Emily Followill
Example of a mid-sized country medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Atlanta with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, an undermount sink, marble countertops, white backsplash, white countertops and beaded inset cabinets

Inspiration for an eclectic kitchen remodel in Denver

This NE Minneapolis whole-level remodel started with the existing kitchen/dining area being cramped and a rear sunken entrance to the home that did not fit the family’s everyday needs. The homeowners also wanted an open floor plan with plenty of counter space, base cabinetry, natural light, and generous walking spaces for traffic flow for a busy family of 5. A mudroom was also key to allow for a daily drop spot for coats, shoes, and sports equipment. The sunken area in the kitchen was framed in to be level with the rest of the floor, and three walls were removed to create a flexible space for their current and future needs. Natural light drove the cabinet design and resulted in primarily base cabinets instead of a standard upper cabinet/base cabinet layout. Deep drawers, accessories, and tall storage replaced what would be wall cabinets to allow for the empty wall space to capture as much natural light as we could. The double sliding door and large window were important factors in maximizing light. The island and peninsula create a multi-functioning space for two prep areas, guests to sit, a homework/work spot, etc. Come see this project in person, September 29 – 30 on the 2018 Castle Home Tour!

A special touch at the end of the pantry unit. Personalized walnut mail slots for each family member. Each slot has the users initials etched in. A sweet way to create a personalized touch and help with everyday organization. Photography by Eric Roth

This NE Minneapolis whole-level remodel started with the existing kitchen/dining area being cramped and a rear sunken entrance to the home that did not fit the family’s everyday needs. The homeowners also wanted an open floor plan with plenty of counter space, base cabinetry, natural light, and generous walking spaces for traffic flow for a busy family of 5. A mudroom was also key to allow for a daily drop spot for coats, shoes, and sports equipment. The sunken area in the kitchen was framed in to be level with the rest of the floor, and three walls were removed to create a flexible space for their current and future needs. Natural light drove the cabinet design and resulted in primarily base cabinets instead of a standard upper cabinet/base cabinet layout. Deep drawers, accessories, and tall storage replaced what would be wall cabinets to allow for the empty wall space to capture as much natural light as we could. The double sliding door and large window were important factors in maximizing light. The island and peninsula create a multi-functioning space for two prep areas, guests to sit, a homework/work spot, etc. Come see this project in person, September 29 – 30 on the 2018 Castle Home Tour!

Example of a transitional kitchen pantry design in Chicago with gray cabinets

Entertainers dream chef's kitchen - 1500 square feet of custom Wolf and Subzero appliances. Large 14 x 4 ft quartz topped island has bar seating on one side and plenty of serving space. The prep area features a butcher block T shaped island for tons of space. There are four sinks located throughout the kitchen for easy cleanup. Grandma's framed recipe cards give a personal touch. Open shelving for everyday dishes along with beautiful pieces. Built in Wolf Espresso Machine.

After living in their home for ten years, these homeowners are empty nesters. They went back and forth between remodeling their 2nd floor and creating a backyard oasis. Ultimately, they felt a garage/backyard makeover would best suit their lifestyle. They had no privacy, no shade, and a space longing for attention. Castle Building & Remodeling teamed up with Field Outdoor Spaces to reimagine this space for everyday use, as well as entertaining. The garage, which was previously attached to the house, was completely torn down. The new garage was built from the ground up, closer to the alley. This freed up space for what is now a lovely outdoor kitchen pavilion. Held up by wrapped cedar posts and beams, the ceiling is creatively finished with walnut floor planks. At the ground, stamped concrete was poured to create a stone look. The covered patio extends into a walkway towards the new garage, so the homeowners never have to worry about getting wet when coming and going. This walkway also features motion-activated lights, designed to illuminate the homeowner’s path as he/she enters from the garage. The outdoor cooking/bar area with concrete countertops and stainless steel storage units is the heart of this space. Complete with two ceiling fans, this new space offers privacy, shade, and comfort for parties and everyday use! Tour this project in person, September 28 – 29, during the 2019 Castle Home Tour!

