Winner of the 2018 Tour of Homes Best Remodel, this whole house re-design of a 1963 Bennet & Johnson mid-century raised ranch home is a beautiful example of the magic we can weave through the application of more sustainable modern design principles to existing spaces. We worked closely with our client on extensive updates to create a modernized MCM gem. Extensive alterations include: - a completely redesigned floor plan to promote a more intuitive flow throughout - vaulted the ceilings over the great room to create an amazing entrance and feeling of inspired openness - redesigned entry and driveway to be more inviting and welcoming as well as to experientially set the mid-century modern stage - the removal of a visually disruptive load bearing central wall and chimney system that formerly partitioned the homes’ entry, dining, kitchen and living rooms from each other - added clerestory windows above the new kitchen to accentuate the new vaulted ceiling line and create a greater visual continuation of indoor to outdoor space - drastically increased the access to natural light by increasing window sizes and opening up the floor plan - placed natural wood elements throughout to provide a calming palette and cohesive Pacific Northwest feel - incorporated Universal Design principles to make the home Aging In Place ready with wide hallways and accessible spaces, including single-floor living if needed - moved and completely redesigned the stairway to work for the home’s occupants and be a part of the cohesive design aesthetic - mixed custom tile layouts with more traditional tiling to create fun and playful visual experiences - custom designed and sourced MCM specific elements such as the entry screen, cabinetry and lighting - development of the downstairs for potential future use by an assisted living caretaker - energy efficiency upgrades seamlessly woven in with much improved insulation, ductless mini splits and solar gain

1960s formal and open concept living room photo in San Francisco with gray walls

The great room walls are filled with glass doors and transom windows, providing maximum natural light and views of the pond and the meadow. Photographer: Daniel Contelmo Jr.

Gordon Beall
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed carpeted living room remodel in DC Metro with blue walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

This family estate cantilevers high above a cliff overlooking Lake Austin in the heart of Westlake. With the living area glassed equally on both the entry side and lake side, this refined contemporary jewel is the perfect retreat for engaging with the serenity of the exterior landscape. To the interior of the home are exquisite details including smooth plastered walls, bleached post oak floors, and teak ceilings and soffits; all serving as backdrops for the custom one-off decorative light fixtures and unique art and furnishings.

White, gold and almost black are used in this very large, traditional remodel of an original Landry Group Home, filled with contemporary furniture, modern art and decor. White painted moldings on walls and ceilings, combined with black stained wide plank wood flooring. Very grand spaces, including living room, family room, dining room and music room feature hand knotted rugs in modern light grey, gold and black free form styles. All large rooms, including the master suite, feature white painted fireplace surrounds in carved moldings. Music room is stunning in black venetian plaster and carved white details on the ceiling with burgandy velvet upholstered chairs and a burgandy accented Baccarat Crystal chandelier. All lighting throughout the home, including the stairwell and extra large dining room hold Baccarat lighting fixtures. Master suite is composed of his and her baths, a sitting room divided from the master bedroom by beautiful carved white doors. Guest house shows arched white french doors, ornate gold mirror, and carved crown moldings. All the spaces are comfortable and cozy with warm, soft textures throughout. Project Location: Lake Sherwood, Westlake, California. Project designed by Maraya Interior Design. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Malibu and Calabasas, across the tri-county area of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills.

Jeff Dow Photography This space originally had a wall dividing it down the center and a flat ceiling. The ceiling was removed and wood rafters added to open up the space. The original sunken living space and custom couches were retained.

Restored dining room including new plaster moldings, hand-built plaster ceiling medallion, custom bench-made mahogany dining table, antique host dining chairs, custom walnut china cabinet, custom silk drapery panels with matching valance, hand-woven aubusson rug.

