The house you see is the result of an extensive remodeling/renovation. It was originally built in the early 1900’s our client grew up in this house and was returning to it as his father was moving on to an assisted living facility. Ben Quie, of Ben Quie and Sons, asked me to help these clients: revive and re-invision this house for their own particular needs and lifestyle. It turned out to be a fairly whole-scale transformation on the main level, moving a stairway that was inconveniently located and ill conceived, enlarging the kitchen, provide for a mudroom/laundry room and added a family sitting area off of the living room. The upstairs remained more intact but we added a bath of the couples room and reworked a number of closets. The lower level was also finished out with a hobby room and an area for television viewing. This was a fun project and made special by both the superb craftsmanship of Ben and his crew and the enthusiastic involvement of our clients. Design by Timothy Fuller with Joe Metzler Construction by Ben Quie and Sons Photography by Troy Theis This project was designed while Tim was at SALA Architects

Inspiration for a mid-sized farmhouse shade front yard gravel landscaping in San Francisco.

Bliss Garden Design
Photo of a craftsman landscaping in Seattle.

Susan Teare
Photo of a large traditional partial sun backyard garden path in Burlington for summer.

Open concept kitchen - large modern l-shaped concrete floor and gray floor open concept kitchen idea in Dallas with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and quartz countertops

This project was completed for clients who wanted a comfortable, accessible 1ST floor bathroom for their grown daughter to use during visits to their home as well as a nicely-appointed space for any guest. Their daughter has some accessibility challenges so the bathroom was also designed with that in mind. The original space worked fairly well in some ways, but we were able to tweak a few features to make the space even easier to maneuver through. We started by making the entry to the shower flush so that there is no curb to step over. In addition, although there was an existing oversized seat in the shower, it was way too deep and not comfortable to sit on and just wasted space. We made the shower a little smaller and then provided a fold down teak seat that is slip resistant, warm and comfortable to sit on and can flip down only when needed. Thus we were able to create some additional storage by way of open shelving to the left of the shower area. The open shelving matches the wood vanity and allows a spot for the homeowners to display heirlooms as well as practical storage for things like towels and other bath necessities. We carefully measured all the existing heights and locations of countertops, toilet seat, and grab bars to make sure that we did not undo the things that were already working well. We added some additional hidden grab bars or “grabcessories” at the toilet paper holder and shower shelf for an extra layer of assurance. Large format, slip-resistant floor tile was added eliminating as many grout lines as possible making the surface less prone to tripping. We used a wood look tile as an accent on the walls, and open storage in the vanity allowing for easy access for clean towels. Bronze fixtures and frameless glass shower doors add an elegant yet homey feel that was important for the homeowner. A pivot mirror allows adjustability for different users. If you are interested in designing a bathroom featuring “Living In Place” or accessibility features, give us a call to find out more. Susan Klimala, CKBD, is a Certified Aging In Place Specialist (CAPS) and particularly enjoys helping her clients with unique needs in the context of beautifully designed spaces. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel

A close up of the Brizo Artesso Articulating Kitchen Faucet in Stainless 632225LF-SS and the Stainless Steel Franke Vector Triple Bowl Sink HFT4322-2. Note the air switch to the right of the faucet in brushed nickel.

This Arts & Crafts style kitchen was custom built by our Caves Millwork brand. The dark, brass hardware and walnut accents are the perfect contrast to the natural cherry cabinetry. We hand picked the wood for the doors and drawer fronts to provide the most attractive design. -Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens

Images provided by 'Ancient Surfaces' Product name: Antique Biblical Stone Fountain Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com Do you want to add the crown jewel to your backyard? Or maybe you want to finish of your swimming pool with a hand carved stone art piece instead of that stacked, bricked or stuccoed wall that you currently have? What about that kitchen window that leads to your neighbor’s wall or catwalk? Well you guessed it if you were thinking about adding a unique water feature that will transform that dull space into a lush oasis of limestone, water and greenery... An antique water fountain will not only transform your backyard it will change your mood every time you look at it of walk pass by it...

Comfy pillows, cowhide stools and natural light provide a great spot for a meal. Extra storage is hidden in the bench seat at the windows. Photography by Chrissy Racho.

