The inspiration for this porch and terrace addition in Niwot was to combine indoor comfort with the breathtaking beauty of the mountain vistas. This exceptional outdoor living space seamlessly transitions from interior to exterior, preserving the stunning views from inside the home. The terrace lounge, designed as an extension of the living room, is furnished with comfortable weather-resistant sofas huddled around a blue pearl granite fire pit with a built-in bench for additional seating and storage. The built-in hot tub, a luxurious spa-like retreat, is the focal point of this outdoor living space. It offers an indulgent experience that can accommodate the whole family, all while providing optimal views of the mountains peaking over the evergreens. Strategically positioned for easy access to the kitchen, the artisan-crafted timber porch boasts a vaulted ceiling and frames the views. This architectural element creates a wonderful setting for open-air dining, ideal for entertaining friends and family. The cooking area is equipped with a high-quality grill and generous counter space for meal preparation, enhancing the outdoor culinary experience. The intentional progression of outdoor living spaces offers the family a perfect retreat for relaxation and entertainment. The entire setting is enhanced by the magical backdrop of the beautiful sunset, creating an unforgettable outdoor living experience that blends comfort, functionality, and natural beauty - Photography by Dane Cronin

This modern, kitchen remodel reimagined the main living spaces for better flow, function, and everyday living. We removed the existing fireplace and framed a new wall in its place to create a cleaner, more cohesive layout. The back door was relocated to improve circulation, the French doors were removed, and the existing beam was updated to accommodate the new open-concept design. The kitchen was expanded into the former dining room, creating a spacious gathering place with abundant custom storage and thoughtfully designed workspaces. A garden window bump-out brings in natural light while providing the perfect spot for growing fresh herbs year-round. To maximize functionality, we also extended the mudroom into the garage, creating a dedicated drop zone with additional storage for busy daily routines. The finished space combines warm natural materials, clean modern lines, and practical design solutions, resulting in a home that feels both inviting and highly functional.

Architectural Grandeur: Vaulted Ceilings & Natural Light The true showstopper of this kitchen renovation is the soaring vaulted ceiling, which instantly elevates the entire space to feel grand, open, and incredibly airy. To maximize this dramatic height and flood the kitchen with natural light, we integrated a striking wall of windows. Strategic Window Placement: A row of clean, black-trimmed vertical windows frames beautiful outdoor views at counter level, while a secondary band of clerestory (transom) windows sits high above. Flooded with Daylight: This dual-level window design captures sunlight at different angles throughout the day, eliminating the dark, enclosed feel of the home's original layout and reflecting beautifully off the sleek white quartz countertops. A Sense of Scale: The high, angled ceiling perfectly accommodates the oversized modern black pendant lights over the central island, creating a balanced and visually stunning focal point for the entire home.

This exterior perspective showcases the stunning curb appeal of the modern ranch transformation. A key focus of this remodel was the front addition, designed to expand the kitchen and completely redefine the home’s silhouette. Key Design Highlights of the Exterior: Dramatic Added Gable: We introduced a bold, clean-lined front-facing gable that breaks up the long, flat roofline of the original ranch, giving the home a sense of height, modern style, and architectural interest. Vaulted Ceiling Integration: The newly added gable accommodates the soaring vaulted ceilings inside the kitchen, perfectly aligning the exterior structural beauty with the spacious, airy interior layout. Dual-Level Transom Windows: A gorgeous band of black-framed transom windows is integrated right into the new gable peak, flooding the kitchen with natural daylight while creating a striking focal point from the street. High-Contrast Modern Styling: The crisp white horizontal siding, dark charcoal trim, and matching black roofline contrast beautifully with the original warm golden-toned brick facade and rustic wood-accented front entry canopy.

This modern, kitchen remodel reimagined the main living spaces for better flow, function, and everyday living. We removed the existing fireplace and framed a new wall in its place to create a cleaner, more cohesive layout. The back door was relocated to improve circulation, the French doors were removed, and the existing beam was updated to accommodate the new open-concept design. The kitchen was expanded into the former dining room, creating a spacious gathering place with abundant custom storage and thoughtfully designed workspaces. A garden window bump-out brings in natural light while providing the perfect spot for growing fresh herbs year-round. To maximize functionality, we also extended the mudroom into the garage, creating a dedicated drop zone with additional storage for busy daily routines. The finished space combines warm natural materials, clean modern lines, and practical design solutions, resulting in a home that feels both inviting and highly functional.

