Search results for "Poor functionality" in Home Design Ideas

This challenging kitchen came our way at the same time as another similarly located Centennial kitchen. It was apparent that both houses had been built by the same builder: tight space, low ceilings, awkward arrangement, and poor building materials. Our client here is a single mother of three boys with an incredibly demanding work life. Once finally home at the end of a busy day, our client was virtually unable to use her kitchen. Cabinet doors were falling off, limited storage and workspace offered her little opportunity to cook and prep for her children, and the dark and low ceiling created an atmosphere that can only be described as depressing. Our client is also from Louisiana and has always dreamed of a kitchen that reminds her of home warmth and hospitality. Our goal was not only to expand functional storage and workspace, but bring in the southern NOLA appeal that reminds our client so much of home. To do this, we removed the wall between the formal dining room and kitchen to create an extended kitchen that runs the full length of both spaces. The back wall of what used to be the dining room is now the cooking zone for our client: we've relocated her range and microwave, and have created an island full of storage where her children can sit and socialize. We've also lifted up the low ceiling to create a tray ceiling that we have finished with ghostwood. The cabinetry is an off-white color with a hazelnut glaze that offers a more traditional, warm appearance. The island and mini work nook feature dramatic, handmade tin ceiling tiles for a dramatic texture and color. We've finished the space with functional quartz countertops and an arabesque two-toned marble backspalsh. The sinks, faucets and hardware are all in a matte black finish that offer a dramatic pop throughout the space. Little touches of Parisian flair add to this Cajun-French aesthetic and we are so thrilled with the final result!

This home enjoys stunning views of Sweeney Lake from almost anywhere in the home; however it was in need of repair and a significant reorganization of the plan to take full advantage of site. The project is about the complete restoration and rethinking of this vintage 1965 mid-century gem. The house is deceivingly large with a full finished lower level and an indoor pool room; however it lived cramped and broken up. The entry was uninviting and small, the poolroom unused and poorly heated, the kitchen undersized, and the bedrooms and baths poorly accessed.
Our task was to open up the home through the rethinking of the floor plan and the introduction of a new central axis connecting and organizing the homes functions and spaces around view corridors and existing or new focal points. The home had beautiful features to build upon; the central brick fireplace, the raised roofs over the living and pool rooms, and the view to the lake itself. A fully redone exterior and interior preserve the homes proportion and scale, while at the same time bring greater connection to the site and a much needed clarity to the homes organization.
Project Team:
Ben Awes AIA, Principal-In-Charge
Bob Ganser AIA
Christian Dean AIA
Nate Dodge

Sometimes the smartest renovation isn’t adding space—it’s rethinking it. This project transformed one large, poorly laid-out bathroom into two bright, fully functional baths, giving this busy family the breathing room they needed.
Now, each space has its own clean lines, thoughtful flow and one with natural light. What was once cramped and inefficient is now practical, comfortable, and tailored to real-life routines.
One bathroom split into two, a simple reconfiguration, a huge improvement in daily living.
Find the right local pro for your project

Many West Lafayette homeowners want to change their kitchens, whether because it functions poorly, their tastes have evolved, the kitchen is deteriorating, or they simply want to change.
Tackling several common pain points in their older kitchen, these West Lafayette homeowners approached Riverside Construction with a desire to open up their living area and update all the kitchen amenities including the fixtures, cabinets, and appliances. With peninsula-like counters that were too low, the kitchen also lacked much-needed countertop space. Still yet, the homeowners wanted to add a larger window above the sink to bring in natural light and expand the view of the ravine in the backyard.
Riverside Construction took out the wall separating the living room from the kitchen, and changed the layout (from U-shaped to L-shaped) to create the larger, more functional space our clients were looking for. We swapped the old white cabinetry for new custom Wellborn shaker-style cabinets in a coffee stain and installed a 'City Lights Tokyo' Daltile tile backsplash. The countertops were topped with Giallo Verona granite.
An oversize island was designed into the space to match the new custom cabinetry and provided comfortable seating for five, also eliminating the need for a kitchen table. The old back door was replaced with a large sliding glass door letting in more natural light.
Other highlights of this kitchen remodel include a beautiful Maglia Bronze chandelier that creates a stunning focal point, along with warm and durable Bella Cera Sisters chester engineered hickory hardwood flooring throughout.

