About: Abandoned two years ago by a previous contractor, and overwhelmed by the challenges associated with building an updated porch respectful to this Queen Anne style home, J. Francis Company, LLC was referred to the customer by Maynes & Associates, Architects. Perched at the highest point on the North Side with a panoramic view is where Deb Mortillaro and Mike Gonze make their residence. Owners of the famous Dreadnought Wines and Palate Partners in the Strip District of Pittsburgh, Deb & Mike wanted a porch to use for entertaining & wine tasting parties. Design features include reuse of original porch footers, mahogany tongue & groove flooring, a railing system that compliments the original design yet complies with the code and features a clear coated Cyprus top rail. The original porch columns were most likely stone bases with wood posts that have been replaced with columns to enhance the updated look. The curved corner has been reproduced including a custom-built curved handrail. The whole porch comes together, tying in the red mahogany floor, Cyprus handrail, and stained bead board ceiling. The finished result is a breathtakingly beautiful wrap-around porch with ample room for guests and entertaining. Testimonial: "Our beloved porch had been taken down to be rebuilt for two years before we met the great folks at J. Francis Company. We knew this porch had great potential and all it would take was the right people to make it happen - ones with vision and great craftsmanship. In conjunction with our architect, Greg Maynes, Dave Myers of J. Francis Company guided this project along with tremendous skill and patience. His creative suggestions and practical thought made the process painless and exciting. The head carpenter JK was a marvel and added touches that made a spectacular difference. We use our home and especially this porch to entertain both clients and friends throughout the year. They all have been anxiously waiting to hear that it is done. A pleasant surprise will be theirs when they arrive."

When the owner of this petite c. 1910 cottage in Riverside, RI first considered purchasing it, he fell for its charming front façade and the stunning rear water views. But it needed work. The weather-worn, water-facing back of the house was in dire need of attention. The first-floor kitchen/living/dining areas were cramped. There was no first-floor bathroom, and the second-floor bathroom was a fright. Most surprisingly, there was no rear-facing deck off the kitchen or living areas to allow for outdoor living along the Providence River. In collaboration with the homeowner, KHS proposed a number of renovations and additions. The first priority was a new cantilevered rear deck off an expanded kitchen/dining area and reconstructed sunroom, which was brought up to the main floor level. The cantilever of the deck prevents the need for awkwardly tall supporting posts that could potentially be undermined by a future storm event or rising sea level. To gain more first-floor living space, KHS also proposed capturing the corner of the wrapping front porch as interior kitchen space in order to create a more generous open kitchen/dining/living area, while having minimal impact on how the cottage appears from the curb. Underutilized space in the existing mudroom was also reconfigured to contain a modest full bath and laundry closet. Upstairs, a new full bath was created in an addition between existing bedrooms. It can be accessed from both the master bedroom and the stair hall. Additional closets were added, too. New windows and doors, new heart pine flooring stained to resemble the patina of old pine flooring that remained upstairs, new tile and countertops, new cabinetry, new plumbing and lighting fixtures, as well as a new color palette complete the updated look. Upgraded insulation in areas exposed during the construction and augmented HVAC systems also greatly improved indoor comfort. Today, the cottage continues to charm while also accommodating modern amenities and features.

When the owner of this petite c. 1910 cottage in Riverside, RI first considered purchasing it, he fell for its charming front façade and the stunning rear water views. But it needed work. The weather-worn, water-facing back of the house was in dire need of attention. The first-floor kitchen/living/dining areas were cramped. There was no first-floor bathroom, and the second-floor bathroom was a fright. Most surprisingly, there was no rear-facing deck off the kitchen or living areas to allow for outdoor living along the Providence River. In collaboration with the homeowner, KHS proposed a number of renovations and additions. The first priority was a new cantilevered rear deck off an expanded kitchen/dining area and reconstructed sunroom, which was brought up to the main floor level. The cantilever of the deck prevents the need for awkwardly tall supporting posts that could potentially be undermined by a future storm event or rising sea level. To gain more first-floor living space, KHS also proposed capturing the corner of the wrapping front porch as interior kitchen space in order to create a more generous open kitchen/dining/living area, while having minimal impact on how the cottage appears from the curb. Underutilized space in the existing mudroom was also reconfigured to contain a modest full bath and laundry closet. Upstairs, a new full bath was created in an addition between existing bedrooms. It can be accessed from both the master bedroom and the stair hall. Additional closets were added, too. New windows and doors, new heart pine flooring stained to resemble the patina of old pine flooring that remained upstairs, new tile and countertops, new cabinetry, new plumbing and lighting fixtures, as well as a new color palette complete the updated look. Upgraded insulation in areas exposed during the construction and augmented HVAC systems also greatly improved indoor comfort. Today, the cottage continues to charm while also accommodating modern amenities and features.

