Louis G. Weiner Photography - My clients recently purchased this vacation home and quickly developed a design wish-list which included a full remodel of the master bathroom. This builder's-choice master bathroom might have been stylish and in when built in 1985, but 30 years later it has not stood the test of time. First, we opened up the room by removing the heavy soffits and the excessive corner cabinetry. We designed a more streamline, floating vanity with beautiful quartz countertops and a waterfall edge. We expanded the footprint of the shower and created a seamless beach entry by removing the shower dam. Then we choose to wrap the room and adjacent commode with white subway tile and a custom marble border. The most dramatic renovation was replacing the outdated jacuzzi tub with an elegant free-standing soaking tub. This was a must on the wish-list for the clients - not for the wife as you might expect - but for the husband. He is a motorcycle enthusiast and after long trips on his bike, he likes to take a soak. Inspired to use art that tells a personal story about the clients, I recommended creating a photo canvas from a treasured picture of the husband standing with his motorcycle helmet on a beautiful desert road. This final touch connects my clients to their space and makes them smile every time they see it.

Louis G. Weiner Photography - My clients recently purchased this vacation home and quickly developed a design wish-list which included a full remodel of the master bathroom. This builder's-choice master bathroom might have been stylish and in when built in 1985, but 30 years later it has not stood the test of time. First, we opened up the room by removing the heavy soffits and the excessive corner cabinetry. We designed a more streamline, floating vanity with beautiful quartz countertops and a waterfall edge. We expanded the footprint of the shower and created a seamless beach entry by removing the shower dam. Then we choose to wrap the room and adjacent commode with white subway tile and a custom marble border. The most dramatic renovation was replacing the outdated jacuzzi tub with an elegant free-standing soaking tub. This was a must on the wish-list for the clients - not for the wife as you might expect - but for the husband. He is a motorcycle enthusiast and after long trips on his bike, he likes to take a soak. Inspired to use art that tells a personal story about the clients, I recommended creating a photo canvas from a treasured picture of the husband standing with his motorcycle helmet on a beautiful desert road. This final touch connects my clients to their space and makes them smile every time they see it.

After her successful kitchen remodeling experience, Kate offers a few tips for IKEA customers. “I say ‘do it!’And use IKD. If nothing else, the fact that IKD sends a detailed item list will make your trip to IKEA to buy your kitchen so painless. When we went, the sales associate at our local IKEA could not believe the documentation we brought. The extra items list from IKD blew her mind. There were folks in the department who had clearly been there for hours trying to order. All we had to do was walk up with our pre-printed IKD list, have the sales associate type in each item number, and we were good to go.” Kate adds: “I also suggest to inventory your boxes/goods after IKEA delivers. I used the list from IKD and between inventorying, labeling, and checking each box it took me a good four and a half hours. It was well worth it to have the boxes organized and labelled, and we did not have a single item missing (including miscellaneous items).” She concludes: “IKD is the real deal and I was so pleased with the experience with our designer. She was so responsive and the process was quick. I am constantly telling people it was the best value for our money that we spent in the entire remodel process.”

Originally this side patio was simply a barren cement patch that was cold and uninviting (this is the BEFORE picture). It has a basic stone and concrete patio floor, with concrete brick walls. There was some natural bamboo behind the wall, but otherwise no plants. The house sits down in to the property, and to get to the front door you have to descend a steep set of stairs. This patio area is one of the first things people see as they descend the stairs to the front door, so we wanted to make it as inviting and cozy as possible. Plus, with all the natural tree coverage, it's a perfect place during hot days to curl up with a book or glass of wine under the shade. Not wanting to spend money on a massive renovation, the goal was to create a cozy niche for both entertaining guests and personal relaxation, reminiscent of an India-meets-Bali exotic retreat. We created something that was organic and natural looking, in harmony with the relaxed environment of Laguna Beach. To keep it budget friendly - and better for the environment - we also opted for recycled and pre-owned items we found on Craiglist and eBay. I chose to first mask the barren concrete walls with an carved wood screen from India, to add depth and interest. I placed two large daybeds with heavily padded cushions in an “L” shape to entice people to curl up and sink in. Rather than opting for a regular square patio table, I found a one-of-a-kind custom oak tree slab table (a fantastic Craiglist find!) that added a beautiful organic feel. The Moroccan lamp I brought back from one of my trips to Marrakech, and it added the perfect personal touch, in addition to personal sacred objects such as an antique Kwan Yin statue (great eBay find), crystals, and shells found at the beach. Finally, various plants were added — including both a satsuma orange tree and grapefruit tree that add lovely bursts of color when in season. And makes for a great quick snack when lounging about!