Our clients have lived in this Bay Area home for over 20 years and their kitchen had all the charm of that '70''s style; it no longer showcased their personal style or provided the functionality they needed. Outdated features included inset fluorescent ceiling lighting, uninspired cabinet style, and poor layout and functionality. This kitchen received a First Place Award from the National Association of Remodeling Industry's REMMIES in October 2013.

This home enjoys stunning views of Sweeney Lake from almost anywhere in the home; however it was in need of repair and a significant reorganization of the plan to take full advantage of site. The project is about the complete restoration and rethinking of this vintage 1965 mid-century gem. The house is deceivingly large with a full finished lower level and an indoor pool room; however it lived cramped and broken up. The entry was uninviting and small, the poolroom unused and poorly heated, the kitchen undersized, and the bedrooms and baths poorly accessed.
Our task was to open up the home through the rethinking of the floor plan and the introduction of a new central axis connecting and organizing the homes functions and spaces around view corridors and existing or new focal points. The home had beautiful features to build upon; the central brick fireplace, the raised roofs over the living and pool rooms, and the view to the lake itself. A fully redone exterior and interior preserve the homes proportion and scale, while at the same time bring greater connection to the site and a much needed clarity to the homes organization.
Project Team:
Ben Awes AIA, Principal-In-Charge
Bob Ganser AIA
Christian Dean AIA
Nate Dodge

This challenging kitchen came our way at the same time as another similarly located Centennial kitchen. It was apparent that both houses had been built by the same builder: tight space, low ceilings, awkward arrangement, and poor building materials. Our client here is a single mother of three boys with an incredibly demanding work life. Once finally home at the end of a busy day, our client was virtually unable to use her kitchen. Cabinet doors were falling off, limited storage and workspace offered her little opportunity to cook and prep for her children, and the dark and low ceiling created an atmosphere that can only be described as depressing. Our client is also from Louisiana and has always dreamed of a kitchen that reminds her of home warmth and hospitality. Our goal was not only to expand functional storage and workspace, but bring in the southern NOLA appeal that reminds our client so much of home. To do this, we removed the wall between the formal dining room and kitchen to create an extended kitchen that runs the full length of both spaces. The back wall of what used to be the dining room is now the cooking zone for our client: we've relocated her range and microwave, and have created an island full of storage where her children can sit and socialize. We've also lifted up the low ceiling to create a tray ceiling that we have finished with ghostwood. The cabinetry is an off-white color with a hazelnut glaze that offers a more traditional, warm appearance. The island and mini work nook feature dramatic, handmade tin ceiling tiles for a dramatic texture and color. We've finished the space with functional quartz countertops and an arabesque two-toned marble backspalsh. The sinks, faucets and hardware are all in a matte black finish that offer a dramatic pop throughout the space. Little touches of Parisian flair add to this Cajun-French aesthetic and we are so thrilled with the final result!

Our client purchased what had been a custom home built in 1973 on a high bank waterfront lot. They did their due diligence with respect to the septic system, well and the existing underground fuel tank but little did they know, they had purchased a house that would fit into the Three Little Pigs Story book.
The original idea was to do a thorough cosmetic remodel to bring the home up to date using all high durability/low maintenance materials and provide the homeowners with a flexible floor plan that would allow them to live in the home for as long as they chose to, not how long the home would allow them to stay safely. However, there was one structure element that had to change, the staircase.
The staircase blocked the beautiful water/mountain few from the kitchen and part of the dining room. It also bisected the second-floor master suite creating a maze of small dysfunctional rooms with a very narrow (and unsafe) top stair landing. In the process of redesigning the stairs and reviewing replacement options for the 1972 custom milled one inch thick cupped and cracked cedar siding, it was discovered that the house had no seismic support and that the dining/family room/hot tub room and been a poorly constructed addition and required significant structural reinforcement. It should be noted that it is not uncommon for this home to be subjected to 60-100 mile an hour winds and that the geographic area is in a known earthquake zone.
Once the structural engineering was complete, the redesign of the home became an open pallet. The homeowners top requests included: no additional square footage, accessibility, high durability/low maintenance materials, high performance mechanicals and appliances, water and energy efficient fixtures and equipment and improved lighting incorporated into: two master suites (one upstairs and one downstairs), a healthy kitchen (appliances that preserve fresh food nutrients and materials that minimize bacterial growth), accessible bathing and toileting, functionally designed closets and storage, a multi-purpose laundry room, an exercise room, a functionally designed home office, a catio (second floor balcony on the front of the home), with an exterior that was not just code compliant but beautiful and easy to maintain.
All of this was achieved and more. The finished project speaks for itself.

