We had so much fun with this project! The client wanted a bedroom refresh as they had not done much to it since they had moved in 5 years ago. As a space you are in every single night (and day!), your bedroom should be a place where you can relax and enjoy every minute. We worked with the clients favorite color (navy!) to create a beautiful blue grasscloth textured wall behind their bed to really make their furniture pop and add some dimension to the room. New lamps in their favorite finish (gold!) were added to create additional lighting moments when the shades go down. Adding beautiful sheer window treatments allowed the clients to keep some softness in the room even when the blackout shades were down. Fresh bedding and some new accessories were added to complete the room.

Stepping out onto the covered patio space, attention is immediately drawn to the tranquil water feature. Faced with Georgetown Blend stone and Bullnose Travertine coping, this water fall feature creates an elegant feel to this outdoor patio. Even in the midst of night, it glows with LED lights and sparkles from the decorative glass backsplash. This lovely water feature requires low maintenance, as it is fitted with a chlorinator and Jandy pump for proper filtration. The Venetian Gold granite blends well with the earthy tones found in the original brick, allowing this outdoor kitchen to stand out yet complement the home’s exterior. The bar top area easily seats 4 to 5 guests and attracts the use of Margarita mixers with accessible countertop electrical outlets. For added convenience, the kitchen sink is equipped with both hot and cold water as well as a sanitary pump. There is ample amount of storage space alongside the stainless steel appliances and an inconspicuous garbage can drawer. The mini refrigerator accommodates 48-60 canned drinks, and the double burner and grill provide the perfect opportunity to prepare an outstanding meal for guests and family. The fire feature in this outdoor project attracts those recently refreshed at the kitchen to come sit and relax! With matching brick as the home, the fire place is a seamless addition to this outdoor living room. Completing the project, varying sizes of Travertine tile are used for the flooring. The variation in size and uniquely chiseled edge of the tile catches the eye of its travelers.

We had so much fun with this project! The client wanted a bedroom refresh as they had not done much to it since they had moved in 5 years ago. As a space you are in every single night (and day!), your bedroom should be a place where you can relax and enjoy every minute. We worked with the clients favorite color (navy!) to create a beautiful blue grasscloth textured wall behind their bed to really make their furniture pop and add some dimension to the room. New lamps in their favorite finish (gold!) were added to create additional lighting moments when the shades go down. Adding beautiful sheer window treatments allowed the clients to keep some softness in the room even when the blackout shades were down. Fresh bedding and some new accessories were added to complete the room.

Life has many stages, we move in and life takes over…we may have made some updates or moved into a turn-key house either way… life takes over and suddenly we have lived in the same house for 15, 20 years… even the upgrades made over the years are tired and it is time to either do a total refresh or move on and let someone else give it their touch. This couple decided to stay and make it their forever home, and go to house for gatherings and holidays. Woodharbor Sage cabinets for Clawson Cabinets set the tone. In collaboration with Clawson Architects the nearly whole house renovation is a must see.

Entry hall - contemporary light wood floor entry hall idea in San Diego with white walls and a dark wood front door

In the enchanting embrace of evening, a striking modern rectangle pool takes center stage, casting a mesmerizing aura with the soft glow of purple lights. The pool's sleek design and clean lines evoke contemporary elegance, exuding a sense of tranquility and sophistication. Nestled nearby, a captivating fire pit emanates a warm and inviting ambiance, creating a cozy nook perfect for gathering with friends and family. The flickering flames dance in harmony with the shimmering pool, enhancing the enchanting atmosphere of the outdoor space. Surrounding the pool, a series of white outdoor pillows beckon, offering comfort and relaxation to those seeking reprieve. The soft pillows provide a luxurious touch, inviting guests to unwind and enjoy the calming evening setting. Alongside the pool area, the side of the house comes alive with natural beauty. The wall is adorned with lush, vibrant plants, creating a delightful living backdrop that brings nature's splendor to the forefront. The greenery adds a refreshing touch, harmoniously blending with the modern aesthetics of the pool and surroundings. Completing the captivating scene, pristine white fences encircle the space, ensuring a sense of privacy and security. The white fences beautifully contrast with the purple-tinged evening sky, elevating the overall visual appeal of the setting. Together, this modern rectangle pool with a glowing fire pit and adorned with white outdoor pillows, set against the backdrop of plant-covered walls and white fences, presents an extraordinary outdoor retreat. As the evening sky transforms into a canvas of colors, the space becomes an idyllic sanctuary to indulge in the magic of twilight, creating cherished memories that will linger in hearts for years to come.

