Coastal exterior home idea in Jacksonville

After returning from a winter trip to discover his house had been flooded by a burst second-floor pipe, this homeowner was ready to address the renovations and additions that he had been pondering for about a decade. It was important to him to respect the original character of the c. +/- 1910 two-bedroom small home that had been in his family for years, while re-imagining the kitchen and flow. In response, KHS proposed a one-story addition, recalling an enclosed porch, which springs from the front roof line and then wraps the house to the north. An informal front dining space, complete with built-in banquette, occupies the east end of the addition behind large double-hung windows sized to match those on the original house, and a new kitchen occupies the west end of the addition behind smaller casement windows at counter height. New French doors to the rear allow the owner greater access to an outdoor room edged by the house to the east, the existing one-car garage to the south, and a rear rock wall to the west. Much of the lot to the north was left open for the owner’s annual summer volley ball party. The first-floor was then reconfigured, capturing additional interior space from a recessed porch on the rear, to create a rear mudroom entrance hall, full bath, and den, which could someday function as a third bedroom if needed. Upstairs, a rear shed dormer was extended to the north and east so that head room could be increased, rendering more of the owner’s office/second bedroom usable. Windows and doors were relocated as necessary to better serve the new plan and to capture more daylight. Having expanded from its original 1100 square feet to approximately 1700 square feet, it’s still a small, sweet house – only freshly updated, and with a hint of porchiness. Photos by Katie Hutchison

Renovating a bathroom is one of the most rewarding home improvement projects you can undertake. It adds immediate value to your property and elevates your daily routine. However, designing the perfect space requires balancing aesthetics with practical utility. At the heart of this balance is the vanity — it is the functional hub where you get ready each morning, a vital storage unit, and the visual centerpiece of the room. To ensure you make the right investment, here is an in-depth look at choosing a bathroom vanity that blends style, longevity, and everyday functionality.
1. Assessing the Layout and Space Constraints
Before you fall in love with a specific design or finish, you must determine what your bathroom can physically handle. Scale is everything. A vanity that is too large disrupts traffic flow, while one that is too small gets lost visually and lacks adequate storage.

• Take Precise Measurements: measure the available width, depth, and height. Remember to account for surrounding fixtures.
• Check Clearance Zones: ensure there is enough clearance for the bathroom door to swing open, for shower glass doors to clear the vanity, and for drawers and cabinet doors to extend fully without hitting the toilet or walls.
• Locate Existing Plumbing: moving pipes can significantly increase renovation costs. If you want a seamless installation, look for a vanity configuration that aligns easily with your current plumbing setup.
  
  

2. Sizing Up Layouts: how to choose a bathroom sink and vanity
The next major step is determining the scale of your plumbing fixtures. Understanding how to choose a bathroom sink and vanity setup comes down to a simple choice: single or double sinks. Your choice will depend on who uses the bathroom and the overall footprint of the space.
Single Sink Vanities
Typically ranging from 20 to 48 inches (50–120 cm) in width, single vanities are the ideal choice for powder rooms, guest bathrooms, or small master suites. For very compact spaces, you can find narrower options starting around 16 inches (40 cm). The major advantage of a single-sink layout is that it provides more usable countertop space for cosmetics, toiletries, and decorative items. If you want to skip the guesswork and invest in a premium, beautifully handcrafted fixture, explore the luxury collections at Willow Bath and Vanity. From elegant single vanities to spacious double setups, their masterfully built furniture combines solid wood construction with elite styling to transform any bathroom into a spa-like retreat.
Double Sink Vanities
Usually starting at 48 inches (120 cm) and extending up to 72 inches (180 cm) or more, double vanities are a lifesaver for shared master bathrooms. They allow two people to get ready simultaneously without fighting for sink space. Keep in mind that a double vanity naturally reduces both cabinet storage space and countertop real estate since a second sink basin and plumbing lines take up substantial interior room.
Sink Types to Consider