The Brooke Residence ‘Addi- tion by Subtraction’ remodeling project was recognized with numerous regional and national awards and was selected for Fine Homebuilding’s Annual Issue on Houses.
This 1920’s Craftsman Bungalow had been poorly modified in the 70’s in an attempt to address poor energy performance with a scabbed on solarium. The design solution removed the solarium and completely reimagined the floor plan: The kitchen was relocated to the rear; the stairway was relocated to enhance function, and a better connection to the family room was created.

This was a very outdated, poorly designed bathroom that we wanted to update with a much more modern, functional design; but keep a bit of a rustic appeal to fit in this comfy country home. We combined a small 1 1/2 bathroom design into a much larger open bathroom. By moving the wet area, we were able to give them a more functional design, with plenty of badly needed storage space. We used a distressed wood look porcelain tile to keep the rustic appeal, while incorporating some cleaner lines and modern features.

Our client purchased what had been a custom home built in 1973 on a high bank waterfront lot. They did their due diligence with respect to the septic system, well and the existing underground fuel tank but little did they know, they had purchased a house that would fit into the Three Little Pigs Story book.
The original idea was to do a thorough cosmetic remodel to bring the home up to date using all high durability/low maintenance materials and provide the homeowners with a flexible floor plan that would allow them to live in the home for as long as they chose to, not how long the home would allow them to stay safely. However, there was one structure element that had to change, the staircase.
The staircase blocked the beautiful water/mountain few from the kitchen and part of the dining room. It also bisected the second-floor master suite creating a maze of small dysfunctional rooms with a very narrow (and unsafe) top stair landing. In the process of redesigning the stairs and reviewing replacement options for the 1972 custom milled one inch thick cupped and cracked cedar siding, it was discovered that the house had no seismic support and that the dining/family room/hot tub room and been a poorly constructed addition and required significant structural reinforcement. It should be noted that it is not uncommon for this home to be subjected to 60-100 mile an hour winds and that the geographic area is in a known earthquake zone.
Once the structural engineering was complete, the redesign of the home became an open pallet. The homeowners top requests included: no additional square footage, accessibility, high durability/low maintenance materials, high performance mechanicals and appliances, water and energy efficient fixtures and equipment and improved lighting incorporated into: two master suites (one upstairs and one downstairs), a healthy kitchen (appliances that preserve fresh food nutrients and materials that minimize bacterial growth), accessible bathing and toileting, functionally designed closets and storage, a multi-purpose laundry room, an exercise room, a functionally designed home office, a catio (second floor balcony on the front of the home), with an exterior that was not just code compliant but beautiful and easy to maintain.
All of this was achieved and more. The finished project speaks for itself.

This challenging kitchen came our way at the same time as another similarly located Centennial kitchen. It was apparent that both houses had been built by the same builder: tight space, low ceilings, awkward arrangement, and poor building materials. Our client here is a single mother of three boys with an incredibly demanding work life. Once finally home at the end of a busy day, our client was virtually unable to use her kitchen. Cabinet doors were falling off, limited storage and workspace offered her little opportunity to cook and prep for her children, and the dark and low ceiling created an atmosphere that can only be described as depressing. Our client is also from Louisiana and has always dreamed of a kitchen that reminds her of home warmth and hospitality. Our goal was not only to expand functional storage and workspace, but bring in the southern NOLA appeal that reminds our client so much of home. To do this, we removed the wall between the formal dining room and kitchen to create an extended kitchen that runs the full length of both spaces. The back wall of what used to be the dining room is now the cooking zone for our client: we've relocated her range and microwave, and have created an island full of storage where her children can sit and socialize. We've also lifted up the low ceiling to create a tray ceiling that we have finished with ghostwood. The cabinetry is an off-white color with a hazelnut glaze that offers a more traditional, warm appearance. The island and mini work nook feature dramatic, handmade tin ceiling tiles for a dramatic texture and color. We've finished the space with functional quartz countertops and an arabesque two-toned marble backspalsh. The sinks, faucets and hardware are all in a matte black finish that offer a dramatic pop throughout the space. Little touches of Parisian flair add to this Cajun-French aesthetic and we are so thrilled with the final result!

