Whole-house remodel of a hillside home in Seattle. The historically-significant ballroom was repurposed as a family/music room, and the once-small kitchen and adjacent spaces were combined to create an open area for cooking and gathering. A compact master bath was reconfigured to maximize the use of space, and a new main floor powder room provides knee space for accessibility. Built-in cabinets provide much-needed coat & shoe storage close to the front door. ©Kathryn Barnard, 2014

Shanna Wolf
Enclosed kitchen - mid-sized country u-shaped linoleum floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen idea in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and gray countertops

The Challenge: Create a rugged yet warm farmhouse feel in a high rise tower. Start with an entire 9600 gross square foot penthouse floor of raw concrete floor, walls and ceiling. Devise inventive ways to address intractable existing conditions including a plumbing layout inconsistent with our Client program, a relatively low ceiling and a massive elevator core and yet take of advantage of panoramic views of the city from all sides. For example, rather than make a bulky drywall enclosure for existing pipes that poke thru the kitchen counter, they are wrapped with antique painted galvanized sheet metal to keep sight lines around the corner as open as possible. Or, transform an unattractive and inconveniently located 24” diameter vertical duct in the middle of Samantha’s and Hannah’s (grandchildren’s) guest bedroom into part of a lovely arched top bed nook. Or, disguise a chase for above floor plumbing runs as the base for an open buffet counter. The oppressive elevator lobby was shortened; terminating in handmade glass and steel garden doors at both ends. Custom details include a groined vaulted ceiling and arched openings with stone pilasters (for future trompe-l’oeil images of a Tuscany countryside). To maximize a feeling of height, the ceilings start low and get higher as they progress to the outside walls. The Program: Create a five bedroom condo for an elderly couple with specific and different needs. Mr. likes his privacy and to stay up late into the night on the internet. He likes order. Mrs. has some physical limits that have been addressed in various ways such as shorter travel distances, a step down shower, raised dishwasher and custom cast (to ensure that they won’t rust) iron grab bars. She prefers more disorder. Spaces should be visually arresting, full of detail and easy to maintain. Private spaces include separate master bathrooms, his and her offices and a multi screened Media Room. The balance of the floor must link spaces into one continuous open room along the south and east elevations using large elements yet keeping an intimate scale, sound control and privacy. For example, a substantial fireplace made of old barn timber framing, country stone and a hammered iron grill is strategically located at the critical Southeast corner. Above, black iron offset pintel hardware allow custom double doors to hide a large flat screen TV. High technology is in place for inconspicuous yet easy use. Icon driven key pads operate lighting, window treatments, audio visual systems with multiple sources and access to movie and music databases and five HVAC zones with independent humidity controls. Outstanding Features: Exterior masonry walls have stone culled from five quarries. Sprinkled throughout are surprises - bricks with words as messages from the past, wood trimmed niches and colored glass. Glass pieces set in window corners offer bursts of color when backlit by the sun. These materials are assembled in a rough irregular fashion to look like the work of a mason from the Italian countryside. Interior ceilings and walls have overlapping layers of two plaster colors. Perimeter ceilings are made of smooth random width cedar. Rough planed cedar beams hide ductwork and allow the maximum ceiling height between them. Custom details are everywhere-consider the ten foot barn doors on overhead track at the service elevator, cedar benches/storage areas that run below window banks, antique air registers, acid washed piano hinges and transom window operators and existing concrete piers that are featured instead of hidden. The floors are made of random width wide plank old oak with hand planed faces and edges. Overall, the elements were carefully selected or painted/stained to form a soft muted gray palate The Country kitchen features an old fashioned style ice box appearance for the refrigerator/freezer, a tin ceiling, a distressed assortment of cabinets in multiple heights, colors and woods such as the cherry wood buffet cabinet with sliding glass doors on both sides. A backlit breakfast counter, a hammered copper hood and chicken wire inserts are part of the effort to make a comfortable, eclectic old fashioned looking Kitchen while containing the latest appliances and storage systems. Awards: This project has won several kitchen and bath awards: Felman Kitchen Awards 2009 St. Louis Homes and Lifestyles Kitchen of the Year – Gold Award 2008-2009 SubZero Wolf Kitchen Design Contest – Regional Winner, Regional Designer’s Choice 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – Pinnacle of Design Award 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – First Place Medium Kitchen 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – Consumer’s Choice Award 2010 K&BB Kitchen of the Year Award Felman Bath Awards 2010 Ladue News Award—Master Bathroom

