This 800 s.f. ADU has two bedrooms & two bathrooms. The street facing entry provides convenient access for short term renters of this Accessory Dwelling.

This timeless kitchen is the perfect example of how rich color sets the mood. Inspired by Sherwin-Williams’ Dried Thyme, the green cabinetry brings a warm and contemporary look. The kitchen’s original layout is what attracted the owners to this home so with a few changes, the space now better fits the owners’ needs. Straightening out a wall by the large bay window provided space to move the dishwasher, and gave room to build a tall cabinet with organized pullout drawers next to the stove for easy access and storage. This also created room to build a hidden appliance garage and flipping the location of the island sink provided more accessibility to the stove. The bow front stove hood provides visual relief for the linear nature of the cabinets. Green ceramic tiles surround the porcelain herringbone tile in the contrasting niche dedicated to spices and oils, and the adjacent pot filler provides convenience. The island was increased in size to provide for more storage and metal domed pendants provide lighting for both prepping and eating. Double-wall ovens have side handles for easy opening and convenience and provide easy access in a busy kitchen area. Separating the dining room from the kitchen with the addition of a butler door, created space to easily connect and move between the two rooms while minimizing noise. Photographer: Andrew Orozco

Counter dining space provides fun place for grandchildren to hang out, work on projects and cook with their grandparents. Kitchen includes kid friendly under counter beverage fridge and under counter microwave drawers Photos: Jan Davis

One of the hallmarks of Prairie style architecture is the integration of a home into the surrounding environment. So it is only fitting for a modern Prairie-inspired home to honor its environment through the use of sustainable materials and energy efficient systems to conserve and protect the earth on which it stands. This modern adaptation of a Prairie home in Bloomfield Hills completed in 2015 uses environmentally friendly materials and systems. Geothermal energy provides the home with a clean and sustainable source of power for the heating and cooling mechanisms, and maximizes efficiency, saving on gas and electric heating and cooling costs all year long. High R value foam insulation contributes to the energy saving and year round temperature control for superior comfort indoors. LED lighting illuminates the rooms, both in traditional light fixtures as well as in lighted shelving, display niches, and ceiling applications. Low VOC paint was used throughout the home in order to maintain the purest possible air quality for years to come. The homeowners will enjoy their beautiful home even more knowing it respects the land, because as Thoreau said, “What is the use of a house if you don’t have a decent planet to put it on?”

Designed by: Soda Pop Design inc Photography by: Stephani Buchman Photography Construction by: Soda Pop Construction co.
Inspiration for a scandinavian laundry room remodel in Toronto

This Bernal junior home had a spectacular view that no one could see. Standard of junior floor plans of the era, the bathroom and kitchen had tiny windows that tied up some of the best space the home had to offer. A complete renovation and addition to this home doubled its living space allowing us to capture the view and provide ample space for modern living. Bi-folding NanaWall and a seamless concrete finish bring the outside in and inextricably tie this home to the uninterrupted panorama. Constructed at the end of the project, the deck proves that necessity is the mother of invention. Given budget and access constraints, it was not possible to excavate any more foundations. The braced structural supports provide the innovative solution without relinquishing aesthetic and function, allowing the concrete floors to spill out and provide access to the back garden. Given the transformation this project offered, renderings of the proposed spaces early in the process enabled the owners to visualize and add the finishing touches to complete their new home.