When the owner of this petite c. 1910 cottage in Riverside, RI first considered purchasing it, he fell for its charming front façade and the stunning rear water views. But it needed work. The weather-worn, water-facing back of the house was in dire need of attention. The first-floor kitchen/living/dining areas were cramped. There was no first-floor bathroom, and the second-floor bathroom was a fright. Most surprisingly, there was no rear-facing deck off the kitchen or living areas to allow for outdoor living along the Providence River. In collaboration with the homeowner, KHS proposed a number of renovations and additions. The first priority was a new cantilevered rear deck off an expanded kitchen/dining area and reconstructed sunroom, which was brought up to the main floor level. The cantilever of the deck prevents the need for awkwardly tall supporting posts that could potentially be undermined by a future storm event or rising sea level. To gain more first-floor living space, KHS also proposed capturing the corner of the wrapping front porch as interior kitchen space in order to create a more generous open kitchen/dining/living area, while having minimal impact on how the cottage appears from the curb. Underutilized space in the existing mudroom was also reconfigured to contain a modest full bath and laundry closet. Upstairs, a new full bath was created in an addition between existing bedrooms. It can be accessed from both the master bedroom and the stair hall. Additional closets were added, too. New windows and doors, new heart pine flooring stained to resemble the patina of old pine flooring that remained upstairs, new tile and countertops, new cabinetry, new plumbing and lighting fixtures, as well as a new color palette complete the updated look. Upgraded insulation in areas exposed during the construction and augmented HVAC systems also greatly improved indoor comfort. Today, the cottage continues to charm while also accommodating modern amenities and features.

About: Abandoned two years ago by a previous contractor, and overwhelmed by the challenges associated with building an updated porch respectful to this Queen Anne style home, J. Francis Company, LLC was referred to the customer by Maynes & Associates, Architects. Perched at the highest point on the North Side with a panoramic view is where Deb Mortillaro and Mike Gonze make their residence. Owners of the famous Dreadnought Wines and Palate Partners in the Strip District of Pittsburgh, Deb & Mike wanted a porch to use for entertaining & wine tasting parties. Design features include reuse of original porch footers, mahogany tongue & groove flooring, a railing system that compliments the original design yet complies with the code and features a clear coated Cyprus top rail. The original porch columns were most likely stone bases with wood posts that have been replaced with columns to enhance the updated look. The curved corner has been reproduced including a custom-built curved handrail. The whole porch comes together, tying in the red mahogany floor, Cyprus handrail, and stained bead board ceiling. The finished result is a breathtakingly beautiful wrap-around porch with ample room for guests and entertaining. Testimonial: "Our beloved porch had been taken down to be rebuilt for two years before we met the great folks at J. Francis Company. We knew this porch had great potential and all it would take was the right people to make it happen - ones with vision and great craftsmanship. In conjunction with our architect, Greg Maynes, Dave Myers of J. Francis Company guided this project along with tremendous skill and patience. His creative suggestions and practical thought made the process painless and exciting. The head carpenter JK was a marvel and added touches that made a spectacular difference. We use our home and especially this porch to entertain both clients and friends throughout the year. They all have been anxiously waiting to hear that it is done. A pleasant surprise will be theirs when they arrive."

