The Wallpaper’s slight silver shimmer highlights the Bath’s hardware in this second story bathroom. A stylish space for use during the workday for owner and clients. The Pocket Door necessitates using other walls for Towel fixture and Art placement. The Roof’s angle gave the perfect space for the lighting fixture.

Penza Bailey Architects was contacted to update the main house to suit the next generation of owners, and also expand and renovate the guest apartment. The renovations included a new mudroom and playroom to accommodate the couple and their three very active boys, creating workstations for the boys’ various activities, and renovating several bathrooms. The awkwardly tall vaulted ceilings in the existing great room and dining room were scaled down with lowered tray ceilings, and a new fireplace focal point wall was incorporated in the great room. In addition to the renovations to the focal point of the home, the Owner’s pride and joy includes the new billiard room, transformed from an underutilized living room. The main feature is a full wall of custom cabinetry that hides an electronically secure liquor display that rises out of the cabinet at the push of an iPhone button. In an unexpected request, a new grilling area was designed to accommodate the owner’s gas grill, charcoal grill and smoker for more cooking and entertaining options. This home is definitely ready to accommodate a new generation of hosting social gatherings. Mitch Allen Photography

This avant-garde secondary residence has a lovely “open area” appeal. Blinds that adapt to the owner’s lifestyle have been installed, creating a variety of settings for different moods and intimacy. The installation of the blinds complements the structure of the building to produce a most interesting visual effect of giving prominence to nature.

A simple change that added over 120 square feet to the master bedroom, and opened up magnificent views of the Watauga River. Rustic finishes and the owner’s eye for antiques make the larger bedroom a pleasant refuge in this mountain getaway.

Samsel Architects Situated on a gently sloping lot with expansive lake views, this residence was influenced by the Owner’s interest in both the “English Cottage” and “Shingle-Style” precedents. The house features two levels of stone terraces facing Lake Junaluska, as well as native landscape and pathways that lead to the lake’s edge. Superior energy-efficiency is achieved through environmentally friendly foam insulation and air infiltration verified by a “blower door” test.

Entrance to owners suite. Ship lap walls in the upstairs hall and built ins gives the entrance a large welcoming to the owners suite. The second story owners suite has a beautiful view of Lake Norman, NC

Teton Heritage Builders was hired by the new home owners to remodel, complete unfinished spaces and add a guest master suite to the Gros Ventre Ranch. Strout Architects brought the continuity from the original owner’s design to the remodel and worked seamlessly with Snake River Interiors and the client’s team. The result was a one of a kind residence and a very happy client completed under Dan Clancy’s supervision, leadership and focus on a high level of quality. More photos: http://bit.ly/Yd3mQB Photo: David Swift

Georgian Revival - The Ford Plantation Echoing the time of gracious Southern living, a curvilinear driveway among a forest of live oaks takes you to the two structures on this Georgian estate – the main house and a carriage house. The main 1 ½ story house featuring Savannah Gray Brick and slate roof, incorporates an elegant formal entrance, colonnade and front porch; while the ‘owner’s entrance’ is located to one side of the home. The rear of the house incorporates a screened-in porch and overlooks a large paddock area of dedicated green space. The carriage house, using board and batten painted wood siding, serves as a garage. The house’s interior is made up of traditional moldings and casing, hardwood floors, and furnished with period antiques. General Contractor Tony Reardon Construction Co., Savannah GA Interior Design By Owner

This entry’s design was inspired by the feel of an 12th century English manor. • This home has a very personal meaning for the designer as the clients are friends they have worked with for over twenty years. The home design comes from a classic English country manor style with a few updates to accommodate the homeowner’s preferences. • The years they have known each other gave the designer the opportunity to understand their taste and needs. This home is truly a reflection of the owner’s lives. • The interior design was influenced by respecting the homeowner’s collection of furnishings and adding new art plus lots of color. The stair railings are a reference to classic English design and custom made. • The most outstanding special feature was created in the entry, a small door for children to enter under the stairs was trompe-l'oeil. The small door now appears as a large antique door with small windows featuring the owner’s dogs. • A dog friendly home with a large welcome mat to friends and family is perfect for entertaining and relaxing in the warm and enchanting house. • The cabinets, floors and lighting were selected for durable use and worked to integrate the home’s history. Special lighting was added to illustrate the many pieces of art. • More than a house; this is a place to call home. For complete tour: http://epprighthomes.com/videos/12th-century-manor-house/