This small ADA ramp with a powder coated aluminum hand rail provides elderly parents easy and safe access to this beachfront get away. The ramp is built with Wolf Rosewood colored PVC decking. The decking is a non-slip surface. Doug Woodside

The outdoor living space on this Honest Abe Log Home provides ample area to entertain and enjoy the lake front access. Photo Credit: Roger Wade Studio

Mathew and his team at Cummings Architects have a knack for being able to see the perfect vision for a property. They specialize in identifying a building’s missing elements and crafting designs that simultaneously encompass the large scale, master plan and the myriad details that make a home special. For this Winchester home, the vision included a variety of complementary projects that all came together into a single architectural composition. Starting with the exterior, the single-lane driveway was extended and a new carriage garage that was designed to blend with the overall context of the existing home. In addition to covered parking, this building also provides valuable new storage areas accessible via large, double doors that lead into a connected work area. For the interior of the house, new moldings on bay windows, window seats, and two paneled fireplaces with mantles dress up previously nondescript rooms. The family room was extended to the rear of the house and opened up with the addition of generously sized, wall-to-wall windows that served to brighten the space and blur the boundary between interior and exterior. The family room, with its intimate sitting area, cozy fireplace, and charming breakfast table (the best spot to enjoy a sunlit start to the day) has become one of the family’s favorite rooms, offering comfort and light throughout the day. In the kitchen, the layout was simplified and changes were made to allow more light into the rear of the home via a connected deck with elongated steps that lead to the yard and a blue-stone patio that’s perfect for entertaining smaller, more intimate groups. From driveway to family room and back out into the yard, each detail in this beautiful design complements all the other concepts and details so that the entire plan comes together into a unified vision for a spectacular home. Photos By: Eric Roth

Tall pantry cabinets with translucent glass provide valuable display space, house wine storage and contain an easily accessible area for storing keys and charging cell phones.

This small home became the perfect setting for entertaining friends and overnight guests with the addition of a second-story space with four bedrooms and three baths upstairs and and open-plan layout downstairs. The kitchen is now the heart of the house, providing easy access from the living room, great room, and a verandah with space for small groups to eat al fresco. A mother-in-law suite is also conveniently placed on the first floor with access near the kitchen making multi-generational gatherings a breeze.

This octagonal steel framed glass elevator blends seamlessly into this homes contemporary style providing and obstructed view of their foyer. It fits comfortably inside their wrapping staircase.

The kitchen, family and dining rooms are all part of one continuous ‘keeping room.' This modern open concept is as well suited for gatherings as it is for daily living. Ample windows are situated to let in light and create open views while managing potential glare issues for the flat screen television. Sliding doors provide access to the adjacent outdoor living, cooking and dining area.

This three-room renovation took a 35-year old kitchen, a cramped dining area and a non-functional den and transformed them into clean, contemporary spaces for this family of four. The kitchen was a complete gut and renovation, with revised traffic patterns providing easy access to the den, more storage and a contemporary island. The large, unused fireplace was removed from the dining room, providing much-needed space. The den was renovated with two sliding glass doors providing light and improved access to the picturesque backyard. New LED lighting and light colors brightened the entire space, taking the drab, dated space to airy, functional and beautiful.

Sonja Cardoso
Home design - small traditional home design idea in Minneapolis

Aerial view shows upper deck designed and built to provide a covered patio area underneath and a balcony area, which can be accessed from the master bedroom. Bottom level shows concrete pavers, artificial turf, and concrete counter with BBQ. Plant selection shown here includes Bird of Paradise, Mondo Grass, Variegated Liriope, Asparagus Fern, Cordylines, Agaves, and Citrus Trees. Photo by: Brett Hilton

Hoping to make better use of their large backyard, these homeowners contacted us for the wooden retreat of their dreams! With an outdoor swim spa, custom outdoor structure, and two fire pits, this luxury landscape provides the perfect "getaway." Features that are unique to this property include a gorgeous palm tree, a crusher cone fire pit, and a custom-designed covered structure. The dog run was also added in such a place to be accessible from the enlarged deck, allowing for easy canine access. Our clients are thrilled with their new backyard space! With it checking off each item on their list, they can now enjoy their outdoor entertaining space for years to come!

A stepping-stone pathway in mulch provides access throughout this grass-less landscape.
This is an example of a small craftsman landscaping in Toronto.

Example of a trendy u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen design in Vancouver with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and yellow countertops