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Located in the heart of Montreal, Binôme is an architectural urban densification project built by Modulor. Composed of two distinct buildings connected by an inner courtyard, this new five-unit development stands out through its unique layout, architecture, and exceptional attention to detail. The construction required rigorous planning and precise technical execution, particularly due to major excavation work and underpinning of adjacent buildings. Such interventions in a dense urban environment demand specialized expertise and tight project management at every phase of the build.
Conceived as an income-generating property, the clients benefited from our strategic support to ensure the profitability, efficiency, and optimization of their investment. Modulor worked closely with the team at Appareil Architecture to bring to life a project of high architectural integrity.
Binôme’s architecture draws inspiration from the area's industrial past: clean volumes, red brick, generous openings reminiscent of former workshops, and elegant brick colonnades form a refined and cohesive ensemble. The central courtyard, designed as a luminous and welcoming shared space, becomes the vibrant heart of the project. A colorful metal staircase, crafted by Atomic Soudure, connects both buildings and adds a distinctive, curated touch.
As a finalist for the 2025 Ordre des architectes du Québec Awards of Excellence, Binôme stands as a model of successful urban revitalization. It illustrates how thoughtful, well-executed construction can elevate Montreal’s built environment while addressing today’s densification challenges.

**Del Mar Laundry Room Remodel | Custom Cabinetry & Smart Storage Solutions**
This Del Mar laundry room remodel was designed to maximize storage, organization, and everyday functionality. MA Properties transformed the space with custom-built cabinetry, durable countertops, dedicated laundry storage, and a clean, modern layout tailored to the homeowner's needs.
The project focused on improving workflow, increasing usable storage space, and creating a bright, organized environment that complements the home's overall design. High-quality finishes, thoughtful cabinet configurations, and efficient space planning help keep laundry essentials concealed while maintaining easy access.
As a Del Mar general contractor, MA Properties specializes in laundry room remodeling, custom cabinetry, home renovations, and residential remodeling throughout Del Mar, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, Carmel Valley, and surrounding San Diego communities.
Whether you're looking to update a small laundry area or create a fully customized utility space, our team delivers practical solutions with attention to detail, craftsmanship, and long-term durability.

The client’s brief was to create a space reminiscent of their beloved downtown Chicago industrial loft, in a rural farm setting, while incorporating their unique collection of vintage and architectural salvage. The result is a custom designed space that blends life on the farm with an industrial sensibility.
The new house is located on approximately the same footprint as the original farm house on the property. Barely visible from the road due to the protection of conifer trees and a long driveway, the house sits on the edge of a field with views of the neighbouring 60 acre farm and creek that runs along the length of the property.
The main level open living space is conceived as a transparent social hub for viewing the landscape. Large sliding glass doors create strong visual connections with an adjacent barn on one end and a mature black walnut tree on the other.
The house is situated to optimize views, while at the same time protecting occupants from blazing summer sun and stiff winter winds. The wall to wall sliding doors on the south side of the main living space provide expansive views to the creek, and allow for breezes to flow throughout. The wrap around aluminum louvered sun shade tempers the sun.
The subdued exterior material palette is defined by horizontal wood siding, standing seam metal roofing and large format polished concrete blocks.
The interiors were driven by the owners’ desire to have a home that would properly feature their unique vintage collection, and yet have a modern open layout. Polished concrete floors and steel beams on the main level set the industrial tone and are paired with a stainless steel island counter top, backsplash and industrial range hood in the kitchen. An old drinking fountain is built-in to the mudroom millwork, carefully restored bi-parting doors frame the library entrance, and a vibrant antique stained glass panel is set into the foyer wall allowing diffused coloured light to spill into the hallway. Upstairs, refurbished claw foot tubs are situated to view the landscape.
The double height library with mezzanine serves as a prominent feature and quiet retreat for the residents. The white oak millwork exquisitely displays the homeowners’ vast collection of books and manuscripts. The material palette is complemented by steel counter tops, stainless steel ladder hardware and matte black metal mezzanine guards. The stairs carry the same language, with white oak open risers and stainless steel woven wire mesh panels set into a matte black steel frame.
The overall effect is a truly sublime blend of an industrial modern aesthetic punctuated by personal elements of the owners’ storied life.
Photography: James Brittain
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Rustic Lake Cottage Transformation
This charming lake cottage was completely reimagined, building up from the existing structure to create a fully functional yet spacious vacation home. The interior was entirely gutted, the ceiling removed, and a loft was added, enhancing both height and openness.
Though compact, the home feels airy and inviting, with a carefully planned layout that includes three small bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, a dining room, a walk-in pantry, a mudroom, and a full bath featuring a barrier-free shower and a standalone tub. The rustic design is brought to life with stained natural wood plank floors and ceilings, while the walls are clad in painted wood planks for a warm yet bright aesthetic.
The cathedral ceiling in the living room, bathroom, and loft bedroom adds a sense of grandeur, complemented by exposed beams that enhance the rustic charm. The open staircase with steel bar railings and open risers maintains sightlines, ensuring the space remains visually connected.
A step-down dining room features built-in storage and a TV, making efficient use of space. The gray-painted kitchen cabinets, paired with granite countertops, blend seamlessly into the great room, while a walk-in pantry provides additional storage. Compact appliances and leather furniture further optimize the home’s footprint.
Custom barn doors throughout the home serve as both functional and decorative elements, concealing the coat closet, washer/dryer closet, and bedrooms. Expansive new windows flood the space with natural light, offering picturesque lake views. Finishing touches include recessed lighting, painted gray wood siding, and thoughtful design choices that make this cozy retreat feel effortlessly spacious.
This renovation balances form and function, delivering a rustic yet refined getaway that embraces its lakeside setting.

