This photo captures the bathroom during the demolition and renovation process prior to the complete remodel transformation. The original built-in bathtub and surrounding finishes are in the process of being removed to make way for a new modern layout and upgraded materials. Construction equipment, exposed flooring, and active work areas highlight the extensive preparation involved in updating the space. The remodel includes structural improvements, updated plumbing and electrical systems, and a redesigned floor plan that ultimately transforms the outdated bathroom into a bright, contemporary spa-inspired retreat.

Relationship: Client Project Date: March 2014 Project Price Range: more than $100,000 Having purchased our first house in Valley Glen, North Hollywood, we were aware it was in need of serious remodeling. A 1950s Ranch-style home, it came complete with peeling wallpaper, musty carpeting, and even some dilapidated walls. As first-time homeowners we were prepared to spend more money to improve it, but weary when we began meeting contractors. Buyer’s remorse already set in when we interviewed several contractors who were either aloof or unscrupulous. Then we were fortunate enough to find Mike Ross. He immediately allayed our stress with his professional and forthright demeanor and his integrity was as rock solid from the day we met him through the several months it took to complete our large renovation. While we had some specific things we wanted in our house, Mike and his team took our wish list and far exceeded our expectations to help truly realize the vision of our dream. Originally a three-bedroom, fourteen-hundred square foot home, our remodel brought an addition of a thousand square feet as well as an overhaul of the landscape; this prospect was particularly daunting for uninitiated owners such as us, but Mike’s consummate professionalism shone through and made the task exponentially less stressful for us. As well as a new 850 sf Master Bedroom, including a fireplace, and a steam unit in the bath, we added a cozy home theater room, laundry room, and the once forgotten backyard brought a new deck and patio with a trellis. Furthermore, because we went green and made it a smart home, we’re already more energy efficient. In several rooms, as well as the main hallway, for example, Mike installed solar tubes and the amount of natural light that bathes the house is amazing. Even my mom, when she came to visit, was always looking for a light-switch. As our contractor, Mike Ross took the reins to steer the project and keep it on course and he did so exceptionally. Mike and his team were as attentive to the quality of every nook and corner and he always sought our approval and happiness. Consistently communicative, he always kept us in the loop about progress and was always there to answer any questions and concerns. When an unforeseen contingency did arise, Mike assuaged our concerns by taking action ASAP to rectify the problem. Mike’s team, too, all take pleasure in their efforts. An eclectic group of skilled artisans and craftsmen, they are all polite, punctual, and proud of their work. Thank you, Mike Ross, for your outstanding leadership, your impeccable standards, and your commitment to our happiness. Dale & Helen Keis

A Sussex family hired us as the design build remodel company to makeover this kitchen. This remodeling project had three main goals: improve storage, update the layout/style and enhance the functionality. IMPROVE STORAGE The original home builder put in very narrow cabinets. The small, narrow cabinets made it difficult for the homeowners to store items. They also said it was important to have a kitchen that works for their children. The new design incorporates an appliance cabinet and wide drawers for storing items. The kids have easy access to snack drawers and lower dish storage for plastic cups and plates. Also, we added two built-in cabinets in the dining room for more storage. UPDATE THE LAYOUT & STYLE While the area was large, it didn’t maximize the space or fit their contemporary style. They wanted plenty of counter prep space and enough room for friends and family to gather. We added a large wood island with seating – perfect for hosting parties and family dinners. The space is bright with white shaker cabinetry and subway tile backsplash. Warm touches include satin bronze light fixtures and hardware. ENHANCE THE FUNCTIONALITY This Sussex kitchen features a Galley Sink Workstation. Having a sink workstation facing the center of the room allows the homeowners to stay part of the conversation while preparing a meal or cleaning up. Sink workstations are one of the hottest kitchen trends. HOMEOWNER REVIEW “We recently completed our kitchen remodel with Kowalske and we can’t say enough good things about our experience. Not only was every member of the team amazing, the work that was done in our kitchen was very high quality. We have recommended Kowalske to all of our friends and plan to use them for our master bath remodel in the future!” – Nicole, homeowner (Houzz Review)

