For this project, the client wanted that exact design, which posed a challenge to execute as a fully tiled finish. However, it was a success.
Living room - 1950s living room idea in Minneapolis

A steeply sloping site posed considerable challenges for Morpurgo Architects’ expansion and renovation of this front to back split-level house. To provide a gradual transition for the family from their home, situated on a high plateau, to the brook and pool below, we designed numerous patios and decks at multiple levels. The house features large, divided light arched windows. Throughout the first floor, we created lit vaulted ceilings that give the living areas a spacious, open quality. A wide central hallway forms the spine of the house, opening onto a dining room, with columns that support a curved yoke-shaped header that is repeated in the entrance gate on the grounds. Renovations were scheduled in four precisely planned construction phases that allowed the family to continue living in the house during the building process. This elegant, yet informal home, in its serene setting, is the product of Morpurgo Architects’ seamless union of the house and the site.

The low budget, family house project posed a challenge of conveniently arranging multiple rooms in small area. Pre-reconstruction edges of the walls were toned down, in order to conform to the new, minimalistic aesthetics and letting two colors prevail in the interior was also the part of the concept. The white walls and the large mirrors make the space appear sizable. The wooden components of the interior bring an unifying ambience into play. The technical lighting illuminates the rooms without distracting the eye. CREDITS Project Leader: Beka Pkhakadze Copywriter: Mika Motskobili Photos: Beka Pkhakadze Location: Tbilisi / Georgia Type: Residential Interior Site: 110 sq.m. Year: 2014 Status: Complete

Designed by Kasey Blake of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Salem, VA, see the befores and afters of this small white kitchen design featuring Green Forest Cabinetry in the Brookside door style with a Glazed Ivory finish. Kitchen countertops are granite in the color Venetian Ice. The tile backsplash features Daltile Crema Marfil 3x6 tile with Solistone 2001 Demeter inlay. Said the client, "It was difficult being without a kitchen for a month, but I have more counter space for cooking and it is much brighter and more cheerful to work in. Kasey was helpful and knowledgeable to work with during the entire process. I love my kitchen now." Added Kasey, "The was a fun kitchen to work on. It posed some challenges, mostly notably a custom range that was a non-standard size that the client planned to keep. We worked to find a hood that would complement the range and entire kitchen. My favorite part of the design is the accent tile in the backsplash. It adds a fun pop of color to the kitchen." Photos courtesy of Bob Sowder/Sowder Group LLC.

Fire Island poses many challenges for creating successful landscapes. Careful planning, preparation and amendments allowed us to create this stunning garden. While there is a lot of symmetry throughout the grounds, the garden still has a casual feel that still captures the feel of the Island. The gardens complement the architecture of the main house, pool house and surrounding patios. Photos by Jeffrey Erb

This fun & quirky space was just waiting for a Tweak! The home was built in 1939 so naturally it poses some challenges in regards to laying out furniture. The front door sits smack dab in the middle of the room, dividing the space in two. This family of five needed a larger living room and couldn't figure out how to balance the space. We created lines for the eye to follow that would open this home up and really showcase the amazing African artifacts hidden throughout. The husband is an avid collector of Sub-Saharan art and we used his passion as inspiration for the decor. A historic home and ancient artifacts? We needed to throw in a modern twist to get this home up-to-date. We incorporated pops of color and fun, bold prints to bring out the home's wild side. A houndstooth rug and new display case did just the trick. The wife prefers midcentury modern decor so we incorporated a fun lamp and these awesome lounge chairs from Houzz to incorporate her style into the space.

Fire Island poses many challenges for creating successful landscapes. Careful planning, preparation and amendments allowed us to create this stunning garden. While there is a lot of symmetry throughout the grounds, the garden still has a casual feel that still captures the feel of the Island. The gardens complement the architecture of the main house, pool house and surrounding patios. Photos by Jeffrey Erb

Designed by Kasey Blake of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Salem, VA, see the befores and afters of this small white kitchen design featuring Green Forest Cabinetry in the Brookside door style with a Glazed Ivory finish. Kitchen countertops are granite in the color Venetian Ice. The tile backsplash features Daltile Crema Marfil 3x6 tile with Solistone 2001 Demeter inlay. Said the client, "It was difficult being without a kitchen for a month, but I have more counter space for cooking and it is much brighter and more cheerful to work in. Kasey was helpful and knowledgeable to work with during the entire process. I love my kitchen now." Added Kasey, "The was a fun kitchen to work on. It posed some challenges, mostly notably a custom range that was a non-standard size that the client planned to keep. We worked to find a hood that would complement the range and entire kitchen. My favorite part of the design is the accent tile in the backsplash. It adds a fun pop of color to the kitchen." Photos courtesy of Bob Sowder/Sowder Group LLC.

