Our clients for this remodel of a 100 year old home in San Francisco’s Liberty Hill neighborhood recently moved to San Francisco. The house they purchased was very stately and had great bones, but lacked a true master suite and had recently been remodeled in a slightly generic modern style. We helped them with projects throughout the house. Our biggest project was creating a true master suite out of two bedrooms and an existing bathroom. We created an open concept bathroom with custom gray lacquer wardrobes and shoe storage units with a dramatic slot skylight overhead. Access to the master bedroom is through this room. The clean lines of the bathroom are complimented by a very long wall hung vanity with a CaesarStone counter which flows into the walk-in shower and becomes the curb. A variety of tiles including locally fabricated tile from Heath Ceramics were carefully selected to create a warm and inviting, yet modern, feeling. Oak floors similar to those in the rest of the house were used throughout the master suite for continuity. By using the same tile on the back wall of the bathroom we were able to create a visual unity from the shower through the vanity and the water closet. Our work also included a new fireplace in the living room. Photography by Christopher Stark.

Example of a mid-sized country loft-style medium tone wood floor family room design in San Francisco with white walls

Entryway - large contemporary dark wood floor entryway idea in Louisville with gray walls and a white front door

In a wooded area of Lafayette, a mid-century home was re-imagined for a graphic designer and kindergarten teacher couple and their three children. A major new design feature is a high ceiling great room that wraps from the front to the back yard, turning a corner at the kitchen and ending at the family room fireplace. This room was designed with a high flat roof to work in conjunction with existing roof forms to create a unified whole, and raise interior ceiling heights from eight to over ten feet. All new lighting and large floor to ceiling Fleetwood aluminum windows expand views of the trees beyond. The existing home was enlarged by 700 square feet with a small exterior addition enlarging the kitchen over an existing deck, and a larger amount by excavating out crawlspace at the garage level to create a new home office with full bath, and separate laundry utility room. The remodeled residence became 3,847 square feet in total area including the garage. Exterior curb appeal was improved with all new Fleetwood windows, stained wood siding and stucco. New steel railing and concrete steps lead up to the front entry. Front and rear yard new landscape design by Huettl Landscape Architecture dramatically alters the site. New planting was added at the front yard with landscape lighting and modern concrete pavers and the rear yard has multiple decks for family gatherings with the focal point a concrete conversation circle with central fire feature. Everything revolves around the corner kitchen, large windows to the backyard, quartz countertops and cabinetry in painted and walnut finishes. The homeowners enjoyed the process of selecting Heath Tile for the kitchen backsplash and white oval tiles at the family room fireplace. Black brick tiles by Fireclay were used on the living room hearth. The kitchen flows into the family room all with views to the beautifully landscaped yards. The primary suite has a built-in window seat with large windows overlooking the garden, walnut cabinetry in a skylit walk-in closet, and a large dramatic skylight bouncing light into the shower. The kid’s bath also has a skylight slot with light angling downward over double sinks. More colorful tile shows up in these spaces, as does a geometric patterned tile in the downstairs office bath shower. The large yard is taken full advantage of with concrete paved walkways, stairs and firepit circle. New retaining walls in the rear yard helped to add more level usable outdoor space, with wood slats to visually blend them into the overall design. The end result is a beautiful transformation of a mid-century home, that both captures the client’s personalities and elevates the house into the modern age.

This amazing backyard transformation was designed and built by Deck Remodelers in Short Hills, NJ. Beginning with WOLF PVC decking in Rosewood and Amberwood, the warm rich colors blend beautifully with the style of the home as well as the surrounding landscape. The built-in gourmet kitchen with EP Henry stacked stone and granite counter tops, features top-of-the-line Twin Eagles outdoor appliances and accessories. The high quality features and the clean polished look of the stainless steel make this stunning kitchen a dream for the infrequent cook as well as the resident gourmet chef! The addition of the beautiful gas fire feature, created a relaxing environment for everyone to gather. What truly makes this outdoor living space a nearly year round oasis is the Equinox louvered pergola, available exclusively in NJ through Deck Remodelers. The Equinox louvered pergol offers the ability to enjoy your outdoor space without worrying about the weather. With the touch of the remote, the Equinox louvered pergola can open completely, allowing full sun and breeze; it can be angled to provide just the right amount of shade, or can be closed completely for the hottest days of summer or for that unexpected rain shower. The custom ipe wrapped posts provide a stunning architectural element. Adding the optional Bromic Heaters and ceiling fans provided the homeowners with additional temperature control and comfort. With an Equinox Louvered Pergola, you can truly take advantage of your personal outdoor resort!