Coming from Minnesota this couple already had an appreciation for a woodland retreat. Wanting to lay some roots in Sun Valley, Idaho, guided the incorporation of historic hewn, stone and stucco into this cozy home among a stand of aspens with its eye on the skiing and hiking of the surrounding mountains. Miller Architects, PC

A very personal collection of paintings and sculpture is displayed in a tall, central gallery. Rearranged periodically by the owners, the artwork is integrated with the everyday activities of living, cooking and dining. Photo Credit: Dale Lang

This kitchen is packed with integrated storage solutions - a double waste pullout, tip out trays at the sink, a super susan, full extension drawers, a cutlery divider, rolltrays, and a pantry pullout next to the range. Photo by Visual Memories Photography

After living in their home for ten years, these homeowners are empty nesters. They went back and forth between remodeling their 2nd floor and creating a backyard oasis. Ultimately, they felt a garage/backyard makeover would best suit their lifestyle. They had no privacy, no shade, and a space longing for attention. Castle Building & Remodeling teamed up with Field Outdoor Spaces to reimagine this space for everyday use, as well as entertaining. The garage, which was previously attached to the house, was completely torn down. The new garage was built from the ground up, closer to the alley. This freed up space for what is now a lovely outdoor kitchen pavilion. Held up by wrapped cedar posts and beams, the ceiling is creatively finished with walnut floor planks. At the ground, stamped concrete was poured to create a stone look. The covered patio extends into a walkway towards the new garage, so the homeowners never have to worry about getting wet when coming and going. This walkway also features motion-activated lights, designed to illuminate the homeowner’s path as he/she enters from the garage. The outdoor cooking/bar area with concrete countertops and stainless steel storage units is the heart of this space. Complete with two ceiling fans, this new space offers privacy, shade, and comfort for parties and everyday use! Tour this project in person, September 28 – 29, during the 2019 Castle Home Tour!

After living in their home for ten years, these homeowners are empty nesters. They went back and forth between remodeling their 2nd floor and creating a backyard oasis. Ultimately, they felt a garage/backyard makeover would best suit their lifestyle. They had no privacy, no shade, and a space longing for attention. Castle Building & Remodeling teamed up with Field Outdoor Spaces to reimagine this space for everyday use, as well as entertaining. The garage, which was previously attached to the house, was completely torn down. The new garage was built from the ground up, closer to the alley. This freed up space for what is now a lovely outdoor kitchen pavilion. Held up by wrapped cedar posts and beams, the ceiling is creatively finished with walnut floor planks. At the ground, stamped concrete was poured to create a stone look. The covered patio extends into a walkway towards the new garage, so the homeowners never have to worry about getting wet when coming and going. This walkway also features motion-activated lights, designed to illuminate the homeowner’s path as he/she enters from the garage. The outdoor cooking/bar area with concrete countertops and stainless steel storage units is the heart of this space. Complete with two ceiling fans, this new space offers privacy, shade, and comfort for parties and everyday use! Tour this project in person, September 28 – 29, during the 2019 Castle Home Tour!

The master bathroom in this Bloomfield Hills home was in need of an overhaul. The room was previously cut up with an awkward layout featuring the heavily-mirrored, “Hollywood lights” look of the 1980s. Staying within the footprint of the room and moving walls to open the floor plan created a roomy uncluttered feel, which opened directly off of the master bedroom. Granting access to two separate his and hers closets, the entryway allows for a gracious amount of tall utility storage and an enclosed Asko stacked washer and dryer for everyday use. A gorgeous wall hung vanity with dual sinks and waterfall Caesarstone Mitered 2 1/4″ square edge countertop adds to the modern feel and drama that the homeowners were hoping for. As if that weren’t storage enough, the custom shallow wall cabinetry and mirrors above offer over ten feet of storage! A 90-degree turn and lowered seating area create an intimate space with a backlit mirror for personal styling. The room is finished with Honed Diana Royal Marble on all of the heated floors and matching polished marble on the walls. Satin finish Delta faucets and personal shower system fit the modern design perfectly. This serene new master bathroom is the perfect place to start or finish the day, enjoy the task of laundry or simply sit and meditate! Alicia Gbur Photography

John Evans
Inspiration for a timeless white tile and marble tile bathroom remodel in Columbus with gray walls

Everyday dishes are displayed on three understated shelves, also crafted from Reclaimed Chestnut. Photo Credit: Crown Point Cabinetry
Kitchen - rustic kitchen idea in Burlington with recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

After living in their home for ten years, these homeowners are empty nesters. They went back and forth between remodeling their 2nd floor and creating a backyard oasis. Ultimately, they felt a garage/backyard makeover would best suit their lifestyle. They had no privacy, no shade, and a space longing for attention. Castle Building & Remodeling teamed up with Field Outdoor Spaces to reimagine this space for everyday use, as well as entertaining. The garage, which was previously attached to the house, was completely torn down. The new garage was built from the ground up, closer to the alley. This freed up space for what is now a lovely outdoor kitchen pavilion. Held up by wrapped cedar posts and beams, the ceiling is creatively finished with walnut floor planks. At the ground, stamped concrete was poured to create a stone look. The covered patio extends into a walkway towards the new garage, so the homeowners never have to worry about getting wet when coming and going. This walkway also features motion-activated lights, designed to illuminate the homeowner’s path as he/she enters from the garage. The outdoor cooking/bar area with concrete countertops and stainless steel storage units is the heart of this space. Complete with two ceiling fans, this new space offers privacy, shade, and comfort for parties and everyday use! Tour this project in person, September 28 – 29, during the 2019 Castle Home Tour!

