This contemporary kitchen was part of a whole house renovation in East York Toronto. Although the footprint of this space was small, substantial improvements were made to make the kitchen much more function. The stack on the opposite side of the kitchen was reduced (often done in these homes in the area to take back space), and full height cabinetry and built-in fridge with additional countertop space were added. The opening by the sink also includes shelving rather than cabinet uppers to let more light in and reduce the original closed in feeling. On the cooking side of the kitchen effort was made to optimize the use of cabinets with more drawers and choose white finishes to make it as bright and open as possible. Custom wood floors added warmth, contrast, and durability needed to make the kitchen more comfortable.

The original 48" cased opening that led into the bathroom took up too much wall space and was pulled away from the left wall to provide a straight approach to the new vanity. Since the interior bathroom door was removed, a new pocket door was installed to gain access and privacy to the bathroom for the toilet and shower while not reducing any wall space for furniture.

The existing deck was reduced in size to accommodate this 16x20' sunroom—complete with fireplace and unique wall-sized barn door. Two of the four original windows lined up along the exterior wall were reinstalled in the 6-foot, 400-pound barn door that delineates the sunroom from the main living space. Meticulously aligned into the seven-inch-thick barn door wall, the entire assembly was hung from a massive rail system. Also, two of the windows were specially sized to match stained glass frames previously purchased.

This home has been through many transformations throughout the decades. It originally was built as a ranch style in the 1970’s. Then converted into a two-story with in-law apartment in the 1980’s. In 2015, the new homeowners wished to take this to the next level and create a modern beauty in the heart of suburbia. Photography: Jame R. Salomon

This contemporary kitchen was part of a whole house renovation in East York Toronto. Although the footprint of this space was small, substantial improvements were made to make the kitchen much more function. The stack on the opposite side of the kitchen was reduced (often done in these homes in the area to take back space), and full height cabinetry and built-in fridge with additional countertop space were added. The opening by the sink also includes shelving rather than cabinet uppers to let more light in and reduce the original closed in feeling. On the cooking side of the kitchen effort was made to optimize the use of cabinets with more drawers and choose white finishes to make it as bright and open as possible. Custom wood floors added warmth, contrast, and durability needed to make the kitchen more comfortable.

Amy Bartlam
Mid-sized trendy porcelain tile and brown floor front door photo in Los Angeles with white walls and a blue front door

The existing deck was reduced in size to accommodate this 16x20' sunroom—complete with fireplace and unique wall-sized barn door. Two of the four original windows lined up along the exterior wall were reinstalled in the 6-foot, 400-pound barn door that delineates the sunroom from the main living space. Meticulously aligned into the seven-inch-thick barn door wall, the entire assembly was hung from a massive rail system. Also, two of the windows were specially sized to match stained glass frames previously purchased.

Master Halco’s PostMaster® fence post saves time on a replacement fence installation. The PostMaster steel fence posts has outlasted the original wood board and rails and is ready for the next 20 or so years, substantially reducing the lifetime cost of this fence.

After decades of drastic alterations, and demolition of the second and third story, this grand estate was reduced to a pink Bermuda style ranch house. The current owners returned it to a suggestion of its original state. Beamed ceilings, working fireplace, period woodwork and historic finishes draw out the dignity of its past, and make them part of life in his century. The main house overlooks terraced yards, stonewalls and a landscaped pool area. The formal interiors frame sweeping views of treetops and seascapes. Contractor: Precision Carpentry Photographer: Dan Gair/ Blind Dog Photo INC.

This hall bath felt cramped and closed off with a full wall separating the toilet from the sink. The wall was reduced to a pony wall and topped with a custom shelf. New vanity, counter, sinks, faucets and floors helped the original yellow tile pop.

Vista imaging
Example of a 1950s exterior home design in Seattle

This upper deck, stairway, and supporting framing and columns were replaced due to poor original construction details that allowed the structure to rot prematurely. The original size of the deck was increased to allow the BBQ to have it's own corner without reducing the views. Glass railing allows full viewing of the surrounding Hills. The lighted stairway is controlled with motion detection to illuminate the stairway form the upper deck to the lower deck. Includes exterior speakers for sound system for entertaining to set the mood.

The Owners dubbed this "The Gallery" - originally the owners were considering removing the skylight to reduce some of the costs. We literally begged them to retain them, and worked with them to adjust costs. This space, this hallway, is now her favorite room in the house! Image that for a moment - a hall way being the favorite room in the house. Amazing. Dan Winklebleck, Aaron Winklebleck

The original interior for Thetis Transformation was dominated by wood walls, cabinetry, and detailing. The space felt dark and did not capture the ocean views well. It also had many types of flooring. One of the primary goals was to brighten the space, while maintaining the warmth and history of the wood. We reduced eave overhangs and expanded a few window openings. We reused some of the original wood for new detailing, shelving, and furniture. The electrical panel for Thetis Transformation was updated and relocated. In addition, a new Heat Pump system replaced the electric furnace, and a new wood stove was installed. We also upgraded the windows for better thermal comfort.

The original interior for Thetis Transformation was dominated by wood walls, cabinetry, and detailing. The space felt dark and did not capture the ocean views well. It also had many types of flooring. One of the primary goals was to brighten the space, while maintaining the warmth and history of the wood. We reduced eave overhangs and expanded a few window openings. We reused some of the original wood for new detailing, shelving, and furniture. The electrical panel for Thetis Transformation was updated and relocated. In addition, a new Heat Pump system replaced the electric furnace, and a new wood stove was installed. We also upgraded the windows for better thermal comfort.

This modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income. FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own. SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio. MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch. SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf) RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property. COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort. ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements. OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income. PROJECT TEAM ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry Lisa Finch - Original Artwork European Architectural Supply - Windows Eric Roth Photography - Photography

This upper deck, stairway, and supporting framing and columns were replaced due to poor original construction details that allowed the structure to rot prematurely. The original size of the deck was increased to allow the BBQ to have it's own corner without reducing the views. Glass railing allows full viewing of the surrounding Hills. The lighted stairway is controlled with motion detection to illuminate the stairway form the upper deck to the lower deck. Includes exterior speakers for sound system for entertaining to set the mood.

After decades of drastic alterations, and demolition of the second and third story, this grand estate was reduced to a pink Bermuda style ranch house. The current owners returned it to a suggestion of its original state. Beamed ceilings, working fireplace, period woodwork and historic finishes draw out the dignity of its past, and make them part of life in his century. The main house overlooks terraced yards, stonewalls and a landscaped pool area. The formal interiors frame sweeping views of treetops and seascapes. Contractor: Precision Carpentry Photographer: Dan Gair/ Blind Dog Photo INC.

Mid century modern kitchen remodel with bold color accent.
Inspiration for a mid-sized mid-century modern l-shaped brown floor and medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, an island, white countertops and stainless steel appliances