The One-bedroom is your ultimate starter home, great for singles and young couples alike. It features a comfortable living room with plenty of space to seat friends around the dinner table or works on projects together. You'll most likely find yourself throwing parties every weekend when life becomes too hectic outside, but don't worry because there's also an extra covered deck ready if they need shade during summertime showers. This beautiful home is perfect for the modern working professional. With southern sunlight exposure, this office has everything you need! The bedroom layout includes an extra-large walk-in closet with all your clothes easily accessible from one place. In addition, there are also multiple interior closets for everything you love! Features: Area: 1,125 sqft Dimension: 57’-6” L X 25’-4” W X 20' H Living room: 18’-6" L X 15’-10" W Dining room: 12' L X 15’-10" W Bedroom: 12' L X 15’-10" W Windows: 3 Large glass sliding doors Deck: 2 Coved decks Bathroom: Includes a bathtub Kitchen: Eat-in Kitchen Accommodates 2 to 4 people Laundry: Laundry closet in the hallway Heating: Mini-split/ radiant floor heat/ Air sourced heat pump Foundation: Stem wall/slab on grade

This house features a large upper / lower living area with 3 bedrooms and a den plus a 2 bedroom rental suite. The main house has a large master bathroom, which includes a soaker tub, walk-in shower and a separate makeup vanity area. There is a large walk-in closet in the master bedroom. The kitchen is an open concept to the living room and dining area. There is a nice size pantry off the kitchen and also a powder room to accommodate visitors. There is a gas fireplace with a reclaimed wood mantle with a beautiful chevron pattern tile. The front balcony is a good size for an outdoor space. There is also a rear patio with privacy backing on to a forested area. The den is located just off the front entryway with a powder room close by, which would be perfect for a home office. The front and rear landscape has been kept as natural as possible with river rock beds, and a variety of low maintenance plants with irrigation. The exterior of the house is a very modern style with cool colours to blend with the rock surrounding the property.

This house features a large upper / lower living area with 3 bedrooms and a den plus a 2 bedroom rental suite. The main house has a large master bathroom, which includes a soaker tub, walk-in shower and a separate makeup vanity area. There is a large walk-in closet in the master bedroom. The kitchen is an open concept to the living room and dining area. There is a nice size pantry off the kitchen and also a powder room to accommodate visitors. There is a gas fireplace with a reclaimed wood mantle with a beautiful chevron pattern tile. The front balcony is a good size for an outdoor space. There is also a rear patio with privacy backing on to a forested area. The den is located just off the front entryway with a powder room close by, which would be perfect for a home office. The front and rear landscape has been kept as natural as possible with river rock beds, and a variety of low maintenance plants with irrigation. The exterior of the house is a very modern style with cool colours to blend with the rock surrounding the property.

