This adorable Cape Cod house needed upgrading of its existing shared hall bath, and the addition of a new master bath. Removing a wall in the bath revealed gorgeous brick, to be left exposed. The existing master bedroom had a small reading nook that was perfect for the addition of a new bath - just barely large enough for a large shower, toilet, and double-sink vanities. The clean lines, white shaker cabinets, white subway tile, and finished details make these 2 baths the star of this quaint home. Photography by Kmiecik Imagery.

Front Elevation-House and Garage
Example of a mid-sized beach style gray two-story wood house exterior design in Boston with a gambrel roof and a shingle roof

Old fixer-uppers often require two competing levels of priorities from their new homeowners. First and foremost is the need to immediately attend to those repairs that ensure the continued functioning and general well being of the house’s structure. By nature, these usually demand “house on fire!” status, especially when compared to other types of remodeling work that simply enhances aesthetics and general comfort. In the case of a Delaware couple, a structural issue with the front of their 125 year old Victorian (it was sinking!), along with some other more pressing challenges, put a 13 year long hold on getting the bathroom for which they had long dreamed. The shower enclosure features a base of hexagon patterned tile, bordered by marble subway tiles. The shower enclosure features a base of hexagon patterned tile, bordered by marble subway tiles. By the time Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers was hired to handle the construction, the couple certainly had put plenty of thought into converting a spare second-floor bedroom into the master bath. Courtney Burnett, Fox’s Interior Design Manager on the project, credits the owners for “having great creative minds, with lots of ideas to contribute.” By the time it came to put a formal design plan into place, the client “drove the look while we devised how the space would function.” It’s worth noting that there are drawbacks in being given too much time for advance planning. Owners’ tastes in design may change, while a steady stream of new fixtures and building products always demand consideration up to the last minute. “We had been collecting ideas for a while…pictures of what we liked, but as it turned out, when it came time to select fixtures, tile, etc., we used little from those pictures,” the owners admit. A framed herringbone pattern of subway tiles provides a perfect focal point for the shower. A framed herringbone pattern of subway tiles provides a perfect focal point for the shower. The finished bath exudes an art deco spirit that isn’t true to the home’s Victorian origins, which Burnett attributes to being more of a reflection of the homeowners’ preferences than the actual era of the structure. Despite that incongruity, everyone feels that they have remained true to the house by selecting vintage style elements, including subway tiles for the walls, hexagonal tile for the floors, and a pedestal sink that served as the focal point for the entire room. But as with all dreams, once one is achieved, a new one soon beckons. With the bathroom’s strikingly beautiful turquoise paint barely dry, the completion of that long-awaited project has served to kick-start plans for finishing off the remainder of the Victorian’s second floor.

Entryway - traditional entryway idea in Seattle with a white front door

The gravel driveway of this Cape Cod home is surrounded by a granite retaining walls, Black Eyed Susan Daisy, Nikko Hydrangea, Rhododendron and native plant varieties. The reclaimed granite stairs provide access to a walkway that leads to the rear of the property.

Eric Roth - Photo INSIDE OUT, OUTSIDE IN – IPSWICH, MA Downsizing from their sprawling country estate in Hamilton, MA, this retiring couple knew they found utopia when they purchased this already picturesque marsh-view home complete with ocean breezes, privacy and endless views. It was only a matter of putting their personal stamp on it with an emphasis on outdoor living to suit their evolving lifestyle with grandchildren. That vision included a natural screened porch that would invite the landscape inside and provide a vibrant space for maximized outdoor entertaining complete with electric ceiling heaters, adjacent wet bar & beverage station that all integrated seamlessly with the custom-built inground pool. Aside from providing the perfect getaway & entertainment mecca for their large family, this couple planned their forever home thoughtfully by adding square footage to accommodate single-level living. Sunrises are now magical from their first-floor master suite, luxury bath with soaker tub and laundry room, all with a view! Growing older will be more enjoyable with sleeping quarters, laundry and bath just steps from one another. With walls removed, utilities updated, a gas fireplace installed, and plentiful built-ins added, the sun-filled kitchen/dining/living combination eases entertaining and makes for a happy hang-out. This Ipswich home is drenched in conscious details, intentional planning and surrounded by a bucolic landscape, the perfect setting for peaceful enjoyment and harmonious living

Dan Cutrona Photography
Example of a beach style medium tone wood floor hallway design in Boston with beige walls

A carpet of grass and bluestone provides a relaxing outdoor sitting room - family & friends can sit in the shade while watching tennis on the adjacent court. Photography by Charles Mayer.