The Brooke Residence ‘Addi- tion by Subtraction’ remodeling project was recognized with numerous regional and national awards and was selected for Fine Homebuilding’s Annual Issue on Houses.
This 1920’s Craftsman Bungalow had been poorly modified in the 70’s in an attempt to address poor energy performance with a scabbed on solarium. The design solution removed the solarium and completely reimagined the floor plan: The kitchen was relocated to the rear; the stairway was relocated to enhance function, and a better connection to the family room was created.

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Structural Remodeling
Franklin County's Heavy Timber Specialists | Best of Houzz 2020!

Our client purchased what had been a custom home built in 1973 on a high bank waterfront lot. They did their due diligence with respect to the septic system, well and the existing underground fuel tank but little did they know, they had purchased a house that would fit into the Three Little Pigs Story book.
The original idea was to do a thorough cosmetic remodel to bring the home up to date using all high durability/low maintenance materials and provide the homeowners with a flexible floor plan that would allow them to live in the home for as long as they chose to, not how long the home would allow them to stay safely. However, there was one structure element that had to change, the staircase.
The staircase blocked the beautiful water/mountain few from the kitchen and part of the dining room. It also bisected the second-floor master suite creating a maze of small dysfunctional rooms with a very narrow (and unsafe) top stair landing. In the process of redesigning the stairs and reviewing replacement options for the 1972 custom milled one inch thick cupped and cracked cedar siding, it was discovered that the house had no seismic support and that the dining/family room/hot tub room and been a poorly constructed addition and required significant structural reinforcement. It should be noted that it is not uncommon for this home to be subjected to 60-100 mile an hour winds and that the geographic area is in a known earthquake zone.
Once the structural engineering was complete, the redesign of the home became an open pallet. The homeowners top requests included: no additional square footage, accessibility, high durability/low maintenance materials, high performance mechanicals and appliances, water and energy efficient fixtures and equipment and improved lighting incorporated into: two master suites (one upstairs and one downstairs), a healthy kitchen (appliances that preserve fresh food nutrients and materials that minimize bacterial growth), accessible bathing and toileting, functionally designed closets and storage, a multi-purpose laundry room, an exercise room, a functionally designed home office, a catio (second floor balcony on the front of the home), with an exterior that was not just code compliant but beautiful and easy to maintain.
All of this was achieved and more. The finished project speaks for itself.

The existing, builder-grade, kitchen was not functional, as it was poorly lit, much needed storage space was underutilized, and un-safe, as the microwave was hung over the sink, causing the homeowners to hit their heads while working at the sink. Being a unit in an historic building, I was unable to move any of the existing plumbing & electrical, but could add to, as we did with the recessed and under cabinet LED lighting, I moved the microwave to a safe location, off of the counter and next to the refrigerator, and took the cabinetry to the ceiling, gaining an additional 12" of vertical storage along the main wall of the kitchen. Due to a supply vent being on the wall above the refrigerator, we had to get creative in how we brought it through the crown molding build-up, which led to a custom vent cover, that was designed and then fabricated to fit perfectly. This kitchen is packed with details that all came together to create a stunning, yet functional, new kitchen.

This challenging kitchen came our way at the same time as another similarly located Centennial kitchen. It was apparent that both houses had been built by the same builder: tight space, low ceilings, awkward arrangement, and poor building materials. Our client here is a single mother of three boys with an incredibly demanding work life. Once finally home at the end of a busy day, our client was virtually unable to use her kitchen. Cabinet doors were falling off, limited storage and workspace offered her little opportunity to cook and prep for her children, and the dark and low ceiling created an atmosphere that can only be described as depressing. Our client is also from Louisiana and has always dreamed of a kitchen that reminds her of home warmth and hospitality. Our goal was not only to expand functional storage and workspace, but bring in the southern NOLA appeal that reminds our client so much of home. To do this, we removed the wall between the formal dining room and kitchen to create an extended kitchen that runs the full length of both spaces. The back wall of what used to be the dining room is now the cooking zone for our client: we've relocated her range and microwave, and have created an island full of storage where her children can sit and socialize. We've also lifted up the low ceiling to create a tray ceiling that we have finished with ghostwood. The cabinetry is an off-white color with a hazelnut glaze that offers a more traditional, warm appearance. The island and mini work nook feature dramatic, handmade tin ceiling tiles for a dramatic texture and color. We've finished the space with functional quartz countertops and an arabesque two-toned marble backspalsh. The sinks, faucets and hardware are all in a matte black finish that offer a dramatic pop throughout the space. Little touches of Parisian flair add to this Cajun-French aesthetic and we are so thrilled with the final result!

