The owners love the open plan and large glazed areas of house. Organizational improvements support school-aged children and a growing home-based consulting business. These insertions reduce clutter throughout the home. Kitchen, pantry, dining and family room renovations improve the open space qualities within the core of the home. Photographs by Linda McManus Images

The owners love the open plan and large glazed areas of house. Organizational improvements support school-aged children and a growing home-based consulting business. These insertions reduce clutter throughout the home. Kitchen, pantry, dining and family room renovations improve the open space qualities within the core of the home. Photographs by Linda McManus Images

Custom frosted film on glass front door Sun Control of Minnesota is a family owned and operated business that offers Professional Window Tinting Services. We first started out in one office with two part time installers, and we have now grown our business with over 15 employees badge-1980and four different locations in the metro area. We continue to expand our relationships with customers, as well as our service and quality of work. We offer a complete line of Window Tinting services for Automotive, Commercial, Residential, & Marine applications. Our products include Decorative Frost Films, for glass enhancement; Safety/ Security Films, for Anti-Theft and Blast Protection; and 3M Paint Protection Film, for Automotive Rock Chip Prevention. We focus on helping our customers reduce damaging UV rays, excessive solar heat gain, and glare from their interior spaces. UV rays, solar heat, and visible light are the main contributors to fading concerns in homes. Window Film reduces these elements to provide a beautiful view without having to close out the natural sunlight with a shade or blind. We provide the quality that competitors can’t even touch. Our Mission is to Provide the Highest Quality Service, Products, and Installation in the Solar Energy Control Tint & Glass Film industry.

Pro-Tile & Marble, Inc. Large Format Tile Big-slab tile delivers the rich look of marble with much less maintenance and much lower cost than a thick stone slab. Business owner Chris Harrington explains the basics of porcelain-slab tile, Big format tiles on floors and walls reduce to the minimum joints and discontinuities in the surfaces. The result is a clean and smooth surface, which is perfect for interiors with a contemporary and minimalist style. Moreover, these surfaces are easier to clean, due to the absence of joints. Call for a free in home estimate 904-731-6471

Bob O'Connor
Trendy kids' room photo in Boston

Pro-Tile & Marble, Inc. Large Format Tile Big-slab tile delivers the rich look of marble with much less maintenance and much lower cost than a thick stone slab. Business owner Chris Harrington explains the basics of porcelain-slab tile, Big format tiles on floors and walls reduce to the minimum joints and discontinuities in the surfaces. The result is a clean and smooth surface, which is perfect for interiors with a contemporary and minimalist style. Moreover, these surfaces are easier to clean, due to the absence of joints. Call for a free in home estimate 904-731-6471