Tea Room designed and built by: Koji Uchida, Wafu Builders
Mid-sized minimalist light wood floor and beige floor family room photo in Seattle with gray walls

This casita was completely renovated from floor to ceiling in preparation of Airbnb short term romantic getaways. The color palette of teal green, blue and white was brought to life with curated antiques that were stripped of their dark stain colors, collected fine linens, fine plaster wall finishes, authentic Turkish rugs, antique and custom light fixtures, original oil paintings and moorish chevron tile and Moroccan pattern choices.

This homeowner loved her small, cozy house in St. Louis park, but after nearly 20 years, was ready to make the move and undergo a large remodeling project to finally gain the additional living spaces she craved daily. She desperately needed more and better storage, and dreamed of having additional space to support leisure activities such as crafting, a laundry space that didn’t depress her, a guest space, an additional space to flop down at the end of the day and watch TV, and a better, secondary bathroom for daily showering. After living in the house for so many years, a significant basement remodel would actually cost almost as much as the home itself originally was. But after years of planning, preparation and dreaming, it was finally time to take action and make her home better suit her life.

A Sussex family hired us as the design build remodel company to makeover this kitchen. This remodeling project had three main goals: improve storage, update the layout/style and enhance the functionality. IMPROVE STORAGE The original home builder put in very narrow cabinets. The small, narrow cabinets made it difficult for the homeowners to store items. They also said it was important to have a kitchen that works for their children. The new design incorporates an appliance cabinet and wide drawers for storing items. The kids have easy access to snack drawers and lower dish storage for plastic cups and plates. Also, we added two built-in cabinets in the dining room for more storage. UPDATE THE LAYOUT & STYLE While the area was large, it didn’t maximize the space or fit their contemporary style. They wanted plenty of counter prep space and enough room for friends and family to gather. We added a large wood island with seating – perfect for hosting parties and family dinners. The space is bright with white shaker cabinetry and subway tile backsplash. Warm touches include satin bronze light fixtures and hardware. ENHANCE THE FUNCTIONALITY This Sussex kitchen features a Galley Sink Workstation. Having a sink workstation facing the center of the room allows the homeowners to stay part of the conversation while preparing a meal or cleaning up. Sink workstations are one of the hottest kitchen trends. HOMEOWNER REVIEW “We recently completed our kitchen remodel with Kowalske and we can’t say enough good things about our experience. Not only was every member of the team amazing, the work that was done in our kitchen was very high quality. We have recommended Kowalske to all of our friends and plan to use them for our master bath remodel in the future!” – Nicole, homeowner (Houzz Review)

Step inside this jewel box closet and breathe in the calm. Beautiful organization, and dreamy, saturated color can make your morning better. Custom cabinets painted with Benjamin Moore Stained Glass, and gold accent hardware combine to create an elevated experience when getting ready in the morning. The space was originally one room with dated built ins that didn’t provide much space. By building out a wall to divide the room and adding French doors to separate closet from dressing room, the owner was able to have a beautiful transition from public to private spaces, and a lovely area to prepare for the day.

This was a complete custom kitchen remodel where we opened up the space to more than double its original size. I utilized my space planning talent to open up the area and provide a kitchen that works for not only preparing meals, but a great space for the children to do homework and other activities.