When the owner of this petite c. 1910 cottage in Riverside, RI first considered purchasing it, he fell for its charming front façade and the stunning rear water views. But it needed work. The weather-worn, water-facing back of the house was in dire need of attention. The first-floor kitchen/living/dining areas were cramped. There was no first-floor bathroom, and the second-floor bathroom was a fright. Most surprisingly, there was no rear-facing deck off the kitchen or living areas to allow for outdoor living along the Providence River. In collaboration with the homeowner, KHS proposed a number of renovations and additions. The first priority was a new cantilevered rear deck off an expanded kitchen/dining area and reconstructed sunroom, which was brought up to the main floor level. The cantilever of the deck prevents the need for awkwardly tall supporting posts that could potentially be undermined by a future storm event or rising sea level. To gain more first-floor living space, KHS also proposed capturing the corner of the wrapping front porch as interior kitchen space in order to create a more generous open kitchen/dining/living area, while having minimal impact on how the cottage appears from the curb. Underutilized space in the existing mudroom was also reconfigured to contain a modest full bath and laundry closet. Upstairs, a new full bath was created in an addition between existing bedrooms. It can be accessed from both the master bedroom and the stair hall. Additional closets were added, too. New windows and doors, new heart pine flooring stained to resemble the patina of old pine flooring that remained upstairs, new tile and countertops, new cabinetry, new plumbing and lighting fixtures, as well as a new color palette complete the updated look. Upgraded insulation in areas exposed during the construction and augmented HVAC systems also greatly improved indoor comfort. Today, the cottage continues to charm while also accommodating modern amenities and features.

About a year after purchasing this structure, these clients engaged us to to start the process of designing and engineering a expansion of this little cottage into a larger home where they could put down roots and start a family. Our clients looked long and hard for the perfect outdoor setting and after months of searching, they found a little post-war cottage on a lake just east of Redmond, Washington. Our solution is a classic upper level addition that takes in the views of its alpine lake setting. The existing basement level was repurposed as the recreation hub of the house with a game area, media center, guest suite and storage for a large inventory of outdoor & boating gear. The main level was redesigned in a more family friendly format with a powder room, bedroom, vaulted great room, pantry and gourmet kitchen. The upper level is the private domain of the Master Suite and high tech hub. Because our clients work in the tech industry, a large home office that allows them to work remotely was an important component of their home's program. The master suite includes a large walk-in closet, small laundry, sleeping area and 5-piece master bath. The exterior of the house includes a covered porch that wraps around this level and leads to an expansive deck on the water side of the house. This deck functions as an extension of the main level and effectively adds several hundred square feet of additional living space. We then enveloped this building shell in a shingled craftsman style that is a hallmark of Seattle residential architecture.

My client's mother had a love for all things 60's, 70's & 80's. Her home was overflowing with original pieces in every corner, on every wall and in every nook and cranny. It was a crazy mish mosh of pieces and styles. When my clients decided to sell their parent's beloved home the task of making the craziness look welcoming seemed overwhelming but I knew that it was not only do-able but also had the potential to look absolutely amazing. We did a massive, and when I say massive, I mean MASSIVE, decluttering including an estate sale, many donation runs and haulers. Then it was time to use the special pieces I had reserved, along with modern new ones, some repairs and fresh paint here and there to revive this special gem in Willow Glen, CA for a new home owner to love.

This home had great bones to work with. It just needed some updating to fit with these clients’ personal design styles. In the kitchen, they liked the wood look of their existing cypress cabinets but didn’t love the finish, so we decided to refinish them. We replaced the flooring, repainted, added new countertops, sink faucet, and backsplash. Their existing island had a raised bar attached to the back and was too small to accommodate the seating they wanted. We decided to remove the raised back and added a new cabinet extending the island to allow enough space for seating. To add some visual contrast, we chose a different, lighter finish for the island cabinets, but kept the same countertop as the rest of the kitchen. In the living room, there was an old, colonial-style column along with some ceiling soffits and crown molding to help visually divide the living and dining spaces. We removed the decorative column and replaced it with a wooden post. We also wrapped the soffits with wood beams. The fireplace originally had an ornate applied mantelpiece that we repainted and tiled to create a more simple and modern look. To tie it together, we chose a wooden wrap around mantel above the fireplace. Lastly, we removed some of the existing display cabinet to the right of the fireplace and replaced it with some wood floating shelves and added a custom wood countertop to the base cabinets below. All of the wood elements between the kitchen and living-dining space (apart from the island cabinets) have the same dark brown finish, tying all the spaces together.