• Undermount: installed beneath the counter for a smooth, seamless surface that is incredibly easy to wipe down.
• Vessel: sits atop the counter like a decorative bowl. It makes a bold style statement but raises the overall height of the counter surface.
• Drop-In: features a lip that rests on the counter cutout. It is easier to install, but its edges can catch dirt.
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3. Surface Selection: how to choose a bathroom vanity top
The countertop is the workhorse of the bathroom. It regularly comes into contact with running water, toothpaste, soapy residue, and high-heat styling tools. Knowing how to choose a bathroom vanity top requires evaluating how much maintenance you are willing to perform against the look you want to achieve. Material Pros Cons Maintenance Level Quartz Highly durable, non-porous, stain and scratch-resistant. Offers the look of stone without the hassle. Premium pricing; can show seams on very large custom layouts. Low (No sealing required) Marble Timeless, elegant, and luxurious. Every slab features a completely unique veining pattern. Porous; prone to scratching, etching from acids, and water stains. Requires careful daily use. High (Requires regular sealing) Granite Naturally strong, heat-resistant, and chemically stable. Unique earthy patterns. Porous; can chip if subjected to heavy impacts. Medium (Requires occasional sealing) When coordinating your countertop, ensure it complements your bathroom’s floor tiles, shower surround, and plumbing hardware to maintain visual harmony.
4. Selecting the Core Vanity Style and Finish
Once the functional components are locked in, you can focus on the architectural style of the vanity base. The base dictates the design theme of the entire room.

• Freestanding vanities: sit directly on the floor, supported by legs or a solid kickboard base. This is a traditional, stable configuration that offers the maximum hidden cabinet and drawer storage space.
• Wall-Mounted (Floating) vanities: anchored directly onto the wall studs, leaving the floor underneath completely clear. Floating vanities are staples of modern, minimalist design. They create an illusion of space, making small rooms look larger, and make cleaning the bathroom floor incredibly easy.
• Console vanities: feature an open shelving design supported by a metal or wood frame. It offers a light, airy look reminiscent of a boutique hotel, though it sacrifices hidden storage.

Don’t forget to look at the construction materials. Because bathrooms are high-humidity environments, look for vanities crafted from solid wood or high-grade plywood rather than cheap particleboard, which can swell and warp when exposed to moisture.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect vanity is a step-by-step process that combines precise measurements with your personal design taste. By taking careful measurements, choosing between a single- or double-sink setup, and picking a durable counter material like quartz or granite, you can transform your bathroom into a beautiful, organized retreat. Prioritize high-quality materials and smart craftsmanship, and your new vanity will look spectacular and serve your household reliably for years to come.

Conquest performed a complete remodel at this property: Brand new wood cabinets. New quartz counter-top. New and modern granite sink, new tiles and back-splash. New stainless-steel high-end appliances. New trendy hardwood floor. Modern and contemporary lighting. Freshened up with new paint in and out. New water lines and drain system. Rehabbed bathroom with new Jacuzzi tub. Brand new electrical facilities (wiring, piping, electrical boxes). New HVAC system.

Conquest performed a complete remodel at this property: Brand new wood cabinets. New quartz counter-top. New and modern granite sink, new tiles and back-splash. New stainless-steel high-end appliances. New trendy hardwood floor. Modern and contemporary lighting. Freshened up with new paint in and out. New water lines and drain system. Rehabbed bathroom with new Jacuzzi tub. Brand new electrical facilities (wiring, piping, electrical boxes). New HVAC system.

Conquest performed a complete remodel at this property: Brand new wood cabinets. New quartz counter-top. New and modern granite sink, new tiles and back-splash. New stainless-steel high-end appliances. New trendy hardwood floor. Modern and contemporary lighting. Freshened up with new paint in and out. New water lines and drain system. Rehabbed bathroom with new Jacuzzi tub. Brand new electrical facilities (wiring, piping, electrical boxes). New HVAC system.

Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea in Raleigh

This 1,200 square-foot Provincetown condominium lives large, both functionally and aesthetically, thanks to its recent renovation. The waterfront home, overlooking Cape Cod Bay, is part of an historic grouping of three individual buildings on Commercial Street that have been combined into condominiums. Begun in November 2014 and completed just in time for summer in May 2016, b Architecture Studios and Cape Associates Builders worked with a budget of $366,000 to transform this prosaic dwelling into a stunning light-flooded space—designed to maximize both the living space and the mesmerizing views of the bay. “The space was totally reconfigured,” said project manager Jon Ziperman. “It was a total gut job requiring leveling of floors, straightening of walls, removing a chimney and fireplace that ran up to the above neighbors’ unit.” The renovation also required a complete rewiring and plumbing system that involved wires and pipes that were integrated into the surrounding units. From wall to wall and floor to ceiling, there was nothing that could be salvaged from the original space. One of the most prominent changes was moving the stairway from its original placement, where it originally broke up the living and dining space and blocked views to the bay beyond. The stairway now sits on the opposite side of the condominium. With the stairs tucked to the left side of the living area, the sightline now extends from the entry straight through the living and dining areas to the water. The new design allowed for storage space beneath the stairs, which lead to an airy sleeping loft, and room for a desk niche. A light well, where the former sleeping area was, and new windows bring abundant natural light to the central living area. Innovative features in the entry room include a Murphy bed and sliding glass door separating it from the living area, so that the space can double as a guest room. “The Murphy bed fit in nicely, allowing for a flush wall at the entry/guest room and a desk niche in the adjacent room,” Brown said. “Convincing the client to create the wrap-around chair rail, lined up with the divided lights of the sliding glass door, makes a purposeful connection in a small space.” Neolith countertops in the open kitchen and details like the flush minimal baseboard contribute to the sleek, modern aesthetic, now complemented by the owner’s contemporary furnishings. This complete renovation has rendered this compact home worthy of its beautiful setting.

Wolf 24" Coffee System EC24/S - Stainless Available at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center | uakc.com Striking stainless steel design. Strikingly delicious drinks — espresso, cappuccino, latte, macchiato, long or short coffee, even hot water for tea. Simply touch a couple of buttons and in seconds you’ll be enjoying a professional-quality coffee drink, made your way. On top of that, the Wolf coffee system lets you easily customize the details of your drink, from temperature to strength to level of foam, to meet your personal definition of the “perfect cup.” You’ll also enjoy how hassle-free the Wolf coffee system is to own. It needs no plumbing connections, and it steam-cleans the milk nozzle with one push of a button; milk never enters the system’s internal mechanisms. The 24” coffee system in stainless can be installed with a 24" cup warming drawer to create an ultimate in-home coffee station, and coordinates beautifully with Wolf convection steam and microwave ovens of the same size. For ideal pairing with 30” Wolf ovens, the 24” coffee system in black (EC24/B) should be purchased and customized with any of five accessory trim kits. DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE FEATURES Make all your favorite coffee beverages: What's your pleasure? Make long or short coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte, or a macchiato in seconds. Even steam or froth milk for, say, a chai latte or the kids' hot chocolate. Coffee, made to size: Select the size you want from four pushbutton presets, everything from a one-ounce espresso shot to a 12-ounce coffee. Unique sizes (up to 7 oz.) can be programmed and saved using the customizable "My Coffee" setting. Strength, to your taste: When brewing from whole bean coffee, five strength settings from extra-mild to extra-strong give you precisely the flavor you prefer at any selected size. No plumbing needed: Unlike units that must be connected to a water line, the Wolf coffee system can be installed anywhere without additional plumbing. The easily accessible water reservoir holds 60.9 fluid oz. (1.8 liters), enough for several drinks between refills. Easy to clean: Unlike coffee systems that pipe milk through the internal mechanism, the Wolf system cleans with pushbutton ease. Rinse the brew head, or clean the milk spout with a jet of steam. It's all done in seconds. The milk carafe is dishwasher safe, too. Uses whole-bean and pre-ground coffee: The machine holds a generous supply of whole-bean coffee — about half a pound — and grinds it automatically to make your drink. It can brew single-cups from pre-ground coffee, too, so you can have your breakfast blend even when the bean reservoir is full of espresso roast. Adjustable built-in stainless steel burr grinder: Thirteen grind settings allow you to customize your whole-bean coffee for the taste and body you prefer. Make it a double: For two identical coffees, just press the Double Coffee button and position a cup under each of the two spouts. Or select Double Coffee and place your mug under the spouts to make a double-size coffee for one. Removable milk carafe for freshness and convenience: The dishwasher-safe carafe plugs into the machine to make milk drinks, then can go right in the refrigerator to keep milk fresh. Milk is steamed and frothed without passing through the system's internal components. That makes cleaning infinitely easier. Hot water on demand — tea, anyone? Tea, hot chocolate, oatmeal, you name it. The system can deliver up to 14 ounces of hot water with the push of a button. How hot? That's up to you. The temperature is adjustable. Push-button control panel: Brewing the drink you want at the size and with the taste you want is as easy as pressing a few buttons. The bright LCD control panel provides clear information. Programmable start time and auto off: Program a time for the system to turn on and warm up automatically, it will be ready to brew when you're ready to enjoy. For safety and energy efficiency, the system powers down after a set period of inactivity. More enjoying, less cleaning: After the system prepares a coffee drink, it ejects the compressed grounds into a container, then lets you know when the container is ready to be emptied. Meanwhile, a removable drip tray catches excess water from brewing and rinsing. Simply rinse it out just as you would your coffee cup. Built into cabinetry, works like a drawer: Designed to be built seamlessly into your kitchen cabinetry, the Wolf coffee system has an ingenious feature: glide rails that enable you to slide the unit out from the wall for easy access to the whole-bean and ground coffee reservoirs. It's like opening a drawer. Supplies are in reach but out of sight: Pull the unit out on its glide rails to access handy integrated storage trays where you can keep bottles of flavored syrup, sugars and other supplies at the ready. Auto-descale reminders: Minerals from water naturally build up on heating surfaces and reduce efficiency. The Wolf coffee system is engineered to monitor this and let you know when to descale the system. Result: Your drinks always come out at the temperature you expect. TECHNICAL FEATURES: - Electrical Requirements: 120 V AC, 60 Hz, 15-amp dedicated circuit, grounded - Shipping Weight (lbs): 60 - Water reservoir (fl oz): 60.9 (1.8 L) - Whole Bean Reservoir (oz): 8.8 (~1/2 lb) - Removable milk carafe holds just over 3 cups

