Taylor Anne Gimza Photography
Mountain style basement photo in Toronto

Our client, with whom we had worked on a number of projects over the years, enlisted our help in transforming her family’s beloved but deteriorating rustic summer retreat, built by her grandparents in the mid-1920’s, into a house that would be livable year-‘round. It had served the family well but needed to be renewed for the decades to come without losing the flavor and patina they were attached to. The house was designed by Ruth Adams, a rare female architect of the day, who also designed in a similar vein a nearby summer colony of Vassar faculty and alumnae. To make Treetop habitable throughout the year, the whole house had to be gutted and insulated. The raw homosote interior wall finishes were replaced with plaster, but all the wood trim was retained and reused, as were all old doors and hardware. The old single-glazed casement windows were restored, and removable storm panels fitted into the existing in-swinging screen frames. New windows were made to match the old ones where new windows were added. This approach was inherently sustainable, making the house energy-efficient while preserving most of the original fabric. Changes to the original design were as seamless as possible, compatible with and enhancing the old character. Some plan modifications were made, and some windows moved around. The existing cave-like recessed entry porch was enclosed as a new book-lined entry hall and a new entry porch added, using posts made from an oak tree on the site. The kitchen and bathrooms are entirely new but in the spirit of the place. All the bookshelves are new. A thoroughly ramshackle garage couldn’t be saved, and we replaced it with a new one built in a compatible style, with a studio above for our client, who is a writer.

Inspiration for a contemporary home gym remodel in Cleveland

Trendy family room photo in Cleveland

Home design - transitional home design idea in Milwaukee

Built in collaboration with Caralee Lloy and Greg Whynot these opposing, modern barns, connected by a glass breezeway, bring the guests a pool, media room and lounge.

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless loft-style carpeted game room remodel in Albuquerque with blue walls

This Sonoma County house opens up to a series of outdoor entertaining spaces, a large pool, pool house, and plenty of stone hardscape.
Pool - contemporary pool idea in San Francisco

A small shed sits on the edge of the site, opening up as a pool house to the adjacent pool and stone hardscape. The rusted corrugated metal doors contrast the soft grays nicely, bringing some texture to an outdoor space.

Inspiration for a transitional home design remodel in Milwaukee

Landmark Photography

Photographer: Colin Catron
Design ideas for a mid-sized southwestern concrete paver and custom-shaped landscaping in Phoenix.

Basement - huge traditional walk-out medium tone wood floor and brown floor basement idea in DC Metro with gray walls and no fireplace

Taylor Anne Gimza Photography
Basement - rustic basement idea in Toronto

Elegant women's home design photo in New York with recessed-panel cabinets and white cabinets

Basement - huge transitional walk-out porcelain tile and gray floor basement idea in Chicago with beige walls and no fireplace

Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Milwaukee

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Milwaukee