Search results for "Problem solving" in Home Design Ideas

"I have a flat roof covering a porch next to my home. Every winter snow would accumulate and eventually begin to leak in to the home. Even though we had the roof redone, the flashing just wasn't high enough to prevent leaking. After every storm, I would go out on to the roof to Zev saves his home from leaking after the snow | HeatTrak Snow Melting Matsshovel near the house so that the snow wouldn't accumulate and begin to leak in.
The HeatTrak mat solved the problem by melting the snow in the area next to my home so that it couldn't accumulate and leak in.
It worked great.
Thank you for all your help."
- Zev

As code begins to require tighter and tighter houses we are locked in with chemicals that are used to build, decorate, furnish and clean our homes. This project was a stab at solving this significant health problem. Here are some key features that helped us create this self-purifying master bathroom:
- Air Purifying Paint
- Air Filtering Plants as per NASA research (pots cut into stone countertops)
- Low Energy indirect LED light strips
- Low VOC materials used throughout including underlayment, glues & grout
- Water-blown spray foam insulation
Photography: Gil Jacobs

The History Modernized project was designed to solve the problem of a complicated and confined kitchen space in a beautiful turn of the century home. Our clients need for functionality, maximum use of space, and beauty led us to an amazing split kitchen design that allowed for two usable, overlapping work zones in an odd and elongated space.
Within this design we were able to open the kitchen to the existing dining area and create bar seating on the dining room side of the kitchen while modernizing the openness of the plan. Personally, we think function and Beauty tied on this one!
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Gracefully curved stone retaining wall separates the upper and lower levels of the garden. The property had some drainage issues as water flowed towards the house. The wall solved the water problem and created a sculptural feature at the same time. The curved steps lead to the reflecting pool and fountain on the upper level. Antique concrete baskets on the steps are from the owner's parents New York home.

This small kitchen was updated by refacing the cabinets with two tone colors that gave enough contrast to bring the kitchen from an outdated space to a beautiful inviting space. To solve the storage problem, we installed a new pantry. The bead-board backing on the peninsula gave an added interest to the space. The upper cabinets were done in a mist color, while the lower cabinets were done in a midnight color. To finish the new look, we installed an Aria quartz countertop and an igloo ceramic subway tile backsplash. Now this kitchen is ready to be shared with their family and friends.

CUstom designed and built mudroom project. This project solved a variety of problems for the client- no operating room for laundry, no coat or shoe storage in mudroom, and no organization or storage for large bulk items

Imagine a situation where you love to cook but your dinning room is too small and there is not room to expand the area. This Sedona addition and kitchen remodel project solved the problem by converting the existing two car garage into a magnificent dining room and by building a detached garage in another location on the lot.
A new roof pitch was added to the old garage to give the interior a vaulted dining room feel, and to make the exterior match the existing architecture of the main house. An enclosed patio is added to the dinning room addtion for the outdoor experience.
The detached two car garage is designed with an offset between the two car spaces for two reasons; first, to make it visually interesting and secondly to accommodate the tight property set back conditions.
A breakfast nook was also added next to the kitchen to give the home an intimate dining area when large dinner parties were not needed. The kitchen was also updated to please the chef and give the home it's final touch of elegance.
Sustainable Sedona Residential Design

This project required innovative structural solutions to solve a difficult problem. Residential neighbors of this urban school wanted to see the view of the new building softened.
Catlin Atkinson

Large West Chester PA Master bath remodel. The clients wanted more storage, his and hers vanities, and no tub. A linen closet, plenty of drawers, and additional cabinetry storage were designed to solve that problem. Fieldstone cabinetry in the Moss Green painted finish really looks sharp. The floor was tiled in large 4’x4’ tiles for a clean look with minimal grout lines. The wainscoting and shower tile were also simple large tiles in a natural tone that tie in nicely with the beautiful granite countertops and shower wall caps. New trims, louvered toilet room and pocket entry door were added and stained to match the original trim throughout the home. ( Perfect match by our finisher ) Frameless glass shower surround, new lighted vanity mirrors, and additional recessed ceiling lights finish out the new look. Another awesome bathroom with happy clients.