Completed in 2011, this home is designed for a steeply sloping urban lot in Vienna, Virginia. In response to a tight zoning code that limited the building's footprint, we designed a compact plan that rises 3 stories and draws inspiration from the historic character of this small town consistently rated as one of the best places to live and work. Utilizing our favorite Great Room Scheme, the main level is planned with a classic front porch, 2-story entry hall, formal dining room, Kitchen/Breakfast area, large Mud Room with separate entrance and, finally, the Great Room itself. The lower level is the Entertainment hub of the house and contains a guest suite, shop, exercise area, family room and play area with wet bar. Upstairs, 3 kid's bedrooms, 2 full baths, laundry area, Master Suite with large sleeping area and a 5 piece master bath with large walk-in closet are all efficiently arranged to maximize room size. Our clients were interested in a very expressive exterior formalism while staying within the traditional architectural norm of Vienna. We responded with a series of gable dormers, bay windows and a hexagonal sitting room clad with complimentary siding materials and bold colors. Eventually, the back of the structure will be finished out with a large deck at the main level and elaborate staircase that descends to the rear yard.

About a year after purchasing this structure, these clients engaged us to to start the process of designing and engineering a expansion of this little cottage into a larger home where they could put down roots and start a family. Our clients looked long and hard for the perfect outdoor setting and after months of searching, they found a little post-war cottage on a lake just east of Redmond, Washington. Our solution is a classic upper level addition that takes in the views of its alpine lake setting. The existing basement level was repurposed as the recreation hub of the house with a game area, media center, guest suite and storage for a large inventory of outdoor & boating gear. The main level was redesigned in a more family friendly format with a powder room, bedroom, vaulted great room, pantry and gourmet kitchen. The upper level is the private domain of the Master Suite and high tech hub. Because our clients work in the tech industry, a large home office that allows them to work remotely was an important component of their home's program. The master suite includes a large walk-in closet, small laundry, sleeping area and 5-piece master bath. The exterior of the house includes a covered porch that wraps around this level and leads to an expansive deck on the water side of the house. This deck functions as an extension of the main level and effectively adds several hundred square feet of additional living space. We then enveloped this building shell in a shingled craftsman style that is a hallmark of Seattle residential architecture.

When I bought my house in May 2014, there was one thing I really didn’t like about it – the 1950s bathroom complete with pink tile and mismatched gaudy fixtures was absolutely hideous. I knew redoing the bathroom would be a big, expensive project, so I vowed to just live with it while I fixed up parts of the house that were easier to update, such as putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls and updating the curtains (which I still haven’t done, by the way). Well my first winter in the new house turned out to be a bad one, and in February 2015, I noticed water stains on the walls and ceiling of the second bedroom that only got worse and worse each day. The water damage quickly spread to other rooms, and when contractors came to the house to access and fix the damage, they discovered moisture behind the pink tiled walls of my bathroom. And so started the bathroom remodel. Start to finish, this project took close to six months, due to going back and forth with insurance and difficulty finding a contractor I liked. I lived without a shower for at least four of those months, showering at the gym where I worked or in a pop-up tent in my backyard once it was warm enough out. My friend Eric and I demoed the bathroom and for the remodel, I picked out all of the design components and had a local contractor, Fred Haas do the work. I kept the original layout – as my bathroom was small to begin with and it was both impractical and expensive to start moving things around – but just about everything else about the bathroom is new, except for maybe the window and door. New tub, sink, and toilet, new tile floor and shower surround, new walls and ceiling, fresh paint, new fixtures and mirror, updated lighting, and a better ventilation system were all added. Tub – Sterling Vikrell Toilet – Kohler Wellworth® two-piece round-front dual-flush toilet Sink – Kohler Veer™ 21" pedestal bathroom sink Fixtures – Kohler Alteo® line Tile floor and shower surround – American Olean Laurel Heights ceramic tile in Summit Gray Lighting – I don't remember... will have to see if I can find it Ventilation system – NuTone Mirror – Ikea Paint – Behr Here are photos of my project from start to finish. As you can see, I probably still need a thing or two (a toilet paper holder, mini storage shelf, and some art wouldn’t hurt, nor would replacing the door or painting it white), but overall I’m really happy with how my new bathroom came out. I LOVE it, which is the exact opposite of how I felt about the original bathroom. Photos © Kari Post

