Photo by Ross Irwin --- The clients found the perfect location near Summit lake, but they felt their new house needed the proverbial "face lift". This triggered a major remodel project, that included a radical kitchen make-over. Kuster Homes turned the lovely lake house into a spectacular contemporary home.

Our homeowner started with a deep red wood kitchen and a divided space which really needed brightening and opening up to make the use of space much more efficient. We started by removing a loadbearing wall separating the kitchen from the dining room and installing a new beam. We also opened the wall to the family room to create a unified space. New Wide Plank Luxury vinyl flooring and custom Benjamin Moore painted cabinetry were installed, followed by real "Platinum" granite countertops....stunning! Custom lighting was added to work with the new space and tile backsplash was installed to complete the look. What a radical difference from where we started and a beautiful new look that will thrill the owners for many years! Have a look at the before photos too.

Brad Haines knows a thing or two about building things. The intensely creative and innovative founder of Oklahoma City-based Haines Capital is the driving force behind numerous successful companies including Bank 7 (NASDAQ BSVN), which proudly reported record year-end earnings since going public in September of last year. He has beautifully built, renovated, and personally thumb printed all of his commercial spaces and residences. “Our theory is to keep things sophisticated but comfortable,” Brad says. That’s the exact approach he took in his personal haven in Nichols Hills, Oklahoma. Painstakingly renovated over the span of two years by Candeleria Foster Design-Build of Oklahoma City, his home boasts museum-white, authentic Venetian plaster walls and ceilings; charcoal tiled flooring; imported marble in the master bath; and a pretty kitchen you’ll want to emulate. Reminiscent of an edgy luxury hotel, it is a vibe conjured by Cantoni designer Nicole George. “The new remodel plan was all about opening up the space and layering monochromatic color with lots of texture,” says Nicole, who collaborated with Brad on two previous projects. “The color palette is minimal, with charcoal, bone, amber, stone, linen and leather.” “Sophisticated“Sophisticated“Sophisticated“Sophisticated“Sophisticated Nicole helped oversee space planning and selection of interior finishes, lighting, furnishings and fine art for the entire 7,000-square-foot home. It is now decked top-to-bottom in pieces sourced from Cantoni, beginning with the custom-ordered console at entry and a pair of Glacier Suspension fixtures over the stairwell. “Every angle in the house is the result of a critical thought process,” Nicole says. “We wanted to make sure each room would be purposeful.” To that end, “we reintroduced the ‘parlor,’ and also redefined the formal dining area as a bar and drink lounge with enough space for 10 guests to comfortably dine,” Nicole says. Brad’s parlor holds the Swing sectional customized in a silky, soft-hand charcoal leather crafted by prominent Italian leather furnishings company Gamma. Nicole paired it with the Kate swivel chair customized in a light grey leather, the sleek DK writing desk, and the Black & More bar cabinet by Malerba. “Nicole has a special design talent and adapts quickly to what we expect and like,” Brad says. To create the restaurant-worthy dining space, Nicole brought in a black-satin glass and marble-topped dining table and mohair-velvet chairs, all by Italian maker Gallotti & Radice. Guests can take a post-dinner respite on the adjoining room’s Aston sectional by Gamma. In the formal living room, Nicole paired Cantoni’s Fashion Affair club chairs with the Black & More cocktail table, and sofas sourced from Désirée, an Italian furniture upholstery company that creates cutting-edge yet comfortable pieces. The color-coordinating kitchen and breakfast area, meanwhile, hold a set of Guapa counter stools in ash grey leather, and the Ray dining table with light-grey leather Cattelan Italia chairs. The expansive loggia also is ideal for entertaining and lounging with the Versa grand sectional, the Ido cocktail table in grey aged walnut and Dolly chairs customized in black nubuck leather. Nicole made most of the design decisions, but, “she took my suggestions seriously and then put me in my place,” Brad says. She had the master bedroom’s Marlon bed by Gamma customized in a remarkably soft black leather with a matching stitch and paired it with onyx gloss Black & More nightstands. “The furnishings absolutely complement the style,” Brad says. “They are high-quality and have a modern flair, but at the end of the day, are still comfortable and user-friendly.” The end result is a home Brad not only enjoys, but one that Nicole also finds exceptional. “I honestly love every part of this house,” Nicole says. “Working with Brad is always an adventure but a privilege that I take very seriously, from the beginning of the design process to installation.”

