outdoorkitchendesigner.com www.OutdoorLivingDesignerCt.com For more great Outdoor Pizza Oven ideas and projects go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.Outdoorkitchendesigner.com Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE