Mountain style bathroom photo in DC Metro

Great remodel. We made the most of the small space by repositioning the appliances and raising the ceiling. Warm wood tones throughout tie the space together. Classic shaker style cabinets in a rich walnut tone along with contemporary glass mosaic backsplash and Silestone countertops pull together a fantastic kitchen.

Every remodeling project presents its own unique challenges. This client’s original remodel vision was to replace an outdated kitchen, optimize ocean views with new decking and windows, updated the mother-in-law’s suite, and add a new loft. But all this changed one historic day when the Woolsey Fire swept through Malibu in November 2018 and leveled this neighborhood, including our remodel, which was underway. Shifting to a ground-up design-build project, the JRP team worked closely with the homeowners through every step of designing, permitting, and building their new home. As avid horse owners, the redesign inspiration started with their love of rustic farmhouses and through the design process, turned into a more refined modern farmhouse reflected in the clean lines of white batten siding, and dark bronze metal roofing. Starting from scratch, the interior spaces were repositioned to take advantage of the ocean views from all the bedrooms, kitchen, and open living spaces. The kitchen features a stacked chiseled edge granite island with cement pendant fixtures and rugged concrete-look perimeter countertops. The tongue and groove ceiling is repeated on the stove hood for a perfectly coordinated style. A herringbone tile pattern lends visual contrast to the cooking area. The generous double-section kitchen sink features side-by-side faucets. Bi-fold doors and windows provide unobstructed sweeping views of the natural mountainside and ocean views. Opening the windows creates a perfect pass-through from the kitchen to outdoor entertaining. The expansive wrap-around decking creates the ideal space to gather for conversation and outdoor dining or soak in the California sunshine and the remarkable Pacific Ocean views.

Updated Spec Home: Foyer and Great Room In our last post, we introduced you to my mom and sister’s Updated Spec Home; the Foyer and Great Room will be featured in this post. Foyer As you enter their home, to the right is a hall closet and a french door which leads to the Basement. To the left is a long wall which was perfect for an extra long console table in a rustic finish that served as a sofa table in their previous home. I love repositioning furniture, and by using this table in the entry, it makes it feel new. Additionally, we placed a vibrant piece of art previously used in my sister’s Bedroom above the table. This piece not only sets the tone for our color palette, it also makes the kind of statement you want in your Foyer – Wow! We added accessories and an unique lamp to complete the space. Great Room In the Great Room which is open to the Foyer, we installed our inspiration artwork in the place of honor over the mantel. Since the piece was vertical, it did not take up enough space. I do not like a “fussy” mantel with lots of accessories so we found these two vases in a silver leaf finish. They were perfect because they were large enough, but not too deep. Accessorizing mantels can be tricky because the majority of them are not deep. We went to Jan’s Floral Design to add vibrant color and interesting textures to the vases. The original mantel was too small and uninspired. Therefore, we had our contractor Brad Anderson built a new one based on a photo of a mantel we liked. The new mantel has lots of great detail and is the appropriate proportion for the fireplace. We replaced beige 12×12 ceramic tiles with gorgeous large pieces of smoked carrara marble for a striking fireplace surround. Check out this other mantel that we updated. For furniture, we purchased a shorter sofa in a gray tweed fabric. Typically, two throw pillows come with a sofa.We added a fun fringe to the pillows that came with the sofa. I recommend ordering pillows that match your sofa fabric and layering with custom pillows that support your color palette. We added a patterned custom pillow and a striped throw. Next, we got a small scale recliner in a yummy gray leather for my mom and a chair and ottoman in a small scale mint and gray geometric pattern for my sister. We added an accent chair in a fun small scale stripe to fill a corner and add additional seating – which is always a good thing. Remember that this was a Spec Home so there were no built-ins. As a result, we needed a media cabinet for the television and some bookcases to display my mom’s decorative box collection and my sister’s collection of blown colored glass. This set from Ballard Designs fit the bill perfectly. The back is open and airy with nice detail. The wood finish also adds a richness to the space. My mom needed a space for her computer, and this small writing desk fit the space perfectly. Finally, for finishing touches, we added a patterned rug, cornice boards in a mint leaf fabric, and great lamps for ambient lighting. These two rooms are stunning, vibrant and livable. Can’t wait to show you more in our next post! Enjoy!

The Cherry Road project is a humble yet striking example of how small changes can have a big impact. A meaningful project as the final room to be renovated in this house, thus our completion aligned with the family’s move-in. The kitchen posed a number of problems the design worked to remedy. Such as an existing window oriented the room towards a neighboring driveway. The initial design move sought to reorganize the space internally, focusing the view from the sink back through the house to the pool and courtyard beyond. This simple repositioning allowed the range to center on the opposite wall, flanked by two windows that reduce direct views to the driveway while increasing the natural light of the space. Opposite that opening to the dining room, we created a new custom hutch that has the upper doors bypass doors incorporate an antique mirror, then led they magnified the light and view opposite side of the room. The ceilings we were confined to eight foot four, so we wanted to create as much verticality as possible. All the cabinetry was designed to go to the ceiling, incorporating a simple coat mold at the ceiling. The west wall of the kitchen is primarily floor-to-ceiling storage behind paneled doors. So the refrigeration and freezers are fully integrated. The island has a custom steel base with hammered legs, with a natural wax finish on it. The top is soapstone and incorporates an integral drain board in the kitchen sink. We did custom bar stools with steel bases and upholstered seats. At the range, we incorporated stainless steel countertops to integrate with the range itself, to make that more seamless flow. The edge detail is historic from the 1930s. There is a concealed sort of office for the homeowner behind custom, bi-folding panel doors. So it can be closed and totally concealed, or opened up and engaged with the kitchen. In the office area, which was a former pantry, we repurposed a granite marble top that was on the former island. Then the walls have a grass cloth wall covering, which is pinnable, so the homeowner can display photographs, calendars, and schedules.

After -This compact kitchen may be small, but what lacks in size does not lack in charming details. Once we finalized the plan layout of the kitchen we were able to make the finishing details come to life. We relocated the refrigerator which had been tightly tucked next to the stove to make room for a centered range with hood and allow for cabinetry on this side of the kitchen. This created two working L shapes within our confined space. The new farmhouse style sink was re-positioned underneath the backyard window to take advantage of the view and create a focal point as you enter the kitchen from the dining room. Custom tiles hand-made in California were selected for the backsplash. A gray Quartz in Cambria Carrick was used for the countertops. Interior Design and material selections by Sarah Bernardy Design, LLC Contractor: Purcell Quality, Inc. Photographer: Steve Voegeli of Steven Voegeli Photography

Photo Credit: John Griffis of Griffis Media Styled by Cheryl Trudell of HS4S This desk was re-positioned from the Living Room into this room, originally decorated with a small leather love seat. With a stunning view of a large pond, the function was transformed into a inviting office area.