Sampson, our client's adorable pug, would agree that this stylish rooftop garden is the place to be after Rooftopia had the opportunity to give the deck a much needed makeover! Our teams removed an old worn out wooden deck and replaced the flooring with new porcelain tiles on a floating pedestal system for a durable and gorgeous deck surface that not only looks fabulous, it improves drainage, protects the roof membrane from UV exposure, evenly disperses the weight of the garden elements and is modular and very low maintenance. This private rooftop also features a custom made metal pergola and wooden screen to offer shade and artfully frames the view of the incredible city skyline. The pergola also creates a pleasing surround for the primary rooftop seating and lounge area. The outdoor kitchen is made of durable marine grade aluminum cabinets and a custom concrete countertop with a built in bar ledge. The bar ledge features an original metal screen pattern and seating positioned to highlight the stunning view and keep the conversation flowing. The centrally located dining area makes it easy to entertain a crowd, host out of town guests before a concert or simply prepare a refreshing drink after work. Working with the scale of the rooftop we added large planter boxes & greenery situated to soften the hard lines of the building, add a layer of privacy and frame the views of the skyline. A few containers are placed near the entrance and in the seating area to offer pops of colorful seasonal flowers. An irrigation system is a key part of the garden that operates automatically to water plants on a daily timer so our clients can spend their time relaxing and the plants stay healthy. Rooftopia also integrated LED lighting and patio string lights to accent and illuminate these beautiful garden elements.

This repiping project in Tarzana replaced the home's existing water supply lines with a new plumbing system routed throughout the residence. Access to the original piping required opening sections of drywall in multiple wall and ceiling areas before the new lines were installed and pressure tested. With the plumbing work complete, each access opening was patched to restore the affected surfaces and prepare them for finishing. The project combined a full plumbing system replacement with coordinated wall and ceiling restoration under a single scope of work. Tarzana Repiping Services - https://repipe1.com/repipe-services/

The area on the left side of this photograph was originally a pantry room...now redesigned as a preparation storage area for appliances. The Brazilian Dream granite slab is on the island and two sides either side of the stove wall.

A single Weathered Antique Box Beam runs across the ceiling, framing the transition between this contemporary dining room and the living room beyond with warm reddish-brown tones and a naturally aged patina that adds depth and character to a bright, clean interior. Originally cut with giant saws around 1880 by American farming families, Weathered Antique timbers carry a brown to grayish-brown patina earned over more than a century of natural aging, a warmth and authenticity that no modern material can replicate. Through our process of denailing, kiln drying, and precision milling, Manomin Resawn Timbers prepares these antique timbers for exactly this kind of quiet but essential architectural role. Whether you are a homebuilder, a home remodeling contractor, or a homeowner looking to add Weathered Antique Box Beams to a contemporary dining room or open concept space, Manomin Resawn Timbers has been helping people discover the antique charm of reclaimed wood since 2002. We ship nationwide and are happy to help you find the right pieces from anywhere in the country. Visit our showroom in Hugo, MN or reach out to us with a call or a message to get started.

"Electric" is an all glass and steel wall sculpture that is made out of 114 pieces of individually hand cut art glass. The steel is prepared and welded with each joint forming the foundation for the precise placement of the glass above it, creating a dynamic yet harmonious composition.

To spotlight the owners’ worldly decor, this remodel quietly complements the furniture and art textures, colors, and patterns abundant in this beautiful home. The original master bath had a 1980s style in dire need of change. By stealing an adjacent bedroom for the new master closet, the bath transformed into an artistic and spacious space. The jet-black herringbone-patterned floor adds visual interest to highlight the freestanding soaking tub. Schoolhouse-style shell white sconces flank the matching his and her vanities. The new generous master shower features polished nickel dual shower heads and hand shower and is wrapped in Bedrosian Porcelain Manifica Series in Luxe White with satin finish. The kitchen started as dated and isolated. To add flow and more natural light, the wall between the bar and the kitchen was removed, along with exterior windows, which allowed for a complete redesign. The result is a streamlined, open, and light-filled kitchen that flows into the adjacent family room and bar areas – perfect for quiet family nights or entertaining with friends. Crystal Cabinets in white matte sheen with satin brass pulls, and the white matte ceramic backsplash provides a sleek and neutral palette. The newly-designed island features Calacutta Royal Leather Finish quartz and Kohler sink and fixtures. The island cabinets are finished in black sheen to anchor this seating and prep area, featuring round brass pendant fixtures. One end of the island provides the perfect prep and cut area with maple finish butcher block to match the stove hood accents. French White Oak flooring warms the entire area. The Miele 48” Dual Fuel Range with Griddle offers the perfect features for simple or gourmet meal preparation. A new dining nook makes for picture-perfect seating for night or day dining. Welcome to artful living in Worldly Heritage style. Photographer: Andrew - OpenHouse VC