Working within a limited budget, Susan added bands of reflective blue glass to give a custom look to a natural stone backsplash. The sparkling blue accent is a refreshing contrast to the earth tones in cabinets and countertop.

Refreshed design for this 2nd home residence for a New York couple. They wanted a welcoming design where they and their guests will always feel comfortable - even when coming in from the pool in their bathing suits. The color scheme, blues accented with splashes of yellow, sets off the art by Margaret Juul. Seashells and natural coral add the beach vibe.

This home in Encinitas was in need of a refresh to bring the Ocean into this family near the beach. The kitchen had a complete remodel with new cabinets, glass, sinks, faucets, custom blue color to match our clients favorite colors of the sea, and so much more. We custom made the design on the cabinets and wrapped the island and gave it a pop of color. The dining room had a custom large buffet with teak tile laced into the current hardwood floor. Every room was remodeled and the clients even have custom GR Studio furniture, (the Dorian Swivel Chair and the Warren 3 Piece Sofa). These pieces were brand new introduced in 2019 and this home on the beach was the first to have them. It was a pleasure designing this home with this family from custom window treatments, furniture, flooring, gym, kids play room, and even the outside where we introduced our new custom GR Studio outdoor coverings. This house is now a home for this artistic family. To see the full set of pictures you can view in the Gallery under Encinitas Ocean Remodel.

Refreshed design for this 2nd home residence for a New York couple. They wanted a welcoming design where they and their guests will always feel comfortable - even when coming in from the pool in their bathing suits. The color scheme, blues accented with splashes of yellow, sets off the art by Margaret Juul. Seashells and natural coral add the beach vibe.

We had so much fun with this project! The client wanted a bedroom refresh as they had not done much to it since they had moved in 5 years ago. As a space you are in every single night (and day!), your bedroom should be a place where you can relax and enjoy every minute. We worked with the clients favorite color (navy!) to create a beautiful blue grasscloth textured wall behind their bed to really make their furniture pop and add some dimension to the room. New lamps in their favorite finish (gold!) were added to create additional lighting moments when the shades go down. Adding beautiful sheer window treatments allowed the clients to keep some softness in the room even when the blackout shades were down. Fresh bedding and some new accessories were added to complete the room.

This home in Encinitas was in need of a refresh to bring the Ocean into this family near the beach. The kitchen had a complete remodel with new cabinets, glass, sinks, faucets, custom blue color to match our clients favorite colors of the sea, and so much more. We custom made the design on the cabinets and wrapped the island and gave it a pop of color. The dining room had a custom large buffet with teak tile laced into the current hardwood floor. Every room was remodeled and the clients even have custom GR Studio furniture, (the Dorian Swivel Chair and the Warren 3 Piece Sofa). These pieces were brand new introduced in 2019 and this home on the beach was the first to have them. It was a pleasure designing this home with this family from custom window treatments, furniture, flooring, gym, kids play room, and even the outside where we introduced our new custom GR Studio outdoor coverings. This house is now a home for this artistic family. To see the full set of pictures you can view in the Gallery under Encinitas Ocean Remodel.

This home in Encinitas was in need of a refresh to bring the Ocean into this family near the beach. The kitchen had a complete remodel with new cabinets, glass, sinks, faucets, custom blue color to match our clients favorite colors of the sea, and so much more. We custom made the design on the cabinets and wrapped the island and gave it a pop of color. The dining room had a custom large buffet with teak tile laced into the current hardwood floor. Every room was remodeled and the clients even have custom GR Studio furniture, (the Dorian Swivel Chair and the Warren 3 Piece Sofa). These pieces were brand new introduced in 2019 and this home on the beach was the first to have them. It was a pleasure designing this home with this family from custom window treatments, furniture, flooring, gym, kids play room, and even the outside where we introduced our new custom GR Studio outdoor coverings. This house is now a home for this artistic family. To see the full set of pictures you can view in the Gallery under Encinitas Ocean Remodel.