THE SETUP The original primary bathroom was characterized by a disjointed and segmented layout. The shower featured a bulky glass-block enclosure that overwhelmed the space visually. There was a considerable amount of open, unused space, and despite having a his and hers vanity, the arrangement lacked personal space for each user, as they shared the conjoined space between the sinks. The toilet was inconveniently located right by the door, with a half-wall partition meant to provide privacy but instead contributing to a cramped and unbalanced feel. Overall, the bathroom’s layout and design were fragmented, failing to make the most of the available space and lacking adequate storage solutions. Design objectives: - Reconfigure the layout to enhance functionality and flow. - Create an elegant, upscale aesthetic that is light and bright. - Incorporate specialized storage solutions for female hair care needs. - Increase overall storage capacity. - Develop a spa-like shower experience. - Provide a significant wow factor to the space. THE REMODEL Design challenges to be solved: - Repositioning the toilet to a more suitable location. - Designing hair care storage solutions without cluttering the elegant space. - Balancing an upscale, elegant design with a feminine touch in the color palette. - Increasing the brightness of the room without adding windows. - Completely replacing the existing shower to create a spa-like experience. - Planning new storage solutions without adding bulkiness or clutter to the cabinetry. THE RENEWED SPACE Design solutions: Toilet Relocation: Moved the toilet by the window, creating a better overall layout that also opened up two full walls for cabinetry and storage solutions. Specialized Vanity Storage: The left side of the left vanity is the wife’s. Open shelves facing across the vanity can be used for decorative or daily needs items. Pull-out docking drawers with power outlets and metal basins handle hot hair appliances. Bright and Elegant Color Scheme: White cabinets, countertops, floors, and shower walls keep the space bright. The just-off-white wall color with a hint of pink adds a feminine touch. Thin wainscoting with white trim offers traditional-leaning elegance. Layered Lighting Strategy: Ceiling can lights, sconces, lighted mirrors, and toe-kick lighting were installed. Natural light-rated bulbs keep the space bright and natural-feeling. Spa-Like Shower: An extra-large shower was created using the same floor tile materials for continuity. Equipped with a Kohler Anthem system with a shower head, hand-held, and four body sprays. His and Hers niches for separate body care product storage. Enhanced Storage Solutions: Added a linen cabinet within the vanity area for efficient storage of towels and bathroom essentials. This elegant bathroom feels incredibly spacious now. The color palette and lights keep the room bright and cheery. Gold fixtures, the herringbone pattern on the floor, and exquisite trim work add an elegant touch. With the husband and wife having their own vanity wall sections joined at the corner, each user truly has their own space within the space. The clients are very happy with the final result.

Believe it or not, this beautiful Roncesvalles home was once carved into three separate apartments. As a result, central to this renovation was the need to create a floor plan with a staircase to access all floors, space for a master bedroom and spacious ensuite on the second floor. The kitchen was also repositioned from the back of the house to the front. It features a curved leather banquette nestled in the bay window, floor to ceiling millwork with a full pantry, integrated appliances, panel ready Sub Zero and expansive storage. Custom fir windows and an oversized lift and slide glass door were used across the back of the house to bring in the light, call attention to the lush surroundings and provide access to the massive deck clad in thermally modified ash. Now reclaimed as a single family home, the dwelling includes 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, a main floor mud room and an open, airy yoga retreat on the third floor with walkout deck and sweeping views of the backyard.

Located in Monterey Park, CA, the project included complete renovation and addition of a 2nd floor loft and deck. The previous house was a traditional style and was converted into an Art Moderne house with shed roofs. The 2,312 square foot house features 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and upstairs loft. The 400 square foot garage was increased and repositioned for the renovation.

A huge transformation of a space just by de cluttering and repositioning the furniture and adding few decorative accessories. Nice and easy on the budget yet get the biggest bang!

Believe it or not, this beautiful Roncesvalles home was once carved into three separate apartments. As a result, central to this renovation was the need to create a floor plan with a staircase to access all floors, space for a master bedroom and spacious ensuite on the second floor. The kitchen was also repositioned from the back of the house to the front. It features a curved leather banquette nestled in the bay window, floor to ceiling millwork with a full pantry, integrated appliances, panel ready Sub Zero and expansive storage. Custom fir windows and an oversized lift and slide glass door were used across the back of the house to bring in the light, call attention to the lush surroundings and provide access to the massive deck clad in thermally modified ash. Now reclaimed as a single family home, the dwelling includes 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, a main floor mud room and an open, airy yoga retreat on the third floor with walkout deck and sweeping views of the backyard.