Scott and Deneen Knisely built their handcrafted log home in Lock Haven Pennsylvania with hope to preserve a piece of their community’s history. In 2002, the Kniselys lived near a 20-acre property that included the Rocky Point Lodge, a locally known log house dating back more than 70 years. The building was serving as a restaurant at the time, but had taken on many roles over the years—first, and most notably, as a Boy Scout camp. When Scott heard a rumor that the property might be going on the market, he had a word with the owner, expressing his interest in buying it. Six weeks later, the acreage was his. “We loved the property and the building,” says Deneen, “but it was too damaged to be saved.” So they got to work researching companies to build the new home that would replace the old one. Since so many local people have fond childhood memories of time spent at the lodge, the Kniselys decided that the new structure should resemble the old one as closely as possible, so they looked for a design that would use the same footprint as the original. After a quick trip to Virginia to look at an existing house, they chose a modified version of the “Robinson,” a 3,750-square-foot plan by Hearthstone Inc. “When the house was being built, I researched things such as period molding depth, wainscoting height and the look of the floors,” says Deneen. Hearthstone even had the logs sandblasted to give them a weathered look. “We just love the rustic, warm feeling of a log home,” Deneen adds. “No other home compares.” The home is made from large-diameter eastern white pine in a profile from the Bob Timberlake series. “The log is sawn on two sides, then hand-hewn to a 6-inch thickness with varying heights,” says Ernie. To top off the home’s vintage look, Pat Woody of Lynchburg, Virginia, got to work on the chinking. Pat specializes in period reproductions and historical homes. The variations in the chinking are the perfect finishing touch to bring home the 19th-century flavor the Kniselys desired.

Scott and Deneen Knisely built their handcrafted log home in Lock Haven Pennsylvania with hope to preserve a piece of their community’s history. In 2002, the Kniselys lived near a 20-acre property that included the Rocky Point Lodge, a locally known log house dating back more than 70 years. The building was serving as a restaurant at the time, but had taken on many roles over the years—first, and most notably, as a Boy Scout camp. When Scott heard a rumor that the property might be going on the market, he had a word with the owner, expressing his interest in buying it. Six weeks later, the acreage was his. “We loved the property and the building,” says Deneen, “but it was too damaged to be saved.” So they got to work researching companies to build the new home that would replace the old one. Since so many local people have fond childhood memories of time spent at the lodge, the Kniselys decided that the new structure should resemble the old one as closely as possible, so they looked for a design that would use the same footprint as the original. After a quick trip to Virginia to look at an existing house, they chose a modified version of the “Robinson,” a 3,750-square-foot plan by Hearthstone Inc. “When the house was being built, I researched things such as period molding depth, wainscoting height and the look of the floors,” says Deneen. Hearthstone even had the logs sandblasted to give them a weathered look. “We just love the rustic, warm feeling of a log home,” Deneen adds. “No other home compares.” The home is made from large-diameter eastern white pine in a profile from the Bob Timberlake series. “The log is sawn on two sides, then hand-hewn to a 6-inch thickness with varying heights,” says Ernie. To top off the home’s vintage look, Pat Woody of Lynchburg, Virginia, got to work on the chinking. Pat specializes in period reproductions and historical homes. The variations in the chinking are the perfect finishing touch to bring home the 19th-century flavor the Kniselys desired.