This home in Encinitas was in need of a refresh to bring the Ocean into this family near the beach. The kitchen had a complete remodel with new cabinets, glass, sinks, faucets, custom blue color to match our clients favorite colors of the sea, and so much more. We custom made the design on the cabinets and wrapped the island and gave it a pop of color. The dining room had a custom large buffet with teak tile laced into the current hardwood floor. Every room was remodeled and the clients even have custom GR Studio furniture, (the Dorian Swivel Chair and the Warren 3 Piece Sofa). These pieces were brand new introduced in 2019 and this home on the beach was the first to have them. It was a pleasure designing this home with this family from custom window treatments, furniture, flooring, gym, kids play room, and even the outside where we introduced our new custom GR Studio outdoor coverings. This house is now a home for this artistic family. To see the full set of pictures you can view in the Gallery under Encinitas Ocean Remodel.

The owners of this kitchen had spent the money to upgrade the finishes in their kitchen upon building the home 12 years ago, but after living in the space for several years they realized how nonfunctional the layout really was. The (then) two preschool aged children had grown into busy, hungry teenagers with many friends who also liked to hang out at the house. So the family needed a more functional kitchen with better traffic flow, space for daily activities revolving around the kitchen at different times of day, and a kitchen that could accommodate cooking for and serving large groups. Furthermore, the dark, traditional finishes no longer reflected the homeowners’ style. They requested a brighter, more relaxed, coastal style that reflected their love of the seaside cities they like to visit. Originally, the kitchen was U-shaped with a narrow island in the middle. The island created narrow aisles that bottle-necked at the dishwasher, refrigerator, and cooktop areas. There was a pass-through from the foyer into the kitchen, but the owners never liked that the pass-through was also located so close to the powder room. The awkward proximity was unappealing and made guests feel uncomfortable. The kitchen’s storage was made up of lots of narrow cabinets, apothecary drawers, clipped corner units, and very few drawers. It lacked useful storage for the larger items the family used on a daily basis. And the kitchen’s only pantry was small closet that had only builder-grade, narrow shelving with no illumination to be able to see the contents inside. Overall, the kitchen’s lighting plan was poorly executed. Only six recessed cans illuminated the entire kitchen and nook areas. The under cabinet lighting was not evenly distributed either. In fact, the builder had mis-placed the under cabinet lighting around the decorative pilasters which made for choppy, dark cubbies. Further, the builder didn’t include any lighting over the sink or the bar area, which meant whoever was doing the dishes was always in their own shadow. That, coupled with the steep overhang of the game room above made the bar area feel like a dim, cavernous space that wasn’t inviting or task oriented. The kitchen looked out into the main living space, but the raised bar and a narrow wall (which held the only large cabinet in the kitchen) created more of a barrier than a relationship to the living room or breakfast nook. In fact, one couldn’t even see the breakfast nook from the cooktop or sink areas due to its orientation. The raised bar top was too narrow to comfortably sit to either dine at or chat from due to the lack of knee space. The the homeowners confided that the kitchen felt more like a dark, dirty prison than place where the family, or their guests, wanted to gather and commune. The clients' needs and desires were: ➢ to create a kitchen that would be a space the family loved to be in; to relate to the adjacent spaces all around, and to have better flow for entertaining large groups ➢ to remove the walls between the breakfast nook and living area and to be able to utilize the natural light from the windows in both those areas ➢ to incorporate a functional chopping block for prepping fresh food for home cooked meals, an island with a large sink and drain board, 2 pull out trash cans, and seating for at least the 2 teens to eat or do homework ➢ to design a kitchen and breakfast nook with an airy, coastal, relaxed vibe that blended with the rest of the house's coastal theme ➢ to integrate a layered lighting plan which would include ample general illumination, specific task lighting, decorative lighting, and lots of illuminated storage ➢ to design a kitchen with not only more storage for all the husband’s kitchen gadgets and collection of oils and spices, but smart storage, including a coffee/breakfast bar and a place to store and conceal the toaster oven and microwave ➢ to find a way to utilize the large open space between the kitchen, pantry area, and breakfast nook Twelve Stones Designs achieved the owner's goals by: ➢ removing the walls between the kitchen and living room to allow the natural light to filter in from the adjacent rooms and to create a connection between the kitchen, nook, and living spaces for a sense of unity and communion ➢ removing the existing pantry and designing 3 large pantry style cabinets with LED tape lights and rollout drawers to house lots of kitchen appliances, gadgets, and tons of groceries. We also took the cabinets all the way up to the 9’ ceiling for additional storage for seasonal items and bulk storage. ➢ designing 2 islands - 1 with a gorgeous black walnut chopping block that houses a drawer for chopping and carving knives and a custom double pull out trash unit for point of use utilization - and 1 that houses the dishwasher, a large Blanco Gourmet sink with integrated drain board, woven baskets for fresh root vegetables and kitchen towels, plenty of drawer storage for kitchen items, and bar seating for up to 4 diners. ➢ closing off the space between the kitchen and the powder room to create a beautiful new private alcove for the powder room as well as adding some decorative storage. This also gave us space to include more tall storage near the new range for precision placement of the husband’s extensive oil and spice collection as