Open shelving at the end of this large island helps lighten the visual weight of the piece, as well as providing easy access to cookbooks and other commonly used kitchen pieces. Learn more about the Normandy Remodeling Designer, Stephanie Bryant, who created this kitchen: http://www.normandyremodeling.com/stephaniebryant/

Eichanlaub, Inc. Project Entry: Warm Invitation 2013 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential Hardscaping $60,000 & Over Award Level: Silver Project Description: Remarkable...In a high-end neighborhood defmed by the everyday, typical landscapes this discerning client really wanted the new landscape to not only be functional but also stand out as something very special and personal. With a large family and a very busy lifestyle the clients dreamed of having a wonderful spill-over space to accommodate the everyday needs of the family as well as provide a comfortable living space to entertain office associates on occasion. Before the transformation began the clients entertained outdoors primarily under cover of the existing porch adjacent to the family room. The desire was to expand the living space and add an outdoor fireplace. Initially the clients were thinking of attaching the frreplace to the perimeter of the existing porch; upon further discussion it was proposed to be moved further out into the yard. The first challenge was to establish a new grade for the patio on an existing slope which was sloping away from the patio in two different directions. To achieve this grade change a retaining wall was needed. The use of natural stone was paramount in the design as the clients felt it lends a timeless quality to the overall look. With this in mind it was important to keep the wall and other features made of a natural material. The main structural wall to manage the grade was made of dry stacked 3-6-9 cut Limestone and capped with Limestone. The expanded patio space was made of dimensional cut Bluestone set on a concrete base. The clients wanted a more fluid design to the patio but yet did like the clean lines normally scene in a more formal layout. The arc-tangent design marries those two styles beautifully. The seat wall and the frreplace are made of concrete block construction and veneered Pennsylvania Fieldstone. The seat wall bookends both sides of the frreplace and follows the same arc-tangent design of the patio. The frreplace is also equipped with a natural gas starter for burning frrewood. The second challenge was the desire to design and build an intimate outdoor space in a backyard with many of the native trees removed and no privacy fencing in place. The placement of the fireplace as well as a strategic location of an Arborvitae gives the overall sense of cozy enclosure. The Boxwood hedge located in the planting bed on top of the 3-6-9 Limestone wall defmes a sense of security and safety by defming a natural railing to the elevated Bluestone patio. The added, painted, cedar arbor also lends itself well to defining the space and giving a greater feeling of the cozy intimate feel the clients were seeking. We added a niche light in the arch which lights the two limestone steps that brings the clients off the patio and down to lawn grade. The paint of the arbor matches the trim of the house perfectly. There are also a few copper path lights and well as a brass well light illuminating the Redbud tree. Bluestone stepping stones on the opposite end of the patio from the arbor allows access to the backyard lawn areas as well complete the design. All of the plantings had to be deer resistant, require low maintenance and provide seasonal interest throughout the entire year. Another requirement was the size of the patio to allow for the client to have plenty of spaces to accommodate annual container plantings to bring in the seasonal interest they desired. Client expectations were exceeded and they have noted on more how much more time they spend outside. They truly think of their new outdoor living space as remarkable! PLANT LIST Genus/Species (Common Name) 1 - Cercis canadensis (Redbud) 7 - Thuja occidentalis 'Degroot's Spire' (Degroot's Spire Arborvitae) 1 - Thuja occidentalis 'Wintergreen' (Wintergreen Arborvitae) 6 - Buxus 'Dee Runk' (Dee Runk Boxwood) 13 - Rosa 'Knock Out' (Knock Out Rose) 5 - Itea virginiana 'Little Henry' (Little Henry Dwf. Sweetspire) 1 - Fothergilla x gardenii 'Mt. Airy' (Mt. Airy Fothergilla) 11 - Buxus x 'Green Gem' (Green Gem Boxwood) 2 - Clematis jackmanii Superba (Jackman Superba Clematis) 2 - Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese Spurge) 56 - Hemerocallis 'Hyperion' (Hyperion daylillies) 40 - Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei' (Max Frei Geranium) 1 - Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus' (Maiden grass) 10 - Delosperma 'John Proffit' (John Proffit Ice Plant) 6 - Liriopespicata (Liriope) 5 - Lavandula augustifolia 'Hidcote' (Hidcote Lavender) Photo Credit: Eichenlaub, Inc.