Search results for "Piece problem" in Home Design Ideas

We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to help an older couple in our local community. They approached us with a project that they thought would be impossible. Turn a 6x6 first floor pantry into a fully functioning bathroom. Normally this space limitation would not be a problem but the plumbing presented a difficulty that already scared away 2 other contractors. We were able to overcome this obstacle with the help of our experienced staff who keep up to date on the newest devices and products in the remodeling industry.
We had a very enjoyable experience designing and remodeling this room. Even with the small space limitations we believe we came up with a very unique and rustic feel for their 1890's farm house. I must end on all the custom wood work that our employees made for this project. From the custom, two-sided, door to the little, wooden, wall shelf we made all of the wooden pieces you see in this project and most of them were unique creations specifically for this job.

James Latta of Rancho Images -
MOVIE COLONY
When we met these wonderful Palm Springs clients, they were overwhelmed with the task of downsizing their vast collection of fine art, antiques, and sculptures. The problem was it was an amazing collection so the task was not easy. What do we keep? What do we let go? Design Vision Studio to the rescue! We realized that to really showcase these beautiful pieces, we needed to pick and choose the right ones and ensure they were showcased properly.
Lighting was improved throughout the home. We installed and updated recessed lights and cabinet lighting. Outdated ceiling fans and chandeliers were replaced. The walls were painted with a warm, soft ivory color and the moldings, door and windows also were given a complimentary fresh coat of paint. The overall impact was a clean bright room.
We replaced the outdated oak front doors with modern glass doors. The fireplace received a facelift with new tile, a custom mantle and crushed glass to replace the old fake logs. Custom draperies frame the views. The dining room was brought to life with recycled magazine grass cloth wallpaper on the ceiling, new red leather upholstery on the chairs, and a custom red paint treatment on the new chandelier to tie it all together. (The chandelier was actually powder-coated at an auto paint shop!)
Once crammed with too much, too little and no style, the Asian Modern Bedroom Suite is now a DREAM COME TRUE. We even incorporated their much loved (yet horribly out-of-date) small sofa by recovering it with teal velvet to give it new life.
Underutilized hall coat closets were removed and transformed with custom cabinetry to create art niches. We also designed a custom built-in media cabinet with "breathing room" to display more of their treasures. The new furniture was intentionally selected with modern lines to give the rooms layers and texture.
When we suggested a crystal ship chandelier to our clients, they wanted US to walk the plank. Luckily, after months of consideration, the tides turned and they gained the confidence to follow our suggestion. Now their powder room is one of their favorite spaces in their home.
Our clients (and all of their friends) are amazed at the total transformation of this home and with how well it "fits" them. We love the results too. This home now tells a story through their beautiful life-long collections. The design may have a gallery look but the feeling is all comfort and style.

The Tiny Farmhouse Kitchen is by far one of the most complex, rewarding, and unforgettable projects we’ve ever completed. Designed to be fully mobile and 100% solar-powered, this one-of-a-kind kitchen on wheels pushed our creativity, craftsmanship, and problem-solving skills to new heights. Every time we transported it through town, it turned heads—people would literally stop in their tracks just to get a closer look.
Building a fully functional commercial kitchen in such a small footprint required precision in every detail. We carefully selected each piece of equipment to minimize electrical draw, including a commercial refrigerator and four recessed induction food warmers—all powered entirely by solar energy. Onboard water storage, filtration, and gray water management were meticulously engineered to maximize both functionality and space.
The Tiny Farmhouse Kitchen features:
• Custom handcrafted cabinetry
• Granite countertops
• Vaulted ceilings with dimmable LED lighting
• A full POS system with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot
• A gas-shock lift service window with a live-edge oak flip-down counter, finished with crystal-clear epoxy for a stunning, natural look
Every inch of this mobile kitchen was designed for both beauty and efficiency, blending farmhouse charm with modern utility. It’s a project we are immensely proud of—and one that perfectly captures the spirit of what we do at Artisan Kitchen & Bath: bringing bold ideas to life with craftsmanship, innovation, and heart.
Find the right local pro for your project