A small bungalow in old town Roseville posed some challenges for the homeowner. Their vision was rustic and working with the existing brick on the fireplace that wrapped into the kitchen. If you can't beat it join it... we added brick veneer to the backsplash and island to make it feel as if it was always there. The brick was contrasted with he white cabinets and the smooth concrete look countertops.

This custom built beach house posed many challenged including the specific design criteria, space requirements, and limited wall space as 75% of the walls are glass. The AV closet was built into the stair spandrel, space that would have otherwise been unused. Certain walls were thickened allowing recessed TVs to sit perfectly flush with the wall. The automated buttons throughout the house control functions such as Welcome, Goodnight, & Party Mode. The home automation was designed for anyone to be able to walk into the house and use the system.

This transformation posed the challenge of removing an existing non load-bearing wall to create a more open and dynamic space for our clients. The new kitchen design features stunning marble countertops, all new hardwood floors and beautiful blue custom cabinetry. A marble tile backsplash was added to give a clean and elegant touch to the space along with functional floating shelves which also help to blend the table and hardwood flooring finishes together. The result is a stunning new kitchen that any homeowner would be proud of!

Before photo of the Master Bedroom. This room poses a challenge because there's only one wall for the bed! If we used that wall, then we would have completely hid the fireplace and not be able to create and sitting area. After redesigning the fireplace wall, we floated the bed in the middle of the room - maximizing the enjoyment of the fireplace. Check out the after photos.

This transformation posed the challenge of removing an existing non load-bearing wall to create a more open and dynamic space for our clients. The new kitchen design features stunning marble countertops, all new hardwood floors and beautiful blue custom cabinetry. A marble tile backsplash was added to give a clean and elegant touch to the space along with functional floating shelves which also help to blend the table and hardwood flooring finishes together. The result is a stunning new kitchen that any homeowner would be proud of!

Small bathroom posed a challenge with clearance between the bathtub wall and the vanity and a custom cabinet with a bowed apron front to accommodate the lav with shallow cabinets for storage and to cover a clothes chute were the answer.

Fire Island poses many challenges for creating successful landscapes. Careful planning, preparation and amendments allowed us to create this stunning garden. While there is a lot of symmetry throughout the grounds, the garden still has a casual feel that still captures the feel of the Island. The gardens complement the architecture of the main house, pool house and surrounding patios. Photos by Jeffrey Erb

The homeowners contacted us regarding damage to the siding and trim caused by woodpeckers. However, they wanted to maintain as much of the original siding as possible. The scope of work posed a challenge due to the need to match the grey wash shakes and the repairs to the ornate posts at the front of the home. The trim is where the majority of the damage occurred so, we replaced and repainted the trim; following the trim repair, we moved onto the posts in the front of the house. We were able to find similar crown molding for the posts and the homeowners elected to replace it as opposed to repairing the one side to ensure a consistent appearance. While repairing the shakes we noticed damage to the roof which appeared to have been caused by a wind storm; after advising the homeowners of our findings they chose to file a claim with their insurance due to the damages. We worked with the insurance company to document the damages and got the roof approved. The homeowners selected a class 3 Owens Corning shingle, and black vents and flashing. Now that the work has been completed the homeowners have the peace of mind that their exterior will stand the test of time, and bring tradition and character in the design of the neighborhood.

Designed by Kasey Blake of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Salem, VA, see the befores and afters of this small white kitchen design featuring Green Forest Cabinetry in the Brookside door style with a Glazed Ivory finish. Kitchen countertops are granite in the color Venetian Ice. The tile backsplash features Daltile Crema Marfil 3x6 tile with Solistone 2001 Demeter inlay. Said the client, "It was difficult being without a kitchen for a month, but I have more counter space for cooking and it is much brighter and more cheerful to work in. Kasey was helpful and knowledgeable to work with during the entire process. I love my kitchen now." Added Kasey, "The was a fun kitchen to work on. It posed some challenges, mostly notably a custom range that was a non-standard size that the client planned to keep. We worked to find a hood that would complement the range and entire kitchen. My favorite part of the design is the accent tile in the backsplash. It adds a fun pop of color to the kitchen." Photos courtesy of Bob Sowder/Sowder Group LLC.

A small bungalow in old town Roseville posed some challenges for the homeowner. Their vision was rustic and working with the existing brick on the fireplace that wrapped into the kitchen. If you can't beat it join it... we added brick veneer to the backsplash and island to make it feel as if it was always there. The brick was contrasted with he white cabinets and the smooth concrete look countertops.

Fire Island poses many challenges for creating successful landscapes. Careful planning, preparation and amendments allowed us to create this stunning garden. While there is a lot of symmetry throughout the grounds, the garden still has a casual feel that still captures the feel of the Island. The gardens complement the architecture of the main house, pool house and surrounding patios. Photos by Jeffrey Erb