well as a location for a combo-steam oven the wife wanted for baking and cooking healthy meals. The project is enhanced functionally by: ➢ incorporated USB and standard receptacles for the kids’ laptops and phone charging in the large island ➢ designing the small island to include additional open shelving for items used on a daily basis such as a variety of bowls, plates, and colanders. This set up also works well for the husband who prefers to “plate” his dinners in restaurant-style fashion before presenting them to the table. ➢ the integration of specific storage units, such as double stacked cutlery drawers, a custom spice pull-out, a Kuerig coffee and tea pod drawer, and custom double stacked utensil drawers ➢ moving the refrigerator to the old oven location - this eliminated the bottle neck as well as created a better relationship to the eating table. It also utilizes the floor space between the pantry, nook, and kitchen ➢ creating a banquet style breakfast nook - this banquette seating not only doubles the amount of seating for large gatherings but it better utilizes the odd space between the kitchen and the previous nook area. It also helps to create a distinct pathway from the mudroom room through the pantry area, kitchen, nook, and living room. ➢ the coffee/breakfast bar area which includes the perfect location for the concealed microwave and toaster oven, convenient storage for the coffee pods and tea accoutrements. Roll-out drawers below also house the smoothie maker, hot water kettle, and a plethora of smoothie-making ingredients such as protein powders, smoothie additives, etc. Furthermore, the drawers below the Keurig house measuring utensil, cutlery, baking supplies and tupperware storage. ➢ incorporating lots of wide drawers and pullouts to accommodate large cookware. ➢ utilizing as much vertical space as possible by building storage to the ceiling which accommodates the family’s abundant amount of serving platters, baking sheets, bakeware, casserole dishes, and additional cutting boards. The project is enhanced aesthetically by: ➢ new 5-piece Versailles pattern porcelain tile that now seamlessly joins the entire down stairs area together creating a bright, cohesiveness feeling instead of choppy separated spaces - it also adds a coastal feeling ➢ designing a cabinet to conceal the microwave and toaster oven ➢ the coastal influenced light fixtures over the nook table and island ➢ the sandy colors of the Langdon Cambria countertops. The swirling pattern and sparkling quartz pieces remind the homeowner of black-and-tan sandy beaches ➢ the striped banquet seating whose creamy white background and blue-green stripes were the inspiration for the cabinet and wall colors. ➢ All the interior doors were painted black to coordinate with the blacks and grays in the backsplash tile and countertop. This also adds a hint of tailored formality to an otherwise casual space. ➢ the use of WAC's Oculux small aperture LED units for the overhead lighting complimented with Diode LED strips for task lighting under the cabinets and inside the pantry and glass wall cabinets. All of the lighting applications are on separate dimmer switches. Innovative uses of materials or construction methods by Realty Restoration LLC: ➢ Each 1-1/2” x 3” block of reclaimed end-grain black walnut that makes up the center island chopping block was hand milled and built in the shop. It was designed to look substantial and proportional to the surrounding elements, executed by creating the 4 inch tall top with a solid wood chamfered edge band. ➢ The metal doors on either side of the vent hood were also custom designed for this project and built in the Realty Restoration LLC shop. They are made 1x2, 11-gauge mild steel with ribbed glass. Weighing 60 lbs a piece, heavy duty cabinet hinges were added to support the weight of the door and keep them from sagging. ➢ Under-cabinet receptacles were added along the range wall in order to have a clean, uninterrupted backsplash. Design obstacles to overcome: ➢ Because we were removing the demising walls between the kitchen and living room, we had to find a way to plumb and vent the new island. We did this by tunneling through the slab (the slab had post tension cables which prevented us from just trenching) to run a new wet vent through a nearby structural wall. We pulled the existing hot and cold lines between upper floor joists and ran them down the structural wall as well and up through a conduit in the tunnel. ➢ Since we were converting from wall overs to a gas range it allowed us to utilize the 220 feed for the wall ovens to provide a new sub panel for all the new kitchen circuits ➢ Due to framing deficiencies inherited from the original build there was a 1-1/2” differential in the floor-to-ceiling height over a 20 foot span; by utilizing the process of cutting and furring coupled with the crown moulding details on the cabinet elevations we were able to mask the problem and provide seamless transitions between the cabinet components. Evidence of superior craftsmanship: ➢ uniquely designed, one-of-a-kind metal “X” end panels on the large island. The end panels were custom made in the Realty Restoration LLC shop and fitted to the exact dimensions of the island. The welding seams are completely indistinguishable - the posts look like they are cut from a single sheet of metal ➢ square metal posts on the small island were also custom made and designed to compliment and carry through the metal element s throughout the kitchen ➢ the beautiful, oversized end panels on the pantry cabinets which give the breakfast nook a tailored look ➢ integrating a large format 5 piece Versailles tile pattern to seamlessly flow from the existing spaces into the new kitchen space ➢ By constructing a custom cabinet that jogged around a corner we could not remodel (housing the entry way coat closet) we were able to camouflage the adjacent wall offset within the upper and lower cabinets. By designing around the existing jog in the structural walls we accomplished a few things: we were able to find the space to house, and hide, the microwave and toaster oven yet still have a clean cohesive appearance from the kitchen side. Additionally, the owners were able to keep their much needed coat closet and we didn’t have to increase the budget with unnecessary structural work.

