On the left, the original pared-down Living and on the right, the new BLUE BOX of Open Kitchen, Dining and ancillary spaces. Photography by Beton Brut.

Our clients had just recently closed on their new house in Stapleton and were excited to transform it into their perfect forever home. They wanted to remodel the entire first floor to create a more open floor plan and develop a smoother flow through the house that better fit the needs of their family. The original layout consisted of several small rooms that just weren’t very functional, so we decided to remove the walls that were breaking up the space and restructure the first floor to create a wonderfully open feel. After removing the existing walls, we rearranged their spaces to give them an office at the front of the house, a large living room, and a large dining room that connects seamlessly with the kitchen. We also wanted to center the foyer in the home and allow more light to travel through the first floor, so we replaced their existing doors with beautiful custom sliding doors to the back yard and a gorgeous walnut door with side lights to greet guests at the front of their home. Living Room Our clients wanted a living room that could accommodate an inviting sectional, a baby grand piano, and plenty of space for family game nights. So, we transformed what had been a small office and sitting room into a large open living room with custom wood columns. We wanted to avoid making the home feel too vast and monumental, so we designed custom beams and columns to define spaces and to make the house feel like a home. Aesthetically we wanted their home to be soft and inviting, so we utilized a neutral color palette with occasional accents of muted blues and greens. Dining Room Our clients were also looking for a large dining room that was open to the rest of the home and perfect for big family gatherings. So, we removed what had been a small family room and eat-in dining area to create a spacious dining room with a fireplace and bar. We added custom cabinetry to the bar area with open shelving for displaying and designed a custom surround for their fireplace that ties in with the wood work we designed for their living room. We brought in the tones and materiality from the kitchen to unite the spaces and added a mixed metal light fixture to bring the space together Kitchen We wanted the kitchen to be a real show stopper and carry through the calm muted tones we were utilizing throughout their home. We reoriented the kitchen to allow for a big beautiful custom island and to give us the opportunity for a focal wall with cooktop and range hood. Their custom island was perfectly complimented with a dramatic quartz counter top and oversized pendants making it the real center of their home. Since they enter the kitchen first when coming from their detached garage, we included a small mud-room area right by the back door to catch everyone’s coats and shoes as they come in. We also created a new walk-in pantry with plenty of open storage and a fun chalkboard door for writing notes, recipes, and grocery lists. Office We transformed the original dining room into a handsome office at the front of the house. We designed custom walnut built-ins to house all of their books, and added glass french doors to give them a bit of privacy without making the space too closed off. We painted the room a deep muted blue to create a glimpse of rich color through the french doors Powder Room The powder room is a wonderful play on textures. We used a neutral palette with contrasting tones to create dramatic moments in this little space with accents of brushed gold. Master Bathroom The existing master bathroom had an awkward layout and outdated finishes, so we redesigned the space to create a clean layout with a dream worthy shower. We continued to use neutral tones that tie in with the rest of the home, but had fun playing with tile textures and patterns to create an eye-catching vanity. The wood-look tile planks along the floor provide a soft backdrop for their new free-standing bathtub and contrast beautifully with the deep ash finish on the cabinetry.

Mid-sized 1960s kitchen photo in Los Angeles

Please see this Award Winning project in the October 2014 issue of New York Cottages & Gardens Magazine: NYC&G http://www.cottages-gardens.com/New-York-Cottages-Gardens/October-2014/NYCG-Innovation-in-Design-Winners-Kitchen-Design/ It was also featured in a Houzz Tour: Houzz Tour: Loving the Old and New in an 1880s Brooklyn Row House http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29691278/list/houzz-tour-loving-the-old-and-new-in-an-1880s-brooklyn-row-house Photo Credit: Hulya Kolabas

Example of a tuscan u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Lincoln Barbour
Mid-sized 1960s galley terrazzo floor and multicolored floor open concept kitchen photo in Portland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Barnes Walker Ltd
Photo of a traditional partial sun stone garden path in Manchester.

Example of a large mid-century modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen design in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, metallic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Located on farmland in McLean, Virginia, the American Farmhouse balances the expected comforts of a new home with the bucolic beauty of an old farmhouse. The final site plan still has evidence showing parallel courses of the barn’s destiny. The house mass is broken and lowered so that the home can remain secondary to the monolithic barn structure. Earthy and elemental materials are selected for the home that reference the barn without directly mimicking it. Wooden members found inside the barn and from other barns bridge ceilings and are used in floors along with rustic slate adding to a sense of simplicity to the farmhouse design. The age and patina of the barn is reflected in the house’s textural use of board and batten and field stone layered similar to stone foundations. The original development plan was to demolish the existing barn and construct three suburban homes. Part of an endangered breed, as one of the few remaining barns in the area, it was originally viewed as a challenge in a luxury home construction with several difficulties posed to the impending project: it would be expensive to renovate, vulnerable to demolition, and threatened by urban sprawl. However, instead of trying to alter or destroy the barn, the structure was fully embraced into the traditional architecture project as a centerpiece and was used as the inspiration for the home. The new house was sited parallel to the barn so that views to the barn gable were accessible.

Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in Seattle

http://www.anthonymasterson.com
Example of a mid-sized ornate white tile and ceramic tile mosaic tile floor and multicolored floor claw-foot bathtub design in Nashville with a pedestal sink and green walls

High end, highly custom complete kitchen remodel with amazing details. THE KEY FEATURES - Dining Room Wall removed - Island w/ sink, dishwasher and trash/recycling; eating area that seats 2-3 people on the other side - Full height Pantry next to refrigerator - 36″ paneled refrigerator - 3 Work Zones: the island, left of the range, right of the range - Snack Zone: a place away from the work zone to house the toaster, coffeemaker and microwave - Dish/ Cutlery Storage: Two sets of dishes and cutlery also store in the cabinets on the snack zone wall. - Ample Cooking storage: Two 45″ and 33″ base cabinets with adjustable roll-out shelves provide ample space for pots/ pans / cooking supplies - Garden Window Relocated and Re-sized. . Photo by Courtney Apple

Small elegant blue two-story gable roof photo in Houston

Frontyard - AFTER
Inspiration for a 1950s gray one-story flat roof remodel in San Francisco

Bruce Cole
Example of a mid-sized trendy gray floor basement design in Other with white walls

Touches of color add interest to the all important curb appeal. Notice how the color draws your eyes toward the front door! Photo by Marilyn Peryer
Inspiration for a large country white two-story wood exterior home remodel in Raleigh with a metal roof

Building Design, Plans, and Interior Finishes by: Fluidesign Studio I Builder: Anchor Builders I Photographer: sethbennphoto.com
Elegant l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Playroom - contemporary gender-neutral playroom idea in Birmingham with white walls

Living room - industrial open concept concrete floor living room idea in Portland with gray walls and a standard fireplace