After having lived in 22 different places all around the world, this family decided to settle in a Dutch colonial home in Harding Township. The house sits on a wonderful piece of property that is only challenged by the wetlands that surround it. For this reason, we had to work within the existing footprint and not consider any additions. The homeowners wanted to be able to host the holidays in their new home which meant we had an aggressive design and construction schedule. We started the design work in the Spring of 2012 and construction took place over the Summer and into the Fall. By Thanksgiving, the project was complete, with no meaningful cost overruns. Renovations included a new kitchen, mudroom, and office/library on the first floor and a new master suite, hall bath, home office, and laundry room upstairs. The challenge was creating comfortable space with clean lines that would accommodate the homeowner’s casual and worldly lifestyle, but would not feel out of place with the character of the existing house. The kitchen is a glorious hard-working space with lots of counter space, space for a giant farmer’s table, and symmetrical views through oversized double hung-windows out to the expansive yard. The master bath is outfitted with wood, stone, and metal, and also includes artifacts from some of their world travels. In a second phase of work, we designed some outbuilding to further enhance the character of the property. Currently we are working with the family to design a memorial to honor their child who died of Leukemia.

Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Atlanta

Photos by Mark Darley
Inspiration for a rustic white wood exterior home remodel in San Francisco

Photo: Stacy Levin © 2015 Houzz
Deck - contemporary deck idea in Los Angeles

This bedroom and full bathroom are part of an adventuresome project my wife and I embarked upon to create a complete apartment in the basement of our townhouse. We designed a floor plan that creatively and efficiently used all of the 385-square-foot-space, without sacrificing beauty, comfort or function – and all without breaking the bank! To maximize our budget, we did the work ourselves and added everything from thrift store finds to DIY wall art to bring it all together. A partial double closet bar adds a little extra space while still leaving room for longer hanging clothes.

pre existing kitchen

Inspiration for a mediterranean formal and open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room remodel in San Francisco with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

WATCH the time lapse video of this kitchen remodel: https://youtu.be/caemXXlauLU   Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This Glen Ellyn homeowner came to us, frustrated with the layout and size of their current kitchen, looking for help generating ideas for how to maximize functionality within the constraints of the space. After visiting with them and seeing the home’s layout, I realized that looking at the bigger picture of how they used the entire first floor might bring us some dramatic solutions. We ended up flipping the kitchen and family room and taking down the wall separating the two creating one big open floor plan for the family to enjoy. There is still a visual separation between the rooms because of their different lengths and the overall space now relates nicely to the dining room which was also opened up to both rooms. The new kitchen is an L-shaped space that is no longer cramped and small and is truly a cook’s dream. The fridge is on one end, a large cooktop and sink are located along the main perimeter and double ovens located at the end of the “L” complete the layout. Ample work surface along the perimeter and on the large island makes entertaining a breeze. An existing door to the patio remains, floods the room with light and provides easy access to the existing outdoor deck for entertaining and grilling. White cabinetry with quartz countertops, Carrera marble backsplash tile and a contrasting gray island give the space a clean and modern feel. The gray pendant lights and stainless appliances bring a slight industrial feel to the space letting you know that some serious cooking will take place here. Once we had their Dream Kitchen design completed, the homeowners decided to tackle another project at the same time. We made plans to create a master suite upstairs by combining two existing bedrooms into a larger bedroom, bathroom and walk-in closet. The existing spaces were not overly large so getting everything on the wish list into the design was a challenge. In the end, we came up with a design that works. The two bedrooms were adjoined, one wall moved back slightly to make for a slightly larger bedroom, and the remaining space was allotted to the new bathroom and a walk in closet. The bathroom consists of a double vanity and a large shower with a barn door shower door. A skylight brings light into the space and helps make it feel larger and more open. The new walk-in closet is accessible through the bathroom, and we even managed to fit in a small entry vestibule that houses some additional storage and makes a nice transition from the hallway. A white vanity, Carrera tops and gray floor tile make for a serene space that feels just right for this home. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Mike Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