Scott and Deneen Knisely built their handcrafted log home in Lock Haven Pennsylvania with hope to preserve a piece of their community’s history. In 2002, the Kniselys lived near a 20-acre property that included the Rocky Point Lodge, a locally known log house dating back more than 70 years. The building was serving as a restaurant at the time, but had taken on many roles over the years—first, and most notably, as a Boy Scout camp. When Scott heard a rumor that the property might be going on the market, he had a word with the owner, expressing his interest in buying it. Six weeks later, the acreage was his. “We loved the property and the building,” says Deneen, “but it was too damaged to be saved.” So they got to work researching companies to build the new home that would replace the old one. Since so many local people have fond childhood memories of time spent at the lodge, the Kniselys decided that the new structure should resemble the old one as closely as possible, so they looked for a design that would use the same footprint as the original. After a quick trip to Virginia to look at an existing house, they chose a modified version of the “Robinson,” a 3,750-square-foot plan by Hearthstone Inc. “When the house was being built, I researched things such as period molding depth, wainscoting height and the look of the floors,” says Deneen. Hearthstone even had the logs sandblasted to give them a weathered look. “We just love the rustic, warm feeling of a log home,” Deneen adds. “No other home compares.” The home is made from large-diameter eastern white pine in a profile from the Bob Timberlake series. “The log is sawn on two sides, then hand-hewn to a 6-inch thickness with varying heights,” says Ernie. To top off the home’s vintage look, Pat Woody of Lynchburg, Virginia, got to work on the chinking. Pat specializes in period reproductions and historical homes. The variations in the chinking are the perfect finishing touch to bring home the 19th-century flavor the Kniselys desired.

While Teresa did countless hours of research on design Web sites such as Pinterest, she also wanted to get the kitchen done quickly. That meant taking some risks, she says. “I wanted to renovate the kitchen immediately after moving into the new house. This required me to take measurements, pictures and video all in one visit. So, my measurements were a little off,” she explains. Luckily IKD’s design team provided her with a detailed inventory list [as part of its design process and helped out with specific custom looks, she notes. “With IKD’s design guidance I actually over ordered versus under ordered and simply had to return a few cabinets and pieces [rather than make a return trip to IKEA],” she concludes. With her project now complete, Teresa says she is ready to move onto greener pastures. But first, there are some specific tips she wanted to share for any future IKEA kitchen remodeler. “I would say to do your research, and remember that no detail is too small. Also, be sure to visit an IKEA no matter where you live at least once to be able to see the kitchens in person. And, definitely use IKD but be sure to have a clear kitchen idea to convey!” she says. With that said, Teresa was able to complete her IKEA kitchen in a timely manner and in a budget friendly way as well. “I would say our budget was mid-level [for this project]. Since we did most of the work ourselves we saved a ton of money. We really have a glowing pride in accomplishing this project and it turned out to be not as difficult as we thought!” she concludes.

Scott and Deneen Knisely built their handcrafted log home in Lock Haven Pennsylvania with hope to preserve a piece of their community’s history. In 2002, the Kniselys lived near a 20-acre property that included the Rocky Point Lodge, a locally known log house dating back more than 70 years. The building was serving as a restaurant at the time, but had taken on many roles over the years—first, and most notably, as a Boy Scout camp. When Scott heard a rumor that the property might be going on the market, he had a word with the owner, expressing his interest in buying it. Six weeks later, the acreage was his. “We loved the property and the building,” says Deneen, “but it was too damaged to be saved.” So they got to work researching companies to build the new home that would replace the old one. Since so many local people have fond childhood memories of time spent at the lodge, the Kniselys decided that the new structure should resemble the old one as closely as possible, so they looked for a design that would use the same footprint as the original. After a quick trip to Virginia to look at an existing house, they chose a modified version of the “Robinson,” a 3,750-square-foot plan by Hearthstone Inc. “When the house was being built, I researched things such as period molding depth, wainscoting height and the look of the floors,” says Deneen. Hearthstone even had the logs sandblasted to give them a weathered look. “We just love the rustic, warm feeling of a log home,” Deneen adds. “No other home compares.” The home is made from large-diameter eastern white pine in a profile from the Bob Timberlake series. “The log is sawn on two sides, then hand-hewn to a 6-inch thickness with varying heights,” says Ernie. To top off the home’s vintage look, Pat Woody of Lynchburg, Virginia, got to work on the chinking. Pat specializes in period reproductions and historical homes. The variations in the chinking are the perfect finishing touch to bring home the 19th-century flavor the Kniselys desired.