As innkeepers, Lois and Evan Evans know all about hospitality. So after buying a 1955 Cape Cod cottage whose interiors hadn’t been updated since the 1970s, they set out on a whole-house renovation, a major focus of which was the kitchen. The goal of this renovation was to create a space that would be efficient and inviting for entertaining, as well as compatible with the home’s beach-cottage style. Cape Associates removed the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room to create an open, airy layout. The ceilings were raised and clad in shiplap siding and highlighted with new pine beams, reflective of the cottage style of the home. New windows add a vintage look. The designer used a whitewashed palette and traditional cabinetry to push a casual and beachy vibe, while granite countertops add a touch of elegance. The layout was rearranged to include an island that’s roomy enough for casual meals and for guests to hang around when the owners are prepping party meals. Placing the main sink and dishwasher in the island instead of the usual under-the-window spot was a decision made by Lois early in the planning stages. “If we have guests over, I can face everyone when I’m rinsing vegetables or washing dishes,” she says. “Otherwise, my back would be turned.” The old avocado-hued linoleum flooring had an unexpected bonus: preserving the original oak floors, which were refinished. The new layout includes room for the homeowners’ hutch from their previous residence, as well as an old pot-bellied stove, a family heirloom. A glass-front cabinet allows the homeowners to show off colorful dishes. Bringing the cabinet down to counter level adds more storage. Stacking the microwave, oven and warming drawer adds efficiency.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The homeowners came to us looking to update the kitchen in their historic 1897 home. The home had gone through an extensive renovation several years earlier that added a master bedroom suite and updates to the front façade. The kitchen however was not part of that update and a prior 1990’s update had left much to be desired. The client is an avid cook, and it was just not very functional for the family. The original kitchen was very choppy and included a large eat in area that took up more than its fair share of the space. On the wish list was a place where the family could comfortably congregate, that was easy and to cook in, that feels lived in and in check with the rest of the home’s décor. They also wanted a space that was not cluttered and dark – a happy, light and airy room. A small powder room off the space also needed some attention so we set out to include that in the remodel as well. See that arch in the neighboring dining room? The homeowner really wanted to make the opening to the dining room an arch to match, so we incorporated that into the design. Another unfortunate eyesore was the state of the ceiling and soffits. Turns out it was just a series of shortcuts from the prior renovation, and we were surprised and delighted that we were easily able to flatten out almost the entire ceiling with a couple of little reworks. Other changes we made were to add new windows that were appropriate to the new design, which included moving the sink window over slightly to give the work zone more breathing room. We also adjusted the height of the windows in what was previously the eat-in area that were too low for a countertop to work. We tried to keep an old island in the plan since it was a well-loved vintage find, but the tradeoff for the function of the new island was not worth it in the end. We hope the old found a new home, perhaps as a potting table. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Pro-Tile & Marble, Inc. Large Format Tile Big-slab tile delivers the rich look of marble with much less maintenance and much lower cost than a thick stone slab. Business owner Chris Harrington explains the basics of porcelain-slab tile, Big format tiles on floors and walls reduce to the minimum joints and discontinuities in the surfaces. The result is a clean and smooth surface, which is perfect for interiors with a contemporary and minimalist style. Moreover, these surfaces are easier to clean, due to the absence of joints. Call for a free in home estimate 904-731-6471

Benjamin Benschneider
Example of a mid-sized trendy master stone tile porcelain tile freestanding bathtub design in Seattle with an undermount sink, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops and flat-panel cabinets

The homeowners of this project wanted some additional shade for the hot summer days while looking to add some privacy and reduce the noise from the busy streets close by. We extended an existing roof plane while adding a 220 square foot patio cover with a full wall to achieve the privacy. We also built a curved stucco wall to define the space once more. TK Images

Pro-Tile & Marble, Inc. Large Format Tile Big-slab tile delivers the rich look of marble with much less maintenance and much lower cost than a thick stone slab. Business owner Chris Harrington explains the basics of porcelain-slab tile, Big format tiles on floors and walls reduce to the minimum joints and discontinuities in the surfaces. The result is a clean and smooth surface, which is perfect for interiors with a contemporary and minimalist style. Moreover, these surfaces are easier to clean, due to the absence of joints. Call for a free in home estimate 904-731-6471

Werner Straube Photography
Trendy eat-in kitchen photo in Chicago with a single-bowl sink, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash

Roll up storm shutters provide the ultimate in security and storm protection for your home or business. These hurricane shutters attach above the window, roll up and store in a discrete enclosed box when not in use. You can lower them with either a hand crank or by the push of a button, and they lock in place for the ultimate storm protection. They also provide you with an extra layer of defense against crime and also reduce your energy costs year round. Specially designed to provide maximum strength and insulation from sun, storm, heat, noise, and weather extremes, our Carolina rolling shutters are the very best available.

The owners love the open plan and large glazed areas of house. Organizational improvements support school-aged children and a growing home-based consulting business. These insertions reduce clutter throughout the home. Kitchen, pantry, dining and family room renovations improve the open space qualities within the core of the home. Photographs by Linda McManus Images

Photograph © Michael Wilkinson Photography
Inspiration for a large timeless master carpeted bedroom remodel in DC Metro with beige walls

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional 3/4 gray tile and mosaic tile white floor and marble floor sliding shower door remodel in Los Angeles with gray cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, white countertops, raised-panel cabinets and quartz countertops

Inspiration for a large rustic backyard stone landscaping with no cover.

When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950’s. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the décor with a painting from my client’s father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Grey from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.