As readers of architect/designer Katie Hutchison’s book The New Cottage (Taunton Press 2018), these homeowners approached KHS about designing a second home in Westerly, Rhode Island. Theirs is a double-long lot with street frontage on both ends, a short walk from the water. In addition to the new house, their wish list included a new lap pool (with associated patio) and new garage. Aesthetically, they were looking to create an informally elegant, human-scaled family compound, engaged with the site and connected with the outdoors. They further requested sustainable features/systems and low-maintenance materials. In response, KHS proposed an ell-shaped house that wraps two sides of a lap pool/patio. A porch-fronted two-story gabled component faces the main street and is flanked by the one-story primary suite in one leg of the ell and the one-story kitchen and rear porches in the other leg of the ell. The house is an efficient +/- 2800 square-feet and contains four bedrooms and three and one half bathrooms. A salt-box inspired garage is detached so as not to increase the building massing. It helps shape outdoor spaces and doesn’t block daylight and direct exterior access from the house. It faces the secondary street. Driveways off both streets offer different modes of arrival. The south-facing roof of the two-story volume – which includes three bedrooms and two baths – and the south-facing one-story roof of the kitchen and rear porches, as well as the south-facing roof of the garage support 47 photovoltaic solar panels, providing the bulk of the property’s electric power. Two oversized exterior folding glass doors off the living area and kitchen blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors, welcoming abundant daylight, views of the pool and patio, as well as summer breezes. An airy living/dining area includes a long custom window seat and borders a semi-open kitchen beneath a cathedral ceiling. Living area built-in shelving frames a TV and surrounds a modern efficient pellet stove. A cheerful interior palette of soft hues features pops of color, Scandinavian wallpapers, custom textiles, and a dash of warm wood accents in the form of counters, built-in desks, and custom furnishings. On the exterior, natural shingles side the main volume and environmentally friendly and durable Boral board-and-batten side the one-story components and garage, communicating a legible hierarchy of spaces. The overall effect is a breezy, crisp New England home, pool patio, and garage for today’s living.

Inquire About Our Design Services What we did: I started with a floor plan. I knew the success of this design rested in how the space was mapped out. Lisa and Charles love modern furniture, but they couldn’t seem give each room the warmth they were looking for with modern furnishings, despite their best efforts. I was inspired by photos that they gave me and certain elements in the home that they LOVED. One thing they mentioned was the fireplace and its color. I decided that the fireplace had to be the starting point of the room design, and based the color palette off of that beautiful, earthy orange color. Here’s the highlights of the rest of the project: Charted out the furniture plan for each room. Created blueprints for shelving above Cabinet Storage area. Lisa is an avid reader and my home girl needs a library! Custom designed the sofas, chairs, and an ottoman for the living area. Selected all furnishings, accessories, and art. Created storage for the kids. They are now able to stash their toys when they’re not using them, reducing clutter and keeping the space nice and open. What I love: They gave me the green light to have fun with the fabrics and patterns in the family room. I had a ton of fun with the sofas! That AH-mazing coffee table. It is very unique, and I cannot lie… I secretly wanted it for myself. The art in their living room (very dramatic). With the scale of the room, I knew it was either go big or go home! Total time - 12.5 months

When working from home, he wants to be surrounded by personal comforts and corporate functionality. For this avid book reader and collector, he wishes his office to be amongst his books. As an executive, he sought the same desk configuration that is in his corporate office, albeit a smaller version. The library office needed to be built exactly to his specifications and fit well within the home.

Inspiration for a 1960s laundry room remodel in Los Angeles

Rachel Rardon
Living room - small eclectic open concept carpeted living room idea in Other with blue walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and no tv

The new owners are avid readers. Their collection of books became a focal point. The Library “cat walk” is steel frame with glass flooring. The cat walk is suspended from the ceiling with steel rods, freeing the living area of column supports. The Living Area flooring is cherry wood.

This cottage kitchen is the perfect blend of timeless charm and modern functionality. Warm and inviting, it embraces classic cottage aesthetics with vintage-inspired details, while seamlessly integrating contemporary conveniences for effortless everyday living. Nestled in the heart of a cozy home, this space feels both nostalgic and practical—a place where rustic character meets modern comfort.

http://nationalkitchenandbath.com Readers dream of a bookcase.

This open airy condo overlooking Kempenfelt Bay in Barrie, captures the essence of easy living by combining a harmonious balance of warmth & comfort in a sophisticated contemporary style. Its owners delight in calling it home. We began this renovation project with a redesign of the interior footprint to permit more efficient use of space and effortless movement throughout. From tear out to completion, the usual challenges of steel stud & concrete construction and special condo bylaw requirements were easily handled by our team of certified professionals. The creative use of millwork beams provided hidden channels to conceal electrical wiring and thus permit the addition of ceiling lighting where there had previously been none – a much needed design element for our clients who are avid readers and enjoy their art collection. All surface materials were chosen to provide high performance and low maintenance as well as delivering a WOW factor aesthetic. This includes the engineered hardwood flooring throughout; the porcelain tile flooring in the three bathrooms and two shower enclosures; granite counters in the kitchen, bathrooms and office credenza; all cabinetry materials; as well as the fabrics on upholstered furniture and area rugs. The right products in the right places for the right reasons!! Our furniture and cabinetry designs include the creative use of decorative glass; stainless steel; natural stone and custom wood and innovative laminate finishes. Soft draperies frame the large picture windows subtly drawing attention to the wonderful waterfront views in seamless fashion. Our attention to detail built on a foundation of good design and integration of quality well-chosen materials is truly a reflection of our client’s chic and balanced sense of style and commitment to live with uncluttered easy but comfortable elegance.