Scott and Deneen Knisely built their handcrafted log home in Lock Haven Pennsylvania with hope to preserve a piece of their community’s history. In 2002, the Kniselys lived near a 20-acre property that included the Rocky Point Lodge, a locally known log house dating back more than 70 years. The building was serving as a restaurant at the time, but had taken on many roles over the years—first, and most notably, as a Boy Scout camp. When Scott heard a rumor that the property might be going on the market, he had a word with the owner, expressing his interest in buying it. Six weeks later, the acreage was his. “We loved the property and the building,” says Deneen, “but it was too damaged to be saved.” So they got to work researching companies to build the new home that would replace the old one. Since so many local people have fond childhood memories of time spent at the lodge, the Kniselys decided that the new structure should resemble the old one as closely as possible, so they looked for a design that would use the same footprint as the original. After a quick trip to Virginia to look at an existing house, they chose a modified version of the “Robinson,” a 3,750-square-foot plan by Hearthstone Inc. “When the house was being built, I researched things such as period molding depth, wainscoting height and the look of the floors,” says Deneen. Hearthstone even had the logs sandblasted to give them a weathered look. “We just love the rustic, warm feeling of a log home,” Deneen adds. “No other home compares.” The home is made from large-diameter eastern white pine in a profile from the Bob Timberlake series. “The log is sawn on two sides, then hand-hewn to a 6-inch thickness with varying heights,” says Ernie. To top off the home’s vintage look, Pat Woody of Lynchburg, Virginia, got to work on the chinking. Pat specializes in period reproductions and historical homes. The variations in the chinking are the perfect finishing touch to bring home the 19th-century flavor the Kniselys desired.

Scott and Deneen Knisely built their handcrafted log home in Lock Haven Pennsylvania with hope to preserve a piece of their community’s history. In 2002, the Kniselys lived near a 20-acre property that included the Rocky Point Lodge, a locally known log house dating back more than 70 years. The building was serving as a restaurant at the time, but had taken on many roles over the years—first, and most notably, as a Boy Scout camp. When Scott heard a rumor that the property might be going on the market, he had a word with the owner, expressing his interest in buying it. Six weeks later, the acreage was his. “We loved the property and the building,” says Deneen, “but it was too damaged to be saved.” So they got to work researching companies to build the new home that would replace the old one. Since so many local people have fond childhood memories of time spent at the lodge, the Kniselys decided that the new structure should resemble the old one as closely as possible, so they looked for a design that would use the same footprint as the original. After a quick trip to Virginia to look at an existing house, they chose a modified version of the “Robinson,” a 3,750-square-foot plan by Hearthstone Inc. “When the house was being built, I researched things such as period molding depth, wainscoting height and the look of the floors,” says Deneen. Hearthstone even had the logs sandblasted to give them a weathered look. “We just love the rustic, warm feeling of a log home,” Deneen adds. “No other home compares.” The home is made from large-diameter eastern white pine in a profile from the Bob Timberlake series. “The log is sawn on two sides, then hand-hewn to a 6-inch thickness with varying heights,” says Ernie. To top off the home’s vintage look, Pat Woody of Lynchburg, Virginia, got to work on the chinking. Pat specializes in period reproductions and historical homes. The variations in the chinking are the perfect finishing touch to bring home the 19th-century flavor the Kniselys desired.