The owners of this kitchen had spent the money to upgrade the finishes in their kitchen upon building the home 12 years ago, but after living in the space for several years they realized how nonfunctional the layout really was. The (then) two preschool aged children had grown into busy, hungry teenagers with many friends who also liked to hang out at the house. So the family needed a more functional kitchen with better traffic flow, space for daily activities revolving around the kitchen at different times of day, and a kitchen that could accommodate cooking for and serving large groups. Furthermore, the dark, traditional finishes no longer reflected the homeowners’ style. They requested a brighter, more relaxed, coastal style that reflected their love of the seaside cities they like to visit. Originally, the kitchen was U-shaped with a narrow island in the middle. The island created narrow aisles that bottle-necked at the dishwasher, refrigerator, and cooktop areas. There was a pass-through from the foyer into the kitchen, but the owners never liked that the pass-through was also located so close to the powder room. The awkward proximity was unappealing and made guests feel uncomfortable. The kitchen’s storage was made up of lots of narrow cabinets, apothecary drawers, clipped corner units, and very few drawers. It lacked useful storage for the larger items the family used on a daily basis. And the kitchen’s only pantry was small closet that had only builder-grade, narrow shelving with no illumination to be able to see the contents inside. Overall, the kitchen’s lighting plan was poorly executed. Only six recessed cans illuminated the entire kitchen and nook areas. The under cabinet lighting was not evenly distributed either. In fact, the builder had mis-placed the under cabinet lighting around the decorative pilasters which made for choppy, dark cubbies. Further, the builder didn’t include any lighting over the sink or the bar area, which meant whoever was doing the dishes was always in their own shadow. That, coupled with the steep overhang of the game room above made the bar area feel like a dim, cavernous space that wasn’t inviting or task oriented. The kitchen looked out into the main living space, but the raised bar and a narrow wall (which held the only large cabinet in the kitchen) created more of a barrier than a relationship to the living room or breakfast nook. In fact, one couldn’t even see the breakfast nook from the cooktop or sink areas due to its orientation. The raised bar top was too narrow to comfortably sit to either dine at or chat from due to the lack of knee space. The the homeowners confided that the kitchen felt more like a dark, dirty prison than place where the family, or their guests, wanted to gather and commune. The clients' needs and desires were: ➢ to create a kitchen that would be a space the family loved to be in; to relate to the adjacent spaces all around, and to have better flow for entertaining large groups ➢ to remove the walls between the breakfast nook and living area and to be able to utilize the natural light from the windows in both those areas ➢ to incorporate a functional chopping block for prepping fresh food for home cooked meals, an island with a large sink and drain board, 2 pull out trash cans, and seating for at least the 2 teens to eat or do homework ➢ to design a kitchen and breakfast nook with an airy, coastal, relaxed vibe that blended with the rest of the house's coastal theme ➢ to integrate a layered lighting plan which would include ample general illumination, specific task lighting, decorative lighting, and lots of illuminated storage ➢ to design a kitchen with not only more storage for all the husband’s kitchen gadgets and collection of oils and spices, but smart storage, including a coffee/breakfast bar and a place to store and conceal the toaster oven and microwave ➢ to find a way to utilize the large open space between the kitchen, pantry area, and breakfast nook Twelve Stones Designs achieved the owner's goals by: ➢ removing the walls between the kitchen and living room to allow the natural light to filter in from the adjacent rooms and to create a connection between the kitchen, nook, and living spaces for a sense of unity and communion ➢ removing the existing pantry and designing 3 large pantry style cabinets with LED tape lights and rollout drawers to house lots of kitchen appliances, gadgets, and tons of groceries. We also took the cabinets all the way up to the 9’ ceiling for additional storage for seasonal items and bulk storage. ➢ designing 2 islands - 1 with a gorgeous black walnut chopping block that houses a drawer for chopping and carving knives and a custom double pull out trash unit for point of use utilization - and 1 that houses the dishwasher, a large Blanco Gourmet sink with integrated drain board, woven baskets for fresh root vegetables and kitchen towels, plenty of drawer storage for kitchen items, and bar seating for up to 4 diners. ➢ closing off the space between the kitchen and the powder room to create a beautiful new private alcove for the powder room as well as adding some decorative storage. This also gave us space to include more tall storage near the new range for precision placement of the husband’s extensive oil and spice collection as well as a location for a combo-steam oven the wife wanted for baking and cooking healthy meals. The project is enhanced functionally by: ➢ incorporated USB and standard receptacles for the kids’ laptops and phone charging in the large island ➢ designing the small island to include additional open shelving for items used on a daily basis such as a variety of bowls, plates, and colanders. This set up also works well for the husband who prefers to “plate” his dinners in restaurant-style fashion before presenting them