The clients wanted to add a powder room to the main floor. We suggested integrating it in a pre-existing laundry room that was disorganized with a lot of wasted space. We designed the new space with chic bifold doors to close of the washer-dryer, optimised the storage to organise it, and added a gorgeous wall-mounted vanity and toilet. The grey subway tile is a classic choice and yet the whole space feels fresh, modern and on trend. This is now a cute multifunctional space. It is welcoming and very organized!
Materials used:
A modern wall-mounted white matte lacquer vanity, matte solid-surface counter, porcelain vessel sink, round black iron mirror with shelf, solid-core bi-fold doors that hide away the washer-dryer, 12 x 24 Grey porcelain floor tile, 3 x 8 artisanal charcoal grey subway wall tile, white tile grout, black Riobel plumbing and accessories, Industrial-style ceiling light and wall sconce, Sherwin Williams paint

We like to optimize storage. In this island we were able to use a 12" deep cabinet for items that do not need to be accessed on a regular basis.
Brett Marlo DeSantis

Bright, private, clutter-free, and full of fresh air — this home office space is optimized for focus and productivity.
With a coordinated minimalistic design and cozy seating area, this Studio Shed is the perfect extension of the covered patio, bringing indoor-outdoor entertainment space to the home.
Featured Studio Shed:
• 10x12 Signature Series
• Volcano Gray lap siding
• Volcano Gray doors
• Unfinished eaves

This project involved installing a brand‑new garage door for a homeowner in Evanston, IL. The old door was outdated and noisy, so the client wanted a modern, insulated model that improved both appearance and energy efficiency. Our team removed the old door, prepared the frame, and installed a new sectional steel garage door with smooth operation and quiet performance.
The new door features a clean white finish, upgraded safety sensors, and a high‑efficiency opener system. We also added weather seals and balanced the springs for optimal performance. The homeowner was thrilled with the transformation — the new door not only looks great but also enhances curb appeal and home security.
Our installation services combine precision, durability, and design to deliver long‑lasting results homeowners can rely on.

