A new-construction, year-round vacation home was custom-built for a family to enjoy the natural beauty of West Marin, California. The home is sited on the beach, so understanding how to build on sand (instead of soil) and selecting the right materials that would withstand ongoing erosion from the ocean and salt air were both critical to the success of the project. Even in the most ideal circumstances climate can present challenges, but as this was a COVID-era project in a relatively remote location, we also faced supply chain issues and labor issues. Fortunately, we were able to draw on our decades of experience to identify solutions and work collaboratively with the geotechnical engineer, structural engineer, and subcontractors to ensure that everyone was aligned on the design vision and how we would achieve it. Our backgrounds as craftspeople and the project manager’s experience as an architect allowed our team to work in lockstep with the design team.

A new-construction, year-round vacation home was custom-built for a family to enjoy the natural beauty of West Marin, California. The home is sited on the beach, so understanding how to build on sand (instead of soil) and selecting the right materials that would withstand ongoing erosion from the ocean and salt air were both critical to the success of the project. Even in the most ideal circumstances climate can present challenges, but as this was a COVID-era project in a relatively remote location, we also faced supply chain issues and labor issues. Fortunately, we were able to draw on our decades of experience to identify solutions and work collaboratively with the geotechnical engineer, structural engineer, and subcontractors to ensure that everyone was aligned on the design vision and how we would achieve it. Our backgrounds as craftspeople and the project manager’s experience as an architect allowed our team to work in lockstep with the design team.

Close up view of tilt out drawer recharging station, customized by Arbor Mills cabinetry
Example of a transitional kitchen design in Chicago

This cozy mountain retreat was meant to be an inviting home away from home! Now, it's time to grab a cup of tea and cuddle up with your favorite puppy! Anything is possible with a great team! This renovation project was a fun and colorful challenge! We were thrilled to have the opportunity to both design and realize the client's vision 100% via Zoom throughout 2020! Interior Designer: Sarah A. Cummings @hillsidemanordecor Photographer: Steven Freedman @stevenfreedmanphotography Collaboration: Lane Pressley @expressions_cabinetry #stevenfreedmanphotography #expressionscabinetry

I have been working as a kitchen and bath designer in the Pacific Northwest for 13 years. I love engaging with new clients, ascertaining their needs through various interviews and meetings and then collaborating as we build their finished concept together. The variety of design styles, room layouts and function changes so much between one person and the next that no two finished products are remotely the same. This fluidity allows for endless possibilities for exploration in my field. It keeps the job interesting and has always given me a particular sense of reward and accomplishment as we near completion. The greatest personal recompense in this chosen profession is being able to walk with a client through this process and come out the other side with that client feeling elated with the end result.

I have been working as a kitchen and bath designer in the Pacific Northwest for 13 years. I love engaging with new clients, ascertaining their needs through various interviews and meetings and then collaborating as we build their finished concept together. The variety of design styles, room layouts and function changes so much between one person and the next that no two finished products are remotely the same. This fluidity allows for endless possibilities for exploration in my field. It keeps the job interesting and has always given me a particular sense of reward and accomplishment as we near completion. The greatest personal recompense in this chosen profession is being able to walk with a client through this process and come out the other side with that client feeling elated with the end result.

Amy Birrer I have been working as a kitchen and bath designer in the Pacific Northwest for 13 years. I love engaging with new clients, ascertaining their needs through various interviews and meetings and then collaborating as we build their finished concept together. The variety of design styles, room layouts and function changes so much between one person and the next that no two finished products are remotely the same. This fluidity allows for endless possibilities for exploration in my field. It keeps the job interesting and has always given me a particular sense of reward and accomplishment as we near completion. The greatest personal recompense in this chosen profession is being able to walk with a client through this process and come out the other side with that client feeling elated with the end result.

Amy Birrer I have been working as a kitchen and bath designer in the Pacific Northwest for 13 years. I love engaging with new clients, ascertaining their needs through various interviews and meetings and then collaborating as we build their finished concept together. The variety of design styles, room layouts and function changes so much between one person and the next that no two finished products are remotely the same. This fluidity allows for endless possibilities for exploration in my field. It keeps the job interesting and has always given me a particular sense of reward and accomplishment as we near completion. The greatest personal recompense in this chosen profession is being able to walk with a client through this process and come out the other side with that client feeling elated with the end result.

