THE KITCHEN, with the Dining Room beyond. The last of the great stone archways leads to the Formal Dining Room, beyond. This archway is framed by the Sub-Zero Refrigerator and Freezer. Both appliances utilize integrated Cherry-Wood panel door inserts, to match the cabinets. The beautiful Hand-Made glass tiles create a colorful mosaic setting for the Cantera Stone Hood, which is centered with the Family Room Fireplace (left).

Photo by Erika Cooper. This is a quiet nook just off the kitchen, perfect for reading the morning paper or relaxing with a cup of tea. The mix of fabrics - florals, stripes, and solids - gives the room a dynamic feel without being overwhelming and the finishes of the chairs and table are very grounding.

This four-level staircase commands attention from the moment you enter. Serving as the architectural centerpiece of the home, its open design works in harmony with strategic window placement to allow natural light to cascade down through all four levels of living space. The design makes bold use of contrast. The dark risers against light treads create visual drama, while wrought iron round balusters paired with painted wooden rails and newels ground the staircase in timeless elegance. The result is a semi-floating effect that feels both substantial and airy, anchoring the entrance without overwhelming it. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Enlarging and updating a very dated space with a natural rustic color pallet to compliment the rest of the home's interior. A custom tile tub surround adds depth and pattern to the space without being too overwhelming, accented with Oil Rubbed Bronze fixtures.

Rising through the heart of the main foyer, this curved staircase is striking. Dark-stained oak treads with square noses create a substantial foundation, anchored by bold, black-painted square newels. A modern metal balustrade completes the design, adding sleek contemporary edge to the elegant curve. The freestanding nature of stair allows the staircase to command attention without overwhelming the interiors. The result is a staircase that balances presence and refinement. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

BEFORE The homeowners waited a long time to renovate their kitchen. They were overwhelmed by all the choices and decisions they had to make. After our meeting we put their worries to rest. We reassured them that we would do our best to create their dream kitchen. The original 1990’s kitchen desperately needed to be brought into the 21st century. The homeowners hated the outdated cabinetry, narrow peninsula and overall layout. They wanted a small home office area, but most importantly they wanted a large island with plenty of seating. There was an issue with the width of the kitchen. It was tricky to fit the island in the narrow area without ample space to allow a nice flow around it. However, we never want to disappoint our customers. SOLUTION In order to design a functional layout and give our customers their dream island, we went with shallow pantry units along the kitchen wall. That extra 12” allowed for just enough space for the island. Reworking the layout of the cabinetry on the perimeter of the kitchen opened up a space for a small home office area. We had to work with the existing radiant heated flooring. Replacing it was out of the question because of the additional costs. The choices of cabinetry and color scheme had to correlate with it. Therefore we selected oak cabinets in driftwood oak finish with warm brushed brass hardware. According to our customers we checked all the boxes on their dream kitchen wish list.

About: Abandoned two years ago by a previous contractor, and overwhelmed by the challenges associated with building an updated porch respectful to this Queen Anne style home, J. Francis Company, LLC was referred to the customer by Maynes & Associates, Architects. Perched at the highest point on the North Side with a panoramic view is where Deb Mortillaro and Mike Gonze make their residence. Owners of the famous Dreadnought Wines and Palate Partners in the Strip District of Pittsburgh, Deb & Mike wanted a porch to use for entertaining & wine tasting parties. Design features include reuse of original porch footers, mahogany tongue & groove flooring, a railing system that compliments the original design yet complies with the code and features a clear coated Cyprus top rail. The original porch columns were most likely stone bases with wood posts that have been replaced with columns to enhance the updated look. The curved corner has been reproduced including a custom-built curved handrail. The whole porch comes together, tying in the red mahogany floor, Cyprus handrail, and stained bead board ceiling. The finished result is a breathtakingly beautiful wrap-around porch with ample room for guests and entertaining. Testimonial: "Our beloved porch had been taken down to be rebuilt for two years before we met the great folks at J. Francis Company. We knew this porch had great potential and all it would take was the right people to make it happen - ones with vision and great craftsmanship. In conjunction with our architect, Greg Maynes, Dave Myers of J. Francis Company guided this project along with tremendous skill and patience. His creative suggestions and practical thought made the process painless and exciting. The head carpenter JK was a marvel and added touches that made a spectacular difference. We use our home and especially this porch to entertain both clients and friends throughout the year. They all have been anxiously waiting to hear that it is done. A pleasant surprise will be theirs when they arrive."