Inspiration for a farmhouse exterior home remodel in Boston

This project was completed for clients who wanted a comfortable, accessible 1ST floor bathroom for their grown daughter to use during visits to their home as well as a nicely-appointed space for any guest. Their daughter has some accessibility challenges so the bathroom was also designed with that in mind. The original space worked fairly well in some ways, but we were able to tweak a few features to make the space even easier to maneuver through. We started by making the entry to the shower flush so that there is no curb to step over. In addition, although there was an existing oversized seat in the shower, it was way too deep and not comfortable to sit on and just wasted space. We made the shower a little smaller and then provided a fold down teak seat that is slip resistant, warm and comfortable to sit on and can flip down only when needed. Thus we were able to create some additional storage by way of open shelving to the left of the shower area. The open shelving matches the wood vanity and allows a spot for the homeowners to display heirlooms as well as practical storage for things like towels and other bath necessities. We carefully measured all the existing heights and locations of countertops, toilet seat, and grab bars to make sure that we did not undo the things that were already working well. We added some additional hidden grab bars or “grabcessories” at the toilet paper holder and shower shelf for an extra layer of assurance. Large format, slip-resistant floor tile was added eliminating as many grout lines as possible making the surface less prone to tripping. We used a wood look tile as an accent on the walls, and open storage in the vanity allowing for easy access for clean towels. Bronze fixtures and frameless glass shower doors add an elegant yet homey feel that was important for the homeowner. A pivot mirror allows adjustability for different users. If you are interested in designing a bathroom featuring “Living In Place” or accessibility features, give us a call to find out more. Susan Klimala, CKBD, is a Certified Aging In Place Specialist (CAPS) and particularly enjoys helping her clients with unique needs in the context of beautifully designed spaces. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel

Photo: Kayla Stark © 2018 Houzz
Example of an eclectic exterior home design in New Orleans

After an unfortunate flood, this bathroom was ripped out taken down to the studs, giving us a completely blank slate to work with. To maximize this fairly compact guest bathroom, we added horizontal shiplap paneling to the walls to expand the space visually. The front of the tub was also wrapped in shiplap for added continuity. Hex tile flooring provides pattern and movement against the white painted shiplap walls. And the soft gray rectangular wall tile in the shower repeats the horizontal effect, all in effort of creating the look of a larger space. Photography by Amy Bartlam

A combination of practicality and beauty. Two serpentine retaining walls culminate into a grand staircase that connects living space and yard.
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional shade backyard retaining wall landscape in St Louis.

Kitchen/dining room combo - mid-sized traditional light wood floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Orange County with beige walls and no fireplace

The house you see is the result of an extensive remodeling/renovation. It was originally built in the early 1900’s our client grew up in this house and was returning to it as his father was moving on to an assisted living facility. Ben Quie, of Ben Quie and Sons, asked me to help these clients: revive and re-invision this house for their own particular needs and lifestyle. It turned out to be a fairly whole-scale transformation on the main level, moving a stairway that was inconveniently located and ill conceived, enlarging the kitchen, provide for a mudroom/laundry room and added a family sitting area off of the living room. The upstairs remained more intact but we added a bath of the couples room and reworked a number of closets. The lower level was also finished out with a hobby room and an area for television viewing. This was a fun project and made special by both the superb craftsmanship of Ben and his crew and the enthusiastic involvement of our clients. Design by Timothy Fuller with Joe Metzler Construction by Ben Quie and Sons Photography by Troy Theis This project was designed while Tim was at SALA Architects

The aim was to restore this room to its Victorian era splendor including custom wood panel wainscoting, and original cove ceilings. Focal lighting from Restoration Hardware. Wallpaper is hand printed and installed from Printsburgh. Photo: Christopher Stark Kitty cat cameo: Abbey

The Control/Shift House is perched on the high side of the site which takes advantage of the view to the southeast. A gradual descending path navigates the change in terrain from the street to the entry of the house. A series of low retaining walls/planter beds gather and release the earth upon the descent resulting in a fairly flat level for the house to sit on the top one third of the site. The entry axis is aligned with the celebrated stair volume and then re-centers on the actual entry axis once you approach the forecourt of the house. The initial desire was for an “H” scheme house with common entertaining spaces bridging the gap between the more private spaces. After an investigation considering the site, program, and view, a key move was made: unfold the east wing of the “H” scheme to open all rooms to the southeast view resulting in a “T” scheme. The new derivation allows for both a swim pool which is on axis with the entry and main gathering space and a lap pool which occurs on the cross axis extending along the lengthy edge of the master suite, providing direct access for morning exercise and a view of the water throughout the day. The Control/Shift House was derived from a clever way of following the “rules.” Strict HOA guidelines required very specific exterior massing restrictions which limits the lengths of unbroken elevations and promotes varying sizes of masses. The solution most often used in this neighborhood is one of addition - an aggregation of masses and program randomly attached to the inner core of the house which often results in a parasitic plan. The approach taken with the Control/Shift House was to push and pull program/massing to delineate and define the layout of the house. Massing is intentional and reiterated by the careful selection of materiality that tracks through the house. Voids and relief in the plan are a natural result of this method and allow for light and air to circulate throughout every space of the house, even into the most inner core. Photography: Charles Davis Smith