North-by-Northeast Evening Lighting & Landscape on a custom coastal home on Cape Cod by Polhemus Savery DaSilva Architects Builders. Scope Of Work: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Construction / Living Space: 5,242ft² / Photography: Brian Vanden Brink

Example of a transitional brown floor and medium tone wood floor powder room design in Los Angeles with furniture-like cabinets, blue cabinets, gray walls, a vessel sink and gray countertops

Pool house/guest house (upper level).
Example of an ornate backyard stone and rectangular pool design in Boston

The challenge: take a run-of-the mill colonial-style house and turn it into a vibrant, Cape Cod beach home. The creative and resourceful crew at SV Design rose to the occasion and rethought the box. Given a coveted location and cherished ocean view on a challenging lot, SV’s architects looked for the best bang for the buck to expand where possible and open up the home inside and out. Windows were added to take advantage of views and outdoor spaces—also maximizing water-views were added in key locations. The result: a home that causes the neighbors to stop the new owners and express their appreciation for making such a stunning improvement. A home to accommodate everyone and many years of enjoyment to come.

Martin King Photography
Example of a mid-sized trendy master gray tile and marble tile marble floor and gray floor freestanding bathtub design in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray walls and an undermount sink

This laundry room features mint color custom cabinetry, brass/ crystal hardware, and capiz shell backsplash.
Small beach style gray floor dedicated laundry room photo in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white backsplash, white walls, white countertops, blue cabinets and mosaic tile backsplash

Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal gender-neutral light wood floor nursery remodel in Los Angeles with gray walls

Large traditional yellow two-story metal exterior home idea in Minneapolis

The challenge: take a run-of-the mill colonial-style house and turn it into a vibrant, Cape Cod beach home. The creative and resourceful crew at SV Design rose to the occasion and rethought the box. Given a coveted location and cherished ocean view on a challenging lot, SV’s architects looked for the best bang for the buck to expand where possible and open up the home inside and out. Windows were added to take advantage of views and outdoor spaces—also maximizing water-views were added in key locations. The result: a home that causes the neighbors to stop the new owners and express their appreciation for making such a stunning improvement. A home to accommodate everyone and many years of enjoyment to come.

Klopf Architecture, Outer Space Landscape Architects, Sezen & Moon Structural Engineer and Flegels Construction updated a classic Eichler open, indoor-outdoor home. Everyone loved the classic, original bones of this house, but it was in need of a major facelift both inside and out. The owners also wanted to remove the barriers between the kitchen and great room, and increase the size of the master bathroom as well as make other layout changes. No addition to the house was contemplated. The owners worked with Klopf Architecture in part because of Klopf’s extensive mid-century modern / Eichler design portfolio, and in part because one of their neighbors who had worked with Klopf on their Eichler home remodel referred them. The Klopf team knew how to update the worn finishes to make a more sophisticated, higher quality home that both looks better and functions better. In conjunction with the atrium and the landscaped rear yard / patio, the glassy living room feels open on both sides and allows an indoor / outdoor flow throughout. The new, natural wood exterior siding runs through the house from inside to outside to inside again, updating one of the classic design features of the Eichler homes. Picking up on the wood siding, walnut vanities and cabinets offset the white walls. Gray porcelain tiles evoke the concrete slab floors and flow from interior to exterior to make the spaces appear to flow together. Similarly the ceiling decking has the same white-washed finish from inside to out. The continuity of materials and space enhances the sense of flow. The large kitchen, perfect for entertaining, has a wall of built-ins and an oversized island. There’s plenty of storage and space for the whole group to prep and cook together. One unique approach to the master bedroom is the bed wall. The head of the bed is tucked within a line of built-in wardrobes with a high window above. Replacing the master closet with this wall of wardrobes allowed for both a larger bathroom and a larger bedroom. This 1,953 square foot, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom Double Gable Eichler remodeled single-family house is located in Mountain View in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Klara Kevane, and Yegvenia Torres-Zavala Landscape Architect: Outer Space Landscape Architects Structural Engineer: Sezen & Moon Contractor: Flegels Construction Landscape Contractor: Roco's Gardening & Arroyo Vista Landscaping, Inc. Photography ©2016 Mariko Reed Location: Mountain View, CA Year completed: 2015

We designed and built a 2-story, 2-stall garage addition on this Cape Cod style home in Westwood, MA. We removed the former breezeway and single-story, 2-stall garage and replaced it with a beautiful and functional design. We replaced the breezeway (which did not connect the garage and house) with a mudroom filled with space and storage (and a powder room) as well as the 2-stall garage and a main suite above. The main suite includes a large bedroom, walk-in closest (hint - those two small dormers you see) and a large main bathroom. Back on the first floor, we relocated a bathroom, renovated the kitchen and above all, improved form, flow and function between spaces. Our team also replaced the deck which offers a perfect combination of indoor/outdoor living.