Riese Design, Inc. - Polish nickel chandelier featured in this dining room, with frosted surrounds encompassing the lighting. The metal in the chandelier bow and curve, making this light fixture very appealing. The white drapery has a very light pattern on it so as to not overwhelm the room, but to add to the character of the space. This dining room also features a beautiful chair rail and grey wall to ground the space nicely.

Living Room in Minton Circle | Room Type: Full Home Design & Furnishing – Approximately 5,300 sq ft | 5 Bed | 5 ½ Bath (including office, primary bedroom/bath, dining room, family room, breakfast nook and wine wall). Project Name: Minton Circle | Key Feature: A Transitional/Modern home designed for multigenerational living, highlighted by a custom wine feature wall with built-in cabinetry, a fully custom arched pantry door, and layered lighting and furnishings that elevated the builder-grade finishes. Challenge: Designing a full dining room wine wall that would serve as a striking focal point without overwhelming the space or feeling heavy against the clean, modern architecture. Solution: We recessed the wine wall within the architectural niche to create depth and intentional framing. Slim, vertical metal racks were installed in a symmetrical layout, allowing the bottles themselves to become sculptural elements against the crisp white backdrop. By pairing the open wine display with low, dark cabinetry below, we grounded the feature and added concealed storage to balance form and function. The minimal metal detailing and negative space keep the installation feeling light and modern, while still delivering impact the moment you enter the room. Materials: Lighting: Circa Lighting, Regina Andrew. Rugs: Loloi, JLeigh Carpets, Momeni. Wallpaper: Phillip Jeffries. Furnishings: Moss Studio, Bernhardt, Four Hands. Art: Leftbank. Timeline: Completed March 2022.

This four-level staircase commands attention from the moment you enter. Serving as the architectural centerpiece of the home, its open design works in harmony with strategic window placement to allow natural light to cascade down through all four levels of living space. The design makes bold use of contrast. The dark risers against light treads create visual drama, while wrought iron round balusters paired with painted wooden rails and newels ground the staircase in timeless elegance. The result is a semi-floating effect that feels both substantial and airy, anchoring the entrance without overwhelming it. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Bringing Luxe Comfort to Everyday Living At Home to Haven Renovations, we specialize in transforming outdated kitchens and bathrooms into stunning, functional retreats. Whether you're dreaming of a modern chef’s kitchen, a spa-inspired primary bath, or a full home refresh, we design spaces that reflect your unique style, comfort, and lifestyle needs. From concept to completion, we guide homeowners through the renovation process with ease — helping turn what often feels overwhelming into a seamless and exciting experience. Our signature approach blends affordable luxury, high-end design, and personalized touches that make your home truly feel like a haven.

For Dakota, the living room is more than just a space—it’s a story. A gallery of family photos, bold decor choices, and a mix of textures bring personality front and center. Foundational pieces like the Tivoli Sofa and Addison Coffee Table provide a neutral, high-quality base that lets color and character shine without overwhelming the room. It’s comfort with meaning.

You can have a pool in your yard even if you don't have acres of property. This small pool is perfect for a quick dip or long summer afternoons- and because of the design of the space, the pool doesn't overwhelm the yard or feel too small.

The scales of the decorative pieces are ample but not overwhelming. A lack of ornamentation and decoration keeps the focus on the simplicity and sophistication of the design. Photography by Claudia Uribe

With overwhelming support by the community who dug deep and donated, the 2017 Central Valley St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway successfully raised $961,100 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital! Since 2007, De Young Properties has been a major donor and builder of 11 St. Jude Dream Homes, helping to raise $10,671,445 to help the kids of St. Jude fight cancer and other life-threatening childhood diseases. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which works around the clock to develop cures to save the lives of boys and girls, including children in the San Joaquin Valley.