Raychelle Devilla Photography -
MOVIE COLONY
When we met these wonderful Palm Springs clients, they were overwhelmed with the task of downsizing their vast collection of fine art, antiques, and sculptures. The problem was it was an amazing collection so the task was not easy. What do we keep? What do we let go? Design Vision Studio to the rescue! We realized that to really showcase these beautiful pieces, we needed to pick and choose the right ones and ensure they were showcased properly.
Lighting was improved throughout the home. We installed and updated recessed lights and cabinet lighting. Outdated ceiling fans and chandeliers were replaced. The walls were painted with a warm, soft ivory color and the moldings, door and windows also were given a complimentary fresh coat of paint. The overall impact was a clean bright room.
We replaced the outdated oak front doors with modern glass doors. The fireplace received a facelift with new tile, a custom mantle and crushed glass to replace the old fake logs. Custom draperies frame the views. The dining room was brought to life with recycled magazine grass cloth wallpaper on the ceiling, new red leather upholstery on the chairs, and a custom red paint treatment on the new chandelier to tie it all together. (The chandelier was actually powder-coated at an auto paint shop!)
Once crammed with too much, too little and no style, the Asian Modern Bedroom Suite is now a DREAM COME TRUE. We even incorporated their much loved (yet horribly out-of-date) small sofa by recovering it with teal velvet to give it new life.
Underutilized hall coat closets were removed and transformed with custom cabinetry to create art niches. We also designed a custom built-in media cabinet with "breathing room" to display more of their treasures. The new furniture was intentionally selected with modern lines to give the rooms layers and texture.
When we suggested a crystal ship chandelier to our clients, they wanted US to walk the plank. Luckily, after months of consideration, the tides turned and they gained the confidence to follow our suggestion. Now their powder room is one of their favorite spaces in their home.
Our clients (and all of their friends) are amazed at the total transformation of this home and with how well it "fits" them. We love the results too. This home now tells a story through their beautiful life-long collections. The design may have a gallery look but the feeling is all comfort and style.

Key Needs: The clients want to combine modern and traditional design elements to create a cohesive and visually striking living space.
Key Problems: The challenge was to find a balance between the two styles and to ensure that they complemented each other without clashing.
Workflow: The design team carefully selected furnishings, fabrics, and decor accents that bridged the gap between modern and traditional styles. They also focused on creating a harmonious color scheme that tied the different design elements together.
Result: The final design seamlessly integrated modern and traditional pieces to create a unique and personalized living space that reflected the clients' tastes and preferences.
Experience the revolution in interior design creation with Arhist.com Check it out now and get a 14-day free trial to see for yourself!

See what our client say about Paul Lopa Designs:
We hired Paul Lopa to remodel our master bathroom. During the project, we increased the work to include upgrading all moldings and replaced all interior doors including our front door. We are very pleased with his work. There were no hidden costs, he followed through on every last detail and did so in a timely manner.
He guided us toward materials that were of a higher quality to prevent problems down the road. His team was respectful of our home and did their best to protect our belongings from the renovation destruction. We will definitely hire Paul Lopa again for future renovations.
Haw, Ron

The Tiny Farmhouse Kitchen is by far one of the most complex, rewarding, and unforgettable projects we’ve ever completed. Designed to be fully mobile and 100% solar-powered, this one-of-a-kind kitchen on wheels pushed our creativity, craftsmanship, and problem-solving skills to new heights. Every time we transported it through town, it turned heads—people would literally stop in their tracks just to get a closer look.
Building a fully functional commercial kitchen in such a small footprint required precision in every detail. We carefully selected each piece of equipment to minimize electrical draw, including a commercial refrigerator and four recessed induction food warmers—all powered entirely by solar energy. Onboard water storage, filtration, and gray water management were meticulously engineered to maximize both functionality and space.
The Tiny Farmhouse Kitchen features:
• Custom handcrafted cabinetry
• Granite countertops
• Vaulted ceilings with dimmable LED lighting
• A full POS system with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot
• A gas-shock lift service window with a live-edge oak flip-down counter, finished with crystal-clear epoxy for a stunning, natural look
Every inch of this mobile kitchen was designed for both beauty and efficiency, blending farmhouse charm with modern utility. It’s a project we are immensely proud of—and one that perfectly captures the spirit of what we do at Artisan Kitchen & Bath: bringing bold ideas to life with craftsmanship, innovation, and heart.