This casita was completely renovated from floor to ceiling in preparation of Airbnb short term romantic getaways. The color palette of teal green, blue and white was brought to life with curated antiques that were stripped of their dark stain colors, collected fine linens, fine plaster wall finishes, authentic Turkish rugs, antique and custom light fixtures, original oil paintings and moorish chevron tile and Moroccan pattern choices.

This kitchen was created for two very keen home cooks who live on a beautiful acreage property in Main Ridge, on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. The original kitchen in this space was a u-shape layout and had limited preparation space for the homeowners. In this new kitchen design the layout was completely re-thought and two island benches were created. As part of this redesign, what used to be a walk-in-pantry was opened up to create an appliance nook and extra drawer storage. This kitchen easily accommodates two cooks at the same time and the homeowners are now able to face the dining area and interact with their guests while cooking.

The original kitchen island offered limited workspace and seating, accommodating only two bar stools and restricting both everyday use and entertaining. By thoughtfully repositioning the adjacent breakfast area, the renovation created the opportunity to significantly expand the island without compromising circulation or comfort. The redesigned island now comfortably seats three, providing additional space for casual dining, meal preparation, and social gatherings while maintaining generous traffic flow throughout the kitchen. This strategic space-planning solution maximizes both functionality and aesthetics, transforming the island into the heart of the home—a multifunctional hub designed for cooking, conversation, and effortless entertaining. The result is a luxury kitchen that feels more spacious, welcoming, and perfectly tailored to the homeowners' lifestyle.

The kitchen in this contemporary style home seemed to be an afterthought. While the rest of the house is open and expansive, the kitchen was small and detached, especially for a couple who loves to entertain. The very large and adjacent dining room seemed a more likely location for a kitchen, but they resisted the thought of swapping the two spaces. So their designer created a layout that allowed for a second – and larger – opening to the dining room and the expansive, light-filled living space beyond. A peninsula attaches to the wall that remained between the two openings. There the sink is located so that during food preparation or cleanup there is a view through the windows and the opportunity to socialize with people gathered at the countertop. The seating area is curved to encourage people to gather and chat. The granite countertop choice was a case of love at first sight for this homeowner since it brought his favorite shade of blue into the kitchen. The cooking center is spread out along the wall at the back of the house. There the eye-catching stainless steel hood creates a focal point above the sleek, low-profile cooktop. Glass tile pulls color from the countertops onto the wall where it glimmers in the light. One oven combined with a microwave/convection oven meet their cooking needs and the stainless steel adds brightness to the room. The stainless steel refrigerator is just a few steps away from the work center and the seating area and is easily accessible from other parts of the house. The original kitchen featured only one small window in addition to the sliding glass doors. Since it was almost new and the house had been resided, a second window was joined to the first, and cabinetry beneath them anchors them in the space. A tall pantry cabinet completes the kitchen, providing high quality storage and visual balance in this redesign. Sleek cherry cabinets give this kitchen a decidedly contemporary style. They were stained just enough to add warmth and color and are enhanced with oversized stainless steel pulls. From this redesigned space you can see into the main house and see out through the many windows there. When combined with a new layout that provides better traffic flow, there’s a new feeling of spaciousness to the kitchen. It’s no longer an afterthought. It’s an integral part of this home’s living space, enhancing the home and the lifestyle of its owners. Photography By Scott Sherman