The best of past and present architectural styles combine in this welcoming, farmhouse-inspired design. Clad in low-maintenance siding, the distinctive exterior has plenty of street appeal, with its columned porch, multiple gables, shutters and interesting roof lines. Other exterior highlights included trusses over the garage doors, horizontal lap siding and brick and stone accents. The interior is equally impressive, with an open floor plan that accommodates today’s family and modern lifestyles. An eight-foot covered porch leads into a large foyer and a powder room. Beyond, the spacious first floor includes more than 2,000 square feet, with one side dominated by public spaces that include a large open living room, centrally located kitchen with a large island that seats six and a u-shaped counter plan, formal dining area that seats eight for holidays and special occasions and a convenient laundry and mud room. The left side of the floor plan contains the serene master suite, with an oversized master bath, large walk-in closet and 16 by 18-foot master bedroom that includes a large picture window that lets in maximum light and is perfect for capturing nearby views. Relax with a cup of morning coffee or an evening cocktail on the nearby covered patio, which can be accessed from both the living room and the master bedroom. Upstairs, an additional 900 square feet includes two 11 by 14-foot upper bedrooms with bath and closet and a an approximately 700 square foot guest suite over the garage that includes a relaxing sitting area, galley kitchen and bath, perfect for guests or in-laws.

Featuring a traditional southern design, Mustang Hacienda sits on the beautiful Blanco River. This home was built for family gatherings. In this custom two-story home, one of its best features is the timeless library made from cherry wood overlooking the open great room with optimal entertainment space. The creative floor plan excludes bedrooms to provide more space for leisure activities. To accommodate for privacy, tranquility, and rest, the Hacienda is surrounded by three detached Colorado-style rustic guest cottages. Each exterior embellished with limestone sourced off the land. This home is perfect for those who appreciate spending time with family and friends.

A young family moving from NYC to their first house in Westchester County found this spacious colonial in Mt. Kisco New York. With sweeping lawns and total privacy, the home offered the perfect setting for raising their family. The dated kitchen was gutted but did not require any additional square footage to accommodate a new, classic white kitchen with polished nickel hardware and gold toned pendant lanterns. 2 dishwashers flank the large sink on either side, with custom waste and recycling storage under the sink. Kitchen design and custom cabinetry by Studio Dearborn. Architect Brad DeMotte. Interior design finishes by Elizabeth Thurer Interior Design. Calcatta Picasso marble countertops by Rye Marble and Stone. Appliances by Wolf and Subzero; range hood insert by Best. Cabinetry color: Benjamin Moore White Opulence. Hardware by Jeffrey Alexander Belcastel collection. Backsplash tile by Nanacq in 3x6 white glossy available from Lima Tile, Stamford. Photography Neil Landino.

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.

Check out this gorgeous custom stair runner we just installed for another happy client! ? So in love with this modern striation pattern that truly showcases texture and dimension so perfectly. The high / low cut pile also creates a durable surface to accommodate the needs of a busy household. Such a luxurious style with modern and contemporary design! This one is an absolute stunner! ? Stair runner: Couristan Daring in Aegean Blue fabricated with narrow cotton binding

The dining room was finished with soft texture walls. We added a fireplace and two alcoves for furniture. The room accommodates a large, 9' dining table, perfect for entertaining.

Featuring a traditional southern design, Mustang Hacienda sits on the beautiful Blanco River. This home was built for family gatherings. In this custom two-story home, one of its best features is the timeless library made from cherry wood overlooking the open great room with optimal entertainment space. The creative floor plan excludes bedrooms to provide more space for leisure activities. To accommodate for privacy, tranquility, and rest, the Hacienda is surrounded by three detached Colorado-style rustic guest cottages. Each exterior embellished with limestone sourced off the land. This home is perfect for those who appreciate spending time with family and friends.

Chris and Marna believe in Ohana Mau Loa which means “family forever.” As return clients, they knew LiLu could help them build a vacation home in Hawaii that would provide a desirable and comfortable gathering place for four adult children and their spouses and 11 grandchildren. A central common space at the heart of the home with separate living quarters surrounding it helps to accommodate everyone with both shared and personal living spaces. Each has its own personality that showcases playful references to Big Island life. And yet the overall design concept weaves together a love of world travel with traditional tastes. Built with mahogany wood that is a staple of island construction, treasured heirlooms and other personal keepsakes are the perfect complement to make this dream home feel welcoming and familiar. Fabrics, finishes and furnishings were selected with the sea in mind and to accommodate wet swim suits, bare feet, and sandy shoes. ----- Project designed by Minneapolis interior design studio LiLu Interiors. They serve the Minneapolis-St. Paul area including Wayzata, Edina, and Rochester, and they travel to the far-flung destinations that their upscale clientele own second homes in. ---- For more about LiLu Interiors, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/ --- To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/blog/portfolio-items/ohana-mau-loa/

This was a lovely bathroom renovation we did. The mirrors, shower glass, and cabinets are all custom made pieces. We did a split level Vanity to accommodate both clients heights and it came together perfectly.