Sponsored
Fredericksburg, OH
High Point Cabinets
Columbus' Experienced Custom Cabinet Builder | 4x Best of Houzz Winner

A beautiful solution to the problem of never enough closet space! This custom floor to ceiling built-in provides much needed space for clothes, extra bedding, handbags, etc. Thee continuous grain pattern was painstakingly achieved by carefully selecting matched grain walnut slabs. Behind the tall central doors is a large one of a kind jewelry box. Ruby red glass knobs add a fun touch of whimsy. The full width curved display niche has integrated LED lighting to showcase some of the couples most prized pieces of art. Vertical cabinet pulls on the center pair of doors have a texture resembling hammered brass and accentuates the beautiful vertical grain of the walnut.
Photo credit: Fred Donham of Photographerlink

So this is one of my Guest Rooms. I love using twin beds in a Bedroom (although it can be pricey – two of everything!). I found these vintage iron bed frames from one of my favorite vendors. I wanted to lots of layers of bedding so I have two duvets – one on the bed and one at the foot of the bed – and a colorful throw and accent pillow. I repurposed the window treatment from my Master Bedroom. The balloon valance is the perfect style for this large scale floral fabric in vibrant blues and greens. The walls are painted one of my favorites – Sherwin Williams’ Anew Gray (SW7030). I love painted pieces – especially those with storage for a bedroom. The fun green chest with interesting shape fits nicely between the beds. The two shade lamp could not be more perfect for the twin beds. Every Bedroom needs seating, and I love a bench at the end of the bed. I had two problems – I did not have room for a full bench and I did not want to hide the bed frame. These small ottomans in rich blue velvet were the perfect solution. I added a gray wool rug for softness underfoot. On the wall opposite the beds, I used a painted blue dresser. To finish off the vignette, I selected a round mirror (because every Bedroom needs a mirror) with an oversized frame and unique accessories to support my color palette. Notice how nicely all of the different finishes – silver on the mirror, black iron on the bed and dresser and burnished brass on my little insect sculptures – work together. You can and should mix your metals – it makes every room more interesting! With the twin beds, the room was calling for symmetry so I dressed the walls with 6 botanical prints – 3 on each side.
This Bedroom makes me want to be a guest in my own home! Enjoy!

See what our client say about Paul Lopa Designs:
We hired Paul Lopa to remodel our master bathroom. During the project, we increased the work to include upgrading all moldings and replaced all interior doors including our front door. We are very pleased with his work. There were no hidden costs, he followed through on every last detail and did so in a timely manner.
He guided us toward materials that were of a higher quality to prevent problems down the road. His team was respectful of our home and did their best to protect our belongings from the renovation destruction. We will definitely hire Paul Lopa again for future renovations.
Haw, Ron