Living room with exposed limestone and fine grain European plastered walls, along with a stained wood ceiling and exposed beams.
Example of a southwest living room design in Austin

“I learned to let workers walk around to gape at the ornate details during their first visit before trying to engage them with any business.” This 1904 home was built by partners of the Pantages Theaters. Oak floors with marquetry borders, ornate plaster ceilings, beveled glass windows, molded trim, and carved figureheads create an elegant home. Unfortunately a multiyear leak had ruined a corner of the dining room, so specialists were found to match the original decorative plaster and basket weave inlaid flooring. Workers painstakingly set 10,000 finish nails into the flooring. “We want to retrofit to Passivhaus standards.” We undertook a thorough sealing of the old walls and attic, insulated the basement with polyiso, and blew piles of cellulose in the attic. Windows on the second floor and basement were replaced with triple glazed units, while the elegant first floor windows were refurbished and fitted with interior storms. Barred from removing the interior plaster or exterior stucco, we insulated the first floor walls from above. Analysis of dollars per BTU saved guided our decision to not remove the stucco to outsulate with mineral wool. In the end, we cut heat losses by 84% from an EUI of 121 to just 19, and received Built Green 4-Star certification. “We’d like to view Mt. Rainier from the master bedroom.” The entire second floor was demolished back to the studs, except for the elegant central stair hall. The floor plan was completely rearranged to fit three bedrooms plus a study under the existing roof. New waste plumbing pipes were threaded down through the house in two directions to serve the new family bathroom, split into a bathing chamber and a toilet chamber. “We love to cook and entertain dinner guests.” The old servant kitchen, tucked away in the back with its own separate stair, was replaced by a new mud room and bathroom. The old 3 foot door from dining to kitchen was widened to an 8 foot archway, carefully replicating the door casing so it appears to be original. The new kitchen has views to the back yard garden, soapstone countertops, custom cherry cabinets, a glass tile splash, energy- and water-efficient appliances, and even a filtered water stub out for the espresso maker. “I really want 4 more inches of head room in the basement.” We demolished the old slab, excavated without undermining the shallow footings, installed new gravel, insulation, vapor retarder and concrete slab. The northeast basement corner was thermally isolated to become a root cellar which will store food produced by the entire yard’s conversion to permaculture. The basement now houses the guest bed and bath, family room, laundry, and mechanical room. “We expected lead paint, but I’ve never seen asbestos in plaster before.” The hazmat crew did all necessary plaster demo. Trim and doors were carefully removed, labeled, and stored for reinstallation. Lead RRP and construction IAQ procedures were vigorously followed. When the new HRV and flexible ventilation tubing arrived on site, we set up a clean room where all HVAC materials were stored and cut prior to installation to assure pristine air quality. “We don’t want to draw our fresh air from down near the ground.” The old laundry chute, our only existing vertical chase, had been promised three times over for plumbing, wiring, and ducts. So we routed the new fresh air duct from the basement HRV up through the old furnace chimney to the sky, a symbol of clean green replacing dirty fossil fuel.

Hand painted ceiling distressed into a glazed textured finish. Copyright © 2016 The Artists Hands
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized mediterranean u-shaped terra-cotta tile eat-in kitchen idea in Houston with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, an undermount sink, granite countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Large modern style Living Room featuring a black tile, floor to ceiling fireplace. Plenty of seating on this white sectional sofa and 2 side chairs. Two pairs of floor to ceiling sliding glass doors open onto the back patio and pool area for the ultimate indoor outdoor lifestyle.

Nantucket Architectural Photography
Example of a mid-sized beach style u-shaped medium tone wood floor great room design in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops and stainless steel appliances

Example of an island style living room design in New York

Organic Southwestern style beehive fireplace with built-in mantel shelf. Architect: Urban Design Associates, Lee Hutchison Interior Designer: Bess Jones Interiors Builder: R-Net Custom Homes Photography: Dino Tonn

Hand painted ceiling distressed into a glazed textured finish. Copyright © 2016 The Artists Hands
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean u-shaped terra-cotta tile eat-in kitchen remodel in Houston with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, an undermount sink, granite countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Second floor master bedroom/balcony. -Randal Bye
Inspiration for a large timeless master medium tone wood floor bedroom remodel in Philadelphia with white walls

Patrick Coulie
Living room - large contemporary open concept concrete floor living room idea in Albuquerque with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Large transitional formal and enclosed light wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Atlanta with blue walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace and no tv