After six years of living in their Huntley IL home, Chris and Meghan were tired of their dark, dingy, outdated kitchen and it was finally time for a long-anticipated change. “The kitchen is the place where we live, it’s where we do everything,” Meghan said. “It was important that it be a space where we wanted to be.” Meghan loves cooking and enjoys including their girls in healthy meal prepping, this led them to want a brighter, more enjoyable kitchen with increased functionality and improved storage. For Chris especially, the laundry room was an entirely dysfunctional eyesore. “We had a washer and a dryer, but it was all kind-of cobbled together!” Chris said. “There were always laundry piles everywhere, we weren’t really sure what we wanted to do in there, but it was time for us to make a change.” The mess of the space was stressful every time they walked in the door from the garage each day. Kids’ backpacks and shoes piled up haphazardly in the makeshift boot-bench closet left the family feeling disorganized and stressed. They needed space for folding clothes and locker cubbies to help keep the family organized. Having known Christine and Todd in the Huntley community for years, Chris and Meghan were familiar with their work. “We already trusted them personally and having seen their projects for years we knew they did top notch work. After we reviewed the initial round of designs, we knew that hiring them was definitely the right choice,” Meghan and Chris said. Although Chris had done a lot of work in their home himself, the kitchen and laundry room renovation was such a large undertaking that he didn’t want to steal time away from his family to spend what would surely be many long weekends doing the job himself. “That would not have been a wise choice for us,” Chris laughed. “Our designer, Michelle was very, very, easy to work with; anything we wanted to see or weren’t sure about, she went above and beyond to make this easy for us. She was easy to get hold of and always quick to respond,” the couple said. Michelle pulled ideas that mirrored the couple’s taste and style and was adept at directing the couple to limited choices that didn’t overwhelm them and kept the process moving. “I have a hard time making decisions. Michelle made the decision-making process so easy. I loved how she listened to what I liked and then presented three great options for me to choose from,” Meghan said. The main objectives for the kitchen were better storage solutions, they wanted the space to reflect their lifestyle and taste, and they wanted it to last for years with low maintenance. One of the first steps in creating a more functional kitchen was relocating the refrigerator, creating an improved workflow for the busy family. “We didn’t know that we could even move the refrigerator to a new location where it is now, that was something that we never would have thought of,” Chris said. “The new refrigerator location makes the kitchen feel so much bigger. We didn’t add any space, but our whole kitchen with the new design just seems like it’s so much larger than before!” Meghan said. The perimeter mist colored cabinets helped warm and brighten the entire room, while the graphite colored cabinets on the island added contrast. Using this fresh, clean color palette satisfied the couple’s desire for a bright space that was the exact opposite of what they had before. Organization accessories were also added to the cabinets such as a spice drawer tray and roll outs to create hidden convenience. “I absolutely love the hidden spices – it makes cooking so much more enjoyable!” Chris said. “And all the pull outs, and the double trash bin, who would think you could get so excited about organization!” the couple said in unison. One thing they hated in their original kitchen was how dark the space felt. Added lighting on the ceiling with the new light fixtures combined with the lighter cabinetry colors throughout solved this problem. “Our new kitchen has this warm, almost cozy feeling that our old kitchen never had, it’s just a space that I love spending my time in now,” Meghan said. The light airy feeling was accentuated with the use of floating white shelves on either side of the decorative range hood. “We have so much cabinetry space, the new design is amazing we actually have more storage space than we will ever need,” Meghan said. The island was extended to create more work surface and added space for stool seating. “The new island changes how we live. Now the kids can be in the kitchen with us, doing homework, eating breakfast, and the three of us have special dinners there when Chris is working late,” Meghan said. The Carrara Marmi Quartz countertops were chosen because they are, not only beautiful, but are made from hard-working material that doesn’t require maintenance. The white subway tile backsplash that wraps to the ceiling behind the focal point cooktop range/hood compliments the crisp white countertops perfectly, while brushed brass hardware and light fixtures keep the design fresh and new. The couple had a few fears at the beginning of the project, as most homeowners do. Their biggest fear was being out of their kitchen and laundry room for an extended time. The crew made it very easy for the family to work in a limited space keeping the washer and dryer hooked up the majority of the time, and also getting appliances working with minimal downtime. “They above and beyond accommodated us to get us through the process,” Meghan said. “They did a great job making sure we were as comfortable as possible throughout the process,” Chris added. “Our project manager DJ did a great job. He was very good at updating us on schedule changes, getting guys in as quickly as possible. Everyone that stepped in the house was nice and did great work,” said Chris. They thought Advance’s carpenter was phenomenal and were impressed when he took a conceptual idea from a photograph and worked with designer Michelle to create a one of a kind range/hood that has become the topic of conversation with friends and family who visit the new kitchen. “He was in our house literally every day for several weeks. He was easy to work with and good at what he did,” Meghan and Chris said. The focal point of the kitchen; a hand-crafted, custom-built ventilation hood was clad with handpicked reclaimed barnwood. Advance Design’s carpenter built the framework and the cladding to create a one-of-a-kind design element that the couple loves. “I think it was especially fun for him to create something unique from scratch, showcasing his talent in this area,” Meghan said. “I love that my kitchen is not like everyone else’s. I got to pick out the wood on my hood and watch it being built and was able to choose what pieces of wood went where on it. It’s totally unique.” Red Oak flooring was toothed-in throughout the kitchen and the rest of the first floor anywhere changes were made. Then the whole floor was refinished to tone down the orange undertones in the existing floor stain, ultimately changing the color complexion of the entire first floor. The result is a completely new feeling to the entire home. Renovating the laundry room was extremely important to Meghan and Chris, but they had trouble visualizing what the possibilities were for the seemingly small space. Michelle produced beautiful 3D illustrations that helped them envision the space in a whole new way. “I must have told Michelle 100 times that I am a visual person, seeing the designs in 3D made it so easy to make decisions and see what we could really do with our space,” Meghan said. A dividing wall and doorway were removed between the existing laundry room and hallway formerly containing a coat closet, providing space to design specialized graphite colored cabinetry matching the kitchen island to house custom storage cubbies for each family member. Adding the tall utility cabinetry in the new laundry area helped solve the storage issue, tucking away cleaning supplies, household items, and even the cat got its own cubby. “I love how everything is now hidden in its own space. I can’t tell you how much I hated coming home and seeing everything sitting around on counters,” Chris said. Electrical outlets were planned for the inside of utility cabinets, so devices could charge in hidden locations. Stacking the washer and dryer allowed for wider countertop space to provide a folding area and a special space for clothes to hang. “The way I do laundry has been completely transformed! I can actually fold clothes and hang them now right out of the washer and dryer,” Meghan said. “The end result in the kitchen and the laundry/mud room was an updated light and bright space, with a smarter work flow that better meets the needs of this family,” Michelle said. “I would totally recommend Advance Design,” Meghan said. “Sometimes I sit and just look at my kitchen and laundry room and think ‘Wow, I can’t believe I get to live here!’ It’s an understatement to say we love our new space.”