After returning from a winter trip to discover his house had been flooded by a burst second-floor pipe, this homeowner was ready to address the renovations and additions that he had been pondering for about a decade. It was important to him to respect the original character of the c. +/- 1910 two-bedroom small home that had been in his family for years, while re-imagining the kitchen and flow. In response, KHS proposed a one-story addition, recalling an enclosed porch, which springs from the front roof line and then wraps the house to the north. An informal front dining space, complete with built-in banquette, occupies the east end of the addition behind large double-hung windows sized to match those on the original house, and a new kitchen occupies the west end of the addition behind smaller casement windows at counter height. New French doors to the rear allow the owner greater access to an outdoor room edged by the house to the east, the existing one-car garage to the south, and a rear rock wall to the west. Much of the lot to the north was left open for the owner’s annual summer volley ball party. The first-floor was then reconfigured, capturing additional interior space from a recessed porch on the rear, to create a rear mudroom entrance hall, full bath, and den, which could someday function as a third bedroom if needed. Upstairs, a rear shed dormer was extended to the north and east so that head room could be increased, rendering more of the owner’s office/second bedroom usable. Windows and doors were relocated as necessary to better serve the new plan and to capture more daylight. Having expanded from its original 1100 square feet to approximately 1700 square feet, it’s still a small, sweet house – only freshly updated, and with a hint of porchiness. Photos by Katie Hutchison

In addition to the new spaces, electrical was installed in the all new framing area. The apartment required upgraded plumbing for the waste and water lines for the new bathroom, and washer and dryer. Two heat pipes were also relocated in this process.

For a single woman working in downtown San Francisco, we were tasked with remodeling her 500 sq.ft. Victorian garden condo. We brought in more light by enlarging most of the openings to the rear and adding a sliding glass door in the kitchen. The kitchen features custom zebrawood cabinets, CaesarStone counters, stainless steel appliances and a large, deep square sink. The bathroom features a wall-hung Duravit vanity and toilet, recessed lighting, custom, built-in medicine cabinets and geometric glass tile. Wood tones in the kitchen and bath add a note of warmth to the clean modern lines. We designed a soft blue custom desk/tv unit and white bookshelves in the living room to make the most out of the space available. A modern JØTUL fireplace stove heats the space stylishly. We replaced all of the Victorian trim throughout with clean, modern trim and organized the ducts and pipes into soffits to create as orderly look as possible with the existing conditions.

Conquest performed a complete remodel at this property: Brand new wood cabinets.New granite counter-top. New and modern granite sink, new tiles and back-splash. New stainless-steel high-end appliances. New trendy hardwood floor. Modern and contemporary lighting. Freshened up with new paint in and out. New water lines and drain system. Rehabbed bathroom with new vanity, granite sink, bathtub and modern back-splash. Brand new electrical facilities (wiring, piping, electrical boxes). New HVAC system.