This colorful Contemporary design / build project started as an Addition but included new cork flooring and painting throughout the home. The Kitchen also included the creation of a new pantry closet with wire shelving and the Family Room was converted into a beautiful Library with space for the whole family. The homeowner has a passion for picking paint colors and enjoyed selecting the colors for each room. The home is now a bright mix of modern trends such as the barn doors and chalkboard surfaces contrasted by classic LA touches such as the detail surrounding the Living Room fireplace. The Master Bedroom is now a Master Suite complete with high-ceilings making the room feel larger and airy. Perfect for warm Southern California weather! Speaking of the outdoors, the sliding doors to the green backyard ensure that this white room still feels as colorful as the rest of the home. The Master Bathroom features bamboo cabinetry with his and hers sinks. The light blue walls make the blue and white floor really pop. The shower offers the homeowners a bench and niche for comfort and sliding glass doors and subway tile for style. The Library / Family Room features custom built-in bookcases, barn door and a window seat; a readers dream! The Children’s Room and Dining Room both received new paint and flooring as part of their makeover. However the Children’s Bedroom also received a new closet and reading nook. The fireplace in the Living Room was made more stylish by painting it to match the walls – one of the only white spaces in the home! However the deep blue accent wall with floating shelves ensure that guests are prepared to see serious pops of color throughout the rest of the home. The home features art by Drica Lobo ( https://www.dricalobo.com/home)

This neutral toned children's reading nook offers a calming and inviting space for young readers. The simple design and comfortable seating create a relaxing atmosphere.

Tucked away in Medina, the Monochrome Bathroom exudes serene sophistication with its sleek, modern aesthetic. A carefully curated monochromatic palette sets the tone, where crisp white subway tiles meet striking matte black fixtures, creating a bold yet balanced contrast. Clean lines and minimalist details keep the space feeling effortlessly contemporary, while the thoughtful design fosters a sense of calm—a true retreat from the outside world.

Wood privacy fences come in a variety of styles and sizes. The expert fence builders at Atlanta Decking and Fence were recently voted Best Fence Builders by Appen readers. Contact us at 770-781-4641 for a free, no-hassle estimate.

This former dining room was turned into a cozy library space where the couple, who are avid readers, can relax and enjoy a quiet space to read, converse, have a cocktail, or enjoy a fire.

This thoughtfully designed bathroom showcases a seamless blend of luxury and functionality. A spacious walk-in shower, enclosed by frameless glass, enhances the open feel while adding a touch of sophistication. Sleek black plumbing fixtures and a marble-lined shower niche elevate both style and practicality. The freestanding sculptural tub serves as a striking focal point, creating a serene retreat that embodies relaxation and refined elegance.

This open airy condo overlooking Kempenfelt Bay in Barrie, captures the essence of easy living by combining a harmonious balance of warmth & comfort in a sophisticated contemporary style. Its owners delight in calling it home. We began this renovation project with a redesign of the interior footprint to permit more efficient use of space and effortless movement throughout. From tear out to completion, the usual challenges of steel stud & concrete construction and special condo bylaw requirements were easily handled by our team of certified professionals. The creative use of millwork beams provided hidden channels to conceal electrical wiring and thus permit the addition of ceiling lighting where there had previously been none – a much needed design element for our clients who are avid readers and enjoy their art collection. All surface materials were chosen to provide high performance and low maintenance as well as delivering a WOW factor aesthetic. This includes the engineered hardwood flooring throughout; the porcelain tile flooring in the three bathrooms and two shower enclosures; granite counters in the kitchen, bathrooms and office credenza; all cabinetry materials; as well as the fabrics on upholstered furniture and area rugs. The right products in the right places for the right reasons!! Our furniture and cabinetry designs include the creative use of decorative glass; stainless steel; natural stone and custom wood and innovative laminate finishes. Soft draperies frame the large picture windows subtly drawing attention to the wonderful waterfront views in seamless fashion. Our attention to detail built on a foundation of good design and integration of quality well-chosen materials is truly a reflection of our client’s chic and balanced sense of style and commitment to live with uncluttered easy but comfortable elegance.

This seating area exudes sophistication and comfort, featuring a statement boucle curved sofa with rounded cushions for a soft, organic touch. A geometric wooden coffee table adds warmth and functionality, while mirrors and abstract art enhance depth by reflecting natural light, creating an inviting modern lounge atmosphere.

Since the homeowner is a writer and avid reader, her priority in the design of her new home was storage for her many books. We designed built-in bookcases and storage in every room of the house to accommodate this request. Moss Photography - www.mossphotography.com

Voted Best Builder in 2013 by Arlington Magazine readers, Tradition Homes combines skill and talent with passion for creating beautiful custom homes in Arlington, McLean and Falls Church, VA.