A Spiff Midtown Kitchen & Bath Renovation A renovation as unique and extraordinary as the homeowners, this kitchen and bath remodel brings this 1969 home new life and exceptional style. Both the kitchen and bath were stripped to the bones and completely reconfigured to accommodate the homeowners’ needs. If you are wondering what a home renovation can do, take a look at these before and after photos to view this amazing transformation. Designer: Lindsey West Contractor: Johnny Spiers Photographer: Al Pursley, The Digital Studio Kitchen: Mother of Pearl quartzite perimeter countertops are complimented by an island of Azul Macaubus Quartzite paired with a rich, maple butcher block. White oak oil finished wood flooring and Ledger Stone walls are contrasted against rich blue custom cabinetry. New appliances and hardware are among the many features that work in perfect harmony to create this truly custom look. Master Bathroom: The large walk-in shower features porcelain plank wall tile, teak mosaic flooring, and comes complete with a full length soaking tub. Ledger stone walls, Mexican tile flooring, and a custom-built vanity conclude this peaceful bathroom retreat.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This project started out as a kitchen remodel but ended up as so much more. As the original plan started to take shape, some water damage provided the impetus to remodel a small upstairs hall bath. Once this bath was complete, the homeowners enjoyed the result so much that they decided to set aside the kitchen and complete a large master bath remodel. Once that was completed, we started planning for the kitchen! The original kitchen was just large enough to accommodate an island and a separate pantry but felt a little cramped, especially during the weekends when the couple likes to entertain. The primary goal was to maintain the functionality of the current space, but to add some breathing room as well as to provide a view to the homeowner’s side yard and substantial Hosta garden. The solution was to bump out the space about 10 feet which provided ample room for large pro appliances, a large island for gathering and an upgraded pantry space. It was important to the homeowners to create a space that felt like it belonged in their historic 1866 home. Details such as matching new trim to the existing large custom profiles in the original home and re-purposing an existing door to be used for the new pantry, provided these touches. A large window at the main sink provides that view into the yard and a beautiful focal point for the room. A mix of painted wood and stained cabinetry gives the new kitchen a sense of belonging in the older home, as do the Super White quartzite that has the look of marble, subway tile backsplash, polished nickel lanterns and glass and mirrored doors. The large pantry, filled with custom shelving built to the homeowner’s specifications, stainless steel appliances and the two Galley Workstations – sinks that do double duty as prep space – ensure that not only does the kitchen look great, but also functions in a personalized manner that works perfectly for the occupants. Doing the bump out also allowed the opportunity for a small mudroom and powder room right off the kitchen as well as re-arranging some openings to allow for better traffic flow throughout the entire first floor. The result is a comfortable up-to-date home that feels both steeped in history yet allows for today’s style of living. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

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.

This house features a large upper / lower living area with 3 bedrooms and a den plus a 2 bedroom rental suite. The main house has a large master bathroom, which includes a soaker tub, walk-in shower and a separate makeup vanity area. There is a large walk-in closet in the master bedroom. The kitchen is an open concept to the living room and dining area. There is a nice size pantry off the kitchen and also a powder room to accommodate visitors. There is a gas fireplace with a reclaimed wood mantle with a beautiful chevron pattern tile. The front balcony is a good size for an outdoor space. There is also a rear patio with privacy backing on to a forested area. The den is located just off the front entryway with a powder room close by, which would be perfect for a home office. The front and rear landscape has been kept as natural as possible with river rock beds, and a variety of low maintenance plants with irrigation. The exterior of the house is a very modern style with cool colours to blend with the rock surrounding the property.

Dimension: 87" L X 39.37" D X 31" H Add a low-key yet elegant look to your dining room with the Yonkers Handcrafted Recycled Teak Wood Rectangle Dining Table. Featuring a rectangular table top and solid square legs, the dining table can accommodate 8 people easily, ideal for everyday dinners, get-togethers and special occasions. Bringing a faint rustic charm to the dining space, the table is a perfect furniture item for almost all kinds of decors whether it is traditional, transitional or modern. To give a complete look to your dining space, add the matching chairs or benches and perch a faux fruit bowl on the top. Materials: This solid wood parson dining table is completely handcrafted from solid Teak wood in the whitewash finish giving it a true rustic appeal. Special Features: • 100% Handcrafted • Solid Teak wood construction • Sleek Design & Heirloom Quality Note: Real wood is a product of nature, and as such, no two pieces are alike. Variations in solid wood grain patterns are to be expected and make each furniture uniquely beautiful, just like us humans.