Scott and Deneen Knisely built their handcrafted log home in Lock Haven Pennsylvania with hope to preserve a piece of their community’s history. In 2002, the Kniselys lived near a 20-acre property that included the Rocky Point Lodge, a locally known log house dating back more than 70 years. The building was serving as a restaurant at the time, but had taken on many roles over the years—first, and most notably, as a Boy Scout camp. When Scott heard a rumor that the property might be going on the market, he had a word with the owner, expressing his interest in buying it. Six weeks later, the acreage was his. “We loved the property and the building,” says Deneen, “but it was too damaged to be saved.” So they got to work researching companies to build the new home that would replace the old one. Since so many local people have fond childhood memories of time spent at the lodge, the Kniselys decided that the new structure should resemble the old one as closely as possible, so they looked for a design that would use the same footprint as the original. After a quick trip to Virginia to look at an existing house, they chose a modified version of the “Robinson,” a 3,750-square-foot plan by Hearthstone Inc. “When the house was being built, I researched things such as period molding depth, wainscoting height and the look of the floors,” says Deneen. Hearthstone even had the logs sandblasted to give them a weathered look. “We just love the rustic, warm feeling of a log home,” Deneen adds. “No other home compares.” The home is made from large-diameter eastern white pine in a profile from the Bob Timberlake series. “The log is sawn on two sides, then hand-hewn to a 6-inch thickness with varying heights,” says Ernie. To top off the home’s vintage look, Pat Woody of Lynchburg, Virginia, got to work on the chinking. Pat specializes in period reproductions and historical homes. The variations in the chinking are the perfect finishing touch to bring home the 19th-century flavor the Kniselys desired.

Scott and Deneen Knisely built their handcrafted log home in Lock Haven Pennsylvania with hope to preserve a piece of their community’s history. In 2002, the Kniselys lived near a 20-acre property that included the Rocky Point Lodge, a locally known log house dating back more than 70 years. The building was serving as a restaurant at the time, but had taken on many roles over the years—first, and most notably, as a Boy Scout camp. When Scott heard a rumor that the property might be going on the market, he had a word with the owner, expressing his interest in buying it. Six weeks later, the acreage was his. “We loved the property and the building,” says Deneen, “but it was too damaged to be saved.” So they got to work researching companies to build the new home that would replace the old one. Since so many local people have fond childhood memories of time spent at the lodge, the Kniselys decided that the new structure should resemble the old one as closely as possible, so they looked for a design that would use the same footprint as the original. After a quick trip to Virginia to look at an existing house, they chose a modified version of the “Robinson,” a 3,750-square-foot plan by Hearthstone Inc. “When the house was being built, I researched things such as period molding depth, wainscoting height and the look of the floors,” says Deneen. Hearthstone even had the logs sandblasted to give them a weathered look. “We just love the rustic, warm feeling of a log home,” Deneen adds. “No other home compares.” The home is made from large-diameter eastern white pine in a profile from the Bob Timberlake series. “The log is sawn on two sides, then hand-hewn to a 6-inch thickness with varying heights,” says Ernie. To top off the home’s vintage look, Pat Woody of Lynchburg, Virginia, got to work on the chinking. Pat specializes in period reproductions and historical homes. The variations in the chinking are the perfect finishing touch to bring home the 19th-century flavor the Kniselys desired.