This home in Encinitas was in need of a refresh to bring the Ocean into this family near the beach. The kitchen had a complete remodel with new cabinets, glass, sinks, faucets, custom blue color to match our clients favorite colors of the sea, and so much more. We custom made the design on the cabinets and wrapped the island and gave it a pop of color. The dining room had a custom large buffet with teak tile laced into the current hardwood floor. Every room was remodeled and the clients even have custom GR Studio furniture, (the Dorian Swivel Chair and the Warren 3 Piece Sofa). These pieces were brand new introduced in 2019 and this home on the beach was the first to have them. It was a pleasure designing this home with this family from custom window treatments, furniture, flooring, gym, kids play room, and even the outside where we introduced our new custom GR Studio outdoor coverings. This house is now a home for this artistic family. To see the full set of pictures you can view in the Gallery under Encinitas Ocean Remodel.

This home in Encinitas was in need of a refresh to bring the Ocean into this family near the beach. The kitchen had a complete remodel with new cabinets, glass, sinks, faucets, custom blue color to match our clients favorite colors of the sea, and so much more. We custom made the design on the cabinets and wrapped the island and gave it a pop of color. The dining room had a custom large buffet with teak tile laced into the current hardwood floor. Every room was remodeled and the clients even have custom GR Studio furniture, (the Dorian Swivel Chair and the Warren 3 Piece Sofa). These pieces were brand new introduced in 2019 and this home on the beach was the first to have them. It was a pleasure designing this home with this family from custom window treatments, furniture, flooring, gym, kids play room, and even the outside where we introduced our new custom GR Studio outdoor coverings. This house is now a home for this artistic family. To see the full set of pictures you can view in the Gallery under Encinitas Ocean Remodel.

This home in Encinitas was in need of a refresh to bring the Ocean into this family near the beach. The kitchen had a complete remodel with new cabinets, glass, sinks, faucets, custom blue color to match our clients favorite colors of the sea, and so much more. We custom made the design on the cabinets and wrapped the island and gave it a pop of color. The dining room had a custom large buffet with teak tile laced into the current hardwood floor. Every room was remodeled and the clients even have custom GR Studio furniture, (the Dorian Swivel Chair and the Warren 3 Piece Sofa). These pieces were brand new introduced in 2019 and this home on the beach was the first to have them. It was a pleasure designing this home with this family from custom window treatments, furniture, flooring, gym, kids play room, and even the outside where we introduced our new custom GR Studio outdoor coverings. This house is now a home for this artistic family. To see the full set of pictures you can view in the Gallery under Encinitas Ocean Remodel.