Dimension: 36" L x 20" D x 71" H Featuring a homely, comfortable, trendy and spacious design, our Caspian Rustic Solid Wood Bedroom Armoire Wardrobe With 2 Drawers promises to be the end of all your style and storage woes. The relatively simple exterior of this bedroom armoire wardrobe is embellished by the beauty of the solid wood grain striations and the hand rubbed stain. The clean, crisp lines of the overall design look stunning in contrast to the warm-hued finish. The stainless steel handles on the drawers and wardrobe offer a nice stylistic balance that enhances the beauty of this rustic armoire wardrobe. The 2 large drawers at the bottom are highly spacious and perfect for accommodating individual storage. You can arrange folded laundry, shoes, bags and other essentials in them. The wardrobe compartment features a double leaf door that opens up to reveal ample storage space. There are 2 removable shelves that can be added or removed depending on your needs. A stainless steel hanging rod is installed to provide good hanging space. Handcrafted from solid Rosewood, this 2 drawer armoire warrants a great heirloom quality along with a great strength, sturdiness, and longevity. One of the best qualities of the Caspian rustic solid hardwood armoire is that it’s flexible in both aesthetics as well as functionality. It can double as a storage cabinet when you put the shelves in. Moreover, its sleek modern design can perfectly complement any number of interior design settings be it rustic, contemporary, modern or even traditional. Special Features: • 100% Handcrafted • Solid Rosewood craftsmanship • Modern rustic style bedroom armoire • 2 spacious drawers at the bottom • Stainless steel hardware • Comes with 2 removable shelves • 1 stainless steel hanging rod • Clean design • Visually versatile • Functional flexibility • Heirloom quality • Easy maintenance Note: Real wood is a product of nature, and as such, no two pieces are alike. Variations in solid wood grain patterns are to be expected and make each furniture uniquely beautiful, just like us humans.

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

To brighten and open up the small kitchen, we removed the wall separating the dining room, expanded the window above the sink and installed a French door to let even more light in from an adjoining sun room. Light now pours into the kitchen, making it feel welcoming, airy and bright. To accommodate the expanded kitchen, we removed a hulking set of built-ins from the dining room which provided two extra feet to work with. The larger footprint allowed us to relocate major appliances and provide a generous amount of storage and prep space including a food safe butcher block to the right of the range. Natural wood elements such as the chopping block, reclaimed shelves and beautiful new floors add character and warmth to the all-white kitchen. One of the must-haves in this renovation was a farmhouse sink which is a great way to maximize function when a smaller sink base is used. We opted to take the tile backsplash all the way to the ceiling along the window wall, creating a more polished look with the added bonus of making the ceiling feel taller. The subway tiles’ subtle texture adds depth to the simple white-on-white motif and the change to a herringbone pattern behind the range adds visual interest without feeling too busy. A crisp white backdrop is perfect for adding pops of color with dishware, accessories and the family’s vintage stand mixer. The newly renovated kitchen-dining area is much better suited for this family’s active lifestyle and the updated design now complements the rest of their stylish home. Photos by Stacy Zarin Goldberg

A Spiff Midtown Kitchen & Bath Renovation A renovation as unique and extraordinary as the homeowners, this kitchen and bath remodel brings this 1969 home new life and exceptional style. Both the kitchen and bath were stripped to the bones and completely reconfigured to accommodate the homeowners’ needs. If you are wondering what a home renovation can do, take a look at these before and after photos to view this amazing transformation. Designer: Lindsey West Contractor: Johnny Spiers Photographer: Al Pursley, The Digital Studio Kitchen: Mother of Pearl quartzite perimeter countertops are complimented by an island of Azul Macaubus Quartzite paired with a rich, maple butcher block. White oak oil finished wood flooring and Ledger Stone walls are contrasted against rich blue custom cabinetry. New appliances and hardware are among the many features that work in perfect harmony to create this truly custom look. Master Bathroom: The large walk-in shower features porcelain plank wall tile, teak mosaic flooring, and comes complete with a full length soaking tub. Ledger stone walls, Mexican tile flooring, and a custom-built vanity conclude this peaceful bathroom retreat.