Amy Birrer Photography I have been working as a kitchen and bath designer in the Pacific Northwest for 13 years. I love engaging with new clients, ascertaining their needs through various interviews and meetings and then collaborating as we build their finished concept together. The variety of design styles, room layouts and function changes so much between one person and the next that no two finished products are remotely the same. This fluidity allows for endless possibilities for exploration in my field. It keeps the job interesting and has always given me a particular sense of reward and accomplishment as we near completion. The greatest personal recompense in this chosen profession is being able to walk with a client through this process and come out the other side with that client feeling elated with the end result.

A Transitional style home that evenly balances modern interior architecture with the balance and symmetry traditional architecture on the exterior. An extreme amount of time was spent on the right details to balance our team worked with the client, architect, and the Interior Design team each step of the way to breathe vision they had. Extra planning and detailing started with the height of the slab, concrete, and engineered and the collaboration didn’t stop until the last piece of sod was laid in the yard outside. The home faces interior park with sidewalks giving access to the larger walkable 366-acre Traditional Neighborhood Development. an “extra home” for the client, remote access and efficiency was woven into the very canvas of this home. stunning kitchen countertops are made from Rocky Mountain granite, which connects the owners to their home. In the gallery hall, ¾” plywood was installed beneath the sheetrock to ensure straight walls and hanging of artwork. Views from every window showcase views and sculptures. Similar to a symphony delivering rhythmed notes, this home sings an elaborate song meant to be shared.

Amy Birrer Photography I have been working as a kitchen and bath designer in the Pacific Northwest for 13 years. I love engaging with new clients, ascertaining their needs through various interviews and meetings and then collaborating as we build their finished concept together. The variety of design styles, room layouts and function changes so much between one person and the next that no two finished products are remotely the same. This fluidity allows for endless possibilities for exploration in my field. It keeps the job interesting and has always given me a particular sense of reward and accomplishment as we near completion. The greatest personal recompense in this chosen profession is being able to walk with a client through this process and come out the other side with that client feeling elated with the end result.

Amy Birrer I have been working as a kitchen and bath designer in the Pacific Northwest for 13 years. I love engaging with new clients, ascertaining their needs through various interviews and meetings and then collaborating as we build their finished concept together. The variety of design styles, room layouts and function changes so much between one person and the next that no two finished products are remotely the same. This fluidity allows for endless possibilities for exploration in my field. It keeps the job interesting and has always given me a particular sense of reward and accomplishment as we near completion. The greatest personal recompense in this chosen profession is being able to walk with a client through this process and come out the other side with that client feeling elated with the end result.

Warm Transitional Kitchen with White Oak Cabinetry Designed remotely for a home in Minnesota, this kitchen blends timeless warmth with clean transitional detailing to create a bright and welcoming gathering space. Natural white oak cabinetry anchors the design with subtle texture and organic warmth, while crisp white surfaces and tailored architectural details keep the space feeling fresh, refined, and modern. The kitchen was thoughtfully designed around functionality and family living, featuring a large central island with abundant seating, generous storage, and expansive prep space. Full-height quartz backsplash panels and a custom wrapped hood create a seamless focal point around the range, adding understated luxury while maintaining the calm, cohesive aesthetic. Warm brass hardware and statement pendant lighting introduce elegant contrast against the soft wood tones and light surfaces, giving the space a polished yet approachable feel. Integrated storage solutions, custom panel-ready refrigeration, and carefully planned cabinetry details maximize usability while preserving the clean visual flow of the kitchen. The adjoining deep navy built-in cabinetry adds depth and character to the connected living spaces, creating a balanced palette that feels both timeless and elevated. Features include: Custom white oak cabinetry Transitional shaker-style detailing Large island with seating and storage Quartz countertops and full-height backsplash Custom quartz hood surround Warm brass hardware and lighting accents Panel-ready refrigeration Integrated custom storage solutions Light natural wood flooring Remote kitchen design collaboration Designed remotely by Dwelloquent | Kitchen & Bath Design + Custom Cabinetry