This amazing renovation focused on solving a series of problems that a previous kitchen expansion had created. By rearranging the appliance placement, updating the cabinetry, designing all new storage solutions and maximizing the amazing outdoor views; we cured the spit personality disorder plaguing the existing kitchen. The home now has a beautifully redesigned kitchen and living space perfect for entertaining, relaxing and enjoying the outside views. Vaulted ceilings with bright skylights, reflective glass wall tiles, sleek sophisticated Cambria quartz counter tops, fingerprint-free faucet, multi-functional Prolific kitchen sink by Kohler, stainless steel appliances, creative storage solutions, all new lighting and timeless shaker cabinets by Wellborn lend to the now bright, open, vivacious and flawless function of this newly renovated galley style kitchen. White base cabinets along the outside walls contrast perfectly with the dark grey island cabinets. Linear satin nickel door and drawer pulls coordinate with the stainless steel appliances and sink. An eclectic blend of vintage and modern furnishings, artwork and rugs create a comfortable balance that feels and looks timeless. Breathtaking backyard views are artfully framed by new Pella windows and doors with integral blinds between the glass. Calm, inviting neutral tones provide the perfect backdrop for this refined design.
Photos by: Kimberly Kerl

The great room created in the new addition repeats the coffered ceiling detail from the kitchen. With the old kitchen being opened up, structural beams were necessary to support the second storey. In working with these design challenges, the ceiling detail not only solved that problem, but also added architectural interest to the spaces. By repeating this detail throughout it was one way to further unify the two spaces. Custom millwork was designed at the end of the space to house the media and entertainment components of the space. The dining table in the foreground offers a place to dine, play games, socialize and further enjoy the experience.

Twist Tour
Small transitional master beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile doorless shower photo in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink and solid surface countertops
Small transitional master beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile doorless shower photo in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink and solid surface countertops

The side-view close-up shows detail of the LED lighting we used to illuminate all the art objects on display. Fully adjustable shelves let us size each space to suit each object. We used non-combustible tiles on the hearth to blend seamlessly with the floor.

As code begins to require tighter and tighter houses we are locked in with chemicals that are used to build, decorate, furnish and clean our homes. This project was a stab at solving this significant health problem. Here are some key features that helped us create this self-purifying master bathroom:
- Air Purifying Paint
- Air Filtering Plants as per NASA research (pots cut into stone countertops)
- Low Energy indirect LED light strips
- Low VOC materials used throughout including underlayment, glues & grout
- Water-blown spray foam insulation
Photography: Gil Jacobs

Located in the heart of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the building was erected on a shallow commercial lot between two 120 year old masonry buildings and a new residential rental building. 330 Grand Street is a mix of 725 SF 1BRs and 1050 SF 2BR apartments. It also contains a 1100 SF two story duplex as well as private and public rooftop space, large private balconies for most units and two large private terraces for the ground floor units.
330 Grand Street was originally designed and approved at the NYC DOB as a prefabricated modular building. During the pandemic, as shipping costs skyrocketed putting the project at risk, we suggested redesigning the building as a reinforced cast-in-place concrete structure. Concrete was readily available and prices had not been affected by the demand increase that many other materials suffered in the pandemic. We took this opportunity to raise floor to ceiling heights, enlarge high performance windows and redistribute the buildings MEPFS and Structural Systems to create very open floor plans.
The challenge was to create a luxurious sensorial living experience with very limited means. In a city with very high construction costs, low cost residential buildings in the area are usually devoid of good quality, design and character. Our approach was to aim high for the end user, prioritizing natural light, open space with long visual perspectives, high ceilings and as always, rejecting the use of predefined building templates.
Our biggest challenge was to ensure that the small spaces feel as clean cut, large and bright as possible. Several unique design decisions were made to ensure low cost and high quality;
Floor plans were laid out so that spaces were wide open and free of clutter from mechanical or structural interruptions. Therefore all infrastructure was placed in lateral demising walls, which in turn act as the unit’s storage and kitchen. The apartments feel wide open, are super quiet and have more storage space than any other comparable apartment in the city.
To solve the problem of the site’s shallow commercial lot which is typically prone to dark interior spaces we focused our attention on the building’s envelope. Instead of the usual small punched window openings, oversized high performance windows were designed to ensure that light penetrated as far as possible into the units. In the smaller 1BR units, the full 50’ depth of the lot is perceived by partitioning spaces with sliding pocket doors that can be retracted to allow deep visual perspectives, making the sight lines in the space feel longer, larger, more ample than normal. In addition to the full height glazing, each unit above the 2nd floor receives a 7 foot covered balcony, adding 120 to 240 sf to each apartment, something unusual in New York City buildings. The space is large enough for a full size dining table, when the weather permits being outside.
We also worked hard to ensure modularity. For example, all kitchen units are all identical throughout the building. The idea of modularity and the economy of the repetitive unit is exercised to the maximum through the building.
Hardware, appliances, flooring, wall coverings and material finishes are all carefully selected to feel bespoke, high quality and unique.
It was important to KURV that the result of this work manifest into something that would deeply connect with the end user and sustain relationships with the consumers of this space.
All images by KURV Architecture ©