About a year after purchasing this structure, these clients engaged us to to start the process of designing and engineering a expansion of this little cottage into a larger home where they could put down roots and start a family. Our clients looked long and hard for the perfect outdoor setting and after months of searching, they found a little post-war cottage on a lake just east of Redmond, Washington. Our solution is a classic upper level addition that takes in the views of its alpine lake setting. The existing basement level was repurposed as the recreation hub of the house with a game area, media center, guest suite and storage for a large inventory of outdoor & boating gear. The main level was redesigned in a more family friendly format with a powder room, bedroom, vaulted great room, pantry and gourmet kitchen. The upper level is the private domain of the Master Suite and high tech hub. Because our clients work in the tech industry, a large home office that allows them to work remotely was an important component of their home's program. The master suite includes a large walk-in closet, small laundry, sleeping area and 5-piece master bath. The exterior of the house includes a covered porch that wraps around this level and leads to an expansive deck on the water side of the house. This deck functions as an extension of the main level and effectively adds several hundred square feet of additional living space. We then enveloped this building shell in a shingled craftsman style that is a hallmark of Seattle residential architecture.

Function meets fashion in this relaxing retreat inspired by turn-of-the-century cottages. Perfect for a lot with limited space or a water view, this delightful design packs ample living into an open floor plan spread out on three levels. Elements of classic farmhouses and Craftsman-style bungalows can be seen in the updated exterior, which boasts shingles, porch columns, and decorative venting and windows. Inside, a covered front porch leads into an entry with a charming window seat and to the centrally located 17 by 12-foot kitchen. Nearby is an 11 by 15-foot dining and a picturesque outdoor patio. On the right side of the more than 1,500-square-foot main level is the 14 by 18-foot living room with a gas fireplace and access to the adjacent covered patio where you can enjoy the changing seasons. Also featured is a convenient mud room and laundry near the 700-square-foot garage, a large master suite and a handy home management center off the dining and living room. Upstairs, another approximately 1,400 square feet include two family bedrooms and baths, a 15 by 14-foot loft dedicated to music, and another area designed for crafts and sewing. Other hobbies and entertaining aren’t excluded in the lower level, where you can enjoy the billiards or games area, a large family room for relaxing, a guest bedroom, exercise area and bath. Photographers: Ashley Avila Photography Pat Chambers Builder: Bouwkamp Builders, Inc.

Eichler Orange is a stunning expression of mid-century modern architecture. The vision in modernizing this historic Eichler home with a 21st-century makeover was to honor the work of Joseph Eichler and restore it to the 1964 icon of California modernism it once was. The clean aesthetics of this home features glass walls, post and beam, tongue and groove ceilings, and oversize porcelain tile floors throughout. The free-flowing indoor/outdoor floorplan is highlighted with a signature atrium, and all material selections were made to honor the time period. Custom cherry cabinets and warm slab walnut doors grace the interior. This home had significant structural termite damage with three-quarters of the framing needing replacement. Additionally, the original house did not come close to meeting the current seismic codes. During reconstruction, we upgraded the post and beam structure with seismic hold-downs and concealed fasteners. The house lacked energy efficiency due to its flat roof and did not meet California’s current Title 24 energy-efficient standards. While honoring its era, this fully renovated residence is now updated with today’s energy efficiencies, including all-aluminum dual-glazed windows and doors, new spray foam insulation atop the flat roof, and tankless water heaters. A new photovoltaic solar system was added. We abandoned the radiant floor heat and installed a new high-efficiency ductless heating and air units to each room. This increased the building’s performance and provided each room with its own thermostat and control. This system also allowed us to eliminate soffits and ductwork and maintain the exposed tongue and groove ceiling throughout the home. The living space next to the family and dining room was repurposed to relocate the washer and dryer and allowed space to add a third bathroom. The primary bathroom was also reconfigured for a larger layout. The sleek kitchen design includes frameless Crystal Cabinets, professional-grade Miele appliances, a large stainless steel Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, and a generous Caesarstone countertop workspace. The outdoor backyard living space captures the natural beauty of Southern California and mid-century modern features, including drought-resistant landscaping with decomposed granite planter areas and all-new concrete hardscape. A new spa was added to the existing pool, along with a new BBQ area and firepit. Photographer: Public 311 Design