Casey Dunn
Pool - contemporary side yard rectangular lap pool idea in Austin

Jeff Herr
Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen design in Atlanta with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, black appliances, an island and marble backsplash

Finished project with matching stone and roof shingles. Note the use of old shingles adds variety and texture to the new roof. Also note the match of old and new stone. Pictures by Bart Hamlin

Michael Hsu
Large transitional white two-story wood exterior home idea in Austin

Overall view of the kitchen - The first island highlights the eating area with mid-tone cabinetry, exotic granite, and a decorative chandelier. The second island and surrounding cabinetry is white with cream countertops. Photo: Bob Narod

To create the dry bar area that our clients wanted, Progressive Design Build removed the ceiling height drywall built-ins and replaced it with a large entertainment nook and separate dry bar nook. Bringing cohesion to the open living room and kitchen area, the new dry bar was designed using the same materials as the kitchen, which included a large bank of white Dura Supreme cabinets, a Calacutta Clara quartz countertop, and Morel wood-stained floating shelves.

A multi-valent overhaul of a steep mountain property damaged by The Flood and at risk of future degradation. We made room for an outdoor living space by broadening an old fire roadbed using ancient stonework tactics (and a couple of backhoes) to shore up the slopes about and below. We performed extensive erosion mitigation all over the site while making aesthetic improvements. To give the owners access to the overlook far above their home, we built a trail to last generations and accommodate users of all abilities. Patio concrete, cobble, and fire pit by others.

Andrew Rugge/archphoto
Example of a mid-sized transitional master beige tile and porcelain tile gray floor and porcelain tile corner shower design in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, an undermount tub and beige walls

The final design is a stunning articulated progression of steps and outdoor rooms with clean surfaces and rich plantings. Landscape Construction: Environmental Designs, Inc.; Landscape Architecture Design: MARPA

Example of a mid-sized trendy concrete floor great room design in San Francisco with white walls

Trendy built-in desk home office photo in Salt Lake City

Home to a family of five, this Kentfield residence began as a kitchen remodel and quickly progressed into a full home renovation. By reconfiguring the interior architecture, we created a floorplan that best accommodates the demands of modern family life. To unite the home’s traditional exterior with its interiors, we added classic architectural details such as trim and coffered ceilings throughout. Longtime fans of Annie’s work, the homeowners were keen on making bold design decisions for a lasting impact, from the yellow wallpapered entryway to the gray lacquered office. The result is a bespoke residence that truly reflects the energy and warmth of the happy family that calls it home.

Completing this outdoor oasis was the design and construction of an outdoor kitchen. Located adjacent to the covered patio and indoor kitchen, this outdoor living area was upgraded from a partially covered patio to a fully functional outdoor kitchen with a full bank of slate-colored outdoor powdered stainless steel cabinetry by Danver. Anchoring the space is a stunning leather textured Fantasy Brown granite countertop, doubling as a dramatic backsplash behind the new grilling station (featuring a 36” Alfresco grill and 48” Proline hood). To complete this luxurious outdoor kitchen, we installed a Kohler Strive undermount stainless steel sink with a Kohler Simplice faucet, ice bin, U-Line outdoor under cabinet refrigerator, and a water heater.

Photo: A Darling Felicity Photography © 2015 Houzz
Example of a mid-sized eclectic light wood floor enclosed dining room design in Seattle with black walls

Photo: Heather Banks © 2017 Houzz
Example of an eclectic dining room design in Austin

Transitional kitchen photo in Portland Maine