This full remodel of a 3,200 sq ft home in San Francisco’s Forest Hills neighborhood worked within the home’s existing split level organization, but radically expanded the sense of openness and movement through the space. The jewel of the new top floor master suite is a minimalist bathroom surrounded by glass and filled with light. The most private space becomes the most prominent element from the street below. Photo by Aaron Leitz

This residence represents the dynamic collaboration between artist and architect. The architectural experience seeks to unite the tactile warmth of earth and clay with the compositional elegance of craft. Against a textured canvas of linen and limestone, light is leveraged to bring dimension and life to the architecture on every level. Through the radical embrace of nature, guests are greeted by a 16’ tall Australian Brachychiton tree as they enter the double-height entry. The home is organized around a large, outdoor courtyard which creates fluid continuity and access between the indoor and outdoors. From a chandelier of ceramic bells to a locally sourced, custom dining table, every major element has been calibrated to add to timeless composition of the home.

This East Troy home on Booth Lake had a few drainage issues that needed to be resolved, but one thing was clear, the homeowners knew with the proper design features, their property had amazing potential to be a fixture on the lake. Starting with a redesign of the backyard, including retaining walls and other drainage features, the home was then ready for a radical facelift. We redesigned the entry of the home with a timber frame portico/entryway. The entire portico was built with the old-world artistry of a mortise and tenon framing method. We also designed and installed a new deck and patio facing the lake, installed an integrated driveway and sidewalk system throughout the property and added a splash of evening effects with some beautiful architectural lighting around the house. A Timber Tech deck with Radiance cable rail system was added off the side of the house to increase lake viewing opportunities and a beautiful stamped concrete patio was installed at the lower level of the house for additional lounging. Lastly, the original detached garage was razed and rebuilt with a new design that not only suits our client’s needs, but is designed to complement the home’s new look. The garage was built with trusses to create the tongue and groove wood cathedral ceiling and the storage area to the front of the garage. The secondary doors on the lakeside of the garage were installed to allow our client to drive his golf cart along the crushed granite pathways and to provide a stunning view of Booth Lake from the multi-purpose garage. Photos by Beth Welsh, Interior Changes

In collaboration with the Lawrenceville Corporation, Rothschild Doyno, and The Urban Redevelopment Authority, EcoCraft Homes is helping to redefine the image of affordable urban housing. Working through a newly defined mechanism called the “Community Land Trust” program Lawrenceville Corporation is pioneering a new standard for community development and affordable home ownership. Phase one of the CLT development consists of 6 new and one renovation unit that are built with materials that are equal to, or often times of a higher quality than the market rate homes that Lawrenceville has become known for. In addition, every CLT home has been designed to seamlessly integrate into existing historical fabric of Upper Lawrenceville by respecting and implementing design elements from contextual neighborhood patterns. The CLT design team’s radically different approach to sustainability, resiliency, and energy efficiency will ensure the affordability of these homes remain intact for generations, challenging the idea that affordability should equate to compromises in the quality of living.

The exquisite transformation of the kitchen in Silo Point Luxury Condominiums is a masterpiece of refinement—a testament to elegant design and optimized spatial planning. Jeanine Turner, the creative force behind Turner Design Firm, skillfully orchestrated this renovation with a clear vision—to harness and amplify the breathtaking views that the condominium's generous glass expanses offer from the open floor plan. Central to the renovation's success was the decisive removal of the walls that previously enclosed the refrigerator. This bold move radically enhanced the flow of the space, allowing for an uninterrupted visual connection from the kitchen through to the plush lounge and elegant dining area, and culminating in an awe-inspiring, unobstructed view of the harbor through the stately full-height windows. A testament to the renovation's meticulous attention to detail, the selection of the quartzite countertops resulted from an extensive and discerning search. Creating the centerpiece of the renovation, these breathtaking countertops stand out as a dazzling focal point amidst the kitchen's chic interiors, their natural beauty and resilience matching the aesthetic and functional needs of this sophisticated culinary setting. This redefined kitchen now boasts a seamless balance of form and function. The new design elegantly delineates the area into four distinct yet harmonious zones. The high-performance kitchen area is a chef's dream, with top-of-the-line appliances and ample workspace. Adjacent to it lies the inviting lounge, furnished with plush seating that encourages relaxation and conversation. The elegant dining space beckons with its sophisticated ambiance, while the charming coffee nook provides a serene escape for savoring a morning espresso or a peaceful afternoon read. Turner Design Firm's team member, Tessea McCrary, collaborated closely with the clients, ensuring the furniture selections echoed the homeowners' tastes and preferences, resulting in a living space that feels both luxurious and inviting.