to the table. ➢ the integration of specific storage units, such as double stacked cutlery drawers, a custom spice pull-out, a Kuerig coffee and tea pod drawer, and custom double stacked utensil drawers ➢ moving the refrigerator to the old oven location - this eliminated the bottle neck as well as created a better relationship to the eating table. It also utilizes the floor space between the pantry, nook, and kitchen ➢ creating a banquet style breakfast nook - this banquette seating not only doubles the amount of seating for large gatherings but it better utilizes the odd space between the kitchen and the previous nook area. It also helps to create a distinct pathway from the mudroom room through the pantry area, kitchen, nook, and living room. ➢ the coffee/breakfast bar area which includes the perfect location for the concealed microwave and toaster oven, convenient storage for the coffee pods and tea accoutrements. Roll-out drawers below also house the smoothie maker, hot water kettle, and a plethora of smoothie-making ingredients such as protein powders, smoothie additives, etc. Furthermore, the drawers below the Keurig house measuring utensil, cutlery, baking supplies and tupperware storage. ➢ incorporating lots of wide drawers and pullouts to accommodate large cookware. ➢ utilizing as much vertical space as possible by building storage to the ceiling which accommodates the family’s abundant amount of serving platters, baking sheets, bakeware, casserole dishes, and additional cutting boards. The project is enhanced aesthetically by: ➢ new 5-piece Versailles pattern porcelain tile that now seamlessly joins the entire down stairs area together creating a bright, cohesiveness feeling instead of choppy separated spaces - it also adds a coastal feeling ➢ designing a cabinet to conceal the microwave and toaster oven ➢ the coastal influenced light fixtures over the nook table and island ➢ the sandy colors of the Langdon Cambria countertops. The swirling pattern and sparkling quartz pieces remind the homeowner of black-and-tan sandy beaches ➢ the striped banquet seating whose creamy white background and blue-green stripes were the inspiration for the cabinet and wall colors. ➢ All the interior doors were painted black to coordinate with the blacks and grays in the backsplash tile and countertop. This also adds a hint of tailored formality to an otherwise casual space. ➢ the use of WAC's Oculux small aperture LED units for the overhead lighting complimented with Diode LED strips for task lighting under the cabinets and inside the pantry and glass wall cabinets. All of the lighting applications are on separate dimmer switches. Innovative uses of materials or construction methods by Realty Restoration LLC: ➢ Each 1-1/2” x 3” block of reclaimed end-grain black walnut that makes up the center island chopping block was hand milled and built in the shop. It was designed to look substantial and proportional to the surrounding elements, executed by creating the 4 inch tall top with a solid wood chamfered edge band. ➢ The metal doors on either side of the vent hood were also custom designed for this project and built in the Realty Restoration LLC shop. They are made 1x2, 11-gauge mild steel with ribbed glass. Weighing 60 lbs a piece, heavy duty cabinet hinges were added to support the weight of the door and keep them from sagging. ➢ Under-cabinet receptacles were added along the range wall in order to have a clean, uninterrupted backsplash. Design obstacles to overcome: ➢ Because we were removing the demising walls between the kitchen and living room, we had to find a way to plumb and vent the new island. We did this by tunneling through the slab (the slab had post tension cables which prevented us from just trenching) to run a new wet vent through a nearby structural wall. We pulled the existing hot and cold lines between upper floor joists and ran them down the structural wall as well and up through a conduit in the tunnel. ➢ Since we were converting from wall overs to a gas range it allowed us to utilize the 220 feed for the wall ovens to provide a new sub panel for all the new kitchen circuits ➢ Due to framing deficiencies inherited from the original build there was a 1-1/2” differential in the floor-to-ceiling height over a 20 foot span; by utilizing the process of cutting and furring coupled with the crown moulding details on the cabinet elevations we were able to mask the problem and provide seamless transitions between the cabinet components. Evidence of superior craftsmanship: ➢ uniquely designed, one-of-a-kind metal “X” end panels on the large island. The end panels were custom made in the Realty Restoration LLC shop and fitted to the exact dimensions of the island. The welding seams are completely indistinguishable - the posts look like they are cut from a single sheet of metal ➢ square metal posts on the small island were also custom made and designed to compliment and carry through the metal element s throughout the kitchen ➢ the beautiful, oversized end panels on the pantry cabinets which give the breakfast nook a tailored look ➢ integrating a large format 5 piece Versailles tile pattern to seamlessly flow from the existing spaces into the new kitchen space ➢ By constructing a custom cabinet that jogged around a corner we could not remodel (housing the entry way coat closet) we were able to camouflage the adjacent wall offset within the upper and lower cabinets. By designing around the existing jog in the structural walls we accomplished a few things: we were able to find the space to house, and hide, the microwave and toaster oven yet still have a clean cohesive appearance from the kitchen side. Additionally, the owners were able to keep their much needed coat closet and we didn’t have to increase the budget with unnecessary structural work.