The homeowners had a very specific vision for their large daylight basement. To begin, Neil Kelly's team, led by Portland Design Consultant Fabian Genovesi, took down numerous walls to completely open up the space, including the ceilings, and removed carpet to expose the concrete flooring. The concrete flooring was repaired, resurfaced and sealed with cracks in tact for authenticity. Beams and ductwork were left exposed, yet refined, with additional piping to conceal electrical and gas lines. Century-old reclaimed brick was hand-picked by the homeowner for the east interior wall, encasing stained glass windows which were are also reclaimed and more than 100 years old. Aluminum bar-top seating areas in two spaces. A media center with custom cabinetry and pistons repurposed as cabinet pulls. And the star of the show, a full 4-seat wet bar with custom glass shelving, more custom cabinetry, and an integrated television-- one of 3 TVs in the space. The new one-of-a-kind basement has room for a professional 10-person poker table, pool table, 14' shuffleboard table, and plush seating.

XS residence is a living concept proposal for singles. The project is characterized by its L-shaped, elevated floor. The height differences on the floor as well as on the ceiling are the sole elements that define the space. The apartment is hence transparent, yet given the sense of rooms and corners. This former warehouse has existing pipes cutting through the interior at the entry where it resulted in stairs and undesirable, immediate climbs. By embracing the obstacle and extending it, the reading of the new, one bedroom apartment is as pure as lines (flows) and surfaces (spaces). The heart of the radial layout is a sunken gathering platform. This introvert space is embraced by the elevated floor, which serves as the extension of seating, The visitors thereby sit naturally facing each other and converse. The elevated outer ring is an active, fluid platform which receives visitors. At its height, the dinning guests have a great view toward the city skyline which is otherwise hindered. This space also creates a buffer to the exterior where neighbors pass by. The renovation removed the old flat ceiling, exposing the pitched roof structure to enhance the scale change of the space. The apartment is at its maximum height where activities and interactions take place and shrinks at the perimeter. It is an open layout with sense of spaces and intimacy.

Inspiration for a contemporary bathroom remodel in Mumbai

After returning from a winter trip to discover his house had been flooded by a burst second-floor pipe, this homeowner was ready to address the renovations and additions that he had been pondering for about a decade. It was important to him to respect the original character of the c. +/- 1910 two-bedroom small home that had been in his family for years, while re-imagining the kitchen and flow. In response, KHS proposed a one-story addition, recalling an enclosed porch, which springs from the front roof line and then wraps the house to the north. An informal front dining space, complete with built-in banquette, occupies the east end of the addition behind large double-hung windows sized to match those on the original house, and a new kitchen occupies the west end of the addition behind smaller casement windows at counter height. New French doors to the rear allow the owner greater access to an outdoor room edged by the house to the east, the existing one-car garage to the south, and a rear rock wall to the west. Much of the lot to the north was left open for the owner’s annual summer volley ball party. The first-floor was then reconfigured, capturing additional interior space from a recessed porch on the rear, to create a rear mudroom entrance hall, full bath, and den, which could someday function as a third bedroom if needed. Upstairs, a rear shed dormer was extended to the north and east so that head room could be increased, rendering more of the owner’s office/second bedroom usable. Windows and doors were relocated as necessary to better serve the new plan and to capture more daylight. Having expanded from its original 1100 square feet to approximately 1700 square feet, it’s still a small, sweet house – only freshly updated, and with a hint of porchiness. Photos by Katie Hutchison

In the buffet area behind the bar, the glass-front display cabinets were extended all the way to the ceiling once the low-hanging soffits were removed. LED backlights were installed in the cabinets as well as in the custom shelf unit we built. What a beautiful display for our client’s glassware collection! These custom display shelves are one of our favorite things to design, as they always turn out great and make such a big impact in any room. The buffet area also includes two stainless steel refrigerator drawers, deep pan drawers, a double-tap kegerator, a prep sink, and a Keurig hard-piped with its own water line. The countertops, cabinetry, backsplash, and hardware match what was used in the kitchen for a consistent aesthetic. Final photos by Impressia.net.

Living room - large traditional open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Other with beige walls, a wood stove and a stone fireplace