The Stern Residence ‘Nautilus House’ is Michigan’s second USGBC LEED for Homes Platinum level certified whole house remodel.
This ambitious project took a modest, unas-
suming Cape Cod and completely transformed
the home adding a new second floor and a
dramatic curved roof above. The arced roof,
besides being sculpturally striking, was intentionally designed to use the largest dimension of SIP panels manufactured, eliminating waste and maximizing utility, and provided an armature for mounting solar panels in the optimal location on the heavily wooded site.
-James Haefner Photography

Architecture + Construction + Interiors + Landscaping by: CO-LAB Photography: Cesar Bejar
Tucked into a lush landscape of Areca Palms, Casa Areca was carefully positioned on a narrow lot to preserve existing trees and palms. Designed as a vacation home, Casa Areca, features 4 en-suite bedrooms on the 1st floor - allowing for an open ground floor plan. The kitchen, dining and living room are spatially integrated and open to the exterior through retractable and or pivoting floor to ceiling glass doors. A wrap-around deck frames the pool and private gardens. A stone wall built from the stone that was excavated to build the pool and cisterns provides a backdrop to the pool gardens. Built from CMU blocks and reinforced concrete the walls of the house are finished with white polished cement techniques. Light grey polished cement floors complement the walls to create a soft color pallet to better contrast the bespoke furnishings designed by CO-LAB and built with Yucatan artisans. The wood for the project was locally harvested from a tree farm and treated to match the soft color pallet carried throughout the house - providing warmth and tranquility. The electrical consumption of the house is offset by a solar panel system to reduce carbon emissions. An abundance of windows carefully oriented to capture prevailing breezes, keep the house cool and fresh throughout the year, creating a peaceful atmosphere optimal for unwinding after a beach day. The front façade which faces east was cast in place against a formwork of local wooden sticks - resulting in a palimpsest wall – displaying the journey of the sun and shadows each morning

Together, and in total freedom. ON-OFF is the expression of many Made in Italy craftsmanship cooperating - on the one hand - to design a whole and systematic project, on the other hand to offer even one single product to decorate convertible living/ sleeping areas. An actual system offering permanent solutions in terms of quality and design, and allowing at the same time to change a space from living to sleeping area depending on individual needs and never as a makeshift solution. So home becomes really usable by the widest variety of family units: big families, young couples, friends hosting friends, with the possibility to optimize small spaces in stable multi-functionality situations; one same room will become a real living or a real bedroom based on needs! The modularity, the range of materials, finishing and upholsteries is really complete and in contemporary-modern style; the raw materials selected to have the best aesthetic output and function. So there is nothing left to do but imagine your own home, for both big and small spaces you’ll find here the answer, the quality design and experience of ATL Group and Tumidei: together, but in total freedom.

This custom kitchen was fully redesigned for optimal space and usage. The painted cabinetry shines against the contrast of the luxury vinyl tile flooring. Countertops are quartz by Cambria.

The Brooks II 33in. double bowl fireclay kitchen sink is the optimal combination of classic farmhouse beauty and premium utility. As part of Sinkology’s INSPIRED collection of fireclay sinks, the Brooks II is the perfect addition to kitchens of every style. The Brooks II’s traditional double bowl layout and generous surface space offer ultimate flexibility for all-day use. With two bowls of equal size and a perfectly flush center wall, you can make the most out of both sides of your sink for cleaning dishes, soaking pots, prepping meals, and more.

A new Home in Leschi, Seattle, designed for a couple who enjoy cooking, entertaining and a
variety of water recreation.
This new home is situated in a very active
neighborhood. Visual and sound features are used to
create a calm, and privacy from the street, while large windows and bi
-
folding doors open to
views of the beautiful gardens and the lake.
Program includes a wine cellar with a refurbished bank
-
safe door,
radiant floors, rain harvesting
system that feeds the water feature and garden irrigation, custom designed steel staircase and
other artisanal touches.
to maximize the value of such prime property, the house is oriented for optimal lake views and
designed to the maximum height and lot coverage allowable by code. Permitting involved
obtaining a height variance, as well as a complex ECA exemption.

Our clients choose neutral tones, utilitarian copper fixtures, and wood surfaces. The result: an upscale “warehouse look” that combines a true industrial feel with a range of other styles, from earthy to polished. #GFRemodels ⚒
Call us to schedule a free-in-home estimate 877-728-

Reconfigured this kitchen layout removing a peninsula that closed off the space, to now having an island in the center. Added a hood vent above the new range cooktop and relocated the fridge. The pantry was remodeled as well with more shelves for optimal storage. All the materials selected and designed were thoughtful, two-toned kitchen cabinets, subtle color tones, simple modernized subway backsplash, classic white quartz countertops, and laminate wood floors. Very neutral and timeless to enjoy for years to come!