About a year after purchasing this structure, these clients engaged us to to start the process of designing and engineering a expansion of this little cottage into a larger home where they could put down roots and start a family. Our clients looked long and hard for the perfect outdoor setting and after months of searching, they found a little post-war cottage on a lake just east of Redmond, Washington. Our solution is a classic upper level addition that takes in the views of its alpine lake setting. The existing basement level was repurposed as the recreation hub of the house with a game area, media center, guest suite and storage for a large inventory of outdoor & boating gear. The main level was redesigned in a more family friendly format with a powder room, bedroom, vaulted great room, pantry and gourmet kitchen. The upper level is the private domain of the Master Suite and high tech hub. Because our clients work in the tech industry, a large home office that allows them to work remotely was an important component of their home's program. The master suite includes a large walk-in closet, small laundry, sleeping area and 5-piece master bath. The exterior of the house includes a covered porch that wraps around this level and leads to an expansive deck on the water side of the house. This deck functions as an extension of the main level and effectively adds several hundred square feet of additional living space. We then enveloped this building shell in a shingled craftsman style that is a hallmark of Seattle residential architecture.

Matrix Photography
Large transitional brown one-story brick exterior home idea in Dallas

Eichler Orange is a stunning expression of mid-century modern architecture. The vision in modernizing this historic Eichler home with a 21st-century makeover was to honor the work of Joseph Eichler and restore it to the 1964 icon of California modernism it once was. The clean aesthetics of this home features glass walls, post and beam, tongue and groove ceilings, and oversize porcelain tile floors throughout. The free-flowing indoor/outdoor floorplan is highlighted with a signature atrium, and all material selections were made to honor the time period. Custom cherry cabinets and warm slab walnut doors grace the interior. This home had significant structural termite damage with three-quarters of the framing needing replacement. Additionally, the original house did not come close to meeting the current seismic codes. During reconstruction, we upgraded the post and beam structure with seismic hold-downs and concealed fasteners. The house lacked energy efficiency due to its flat roof and did not meet California’s current Title 24 energy-efficient standards. While honoring its era, this fully renovated residence is now updated with today’s energy efficiencies, including all-aluminum dual-glazed windows and doors, new spray foam insulation atop the flat roof, and tankless water heaters. A new photovoltaic solar system was added. We abandoned the radiant floor heat and installed a new high-efficiency ductless heating and air units to each room. This increased the building’s performance and provided each room with its own thermostat and control. This system also allowed us to eliminate soffits and ductwork and maintain the exposed tongue and groove ceiling throughout the home. The living space next to the family and dining room was repurposed to relocate the washer and dryer and allowed space to add a third bathroom. The primary bathroom was also reconfigured for a larger layout. The sleek kitchen design includes frameless Crystal Cabinets, professional-grade Miele appliances, a large stainless steel Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, and a generous Caesarstone countertop workspace. The outdoor backyard living space captures the natural beauty of Southern California and mid-century modern features, including drought-resistant landscaping with decomposed granite planter areas and all-new concrete hardscape. A new spa was added to the existing pool, along with a new BBQ area and firepit. Photographer: Public 311 Design

Hi friends! If you hadn’t put it together from the hashtag (#hansonranchoverhaul), this project was literally, quite the overhaul. This full-house renovation was so much fun to be a part of! Not only did we overhaul both the main and second levels, but we actually added square footage when we filled in a double-story volume to create an additional second floor bedroom (which in this case, will actually function as a home office). We also moved walls around on both the main level to open up the living/dining kitchen area, create a more functional powder room, and bring in more natural light at the entry. Upstairs, we altered the layout to accommodate two more spacious and modernized bathrooms, as well as larger bedrooms, one complete with a new walk-in-closet and one with a beautiful window seat built-in. This client and I connected right away – she was looking to update her '90s home with a laid-back, fresh, transitional approach. As we got into the finish selections, we realized that our picks were taking us in a bit of a modern farmhouse direction, so we went with it, and am I ever glad we did! I love the new wide-plank distressed hardwood throughout and the new shaker-style built-ins in the kitchen and bathrooms. I custom designed the fireplace mantle and window seat to coordinate with the craftsman 3-panel doors, and we worked with the stair manufacturer to come up with a handrail, spindle and newel post design that was the perfect combination of traditional and modern. The 2-tone stair risers and treads perfectly accomplished the look we were going for!