Our clients in Tower Lakes, IL, needed more storage and functionality from their kitchen. They were primarily focused on finding the right combination of cabinets, shelves, and drawers that fit all their cookware, flatware, and appliances. They wanted a brighter, bigger space with a natural cooking flow and plenty of storage. Soffits and crown molding needed to be removed to make the kitchen feel larger. Redesign elements included: relocating the fridge, adding a baking station and coffee bar, and placing the microwave in the kitchen island.
Advance Design Studio’s Claudia Pop offered functional, creative, and unique solutions to the homeowners’ problems. Our clients wanted a unique kitchen that was not completely white, a balance of design and function. Claudia offered functional, creative, and unique solutions to Chad and Karen’s kitchen design challenges. The first thing to go was soffits. Today, most kitchens can benefit from the added height and space; removing soffits is nearly always step one. Steely gray-blue was the color of choice for a freshly unique look bringing a sophisticated-looking space to wrap around the fresh new kitchen. Cherry cabinetry in a true brown stain compliments the stormy accents with sharp contrasting white Cambria quartz top balancing out the space with a dramatic flair.
“We wanted something unique and special in this space, something none of the neighbors would have,” said Claudia.
The dramatic veined Cambria countertops continue upward into a backsplash behind three complimentary open shelves. These countertops provide visual texture and movement in the kitchen. The kitchen includes two larder cabinets for both the coffee bar and baking station. The kitchen is now functional and unique in design.
“When we design a new kitchen space, as designers, we are always looking for ways to balance interesting design elements with practical functionality,” Claudia said. “This kitchen’s new design is not only way more functional but is stunning in a way a piece of art can catch one’s attention.”
Decorative mullions with mirrored inserts sit atop dual sentinel pantries flanking the new refrigerator, while a 48″ dual fuel Wolf range replaced the island cooktop and double oven. The new microwave is cleverly hidden within the island, eliminating the cluttered counter and attention-grabbing wall of stainless steel from the previous space.
The family room was completely renovated, including a beautifully functional entertainment bar with the same combination of woods and stone as the kitchen and coffee bar. Mesh inserts instead of plain glass add visual texture while revealing pristine glassware. Handcrafted built-ins surround the fireplace.
The beautiful and efficient design created by designer Claudia transitioned directly to the installation team seamlessly, much like the basement project experience Chad and Karen enjoyed previously.
“We definitely will and have recommended Advance Design Studio to friends who are looking to embark on a project small or large,” Karen said.
“Everything that was designed and built exactly how we envisioned it, and we are really enjoying it to its full potential,” Karen said.
Our award-winning design team would love to create a beautiful, functional, and spacious place for you and your family. With our “Common Sense Remodeling” approach, the process of renovating your home has never been easier. Contact us today at 847-665-1711 or schedule an appointment.

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 classic style arranged with bold prints and vibrant colours
This condo started with a fantastic base. Priceless art collected during trips around the world and an eye for beauty that any designer would envy. My client was purposeful in her approach, but she still thought there was something not quite right about the room. Sitting room conversations felt awkward. You would catch guests unsure of where to sit or place their drink. The client needed a change and Redecorating Vancouver was there to correct common mistakes and look at the problems from a professional angle.
After the consultation and rearrangement the client was thrilled with the changes we made. The space opened up. The flow of energy from the staircase through the living area and into the dining room was no longer blocked. By grouping two pieces of art with matching framing material, we were able to create a focal point in the room, around which we centred the furniture. Conversations were more natural and now we all had a place to set our drinks.
This redecoration took place during the holiday season and my client also chose to add Holiday Decorating to the consultation. I offered suggestions that helped give a fresh new feel to her existing christmas ornaments. Entertaining during the holiday season was important to her as well, so I used my expertise to add some holiday cheer and maintain the great flow we had just created.
This redecoration was a pleasure. A lifetime of collecting fine things from a plethora of fantastic destinations and only one day with Redecorating Vancouver to make them all shine!