Gallery Designer Mirror offering an explicit design that’s elegantly enhanced by the multidimensional frame. Manufactured in Italy by Fiam Italia and designed by Marco Acerbis, Gallery mirror collection features a 6mm curved glass frame in transparent or smoky grey with either rounded or straight edge. Gallery Designer Mirror is available in square or rectangular shapes with various sizes to choose from.

This is one of the two kitchens in this Seattle home, for the owners of Starbucks. I designed it with John Saladino who I worked for at the time.
Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea in Providence

A Hydrangea Vine is planted behind the seating area to soften the fence as it grows. The home owner’s large ceramic pot is used as a focal point in a perennial bed.

We started with a small, 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick cape and turned it into a 4 bedroom, 3 bath home, with a new kitchen/family room layout downstairs and new owner’s suite upstairs. Downstairs on the rear of the home, we added a large, deep, wrap-around covered porch with a standing seam metal roof.

With enormous rectangular beams and round log posts, the Spanish Peaks House is a spectacular study in contrasts. Even the exterior—with horizontal log slab siding and vertical wood paneling—mixes textures and styles beautifully. An outdoor rock fireplace, built-in stone grill and ample seating enable the owners to make the most of the mountain-top setting. Inside, the owners relied on Blue Ribbon Builders to capture the natural feel of the home’s surroundings. A massive boulder makes up the hearth in the great room, and provides ideal fireside seating. A custom-made stone replica of Lone Peak is the backsplash in a distinctive powder room; and a giant slab of granite adds the finishing touch to the home’s enviable wood, tile and granite kitchen. In the daylight basement, brushed concrete flooring adds both texture and durability. Roger Wade

This 2-story Arts & Crafts style home first-floor owner’s suite includes a welcoming front porch and a 2-car rear entry garage. Lofty 10’ ceilings grace the first floor where hardwood flooring flows from the foyer to the great room, hearth room, and kitchen. The great room and hearth room share a see-through gas fireplace with floor-to-ceiling stone surround and built-in bookshelf in the hearth room and in the great room, stone surround to the mantel with stylish shiplap above. The open kitchen features attractive cabinetry with crown molding, Hanstone countertops with tile backsplash, and stainless steel appliances. An elegant tray ceiling adorns the spacious owner’s bedroom. The owner’s bathroom features a tray ceiling, double bowl vanity, tile shower, an expansive closet, and two linen closets. The 2nd floor boasts 2 additional bedrooms, a full bathroom, and a loft.

With the same steep pitched roof as the main pavilion, a separate studio has its own bathroom and kitchen concealed behind dark cedar battens, and a central double-sided fireplace. A custom desk, crafted from totara timber salvaged from the original site, takes pride of place in the owner’s office.

Viotti Architects combined the owner’s love of natural elements and passion for Yosemite’s Half Dome, El Capitan, with a nod to Eichler inspired architectural style. Another key component was to bring the outdoors in. Featured materials include Cedar, Ledger stone, stucco, Cherry Custom cabinets, golden tones in stone, White Oak Natural floors. This home’s architectural style stands the test of time and transcends trends.

Photo: Le Michelle Nguyen © 2014 Houzz Wall paint: Decorator's White, Benjamin Moore; Rug, RugsUSA.com; Floor lamp, Lambert & Fils; ottoman, Target; coffee table, La-Z-Boy; banquette corner couch, Marie-eve Best and father Photo by: Le Michelle Nguyen