This home enjoys stunning views of Sweeney Lake from almost anywhere in the home; however it was in need of repair and a significant reorganization of the plan to take full advantage of site. The project is about the complete restoration and rethinking of this vintage 1965 mid-century gem. The house is deceivingly large with a full finished lower level and an indoor pool room; however it lived cramped and broken up. The entry was uninviting and small, the poolroom unused and poorly heated, the kitchen undersized, and the bedrooms and baths poorly accessed.
Our task was to open up the home through the rethinking of the floor plan and the introduction of a new central axis connecting and organizing the homes functions and spaces around view corridors and existing or new focal points. The home had beautiful features to build upon; the central brick fireplace, the raised roofs over the living and pool rooms, and the view to the lake itself. A fully redone exterior and interior preserve the homes proportion and scale, while at the same time bring greater connection to the site and a much needed clarity to the homes organization.
Project Team:
Ben Awes AIA, Principal-In-Charge
Bob Ganser AIA
Christian Dean AIA
Nate Dodge

This was a very outdated, poorly designed bathroom that we wanted to update with a much more modern, functional design; but keep a bit of a rustic appeal to fit in this comfy country home. We combined a small 1 1/2 bathroom design into a much larger open bathroom. By moving the wet area, we were able to give them a more functional design, with plenty of badly needed storage space. We used a distressed wood look porcelain tile to keep the rustic appeal, while incorporating some cleaner lines and modern features.

This project involved the removal of an aging wood shower enclosure and surrounding fencing, which had begun to deteriorate and contribute to poor drainage conditions. The existing area retained moisture, creating a muddy, unstable surface that impacted both usability and long-term durability.
The redesigned space introduces a fully upgraded outdoor shower system positioned discreetly behind a new white privacy enclosure. The structure was selected for its clean architectural lines, low-maintenance material, and ability to brighten and modernize the space while maintaining privacy.
A primary focus of the project was drainage correction. The ground plane was regraded and rebuilt using a permeable system consisting of oversized stone slabs set within polished black river rock. This layout allows water to move efficiently through the surface while maintaining a stable, clean, and visually refined finish. The contrast between the large-format slabs and the dark stone creates a structured, intentional foundation that elevates the overall design.
Planting was incorporated with both aesthetic and functional intent. Lavender was installed and trained along the enclosure to soften the structure and introduce seasonal fragrance. In addition to its visual contribution, it serves as a natural pest deterrent, helping to reduce mosquito activity and improve comfort within the space. Supporting plant material was kept minimal and scaled appropriately to maintain a clean, uncluttered environment.
The result is a fully integrated outdoor feature that transforms a previously underperforming area into a functional, durable, and visually cohesive extension of the home. The space now supports consistent use while delivering a refined, spa-like experience aligned with the surrounding landscape.

This challenging kitchen came our way at the same time as another similarly located Centennial kitchen. It was apparent that both houses had been built by the same builder: tight space, low ceilings, awkward arrangement, and poor building materials. Our client here is a single mother of three boys with an incredibly demanding work life. Once finally home at the end of a busy day, our client was virtually unable to use her kitchen. Cabinet doors were falling off, limited storage and workspace offered her little opportunity to cook and prep for her children, and the dark and low ceiling created an atmosphere that can only be described as depressing. Our client is also from Louisiana and has always dreamed of a kitchen that reminds her of home warmth and hospitality. Our goal was not only to expand functional storage and workspace, but bring in the southern NOLA appeal that reminds our client so much of home. To do this, we removed the wall between the formal dining room and kitchen to create an extended kitchen that runs the full length of both spaces. The back wall of what used to be the dining room is now the cooking zone for our client: we've relocated her range and microwave, and have created an island full of storage where her children can sit and socialize. We've also lifted up the low ceiling to create a tray ceiling that we have finished with ghostwood. The cabinetry is an off-white color with a hazelnut glaze that offers a more traditional, warm appearance. The island and mini work nook feature dramatic, handmade tin ceiling tiles for a dramatic texture and color. We've finished the space with functional quartz countertops and an arabesque two-toned marble backspalsh. The sinks, faucets and hardware are all in a matte black finish that offer a dramatic pop throughout the space. Little touches of Parisian flair add to this Cajun-French aesthetic and we are so thrilled with the final result!
20
