For Decorations Lucullus it’s always about listening to the client, but when the project is a historical property, it is about listening carefully to the spirit of the rooms as well. All style is part alchemy, a bit of conjuring and nerves of steel to accept what is honestly appropriate. These lovely old rooms had lived a very grand past. Miraculously the owner was open to the challenge of trying, just for fun, to see if that past could be recaptured without compromising present-day comforts. We all learned in the process that the old can be as luxuriously commodious as anything the “modern” can promise.

Contemporary townhouse centrally situated on one of Hoboken’s finest blocks. Meticulously renovated 2 years ago, this circa 1889 brick row house has been thoughtfully designed for today’s urban family. Currently configured as a 2 family home, the owner’s triplex features 3 bedrooms, den and 2½ bathrooms. Keeping future expansion in mind, the oversized 1 bedroom garden apartment can easily be recaptured to integrate with the main residence for a total of 3,000+ square feet of living space across 4 floors. The bright open parlor level features contemporary clean lines, working gas fireplace, half bath and a designer Scavolini kitchen with a Wolf and SubZero appliance suite, waterfall island and LaCantina doors opening the rear of the home to a stunning Ipe deck and private yard below – perfect for seamless indoor/outdoor entertaining. The second floor master suite features a step out balcony, large walk in closet and stunning bath with dual vanity, free standing soaking tub and steam shower. Completing the 2nd level is the den with working gas fireplace – perfect for a home office, nursery or fourth bedroom. The top floor features 2 bedrooms, a central family/playroom and bath. New EPDM rubber roof, Marvin windows, hardwood floors, central HVAC system and pre-wiring for sound and cable. Centrally located near NYC transportation, parks, schools and dining/nightlife. Sophisticated urban living at its best!

Retaining wall to recapture previously unusable sloped back yard. Design & photo by Mark Dunaway.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard concrete paver retaining wall landscape in Orlando.

A 750 square foot top floor apartment is transformed from a cramped and musty two bedroom into a sun-drenched aerie with a second floor home office recaptured from an old storage loft. Multiple skylights and a large picture window allow light to fill the space altering the feeling throughout the days and seasons. Views of New York Harbor, previously ignored, are now a daily event. Featured in the Fall 2016 issue of Domino, and on Refinery 29.

The classic styling of the original home was recaptured and modernized with a modern open floorplan and tasteful, classic design. Interiors by Mara Raphael; Photos by Tessa Neustadt

We lifted this house several feet in the air, and reworked all the interior spaces to accommodate three private guest suites, each complete with their own bathroom. Additionally, all the ceilings were vaulted, recapturing light and form from the unused attic space. The beachy, casual vibe carries throughout the spaces, thanks to the owners' (an architect/artist duo) creative vision. Builder: Blue Sound Construction Designer: Aaron Bush of Workshop AB2C Photo:Alex Hayden

Time recaptured | The Belle Époque – the exciting era in the early 20th century that witnessed not only the birth of the Hansgrohe company but also an explosion of European art and culture. An era caught between the romance of rustic spas and the industrial revolution. An era that inspired this Axor bathroom collection: Axor Montreux. Authentic in the smallest detail, the Axor Montreux collection enhances every traditional ambiance – and turns the daily visit to the bathroom into a true journey through time. Due to clear, geometric shapes Axor Montreux not only meshes within a pure traditional ambiance, but also within a mixtures of styles. | Available at www.shopstudio41.com

A. Kist A 750 square foot top floor apartment is transformed from a cramped and musty two bedroom into a sun-drenched aerie with a second floor home office recaptured from an old storage loft. Multiple skylights and a large picture window allow light to fill the space altering the feeling throughout the days and seasons. Views of New York Harbor, previously ignored, are now a daily event. Featured in the Fall 2016 issue of Domino, and on Refinery 29.

The classic styling of the original home was recaptured and modernized with fresh materials and modern lines. Interiors by Mara Raphael; Photos by Tessa Neustadt

floors painted to recapture age and style of home
Cottage kitchen photo in Grand Rapids

The clients wanted to recapture the airy feeling of their former loft residence. The kitchen opens onto the main stair, dining area, and living room. Cabinetry was broken up into discrete sections to instill a sense of lightness and simplicity. The scale of the island is broken down with open shelving and space for a pair of stools.

Andrew Kist A 750 square foot top floor apartment is transformed from a cramped and musty two bedroom into a sun-drenched aerie with a second floor home office recaptured from an old storage loft. Multiple skylights and a large picture window allow light to fill the space altering the feeling throughout the days and seasons. Views of New York Harbor, previously ignored, are now a daily event. Featured in the Fall 2016 issue of Domino, and on Refinery 29.