Check out this gorgeous custom stair runner we just installed for another happy client! ? So in love with this modern striation pattern that truly showcases texture and dimension so perfectly. The high / low cut pile also creates a durable surface to accommodate the needs of a busy household. Such a luxurious style with modern and contemporary design! This one is an absolute stunner! ? Stair runner: Couristan Daring in Aegean Blue fabricated with narrow cotton binding

Featuring a traditional southern design, Mustang Hacienda sits on the beautiful Blanco River. This home was built for family gatherings. In this custom two-story home, one of its best features is the timeless library made from cherry wood overlooking the open great room with optimal entertainment space. The creative floor plan excludes bedrooms to provide more space for leisure activities. To accommodate for privacy, tranquility, and rest, the Hacienda is surrounded by three detached Colorado-style rustic guest cottages. Each exterior embellished with limestone sourced off the land. This home is perfect for those who appreciate spending time with family and friends.

The goal of this project was to reflect the clients’ appreciation, experience and understanding of Asian cultures in their own home landscape. The result is a series of thematic plantings, stonework and structures that reference Japanese gardens and accommodate the needs of the homeowners. Serving as the centerpiece of the landscape are a teahouse and a series of stone walks traversing a small water feature, creating a serene, contemplative space.

When this suburban family decided to renovate their kitchen, they knew that they wanted a little more space. Advance Design worked together with the homeowner to design a kitchen that would work for a large family who loved to gather regularly and always ended up in the kitchen! So the project began with extending out an exterior wall to accommodate a larger island and more moving-around space between the island and the perimeter cabinetry. Style was important to the cook, who began collecting accessories and photos of the look she loved for months prior to the project design. She was drawn to the brightness of whites and grays, and the design accentuated this color palette brilliantly with the incorporation of a warm shade of brown woods that originated from a dining room table that was a family favorite. Classic gray and white cabinetry from Dura Supreme hits the mark creating a perfect balance between bright and subdued. Hints of gray appear in the bead board detail peeking just behind glass doors, and in the application of the handsome floating wood shelves between cabinets. White subway tile is made extra interesting with the application of dark gray grout lines causing it to be a subtle but noticeable detail worthy of attention. Suede quartz Silestone graces the countertops with a soft matte hint of color that contrasts nicely with the presence of white painted cabinetry finished smartly with the brightness of a milky white farm sink. Old melds nicely with new, as antique bronze accents are sprinkled throughout hardware and fixtures, and work together unassumingly with the sleekness of stainless steel appliances. The grace and timelessness of this sparkling new kitchen maintains the charm and character of a space that has seen generations past. And now this family will enjoy this new space for many more generations to come in the future with the help of the team at Advance Design Studio. Dura Supreme Cabinetry Photographer: Joe Nowak

Upstairs, we expanded a tiny hall bathroom into adjacent closet space to provide a roomier and more accommodating bathroom for this growing family with young children. The added space allowed for a full-sized vanity with six functional drawers. Reclaimed wood shelves provide plenty of cubby storage, keeping linens and toiletries within easy reach. We incorporated a ledge wall behind the vanity – the tiled surface is durable, easy to maintain and ideal for this high-use wet zone. The graphic floor tiles, mid-century style vanity, modern stacked subway tile, and black and gold accessories tie in perfectly with the rest of the home’s Scandinavian/Mid-mod style.

Check out this gorgeous custom stair runner we just installed for another happy client! ? So in love with this modern striation pattern that truly showcases texture and dimension so perfectly. The high / low cut pile also creates a durable surface to accommodate the needs of a busy household. Such a luxurious style with modern and contemporary design! This one is an absolute stunner! ? Stair runner: Couristan Daring in Aegean Blue fabricated with narrow cotton binding

Featuring a traditional southern design, Mustang Hacienda sits on the beautiful Blanco River. This home was built for family gatherings. In this custom two-story home, one of its best features is the timeless library made from cherry wood overlooking the open great room with optimal entertainment space. The creative floor plan excludes bedrooms to provide more space for leisure activities. To accommodate for privacy, tranquility, and rest, the Hacienda is surrounded by three detached Colorado-style rustic guest cottages. Each exterior embellished with limestone sourced off the land. This home is perfect for those who appreciate spending time with family and friends.

This was a lovely bathroom renovation we did. The mirrors, shower glass, and cabinets are all custom made pieces. We did a split level Vanity to accommodate both clients heights and it came together perfectly.

The perfect starter home for a growing family! As a young professional couple, the homeowners were looking for a place to start their lives together. This 4-bedroom, 2-1/2 bath center hall colonial with an eat-in kitchen, formal dinging room, living room and family room, offers the homeowners plenty of room for entertaining as well as space to accommodate future needs. A large back patio with built-in fire pit provides additional entertainment space for large gatherings or intimate get togethers.

Our clients lived in a wonderful home they designed and built which they referred to as their dream home until this property they admired for many years became available. Its location on a point with spectacular ocean views made it impossible to resist. This 40-year-old home was state of the art for its time. It was perfectly sited but needed to be renovated to accommodate their lifestyle and make use of current materials. Thus began the 3-year journey. They decided to capture one of the most exquisite views of Boston’s North Shore and do a full renovation inside and out. This project was a complete gut renovation with the addition of a guest suite above the garage and a new front entry.