Our clients in Tower Lakes, IL, needed more storage and functionality from their kitchen. They were primarily focused on finding the right combination of cabinets, shelves, and drawers that fit all their cookware, flatware, and appliances. They wanted a brighter, bigger space with a natural cooking flow and plenty of storage. Soffits and crown molding needed to be removed to make the kitchen feel larger. Redesign elements included: relocating the fridge, adding a baking station and coffee bar, and placing the microwave in the kitchen island.
Advance Design Studio’s Claudia Pop offered functional, creative, and unique solutions to the homeowners’ problems. Our clients wanted a unique kitchen that was not completely white, a balance of design and function. Claudia offered functional, creative, and unique solutions to Chad and Karen’s kitchen design challenges. The first thing to go was soffits. Today, most kitchens can benefit from the added height and space; removing soffits is nearly always step one. Steely gray-blue was the color of choice for a freshly unique look bringing a sophisticated-looking space to wrap around the fresh new kitchen. Cherry cabinetry in a true brown stain compliments the stormy accents with sharp contrasting white Cambria quartz top balancing out the space with a dramatic flair.
“We wanted something unique and special in this space, something none of the neighbors would have,” said Claudia.
The dramatic veined Cambria countertops continue upward into a backsplash behind three complimentary open shelves. These countertops provide visual texture and movement in the kitchen. The kitchen includes two larder cabinets for both the coffee bar and baking station. The kitchen is now functional and unique in design.
“When we design a new kitchen space, as designers, we are always looking for ways to balance interesting design elements with practical functionality,” Claudia said. “This kitchen’s new design is not only way more functional but is stunning in a way a piece of art can catch one’s attention.”
Decorative mullions with mirrored inserts sit atop dual sentinel pantries flanking the new refrigerator, while a 48″ dual fuel Wolf range replaced the island cooktop and double oven. The new microwave is cleverly hidden within the island, eliminating the cluttered counter and attention-grabbing wall of stainless steel from the previous space.
The family room was completely renovated, including a beautifully functional entertainment bar with the same combination of woods and stone as the kitchen and coffee bar. Mesh inserts instead of plain glass add visual texture while revealing pristine glassware. Handcrafted built-ins surround the fireplace.
The beautiful and efficient design created by designer Claudia transitioned directly to the installation team seamlessly, much like the basement project experience Chad and Karen enjoyed previously.
“We definitely will and have recommended Advance Design Studio to friends who are looking to embark on a project small or large,” Karen said.
“Everything that was designed and built exactly how we envisioned it, and we are really enjoying it to its full potential,” Karen said.
Our award-winning design team would love to create a beautiful, functional, and spacious place for you and your family. With our “Common Sense Remodeling” approach, the process of renovating your home has never been easier. Contact us today at 847-665-1711 or schedule an appointment.

From builder standard to designer upgrade.
A recent project of ours in Harrison NY had us taking an adequate builder designed kitchen to something much more special. The original layout led to traffic jams while entertaining and valuable storage was lost due to the fact that the cabinets did not go to the ceiling.
The new design moves the refrigerator out of the traffic pattern that often lead to gridlock
in previous years as well as providing ample storage for trays and baking sheets in the slim pantry. Grillwork doors allow for airflow from the air-conditioning vents, while still allowing for cabinets to the ceiling.
A professional grade range replaces the old smaller model, with a heavy-duty hood to assure complete ventilation no matter what the cook creates. The microwave moves farther down the work triangle to assure that the heating of a cup of coffee or bag of popcorn need never interfere with the chef again. Equally of value is the island mini-frig not just to chill the occasional bottle of wine, but to keep the kids sodas out the main refrigerator.
And then there is the desk/ command central area. The formerly blank wall where no piece of furniture seemed to fit, because of the radiator, has become an efficient home office.
With room for two people to work, grown-ups can search Food Network for recipes while the kids do their homework – problem area solved!

Bespoke Blue Library for a lovely cottage near Bristol.
The problem:
The room was going to be their office, it didn’t have much storage and it wasn’t very big. It had a difficult wall nib sticking out behind the door running the length of the wall and the room and had very high ceilings 3.2 metres high. This is precisely why they decided to go bespoke.
The brief:
The clients wanted lots of cabinets and shelves to make a library / bookcase for an awkward wall in a small room. The clients initially wanted ‘L’ shaped cabinets.
Lots of bookshelves, and I mean lots, like a bookcase wall and somewhere to hide office equipment like the printer and phone chargers.
Book shelves needed to be strong so they wouldn’t sag under the weight of the books – this was of utmost importance to the brief, these clients love books and reading.
Adjustable book shelves so they could fit their books exactly and change it up when needed.
The bespoke library was to go right up to the very high ceiling and finish in a cornice.
The cornice needed a particular profile to match their existing furniture.
“It’s better than we imagined it could be” was the first thing they said when they saw it complete!
When we first visited and discussed the design for this bespoke library in Bristol with them, it became obvious that an ‘L’ shape wouldn’t work in the room, so the first draft was to have the shelves and cabinets along one wall.
There were around 5 revisions in the end, until the design was approved. The design was intricate and had to be spot on taking the wall nib and the opening door and latch into account.
The whole bookcase cabinetry was made from solid tulip wood, this is a strong and stable material to take the weight of the books. The cornice was specially commissioned to match the profile of their existing furniture. For the adjustable shelves we used brass bookcase strips.
The bookshelves are all solid English oak from our favourite local supplier a family run business called Interesting Timbers these were all finished in our rollered Osmo oil finish.
Jo hand painted the whole piece, inside and out, it in their choice of colour (Woad’ by Little Greene). Jim installed it to our meticulous standards and the clients were very happy with the results.
We are also delighted with the finished result! Do let us know what you think or get in touch if you would like to discuss your own project.