Contemporary townhouse centrally situated on one of Hoboken’s finest blocks. Meticulously renovated 2 years ago, this circa 1889 brick row house has been thoughtfully designed for today’s urban family. Currently configured as a 2 family home, the owner’s triplex features 3 bedrooms, den and 2½ bathrooms. Keeping future expansion in mind, the oversized 1 bedroom garden apartment can easily be recaptured to integrate with the main residence for a total of 3,000+ square feet of living space across 4 floors. The bright open parlor level features contemporary clean lines, working gas fireplace, half bath and a designer Scavolini kitchen with a Wolf and SubZero appliance suite, waterfall island and LaCantina doors opening the rear of the home to a stunning Ipe deck and private yard below – perfect for seamless indoor/outdoor entertaining. The second floor master suite features a step out balcony, large walk in closet and stunning bath with dual vanity, free standing soaking tub and steam shower. Completing the 2nd level is the den with working gas fireplace – perfect for a home office, nursery or fourth bedroom. The top floor features 2 bedrooms, a central family/playroom and bath. New EPDM rubber roof, Marvin windows, hardwood floors, central HVAC system and pre-wiring for sound and cable. Centrally located near NYC transportation, parks, schools and dining/nightlife. Sophisticated urban living at its best!

Bob O'Connor
Trendy dining room photo in Boston

Seward Street is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) designed for an older couple to age in place – to live independently and comfortably, regardless of age. The fully livable ground floor has an open-flow kitchen, living, and dining room under a cathedral ceiling, with a separate bedroom, full bathroom, and laundry. This is complimented by an upstairs loft with a second full bathroom and a large open space that doubles as either a guest suite or office space. The ADU is designed within an efficient building footprint to maximize the available back yard. Built from Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) it is detailed to be airtight and well insulated, with extremely efficient space heating & cooling (ductless mini-split air source heat pump) and an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) to provide continuous fresh air while recapturing the indoor heating and cooling. It has a 400% efficient air source heat pump water heater, induction cooking, heat pump clothes dryer, and is an all-electric home. ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Ultra-High Efficiency Air Source Heat Pump Heating & Cooling System Energy Recovery Ventilator Air Source Heat Pump Water Heater Heat Pump Clothes Dryer Low-E Glazing All LED Lighting Induction Cooktop Energy Star Certified Appliances WATER EFFICIENCY: WaterSense High Efficiency Plumbing Fixtures Front-Loading Clothes Washer INDOOR AIR QUALITY: All-Electric Home (no gas combustion) Energy Recovery Ventilator with MERV 13 filter Low and no-VOC materials and finishes High-Efficiency Kitchen Exhaust Fan

Recaptured attic storage space becomes a loft for kids with a spiral stair for access.
Example of a 1960s medium tone wood floor, brown floor and vaulted ceiling living room design in Portland with white walls, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace

Contemporary townhouse centrally situated on one of Hoboken’s finest blocks. Meticulously renovated 2 years ago, this circa 1889 brick row house has been thoughtfully designed for today’s urban family. Currently configured as a 2 family home, the owner’s triplex features 3 bedrooms, den and 2½ bathrooms. Keeping future expansion in mind, the oversized 1 bedroom garden apartment can easily be recaptured to integrate with the main residence for a total of 3,000+ square feet of living space across 4 floors. The bright open parlor level features contemporary clean lines, working gas fireplace, half bath and a designer Scavolini kitchen with a Wolf and SubZero appliance suite, waterfall island and LaCantina doors opening the rear of the home to a stunning Ipe deck and private yard below – perfect for seamless indoor/outdoor entertaining. The second floor master suite features a step out balcony, large walk in closet and stunning bath with dual vanity, free standing soaking tub and steam shower. Completing the 2nd level is the den with working gas fireplace – perfect for a home office, nursery or fourth bedroom. The top floor features 2 bedrooms, a central family/playroom and bath. New EPDM rubber roof, Marvin windows, hardwood floors, central HVAC system and pre-wiring for sound and cable. Centrally located near NYC transportation, parks, schools and dining/nightlife. Sophisticated urban living at its best!

Priestess is one of Damien Jones' few figurative forms. This piece stands 6.5ft high and is mounted to the standard 2ft x 2ft basalt slab base stone which also seals the bottom of the piece creating an interior reservoir for the water. This divine feminine water feature channels water up to the top of her 'hands', which then cascades over the entire form until it is recaptured through perforations into its internal reservoir in her 'legs'. Photo by: Damien Jones

Contemporary townhouse centrally situated on one of Hoboken’s finest blocks. Meticulously renovated 2 years ago, this circa 1889 brick row house has been thoughtfully designed for today’s urban family. Currently configured as a 2 family home, the owner’s triplex features 3 bedrooms, den and 2½ bathrooms. Keeping future expansion in mind, the oversized 1 bedroom garden apartment can easily be recaptured to integrate with the main residence for a total of 3,000+ square feet of living space across 4 floors. The bright open parlor level features contemporary clean lines, working gas fireplace, half bath and a designer Scavolini kitchen with a Wolf and SubZero appliance suite, waterfall island and LaCantina doors opening the rear of the home to a stunning Ipe deck and private yard below – perfect for seamless indoor/outdoor entertaining. The second floor master suite features a step out balcony, large walk in closet and stunning bath with dual vanity, free standing soaking tub and steam shower. Completing the 2nd level is the den with working gas fireplace – perfect for a home office, nursery or fourth bedroom. The top floor features 2 bedrooms, a central family/playroom and bath. New EPDM rubber roof, Marvin windows, hardwood floors, central HVAC system and pre-wiring for sound and cable. Centrally located near NYC transportation, parks, schools and dining/nightlife. Sophisticated urban living at its best!