When it came time to remodel their kitchen, a Napa couple knew exactly who to call. Having previously worked with Castle Rock Construction on a basement renovation, the homeowners chose Castle Rock. Although it had served them well, the homeowners wanted something different for their kitchen—something that exemplified their sense of style and had an open floor plan. Starting with a spark of an idea, they were looking for talented craftsmen to make their French Country dream kitchen a reality. That’s where the artistry and craftsmanship of Tim Metcalfe and Jay Coleman from Castle Rock’s custom cabinet shop came into the picture. “This isn’t your basic Shopsmith kitchen,” Tim said. “With our complete cabinet shop, we were able to meet all the challenges a project like this presents.” Tim and Jay created one-of-a-kind kitchen elements that matched pre-existing furniture pieces. The custom wood stove hood, and wood refrigerator door cover look remarkably like an armoire the homeowners already possessed. “Legs and feet on furniture are fairly common place,” Tim said, “but we managed to round out the homeowners’ look by creating them for the island and the sink areas. We even created top rails with a radius.” Castle Rock credits Napco Finishing for the final, installed look. In the two months it took to complete the project, the kitchen was completely renovated, a pantry was created with cupboards strategically placed to hide a pesky staircase to the basement, and a new entry staircase was constructed to take advantage of the light and lines of the existing foyer. “Having our cabinet shop is definitely an advantage when meeting our clients’ needs. It gives our clients many more options that they are not likely to find elsewhere,” Jim Pitcher, president of Castle Rock, said. “It allows us to finish a remodel with truly unique products that simply aren’t available from big box outlets.” The cabinet shop is just one of the many ways Castle Rock Construction delivers the highest quality of construction to discriminating homeowners. With an entire cadre of trade professionals, there’s little that can be imagined, that can’t be delivered.

When it came time to remodel their kitchen, a Napa couple knew exactly who to call. Having previously worked with Castle Rock Construction on a basement renovation, the homeowners chose Castle Rock. Although it had served them well, the homeowners wanted something different for their kitchen—something that exemplified their sense of style and had an open floor plan. Starting with a spark of an idea, they were looking for talented craftsmen to make their French Country dream kitchen a reality. That’s where the artistry and craftsmanship of Tim Metcalfe and Jay Coleman from Castle Rock’s custom cabinet shop came into the picture. “This isn’t your basic Shopsmith kitchen,” Tim said. “With our complete cabinet shop, we were able to meet all the challenges a project like this presents.” Tim and Jay created one-of-a-kind kitchen elements that matched pre-existing furniture pieces. The custom wood stove hood, and wood refrigerator door cover look remarkably like an armoire the homeowners already possessed. “Legs and feet on furniture are fairly common place,” Tim said, “but we managed to round out the homeowners’ look by creating them for the island and the sink areas. We even created top rails with a radius.” Castle Rock credits Napco Finishing for the final, installed look. In the two months it took to complete the project, the kitchen was completely renovated, a pantry was created with cupboards strategically placed to hide a pesky staircase to the basement, and a new entry staircase was constructed to take advantage of the light and lines of the existing foyer. “Having our cabinet shop is definitely an advantage when meeting our clients’ needs. It gives our clients many more options that they are not likely to find elsewhere,” Jim Pitcher, president of Castle Rock, said. “It allows us to finish a remodel with truly unique products that simply aren’t available from big box outlets.” The cabinet shop is just one of the many ways Castle Rock Construction delivers the highest quality of construction to discriminating homeowners. With an entire cadre of trade professionals, there’s little that can be imagined, that can’t be delivered.