Weymarn Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless galley dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Seattle with a drop-in sink, beaded inset cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, blue backsplash and beige countertops
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless galley dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Seattle with a drop-in sink, beaded inset cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, blue backsplash and beige countertops

The lauhala palm leaves have been popular in tropical regions for many years because of their versatility when it comes to roofing materials, floor coverings, wall coverings, and bedding mats. Often found in the South Pacific and the Philippines, lauhala woven mats have become a common fixture in many commercial environments, homes, and backyards today. The coloring in lauhala matting often ranges from tan to darker browns once it has been finished. This natural fiber decorative matting is as versatile as it is durable. Use to underlay a solid roofed Palapa or as a wall covering, privacy screen, cabana matting, to accent Tiki Bars or even line tables for a party.
When cutting and installing lauhala matting, you can use glue, adhesive or Gaffer tape be sure to do some research into where you’ll be installing it as well as to the conditions of your surroundings. As a quick tip, you can use the remnants or fallen pieces of matting as tools for covering up any potential problem areas or simply weave them back into the matting.
Select Lauhala, Bac Bac, Abaca, or Lampac matting to help spruce up your tropical paradise!
Lauhala ceiling mat.

Designed by Akram Aljahmi of Reico Kitchen & Bath in King of Prussia, PA in collaboration with Property Remodeling Group, this transitional inspired kitchen design features white and grey finishes complemented by a bold splash of blue tile.
The kitchen design features Merillat Classic kitchen cabinets in Portrait door style with 5 piece drawer head in 2 finishes. The wall cabinets features a painted white Cotton finish and the base cabinets feature a painted grey Graphite finish. Kitchen countertops are engineered quartz in the color Carrera Marmi from Q by MSI. The kitchen also features a stunning blue herringbone tile back splash with 3x10 tiles.
According to the client, "Akram solved a fundamental function problem that I could not see a solution for. His re-imagining of how the main floor of our home could function was a dramatic shift that I can't wait to experience as part of day-to-day life. Really appreciate his space plan and layout, as well as his support selecting finishes. Akram and team were great to work with!".
Photos courtesy of BTW Images LLC.