Square Icon Planter
Example of a classic exterior home design in Miami

Overhaul Converts Classic Rambler to A Modern Yet Classic Family Home in Fairfax This 1970 rambler in middle of old town in Fairfax City has been home to a growing family of five. Ready for a massive overhaul, the family reached out to Michael Nash Design Build & Homes for assistance. Eligible for a special Fairfax City Renaissance program, this project was awarded special attention and favorable financing. We removed the entire roof and added a bump up, second story three-bedroom, two bathroom and loft addition. The main level was reformatted to eliminate the smallest bedroom and split the space among adjacent bedroom and the main living room. The partition walls between the living room and dining room and the partition wall between dining room and kitchen were eliminated, making space for a new enlarged kitchen. The outside brick chimney was rebuilt and extended to pass into the new second floor roof lines. Flu lines for heater and furnace were eliminated. A furnace was added in the new attic space for second floor heating and cooling, while a new hot water heater and furnace was re-positioned and installed in the basement. Second floor was furnished with its own laundry room. A new stairway to the second floor was designed and built were furnace chase used to be, opening up into a loft area for a kids study or gaming area. The master bedroom suite includes a large walk-in closet, large stoned shower, slip-free standing tub, separate commode area, double vanities and more amenities. A kid’s bathroom was built in the middle of upstairs hallway. The exterior of this home was wrapped around with cement board siding, maintenance free trims and gutters, and life time architectural shingles. Added to a new front porch were Trex boards and stone and tapered style columns. Double staircase entrance from front and side yard made this residence a stand out home of the community. This remodeled two-story colonial home with its country style front porch, five bedrooms, four and half bathrooms and second floor laundry room, will be this family’s home for many years to come. Happier than before, this family moved back into this Extreme Makeover Home to love every inch of their new home.

There were a few difficulties in making this kitchen any better than how it was. There was a separate staircase that had access to the second floor which was located in the kitchen. This left just enough room to push the dining room to one side. Then, there was the porch. A really nice panoramic view of the back, but was somehow under-used by the family during the summer months. Then, it was the size of the kitchen. It simply was way too small for a growing family, and while it had a peninsular in place, the flow just didn’t work. I remember watching them one day demonstrating how awkward it was using the kitchen. We got it! We had our marching orders to go and figure out how to make this kitchen work for this family. Everything in the room was fair play. The design was done to make the kitchen very open. For a few ideas, we incorporated the porch in the kitchen by using the nana wall idea but it ended up being too cost prohibitive to do so. We then decided to do a permanent fix by using a commercial glass wall application. Once we figured that out, we moved back inside and removed the staircase. This gave us two added benefits. One allowed us to really reconfigure the kitchen and the other opened up the second floor for a huge built in closet system. We relocated the windows, added a fire place with a built In TV above. From there, it was onto the kitchen itself which contained a huge Island with seating, large kitchen sink and built in appliances which was set up in a way to take advantage of the new layout. We re-positioned the kitchen facing the beautiful views outside rather than looking towards a wall. Now, when you enter the house up the entry stairs, the kitchen now draws you into the magnificent new open space. This is now setup for entertaining, relaxation, hanging out and most of all, preparing meals in a room where you only have to leave if you want to. This one was all about the design. Design was what made this space. Setting this space up for success was crucial, and this kitchen is a great example of how design can cover a multitude of sins in Kitchen designs. … Just close your eyes for a second and imagine waking up one winter morning and having a cup of coffee and watching the snow fall through those huge windows, leaning up against those 3D feature walls while watching the kids sitting around the table enjoying those warm radiant heated floors in this spacious kitchen…..

Modern bathroom remodels emphasize sleek design, cutting-edge fixtures, and luxurious amenities. Our modern bathroom remodel service offers a seamless fusion of contemporary style and functionality. This includes clean lines, minimalist fixtures, and innovative materials. From state-of-the-art LED lighting to space-saving vanities and high-tech faucets, we prioritize efficiency and elegance in every detail. Elevate your daily routine with a modern bathroom remodel that embodies sophistication, convenience, and the latest trends in interior design. Our goal for the master bathroom was to make better use of the space. The original bathroom had a small acrylic shower and a large jacuzzi bathtub. Our plan was to create a spacious walk-in shower, relocate the toilet, add a double sink vanity, and maximize the available space. By moving the sink wall over a foot, we were able to accommodate a 72-inch vanity and create a spacious doorway. The toilet was relocated and repositioned for added privacy. We designed a custom curbless walk-in shower with a corner shower bench and niche. A glass-gridded shower partition was added to separate the shower from the rest of the bathroom. To add a touch of color and drama, we chose black fixtures to complement the light gray walls and white quartz countertops. The almost 6-inch shower head, along with the handheld shower wand, provides a luxurious spa-like experience from the comfort of your home.