When it came time to remodel their kitchen, a Napa couple knew exactly who to call. Having previously worked with Castle Rock Construction on a basement renovation, the homeowners chose Castle Rock. Although it had served them well, the homeowners wanted something different for their kitchen—something that exemplified their sense of style and had an open floor plan. Starting with a spark of an idea, they were looking for talented craftsmen to make their French Country dream kitchen a reality. That’s where the artistry and craftsmanship of Tim Metcalfe and Jay Coleman from Castle Rock’s custom cabinet shop came into the picture. “This isn’t your basic Shopsmith kitchen,” Tim said. “With our complete cabinet shop, we were able to meet all the challenges a project like this presents.” Tim and Jay created one-of-a-kind kitchen elements that matched pre-existing furniture pieces. The custom wood stove hood, and wood refrigerator door cover look remarkably like an armoire the homeowners already possessed. “Legs and feet on furniture are fairly common place,” Tim said, “but we managed to round out the homeowners’ look by creating them for the island and the sink areas. We even created top rails with a radius.” Castle Rock credits Napco Finishing for the final, installed look. In the two months it took to complete the project, the kitchen was completely renovated, a pantry was created with cupboards strategically placed to hide a pesky staircase to the basement, and a new entry staircase was constructed to take advantage of the light and lines of the existing foyer. “Having our cabinet shop is definitely an advantage when meeting our clients’ needs. It gives our clients many more options that they are not likely to find elsewhere,” Jim Pitcher, president of Castle Rock, said. “It allows us to finish a remodel with truly unique products that simply aren’t available from big box outlets.” The cabinet shop is just one of the many ways Castle Rock Construction delivers the highest quality of construction to discriminating homeowners. With an entire cadre of trade professionals, there’s little that can be imagined, that can’t be delivered.

When it came time to remodel their kitchen, a Napa couple knew exactly who to call. Having previously worked with Castle Rock Construction on a basement renovation, the homeowners chose Castle Rock. Although it had served them well, the homeowners wanted something different for their kitchen—something that exemplified their sense of style and had an open floor plan. Starting with a spark of an idea, they were looking for talented craftsmen to make their French Country dream kitchen a reality. That’s where the artistry and craftsmanship of Tim Metcalfe and Jay Coleman from Castle Rock’s custom cabinet shop came into the picture. “This isn’t your basic Shopsmith kitchen,” Tim said. “With our complete cabinet shop, we were able to meet all the challenges a project like this presents.” Tim and Jay created one-of-a-kind kitchen elements that matched pre-existing furniture pieces. The custom wood stove hood, and wood refrigerator door cover look remarkably like an armoire the homeowners already possessed. “Legs and feet on furniture are fairly common place,” Tim said, “but we managed to round out the homeowners’ look by creating them for the island and the sink areas. We even created top rails with a radius.” Castle Rock credits Napco Finishing for the final, installed look. In the two months it took to complete the project, the kitchen was completely renovated, a pantry was created with cupboards strategically placed to hide a pesky staircase to the basement, and a new entry staircase was constructed to take advantage of the light and lines of the existing foyer. “Having our cabinet shop is definitely an advantage when meeting our clients’ needs. It gives our clients many more options that they are not likely to find elsewhere,” Jim Pitcher, president of Castle Rock, said. “It allows us to finish a remodel with truly unique products that simply aren’t available from big box outlets.” The cabinet shop is just one of the many ways Castle Rock Construction delivers the highest quality of construction to discriminating homeowners. With an entire cadre of trade professionals, there’s little that can be imagined, that can’t be delivered.