This young couple in Glendale loved their home and their neighborhood, but with three growing children they felt they were running out of space. They began a list of needs which quickly grew after a couple of years. This list helped them to see how they used their current space, but also helped them identify what was lacking.
Their needs list quickly revealed that a two-story addition would be needed to fit all the family’s requirements. With much thought and discussion, a design was created by the Roeser Team in collaboration with Ann Begemann, architect. It was important to the homeowner that the design fit the look of the house. This is always a top priority for Roeser Home Remodeling. We pride ourselves in our finish product appearing as if it had always been there and especially in this remodel, we think we succeeded.
On the list of this family’s needs were to have ample storage space for the three children’s school and sporting equipment. A wider entrance hallway from the garage and the backyard provided a unique place to build custom locker spaces, along with a communication station that will close nice and neat when company is expected. Drawer units also give extra storage and allow for a filing system to keep track of all the paper work that comes home. Extra cabinets above the lockers provide much needed additional storage for out of season belongings. A 12 X 24 S140 tile floor laid in a broken joint pattern provides for easy cleaning of this space and keeps dirty shoes or boots from finding its way into the main living quarters.
The kitchen was at the top of the priority list for this family as well. The existing kitchen was just too small and narrow and did not allow for an eat-in kitchen, or an adequate workspace for the family. Since the homeowner loves to cook, our Roeser Home Remodeling designer came up with a beautiful design plan that allowed for both. The kitchen was moved to the addition, and the existing kitchen was remodeled with a breakfast nook, housing both a custom bench and a table with chairs, along with a pantry and dry bar. This was the perfect plan and now allows the homeowner to have seating and storage for the family and entertaining.
The custom bench was built to match a picture the homeowner had and was custom produced in our own little mill shop. A drawer on both sides of the bench is handy for any extra storage items that the family may need seasonally.
The kitchen quickly became a favorite with the Roeser Home Remodeling Team. With the mix of metals and the many extra features in this space, this kitchen is full of interest as well as function.
The perimeter cabinets are Wellborn Cabinet’s Premier Line, Charleston maple door style with glacier pewter finish. A Kohler Apron Front smart divide sink adds to the design and function of this beautiful kitchen.
A wall mount pot filler hovers above a Wolfe five-burner stove top. The Wellborn hood unit passes the cabinet depth of the upper cabinets and compliments the Wellborn drawer unit underneath. Deeper drawers housed the 36” Wolf, five-burner professional gas stove top and added more storage. The addition of feet to the bottom of the drawer unit along with pushing back the toe kick gives an added detail and look of a furniture piece.
Flanking each end of the perimeter of cabinets are high end appliances. The 42” built-in French Door Sub-Zero Refrigerator/Freezer is left of the sink and concealed by Wellborn appliance panels. The Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher next in line is also concealed by a Wellborn appliance panel. However, the 30” Professional Wolf Oven and the 30” M Series Wolf Professional Convection Steam Oven sparkle with their stainless-steel finishes complimenting the Kohler Artifacts pull-down kitchen faucet, the Kohler Artifacts Pot Filler and the Top Knobs Hardware (Normandy Appliance Pulls in Polished Nickel, Button Faced Knob in Polish Nickel and the Tuscany Small D- Pull in Pewter Antique). A 30” Kitchen-Aid electric warming drawer is concealed by a Wellborn Drawer front and Top Knob hardware.
The Quartzite counter top in Taj Mahal is always an eye-catching feature for this beautiful kitchen. The large space of the island shows off its remarkable beauty. The island stands on its own with a custom design using Wellborn Cabinets Premier Line, Charleston maple door style in a Pebble Java finish, a darker finish cabinet not only serves as a focal point, but also warms the room against its starker contrast. The island houses a Sharp microwave drawer and its hardware is the same Tuscany small D-Pull as the rest of the kitchen, but in a German Bronze finish to compliment the island’s Hudson Valley Orchard Park light in an Aged Brass Finish.
The original half bath was the only bathroom on this floor of the house and the expense to move it was not an option. The location of the bathroom in the middle of the house was problematic. Roeser Home Remodeling solved the problem by creating an opening between the living room and new family room, along with giving the illusion of a small hallway behind the dry bar in the breakfast room. This created a nice space going into the living room and gave the feeling of an open floor plan, providing and a nice private entry to the existing half bath.
Updating the bath with wallpaper, a new Barclay- Stanford Pedestal Sink, a new Portsmouth wide-spread faucet in polished nickel, a new Devonshire comfort height toilet, new towel ring, paper holder, lighting and mirror made this cute little powder room a jewel in its own right!
The family room was also housed in the addition as a family hang-out place for homework, games and movie watching. Two sets of Sierra Pacific 6’0” X 6’8” aluminum clad wood French Sliding Patio Doors were installed to invite the outdoors in. This allowed for natural lighting and an open spacious feel to the room.
A Custom Entertainment Unit built by Roeser Home Remodeling in our mill shop, is the perfect space to house all the family’s television and gaming needs, keeping them neatly stored, but also close at hand.
Opposite of the French Doors is the original opening to the backyard. By keeping the opening and installing beautiful glass doors, it opened the flow of the house to the formal living room. By adding the glass doors, it provided a cozy area for quiet adult conversation while keeping an eye on the children as they play or watch TV.
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