Before the renovation, this 17th century farmhouse was a rabbit warren of small dark rooms with low ceilings. A new owner wanted to keep the character but modernize the house, so CTA obliged, transforming the house completely. The family room, a large but very low ceiling room, was radically transformed by removing the ceiling to expose the roof structure above and rebuilding a more open new stair; the exposed beams were salvaged from an historic barn elsewhere on the property. The kitchen was moved to the former Dining Room, and also opened up to show the vaulted roof. The mud room and laundry were rebuilt to connect the farmhouse to a Barn (See “Net Zero Barn” project), also using salvaged timbers. Original wide plank pine floors were carefully numbered, replaced, and matched where needed. Historic rooms in the front of the house were carefully restored and upgraded, and new bathrooms and other amenities inserted where possible. The project is also a net zero energy project, with solar panels, super insulated walls, and triple glazed windows. CTA also assisted the owner with selecting all interior finishes, furniture, and fixtures. This project won “Best in Massachusetts” at the 2019 International Interior Design Association and was the 2020 Recipient of a Design Citation by the Boston Society of Architects. Photography by Nat Rea

A once dilapidated 1900s rural cottage facing demolition was radically and beautifully renovated.
Inspiration for a small victorian white one-story wood house exterior remodel in Auckland with a gray roof and a metal roof

It's not everyday that we get to radically transform the heart of a home. There are often restrictions that keep the kitchen in the kitchen. These clients wanted a vaulted kitchen ceiling, which would have required major roof reconstruction. That is until it was decided to use an adjacent part of the home that already had a vaulted ceiling. The kitchen is now more connected to the living and dining areas, they have a walk-in pantry that better uses the low-ceilings, and with added storage space. Like the clients said we "blew their minds!"

This home was a typical Toll Brothers contemporary from the early ‘90’s. The exterior had reached the end of its life, with decayed cedar siding and a deteriorated roof. Greg & Tamara decided to use this opportunity to radically remake their home - to update its modern appeal and set it apart from any other suburban tract house. Spring Creek Design created a new deck, new siding design, entryways and sculptural landscaping for the home. Design Criteria: - Replace siding and give the home a bold, modern look. - Update the home’s landscaping with a spare modernism. - Add a new deck with an outdoor kitchen. Special Features: - Bold new exterior features fiber-cement panels and siding. -Three different colors are used to clearly define the shapes of the home. - Cantilevered concrete entryways features “floating” concrete slab landings. - Azek deck with tempered glass railings. - Custom wine-bottle light fixtures adorn the outdoor kitchen. - Massive planting boxes of Cor-Ten steel form the basis of a low-maintenance, dramatic landscape. - Custom-fabricated square gutters and downspouts compliment the linearity of the home’s design.

This home was a typical Toll Brothers contemporary from the early ‘90’s. The exterior had reached the end of its life, with decayed cedar siding and a deteriorated roof. Greg & Tamara decided to use this opportunity to radically remake their home - to update its modern appeal and set it apart from any other suburban tract house. Spring Creek Design created a new deck, new siding design, entryways and sculptural landscaping for the home. Design Criteria: - Replace siding and give the home a bold, modern look. - Update the home’s landscaping with a spare modernism. - Add a new deck with an outdoor kitchen. Special Features: - Bold new exterior features fiber-cement panels and siding. -Three different colors are used to clearly define the shapes of the home. - Cantilevered concrete entryways features “floating” concrete slab landings. - Azek deck with tempered glass railings. - Custom wine-bottle light fixtures adorn the outdoor kitchen. - Massive planting boxes of Cor-Ten steel form the basis of a low-maintenance, dramatic landscape. - Custom-fabricated square gutters and downspouts compliment the linearity of the home’s design.