THE SETUP
When we first encountered this basement for a family with three boys, we saw a space with untapped potential. Though previously remodeled, it lacked a cohesive design strategy. The expansive area housed various entertainment pieces (a shuffleboard table, air hockey, foosball, etc.) scattered haphazardly throughout the space.
While the basement included a workout room and a rudimentary kitchen area, it lacked a dedicated game room or proper bar. Excessive storage closets along the back wall consumed valuable real estate that could be repurposed for more engaging uses.
In essence, the basement was spacious but disjointed—functional for family use but falling short as an entertainment hub. It didn’t align with the sophistication of the rest of the home. Our clients envisioned a transformation: a fresh, organized space that would not only serve their family’s needs but also shine as an inviting arena for entertaining friends and hosting gatherings – especially sports-focused gatherings!
Design Objectives:
Reimagine the basement layout, creating distinct zones for varied activities.
Expand the workout area to accommodate new equipment, including a Smith machine.
Implement a multi-screen setup inspired by high-end sports bars, allowing guests to follow multiple games while socializing.
Enhance existing features while developing new areas:
Optimize a workout space for all equipment needs
Establish a dedicated children’s space with guest room capabilities
Create an integrated bar and entertainment area
Retain and incorporate the existing projector setup
Design Challenges:
Navigate layout constraints in the new workout room due to fixed utility areas.
Carve out a distinct space for kids within the open plan.
Revitalize an underutilized section of the basement.
Elevate the existing big screen area with purposeful design elements.
Develop a full-fledged bar area while maintaining kitchen functions applicable for hangout snacking.
Work around immovable structural elements (soffits, load-bearing support columns)
THE RENEWED SPACE
Design Solutions:
Install a stylish barn door for the utility area of the new workout space, improving aesthetics and accessibility.
Repurpose the former workout room into a dedicated game room for kids, utilizing couches with pull-out beds so the area can double as overflow guest accommodations.
Transform the unused area into a vibrant pub-style area for card and table games.
Enhance the big screen area with elegant wainscoting and ambient theatre-style lighting.
Design a multi-functional wet bar area featuring varied seating, prep areas, and a microwave.
Base the bar sink area width off the soffit above it.
In the big screen area, use the soffit to inform the width of a wainscoting section.
For the immovable support columns, dress one up to match the wainscoting of the nearby big screen wall. Hide the other one in a new wall.
Final Thoughts:
The reimagined basement has exceeded our clients’ expectations, evolving into the ultimate entertainment hub. With seven strategically placed screens, it’s perfect for gatherings focused on major sporting events and casual gatherings, as well. The space strikes a balance between adult sophistication and family-friendly functionality, featuring distinct zones for various activities.
The new design not only maximizes functionality for modern, multi-screen entertainment but also elevates the aesthetic appeal. It integrates flawlessly with the rest of the home’s transitional style while allowing each basement section to maintain its unique character. The result is a versatile space that caters to both intimate family time and large-scale entertaining.

This Rancho Bernardo kitchen remodel was designed with a rustic theme. The stainless steel appliances provide a nice contrast with the white subway tiles. In addition, the white backsplash compliments the granite countertops. The granite countertops wraps around the u-shaped kitchen that provides ample space for food preparations. The brown, wood, and floor-to-ceiling cabinets provide a contrast to the countertops, and enhances the rustic theme. Additionally, a wall of the wood cabinets are built to optimize storage capacity in the kitchen. Overall, the kitchen remodel was designed with a simplicity in mind, and to insure there is enough space for the homeowners to enjoy their kitchen!

This project was a tribute to the vision and optimism of the owners. This once-glorious home was so far gone that many people would have taken the easy path -tear it down and start over. Instead, the family hired Old Saratoga Restorations to save every original bit of material that could be salvaged and rebuild the home to its previous grandeur.
OSR gutted the interior and reinvented it based on the archaeological evidence for this home restoration. They added a new kitchen and bathrooms with high-end fixtures, custom-cabinetry and top-of-the-line appliances. Outside, everything from the siding and trim to the dilapidated cupola on top needed to be replaced with duplicates.
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