Gable style patio cover attached to the house and equipped with full outdoor kitchen, electric heaters, screens, ceiling fan, skylights, tv, patio furniture, and hot tub. The project turned out beautifully and would be the perfect place to host a party, family dinner or the big game!

This amazing renovation focused on solving a series of problems that a previous kitchen expansion had created. By rearranging the appliance placement, updating the cabinetry, designing all new storage solutions and maximizing the amazing outdoor views; we cured the spit personality disorder plaguing the existing kitchen. The home now has a beautifully redesigned kitchen and living space perfect for entertaining, relaxing and enjoying the outside views. Vaulted ceilings with bright skylights, reflective glass wall tiles, sleek sophisticated Cambria quartz counter tops, fingerprint-free faucet, multi-functional Prolific kitchen sink by Kohler, stainless steel appliances, creative storage solutions, all new lighting and timeless shaker cabinets by Wellborn lend to the now bright, open, vivacious and flawless function of this newly renovated galley style kitchen. White base cabinets along the outside walls contrast perfectly with the dark grey island cabinets. Linear satin nickel door and drawer pulls coordinate with the stainless steel appliances and sink. An eclectic blend of vintage and modern furnishings, artwork and rugs create a comfortable balance that feels and looks timeless. Breathtaking backyard views are artfully framed by new Pella windows and doors with integral blinds between the glass. Calm, inviting neutral tones provide the perfect backdrop for this refined design.
Photos by: Kimberly Kerl

New windows, floors, powder room and basement:
We gave the home new windows, new hardwood floors, and paint throughout. We created a new main floor powder room and a new finished basement containing a living area, three-piece bathroom and new bedroom with egress (tilt and turn) windows.
Flipped around and redesigned kitchen:
We created a new kitchen. The footprint of the kitchen stayed the same, but we flipped it around and redesigned it. Now it has a walk-in pantry area and more floorspace going in and out, which optimized the flow of traffic. We replaced the old non-functioning mudroom with a new one.
Disappearing balcony and drafty door:
To create a new space using a balcony in a bedroom, we extended the second storey out to line up with the first floor, and this increased the square footage. In that room we turned a drafty door into a window.
We reinstated the rear deck, using as many of the original pieces as we could:
There was a leaking roof problem because the original roof pitches were causing ice damming. We designed a new roof to prevent that in the future.
New windows, stucco, and the challenge of asbestos:
Another challenge was installing new windows in the original stucco finish, which contained asbestos. We waterproofed those properly, future proofing them from leaks.
We solved the situation by installing a 5-inch trim around the perimeter of the window. Specialists cut the asbestos back (we had to set up a containment perimeter around each window), and then we placed windows that are five inches wider than the window frames. We used special flashing tapes and sealed them all up behind the stucco.
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