Scott and Deneen Knisely built their handcrafted log home in Lock Haven Pennsylvania with hope to preserve a piece of their community’s history. In 2002, the Kniselys lived near a 20-acre property that included the Rocky Point Lodge, a locally known log house dating back more than 70 years. The building was serving as a restaurant at the time, but had taken on many roles over the years—first, and most notably, as a Boy Scout camp. When Scott heard a rumor that the property might be going on the market, he had a word with the owner, expressing his interest in buying it. Six weeks later, the acreage was his. “We loved the property and the building,” says Deneen, “but it was too damaged to be saved.” So they got to work researching companies to build the new home that would replace the old one. Since so many local people have fond childhood memories of time spent at the lodge, the Kniselys decided that the new structure should resemble the old one as closely as possible, so they looked for a design that would use the same footprint as the original. After a quick trip to Virginia to look at an existing house, they chose a modified version of the “Robinson,” a 3,750-square-foot plan by Hearthstone Inc. “When the house was being built, I researched things such as period molding depth, wainscoting height and the look of the floors,” says Deneen. Hearthstone even had the logs sandblasted to give them a weathered look. “We just love the rustic, warm feeling of a log home,” Deneen adds. “No other home compares.” The home is made from large-diameter eastern white pine in a profile from the Bob Timberlake series. “The log is sawn on two sides, then hand-hewn to a 6-inch thickness with varying heights,” says Ernie. To top off the home’s vintage look, Pat Woody of Lynchburg, Virginia, got to work on the chinking. Pat specializes in period reproductions and historical homes. The variations in the chinking are the perfect finishing touch to bring home the 19th-century flavor the Kniselys desired.

Andrew selected IKEA cabinetry for its budget, modularity and good reviews. “It also looked great, especially in combination with the aftermarket fronts and hardware,” he says. To make their kitchen design ideas a reality, required professional help though. “For something as complex as a kitchen remodel, I figured that the money would be well spent on getting experienced designers to do it for us. I had read good reviews about IKD and we decided to give it a try. Our first challenge was deciding what we wanted. We spent a lot of time looking at design sites, reading and trying to understand how to balance form and function and budget,” he says. Another challenge was getting all the IKEA pieces needed for the project — especially since the remodel project began in the summer of 2020 during COVID-19. “Supply chains were not great for IKEA, which meant many items were not available. It required an online order, then three different trips to the local IKEA to get a hold of missing pieces that would be in stock for all of a day before going out again,” he describes. He concludes: “The parts list that IKD generated was perfect and the installation documents made it really easy for our installer.” The pair also hired a cabinet installer, and although the installer was inexperienced with IKEA’s system,“he was able to quickly figure it out and it all went well.” According to Andrew, there is one very important tip he would suggest for other IKEA customers beginning their remodel process. “If you are on a budget, that usually means the timeline will be a bit longer, so get ready for some extended camping in your own home. With that in mind, we moved the “kitchen” into our dining room. Another tip is that an induction hotplate ($35 on Amazon) was great for cooking simple stuff,” he concludes.

Master Bedroom with Red Bed Frame and custom drapery and bedding.
Bedroom - traditional master light wood floor bedroom idea in Charlotte

Powder room with glam geometric wallpaper complimented with a vessel sink rustic vanity with riveted hardware. Counter top is quartz Viatera - Truffle. Mirror framed wall mirror. Ryan Hainey

This family of 5 was quickly out-growing their 1,220sf ranch home on a beautiful corner lot. Rather than adding a 2nd floor, the decision was made to extend the existing ranch plan into the back yard, adding a new 2-car garage below the new space - for a new total of 2,520sf. With a previous addition of a 1-car garage and a small kitchen removed, a large addition was added for Master Bedroom Suite, a 4th bedroom, hall bath, and a completely remodeled living, dining and new Kitchen, open to large new Family Room. The new lower level includes the new Garage and Mudroom. The existing fireplace and chimney remain - with beautifully exposed brick. The homeowners love contemporary design, and finished the home with a gorgeous mix of color, pattern and materials. The project was completed in 2011. Unfortunately, 2 years later, they suffered a massive house fire. The house was then rebuilt again, using the same plans and finishes as the original build, adding only a secondary laundry closet on the main level.