Located in the sophisticated yet charming Jackson Square neighborhood of San Francisco, this office inhabits a building that was built in 1907. We used industrial elements brick, glass, steel, wood, brass, and painted concrete, opting for simplicity and utility over adornment. In the same spirit of industrial honesty, plumbing pipes, data, and electrical are left visible in the open ceiling. The layout reflects a new way of working, encourages connectivity, socializing, and pair programming in a combination of interactive open plan areas, floating desks for those who mostly work remote, meeting areas, and collaborative lounge areas. --- Project designed by ballonSTUDIO. They discreetly tend to the interior design needs of their high-net-worth individuals in the greater Bay Area and to their second home locations. For more about ballonSTUDIO, see here: https://www.ballonstudio.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://www.ballonstudio.com/geometer

Amy Birrer I have been working as a kitchen and bath designer in the Pacific Northwest for 13 years. I love engaging with new clients, ascertaining their needs through various interviews and meetings and then collaborating as we build their finished concept together. The variety of design styles, room layouts and function changes so much between one person and the next that no two finished products are remotely the same. This fluidity allows for endless possibilities for exploration in my field. It keeps the job interesting and has always given me a particular sense of reward and accomplishment as we near completion. The greatest personal recompense in this chosen profession is being able to walk with a client through this process and come out the other side with that client feeling elated with the end result.

Amy Birrer I have been working as a kitchen and bath designer in the Pacific Northwest for 13 years. I love engaging with new clients, ascertaining their needs through various interviews and meetings and then collaborating as we build their finished concept together. The variety of design styles, room layouts and function changes so much between one person and the next that no two finished products are remotely the same. This fluidity allows for endless possibilities for exploration in my field. It keeps the job interesting and has always given me a particular sense of reward and accomplishment as we near completion. The greatest personal recompense in this chosen profession is being able to walk with a client through this process and come out the other side with that client feeling elated with the end result.

Amy Birrer I have been working as a kitchen and bath designer in the Pacific Northwest for 13 years. I love engaging with new clients, ascertaining their needs through various interviews and meetings and then collaborating as we build their finished concept together. The variety of design styles, room layouts and function changes so much between one person and the next that no two finished products are remotely the same. This fluidity allows for endless possibilities for exploration in my field. It keeps the job interesting and has always given me a particular sense of reward and accomplishment as we near completion. The greatest personal recompense in this chosen profession is being able to walk with a client through this process and come out the other side with that client feeling elated with the end result.

This custom outdoor kitchen was designed to pair refined materials with lasting performance. The base features natural stone brickwork, adding texture and visual weight to anchor the modern patio design. A dark granite-style countertop provides a durable, elegant surface that complements the stainless-steel appliances and cabinetry. In collaboration with Aluminum Pergola, the kitchen sits beneath a remote-controlled louvered pergola, offering adjustable shade and weather protection. The porcelain tile flooring ties the kitchen seamlessly into the overall layout, connecting it to the lounge and fire feature areas. The result is a sophisticated, low-maintenance outdoor cooking space that blends natural stone, modern finishes, and precision craftsmanship.

Located in the sophisticated yet charming Jackson Square neighborhood of San Francisco, this office inhabits a building that was built in 1907. We used industrial elements brick, glass, steel, wood, brass, and painted concrete, opting for simplicity and utility over adornment. In the same spirit of industrial honesty, plumbing pipes, data, and electrical are left visible in the open ceiling. The layout reflects a new way of working, encourages connectivity, socializing, and pair programming in a combination of interactive open plan areas, floating desks for those who mostly work remote, meeting areas, and collaborative lounge areas. --- Project designed by ballonSTUDIO. They discreetly tend to the interior design needs of their high-net-worth individuals in the greater Bay Area and to their second home locations. For more about ballonSTUDIO, see here: https://www.ballonstudio.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://www.ballonstudio.com/geometer