The existing excavated limestone boulders were strategically repositioned to not only serve as functional components but also as visually striking features to the modified design of the dry creek pathways and planted areas. The trees are viewed as an opportunity to utilize dark Whittlesey mulch to provide contrast, water retention, and tie in to other defined beds and oak clusters on the property. The front walk is comprised of sawn limestone pavers surrounded by crushed limestone rock mulch and accented by river rock dry creek bed that follows through to the backyard. The existing overwhelmed downspouts were replaced with rain chains, which not only effectively managed the water flow but also added a touch of elegance that matched the home's style. To work in tandem with the rain chains, 8” limestone block splash pads were installed beneath them to act as splash pads. The limestone block beautifully matches and enhances the existing architecture of the property, as well as the materials used throughout the landscaping.

THE SETUP The original primary bathroom was characterized by a disjointed and segmented layout. The shower featured a bulky glass-block enclosure that overwhelmed the space visually. There was a considerable amount of open, unused space, and despite having a his and hers vanity, the arrangement lacked personal space for each user, as they shared the conjoined space between the sinks. The toilet was inconveniently located right by the door, with a half-wall partition meant to provide privacy but instead contributing to a cramped and unbalanced feel. Overall, the bathroom’s layout and design were fragmented, failing to make the most of the available space and lacking adequate storage solutions. Design objectives: - Reconfigure the layout to enhance functionality and flow. - Create an elegant, upscale aesthetic that is light and bright. - Incorporate specialized storage solutions for female hair care needs. - Increase overall storage capacity. - Develop a spa-like shower experience. - Provide a significant wow factor to the space. THE REMODEL Design challenges to be solved: - Repositioning the toilet to a more suitable location. - Designing hair care storage solutions without cluttering the elegant space. - Balancing an upscale, elegant design with a feminine touch in the color palette. - Increasing the brightness of the room without adding windows. - Completely replacing the existing shower to create a spa-like experience. - Planning new storage solutions without adding bulkiness or clutter to the cabinetry. THE RENEWED SPACE Design solutions: Toilet Relocation: Moved the toilet by the window, creating a better overall layout that also opened up two full walls for cabinetry and storage solutions. Specialized Vanity Storage: The left side of the left vanity is the wife’s. Open shelves facing across the vanity can be used for decorative or daily needs items. Pull-out docking drawers with power outlets and metal basins handle hot hair appliances. Bright and Elegant Color Scheme: White cabinets, countertops, floors, and shower walls keep the space bright. The just-off-white wall color with a hint of pink adds a feminine touch. Thin wainscoting with white trim offers traditional-leaning elegance. Layered Lighting Strategy: Ceiling can lights, sconces, lighted mirrors, and toe-kick lighting were installed. Natural light-rated bulbs keep the space bright and natural-feeling. Spa-Like Shower: An extra-large shower was created using the same floor tile materials for continuity. Equipped with a Kohler Anthem system with a shower head, hand-held, and four body sprays. His and Hers niches for separate body care product storage. Enhanced Storage Solutions: Added a linen cabinet within the vanity area for efficient storage of towels and bathroom essentials. This elegant bathroom feels incredibly spacious now. The color palette and lights keep the room bright and cheery. Gold fixtures, the herringbone pattern on the floor, and exquisite trim work add an elegant touch. With the husband and wife having their own vanity wall sections joined at the corner, each user truly has their own space within the space. The clients are very happy with the final result.

This kitchen remodel focused on improving both function and style—and the difference is in the details. We installed new cabinetry in a Polar White finish using the Catalina door style, creating a clean, timeless foundation that instantly brightens the space. To make the kitchen work better day-to-day, we also repositioned the refrigerator to the opposite side, improving the overall flow and usability of the layout. For the finishing touches, we added a Punaluu quartz countertop, bringing in subtle movement and durability, along with a 3x6 gloss Arctic White subway tile backsplash that reflects light and keeps the look crisp and cohesive. The result is a kitchen that not only looks fresh and updated, but functions better for how the space is used every day.