This remarkable renovation reimagines an entire lower level into a multi-room retreat that reads less like a basement and more like a private members' club. Every inch was designed with intention — layering bold textures, curated art, and a confident mix of moody and luminous palettes to create a space that is simultaneously dramatic and deeply livable. Main Living Area The heart of this renovation is a sweeping living room where refined restraint meets expressive design. Walls are finished with architectural fluted millwork banding near the ceiling — a detail that adds rhythm and sophistication without overwhelming the space. Flanking panels of delicately patterned textured wallpaper frame a striking large-scale abstract canvas in black, white, and gold, which serves as both the focal point and the color story for the entire room. Paired frosted glass capsule sconces with warm brass fittings illuminate the artwork from either side, casting a soft, gallery-like glow. The furniture selection is equally considered: a generous cream linen sofa anchors the primary seating area, complemented by a pair of sculptural dark leather swivel lounge chairs with a stone travertine pedestal side table nestled between them. A plush velvet ottoman, a brass arc floor lamp, and a soft gray area rug over wide-plank hardwood floors complete the composition with quiet luxury. Bar & Entertainment Area The bar is nothing short of a showpiece. Custom cabinetry in a sophisticated greige-gray, featuring a mix of flat-panel and reeded/fluted door fronts, is crowned with a jaw-dropping geometric faceted tile backsplash. The tile — a mosaic of black, white, and metallic stone set in a kaleidoscopic diamond pattern — catches the light and shifts dramatically depending on the angle. A pair of oversized brass dome pendant lights hang above a sleek island topped in richly veined dark marble, providing both task lighting and a glamorous focal point. Open shelving built into the backsplash wall displays sculptural art objects — including a carved Buddha head and white abstract sculptures — reinforcing the home's gallery aesthetic. A brass spring-coil faucet, integrated beverage refrigerator, and patterned swirl-print ottomans tucked beneath the island make this bar equally functional and unforgettable. Game Room A complete tonal departure, the game room embraces deep, moody drama through floor-to-ceiling dark olive green walls and ceiling. A large-format sage green square tile accent wall grounds a wall-mounted flat screen TV, while a mahogany billiard table with slate blue felt takes center stage on a vintage-style area rug. A sculptural brass sputnik chandelier overhead adds a touch of glam that keeps the space from feeling too heavy. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the room with natural light and offer serene woodland views — a beautiful contrast to the room's intentionally dark interior palette. Sitting Room A quieter counterpart to the more dramatic spaces, the sitting room offers a warm, neutral sanctuary. A modern channel-tufted sofa in warm gray is dressed with rust terracotta and watercolor sage pillows. A sculptural tub chair in textured charcoal fabric, a pair of curved bronze ottomans with ribbed white upholstery, and a small dark marble side table complete a seating vignette that feels curated and calm. Signature Art Installation Perhaps the most conversation-starting element in the entire project is a bespoke wall sculpture: dozens of white ceramic pods with gold-leafed interiors, arranged in a sweeping, wave-like pattern across a stairwell or hallway wall. The installation bridges art and architecture, transforming a transitional space into a destination.

We recently participated in a Designer Showhouse for a historic home in Bayport, NY. We were asked to do the dining room, kitchen and laundry room. Due to the homes proximity to the ocean we chose ocean blues as our theme color. Although the room itself is a good size we did not want to overwhelm it with furniture and instead chose accent pieces that draw the viewers attention to the beautifully restored chair rail on the walls. The bamboo rug blends nicely with the restored floors, thus offering it protection in the table area but not detracting from the floors natural beauty. We chose to work with the existing chandelier in keeping with the style of the home. We changed the glass to shades on the chandelier to give the room softer feel. We thank Barbara Leogrande of Douglas Elliman for offering us the opportunity to work on this beautifully restored historic home.

The backsplash serves as a focal point, showcasing textured tile in a subtle leaf-pattern design. The neutral palette and dimensional surface add depth and visual interest without overwhelming the space.

This lake cabin had gorgeous view and good bones, but had overwhelming wall-to-wall red knotty pine paneling...even on the ceilings! In order to keep the cabin look but bring a bit of a modern look to the space, we tempered the heavy wood by drywalling sections of the common areas. The blocky fireplace was transformed to feature a stone ledge façade all the way to the high ceilings. The log-look railings were replaced with sleek, contemporary iron. The floor was replaced with a dark, espresso-stained wood plank floor. Furniture featured clean, crisp lines and bright colors in natural prints.