When it came time to remodel their kitchen, a Napa couple knew exactly who to call. Having previously worked with Castle Rock Construction on a basement renovation, the homeowners chose Castle Rock. Although it had served them well, the homeowners wanted something different for their kitchen—something that exemplified their sense of style and had an open floor plan. Starting with a spark of an idea, they were looking for talented craftsmen to make their French Country dream kitchen a reality. That’s where the artistry and craftsmanship of Tim Metcalfe and Jay Coleman from Castle Rock’s custom cabinet shop came into the picture. “This isn’t your basic Shopsmith kitchen,” Tim said. “With our complete cabinet shop, we were able to meet all the challenges a project like this presents.” Tim and Jay created one-of-a-kind kitchen elements that matched pre-existing furniture pieces. The custom wood stove hood, and wood refrigerator door cover look remarkably like an armoire the homeowners already possessed. “Legs and feet on furniture are fairly common place,” Tim said, “but we managed to round out the homeowners’ look by creating them for the island and the sink areas. We even created top rails with a radius.” Castle Rock credits Napco Finishing for the final, installed look. In the two months it took to complete the project, the kitchen was completely renovated, a pantry was created with cupboards strategically placed to hide a pesky staircase to the basement, and a new entry staircase was constructed to take advantage of the light and lines of the existing foyer. “Having our cabinet shop is definitely an advantage when meeting our clients’ needs. It gives our clients many more options that they are not likely to find elsewhere,” Jim Pitcher, president of Castle Rock, said. “It allows us to finish a remodel with truly unique products that simply aren’t available from big box outlets.” The cabinet shop is just one of the many ways Castle Rock Construction delivers the highest quality of construction to discriminating homeowners. With an entire cadre of trade professionals, there’s little that can be imagined, that can’t be delivered.

When it came time to remodel their kitchen, a Napa couple knew exactly who to call. Having previously worked with Castle Rock Construction on a basement renovation, the homeowners chose Castle Rock. Although it had served them well, the homeowners wanted something different for their kitchen—something that exemplified their sense of style and had an open floor plan. Starting with a spark of an idea, they were looking for talented craftsmen to make their French Country dream kitchen a reality. That’s where the artistry and craftsmanship of Tim Metcalfe and Jay Coleman from Castle Rock’s custom cabinet shop came into the picture. “This isn’t your basic Shopsmith kitchen,” Tim said. “With our complete cabinet shop, we were able to meet all the challenges a project like this presents.” Tim and Jay created one-of-a-kind kitchen elements that matched pre-existing furniture pieces. The custom wood stove hood, and wood refrigerator door cover look remarkably like an armoire the homeowners already possessed. “Legs and feet on furniture are fairly common place,” Tim said, “but we managed to round out the homeowners’ look by creating them for the island and the sink areas. We even created top rails with a radius.” Castle Rock credits Napco Finishing for the final, installed look. In the two months it took to complete the project, the kitchen was completely renovated, a pantry was created with cupboards strategically placed to hide a pesky staircase to the basement, and a new entry staircase was constructed to take advantage of the light and lines of the existing foyer. “Having our cabinet shop is definitely an advantage when meeting our clients’ needs. It gives our clients many more options that they are not likely to find elsewhere,” Jim Pitcher, president of Castle Rock, said. “It allows us to finish a remodel with truly unique products that simply aren’t available from big box outlets.” The cabinet shop is just one of the many ways Castle Rock Construction delivers the highest quality of construction to discriminating homeowners. With an entire cadre of trade professionals, there’s little that can be imagined, that can’t be delivered.

When it came time to remodel their kitchen, a Napa couple knew exactly who to call. Having previously worked with Castle Rock Construction on a basement renovation, the homeowners chose Castle Rock. Although it had served them well, the homeowners wanted something different for their kitchen—something that exemplified their sense of style and had an open floor plan. Starting with a spark of an idea, they were looking for talented craftsmen to make their French Country dream kitchen a reality. That’s where the artistry and craftsmanship of Tim Metcalfe and Jay Coleman from Castle Rock’s custom cabinet shop came into the picture. “This isn’t your basic Shopsmith kitchen,” Tim said. “With our complete cabinet shop, we were able to meet all the challenges a project like this presents.” Tim and Jay created one-of-a-kind kitchen elements that matched pre-existing furniture pieces. The custom wood stove hood, and wood refrigerator door cover look remarkably like an armoire the homeowners already possessed. “Legs and feet on furniture are fairly common place,” Tim said, “but we managed to round out the homeowners’ look by creating them for the island and the sink areas. We even created top rails with a radius.” Castle Rock credits Napco Finishing for the final, installed look. In the two months it took to complete the project, the kitchen was completely renovated, a pantry was created with cupboards strategically placed to hide a pesky staircase to the basement, and a new entry staircase was constructed to take advantage of the light and lines of the existing foyer. “Having our cabinet shop is definitely an advantage when meeting our clients’ needs. It gives our clients many more options that they are not likely to find elsewhere,” Jim Pitcher, president of Castle Rock, said. “It allows us to finish a remodel with truly unique products that simply aren’t available from big box outlets.” The cabinet shop is just one of the many ways Castle Rock Construction delivers the highest quality of construction to discriminating homeowners. With an entire cadre of trade professionals, there’s little that can be imagined, that can’t be delivered.