Major alterations to the structure completely changed the way the existing spaces felt and functioned. A pitched ceiling replaced the flat livingroom ceiling. Large sliding doors opened the living room directly onto the deck. This functionally doubled the size of the living areas, despite not increasing the footprint. The master bedroom received large stacking slider opening onto the deck, designed for privacy from the living area. Laundry and kitchen are combined with ample storage behind minimalist cabinetry. Storage and bench space are maximised while keeping everything open and airy. The white cabinetry reduces the bulk of so much storage in a smaller space. New insulation, uPVC windows and energy efficient blinds improved thermal performance. A cold house became warm, inviting,cheaper to heat and cool. The outside of the building received new window frames, colour palette, deck, facade lightling, downpipes and gutters. Retaining cladding + floors made this a cost-effective, + radical transformation.

This East Troy home on Booth Lake had a few drainage issues that needed to be resolved, but one thing was clear, the homeowners knew with the proper design features, their property had amazing potential to be a fixture on the lake. Starting with a redesign of the backyard, including retaining walls and other drainage features, the home was then ready for a radical facelift. We redesigned the entry of the home with a timber frame portico/entryway. The entire portico was built with the old-world artistry of a mortise and tenon framing method. We also designed and installed a new deck and patio facing the lake, installed an integrated driveway and sidewalk system throughout the property and added a splash of evening effects with some beautiful architectural lighting around the house. A Timber Tech deck with Radiance cable rail system was added off the side of the house to increase lake viewing opportunities and a beautiful stamped concrete patio was installed at the lower level of the house for additional lounging. Lastly, the original detached garage was razed and rebuilt with a new design that not only suits our client’s needs, but is designed to complement the home’s new look. The garage was built with trusses to create the tongue and groove wood cathedral ceiling and the storage area to the front of the garage. The secondary doors on the lakeside of the garage were installed to allow our client to drive his golf cart along the crushed granite pathways and to provide a stunning view of Booth Lake from the multi-purpose garage. Photos by Beth Welsh, Interior Changes

The homeowners of an iconic 1920s Denver home Denver wanted to upgrade their backyard into a tour de force for entertaining. Lifescape had completed the original landscape a decade ago and were called back for the radical transformation. Designer Josh Ruppert, used a mix of modern tile and classic brick to create a contemporary oasis that ties with the early, 20th-century style of the home. Additional Design Details: - An expansive outdoor entertaining space is complete with a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, bar and dining area - The fireplace design ties to the 1920s architecture with traditional masonry and a chimney cap that matches the home - A custom copper bowl fountain is the crown jewel, providing a tranquil, contemporary water feature in the center of the space - The light fixture in the outdoor dining area was custom designed by the Lifescape team to match the fixtures inside the home

A new 10'-wide archway was introduced between the kitchen and dining room that radically opened the kitchen and linked it to the rest of the house. The new arch profile was a replica of the pointed archways common on the rest of the main level. This singular modification integrated the kitchen with the dining room, allowed light to flood in, and eased the pressure at the kitchen's most cramped circulation point.

Duplex Y is located in a multi apartment building, typical to the Carmel mountain neighborhoods. The building has several entrances due to the slope it sits on. Duplex Y has its own separate entrance and a beautiful view towards Haifa bay and the Golan Heights that can be seen on a clear weather day. The client - a computer high-tech couple, with their two small daughters asked us for a simple and functional design that could remind them of their frequent visits to central and northern Europe. Their request has been accepted. Our planning approach was simple indeed, maybe even simple in a radical way: We followed the principle of clean and ultra minimal spaces, that serve their direct mission only. Complicated geometry of the rooms has been simplified by implementing built-in wood furniture into numerous niches. The most 'complicated' room (due to its broken geometry, narrow proportions and sloped ceiling) has been turned into a kid's room shaped as a clean 'wood box' for fun, games and 'edutainment'. The storage room has been refurbished to maximize it's purpose by creating enough space to store 90% of the entire family's demand. We've tried to avoid unnecessary decoration. 97% of the design has its functional use in addition to its atmospheric qualities. Several elements like the structural cylindrical column were exposed to show their original material - concrete. Photos: Julia Berezina

The transformational breakthrough came when the design process proved the economic and aesthetic value of radically reorganizing the clients' experience of the site. The outcome is an elegant, fully integrated, sustainable landscape.