Patrick Brickman
Example of a transitional white two-story brick exterior home design in Charleston with a metal roof

They say lively conversation is the spice of life. And we are talking kitchens – so if open floor plans are de rigueur, and guests gravitate to the kitchen, why is it so difficult to have a multi-person conversation while sitting? Eating islands (and peninsulas) are in vogue for good reason: we spend most of our time in the kitchen socializing while we prep and cook. The problem is that when seated in a row, one can usually only see the person to either side. The guest on either side of your immediate neighbor is left out. Changing that straight line to convex has several effects, not the least of which is livelier conversation. The shape adds to the circumference, providing more personal space for all seated, while not intruding too much (often not more than eight inches); a gentle curve permits all guests to see each other with a nod of the head. Curves tend to soften objects, so a convex island adds a feeling of sensuality. Photography ©2014 Adam Gibson

Located at the Toll Brothers Model Homes the Enclave at Yorba Linda. Toll Brothers envisioned a raised overflow pool with glass walls, allowing guests to see underwater from the outside. Extensive care was taken during the difficult design and build process to ensure that excellence was achieved and Toll Brothers was completely enamored with the results. This pool features a very modern look with straight, clean lines, square columns and LED lights accenting the acrylic pool walls. The bar area touts an acrylic wall and in-pool bar stools, while the tile inside the pool matches the house, bringing continuity to the entire space. An extreme amount of coordination was required for the 2.5 inch thick pieces of acrylic to fit perfectly within the slots on the columns while still maintaining the structural integrity of the pool. We were in continual communication with the structural engineer and acrylic manufacturer, ensuring that each piece fit perfectly. The completed acrylic walls were then craned over the house due to their weight. With a vanishing edge on the front three sections and a negative edge along the back, it was absolutely imperative that the pool was perfectly level and that the water filtration system operated perfectly so that the flow was even over each wall. The water cascading over the front walls collects in a trough that ties into to the rear negative edge basin, where it recirculates back into the pool. The rear negative edge was designed so as not to distract from the breathtaking view of the valley below, while the lounging deck overhangs the pool with a freestanding cover ensuring that the view is completely unobstructed. An elegant piece of artwork frames the back of the pool, completing the look for this intriguing swimming pool.

Mid-sized cottage wooden straight staircase photo in San Francisco with wooden risers

Photography by Paul Linnebach
Inspiration for a large tropical master gray tile and ceramic tile gray floor and ceramic tile bathroom remodel in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, a vessel sink and concrete countertops

Photo by Donna Dotan Photography Inc.
Transitional laundry room photo in New York with white cabinets, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Design ideas for a contemporary side yard landscaping in San Francisco.

Rift white oak cabinets, quartz counter, and porcelain tile finish the master bath.
Example of a mid-sized trendy gray tile gray floor and double-sink bathroom design in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a vessel sink, white countertops and a floating vanity

Mid-century modern gray floor living room photo in Raleigh with white walls and a ribbon fireplace

Farm Fresh Therapy
Home office - eclectic home office idea in Columbus

Wall paint: Cloud White, Benjamin Moore Windows: French casement, Pella Cog Drum Pendant: Bone Simple Design Seat Cushions: Custom-made with Acclaim fabric in Indigo by Mayer Fabrics Table: Custom-made of reclaimed white oak Piper Woodworking Flat Roman Shade: Grassweave in Oatmeal, The Shade Store Dining Chairs: Fiji Dining Chairs,Crate & Barrel TEAM Architecture: LDa Architecture & Interiors Interior Design: LDa Architecture & Interiors Builder: Macomber Carpentry & Construction Landscape Architect: Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design Photographer: Sean Litchfield Photography

Photo by Paul Crosby
Open concept kitchen - mid-sized contemporary l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen idea in Omaha with an undermount sink, louvered cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and quartz countertops

3Studios
Inspiration for a contemporary patio remodel in Denver with no cover and a bbq area

A custom built room for LEGO storage also provides a backdrop for a Media Room and a nearby bar. John Wilbanks Photography
Basement - transitional underground basement idea in Seattle with gray walls and a bar