When it came time to remodel their kitchen, a Napa couple knew exactly who to call. Having previously worked with Castle Rock Construction on a basement renovation, the homeowners chose Castle Rock. Although it had served them well, the homeowners wanted something different for their kitchen—something that exemplified their sense of style and had an open floor plan. Starting with a spark of an idea, they were looking for talented craftsmen to make their French Country dream kitchen a reality. That’s where the artistry and craftsmanship of Tim Metcalfe and Jay Coleman from Castle Rock’s custom cabinet shop came into the picture. “This isn’t your basic Shopsmith kitchen,” Tim said. “With our complete cabinet shop, we were able to meet all the challenges a project like this presents.” Tim and Jay created one-of-a-kind kitchen elements that matched pre-existing furniture pieces. The custom wood stove hood, and wood refrigerator door cover look remarkably like an armoire the homeowners already possessed. “Legs and feet on furniture are fairly common place,” Tim said, “but we managed to round out the homeowners’ look by creating them for the island and the sink areas. We even created top rails with a radius.” Castle Rock credits Napco Finishing for the final, installed look. In the two months it took to complete the project, the kitchen was completely renovated, a pantry was created with cupboards strategically placed to hide a pesky staircase to the basement, and a new entry staircase was constructed to take advantage of the light and lines of the existing foyer. “Having our cabinet shop is definitely an advantage when meeting our clients’ needs. It gives our clients many more options that they are not likely to find elsewhere,” Jim Pitcher, president of Castle Rock, said. “It allows us to finish a remodel with truly unique products that simply aren’t available from big box outlets.” The cabinet shop is just one of the many ways Castle Rock Construction delivers the highest quality of construction to discriminating homeowners. With an entire cadre of trade professionals, there’s little that can be imagined, that can’t be delivered.

When it came time to remodel their kitchen, a Napa couple knew exactly who to call. Having previously worked with Castle Rock Construction on a basement renovation, the homeowners chose Castle Rock. Although it had served them well, the homeowners wanted something different for their kitchen—something that exemplified their sense of style and had an open floor plan. Starting with a spark of an idea, they were looking for talented craftsmen to make their French Country dream kitchen a reality. That’s where the artistry and craftsmanship of Tim Metcalfe and Jay Coleman from Castle Rock’s custom cabinet shop came into the picture. “This isn’t your basic Shopsmith kitchen,” Tim said. “With our complete cabinet shop, we were able to meet all the challenges a project like this presents.” Tim and Jay created one-of-a-kind kitchen elements that matched pre-existing furniture pieces. The custom wood stove hood, and wood refrigerator door cover look remarkably like an armoire the homeowners already possessed. “Legs and feet on furniture are fairly common place,” Tim said, “but we managed to round out the homeowners’ look by creating them for the island and the sink areas. We even created top rails with a radius.” Castle Rock credits Napco Finishing for the final, installed look. In the two months it took to complete the project, the kitchen was completely renovated, a pantry was created with cupboards strategically placed to hide a pesky staircase to the basement, and a new entry staircase was constructed to take advantage of the light and lines of the existing foyer. “Having our cabinet shop is definitely an advantage when meeting our clients’ needs. It gives our clients many more options that they are not likely to find elsewhere,” Jim Pitcher, president of Castle Rock, said. “It allows us to finish a remodel with truly unique products that simply aren’t available from big box outlets.” The cabinet shop is just one of the many ways Castle Rock Construction delivers the highest quality of construction to discriminating homeowners. With an entire cadre of trade professionals, there’s little that can be imagined, that can’t be delivered.

Houzz Kitchen of the Week April 8, 2016. Kitchen renovation for Victorian home north of Boston. Designed by north shore kitchen showroom Heartwood Kitchens. The white kitchen custom cabinetry is from Mouser Cabinetry. Butler's pantry cabinetry in QCCI quarter sawn oak cabinetry. The kitchen includes many furniture like features including a wood mantle hood, open shelving, bead board and inset cabinetry. Other details include: soapstone counter tops, Jenn-Air appliances, Elkay faucet, antique transfer ware tiles from EBay, pendant lights from Rejuvenation, quarter sawn oak floors, hardware from House of Antique Hardware and the homeowners antique runner. General Contracting: DM Construction. Photo credit: Eric Roth Photography.

Challenge This 2001 riverfront home was purchased by the owners in 2015 and immediately renovated. Progressive Design Build was hired at that time to remodel the interior, with tentative plans to remodel their outdoor living space as a second phase design/build remodel. True to their word, after completing the interior remodel, this young family turned to Progressive Design Build in 2017 to address known zoning regulations and restrictions in their backyard and build an outdoor living space that was fit for entertaining and everyday use. The homeowners wanted a pool and spa, outdoor living room, kitchen, fireplace and covered patio. They also wanted to stay true to their home’s Old Florida style architecture while also adding a Jamaican influence to the ceiling detail, which held sentimental value to the homeowners who honeymooned in Jamaica. Solution To tackle the known zoning regulations and restrictions in the backyard, the homeowners researched and applied for a variance. With the variance in hand, Progressive Design Build sat down with the homeowners to review several design options. These options included: Option 1) Modifications to the original pool design, changing it to be longer and narrower and comply with an existing drainage easement Option 2) Two different layouts of the outdoor living area Option 3) Two different height elevations and options for the fire pit area Option 4) A proposed breezeway connecting the new area with the existing home After reviewing the options, the homeowners chose the design that placed the pool on the backside of the house and the outdoor living area on the west side of the home (Option 1). It was important to build a patio structure that could sustain a hurricane (a Southwest Florida necessity), and provide substantial sun protection. The new covered area was supported by structural columns and designed as an open-air porch (with no screens) to allow for an unimpeded view of the Caloosahatchee River. The open porch design also made the area feel larger, and the roof extension was built with substantial strength to survive severe weather conditions. The pool and spa were connected to the adjoining patio area, designed to flow seamlessly into the next. The pool deck was designed intentionally in a 3-color blend of concrete brick with freeform edge detail to mimic the natural river setting. Bringing the outdoors inside, the pool and fire pit were slightly elevated to create a small separation of space. Result All of the desirable amenities of a screened porch were built into an open porch, including electrical outlets, a ceiling fan/light kit, TV, audio speakers, and a fireplace. The outdoor living area was finished off with additional storage for cushions, ample lighting, an outdoor dining area, a smoker, a grill, a double-side burner, an under cabinet refrigerator, a major ventilation system, and water supply plumbing that delivers hot and cold water to the sinks. Because the porch is under a roof, we had the option to use classy woods that would give the structure a natural look and feel. We chose a dark cypress ceiling with a gloss finish, replicating the same detail that the homeowners experienced in Jamaica. This created a deep visceral and emotional reaction from the homeowners to their new backyard. The family now spends more time outdoors enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Their professional lives allow them to take a trip to paradise right in their backyard—stealing moments that reflect on the past, but are also enjoyed in the present.