Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.

Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.

Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.

Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.

Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.

Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.

This beautiful property in Leawood, Kansas was a referral from a neighbor whose backyard we had designed the previous year. This family wanted to create an outdoor living space to match existing outdoor features. They also enjoyed swimming for exercise and wanted a linear shaped pool for that lap swimming. This backyard was a tight space with limited access to the property and no storage space for materials. Also, there were drainage issues that needed to be resolved. The owners were thrilled that we could work through the winter so their new backyard would be ready for use in the spring. Despite weather and logistical challenges, the job was completed on time and the owners were relaxing in luxury as the season changed and days became warm. Now, this swimmer’s dream backyard blends seamlessly with the home’s exterior. Beautiful walls and elevation changes guide drainage water away from the house and outdoor living spaces. The soothing sounds of the waterfalls are enjoyed throughout the property. The poolside cedar pergola, equipped with fans and audio system make this space a true haven.

Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea

This modern home, near Cedar Lake, built in 1900, was originally a corner store. A massive conversion transformed the home into a spacious, multi-level residence in the 1990’s. However, the home’s lot was unusually steep and overgrown with vegetation. In addition, there were concerns about soil erosion and water intrusion to the house. The homeowners wanted to resolve these issues and create a much more useable outdoor area for family and pets. Castle, in conjunction with Field Outdoor Spaces, designed and built a large deck area in the back yard of the home, which includes a detached screen porch and a bar & grill area under a cedar pergola. The previous, small deck was demolished and the sliding door replaced with a window. A new glass sliding door was inserted along a perpendicular wall to connect the home’s interior kitchen to the backyard oasis. The screen house doors are made from six custom screen panels, attached to a top mount, soft-close track. Inside the screen porch, a patio heater allows the family to enjoy this space much of the year. Concrete was the material chosen for the outdoor countertops, to ensure it lasts several years in Minnesota’s always-changing climate. Trex decking was used throughout, along with red cedar porch, pergola and privacy lattice detailing. The front entry of the home was also updated to include a large, open porch with access to the newly landscaped yard. Cable railings from Loftus Iron add to the contemporary style of the home, including a gate feature at the top of the front steps to contain the family pets when they’re let out into the yard. Tour this project in person, September 28 – 29, during the 2019 Castle Home Tour!

This modern home, near Cedar Lake, built in 1900, was originally a corner store. A massive conversion transformed the home into a spacious, multi-level residence in the 1990’s. However, the home’s lot was unusually steep and overgrown with vegetation. In addition, there were concerns about soil erosion and water intrusion to the house. The homeowners wanted to resolve these issues and create a much more useable outdoor area for family and pets. Castle, in conjunction with Field Outdoor Spaces, designed and built a large deck area in the back yard of the home, which includes a detached screen porch and a bar & grill area under a cedar pergola. The previous, small deck was demolished and the sliding door replaced with a window. A new glass sliding door was inserted along a perpendicular wall to connect the home’s interior kitchen to the backyard oasis. The screen house doors are made from six custom screen panels, attached to a top mount, soft-close track. Inside the screen porch, a patio heater allows the family to enjoy this space much of the year. Concrete was the material chosen for the outdoor countertops, to ensure it lasts several years in Minnesota’s always-changing climate. Trex decking was used throughout, along with red cedar porch, pergola and privacy lattice detailing. The front entry of the home was also updated to include a large, open porch with access to the newly landscaped yard. Cable railings from Loftus Iron add to the contemporary style of the home, including a gate feature at the top of the front steps to contain the family pets when they’re let out into the yard. Tour this project in person, September 28 – 29, during the 2019 Castle Home Tour!

Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.

Taragano Design & Build framing a project in Walnut Creek, California. What this stage shows is a house temporarily holding itself up while its walls are gone. The roof stayed and the exterior walls below it came out, which means the load path had to be carried through temporary shoring and then transferred onto new headers and posts as they went in. That sequence is engineered before demolition starts. It is not resolved on site. The new openings are much wider than what they replaced, which is usually the entire point of a project like this. Wider spans mean larger headers, larger headers mean more concentrated point loads, and those loads have to land on something. Frequently that means new footings poured under existing slab. Working alongside a pool adds constraint rather than complexity. Equipment access, material staging, and debris control all have to route around it, and that gets planned before the first truck arrives. Licensed general contractor, CSLB #1143420. Diamond Certified.

Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.

Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.

Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.

Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.

Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.

This modern home, near Cedar Lake, built in 1900, was originally a corner store. A massive conversion transformed the home into a spacious, multi-level residence in the 1990’s. However, the home’s lot was unusually steep and overgrown with vegetation. In addition, there were concerns about soil erosion and water intrusion to the house. The homeowners wanted to resolve these issues and create a much more useable outdoor area for family and pets. Castle, in conjunction with Field Outdoor Spaces, designed and built a large deck area in the back yard of the home, which includes a detached screen porch and a bar & grill area under a cedar pergola. The previous, small deck was demolished and the sliding door replaced with a window. A new glass sliding door was inserted along a perpendicular wall to connect the home’s interior kitchen to the backyard oasis. The screen house doors are made from six custom screen panels, attached to a top mount, soft-close track. Inside the screen porch, a patio heater allows the family to enjoy this space much of the year. Concrete was the material chosen for the outdoor countertops, to ensure it lasts several years in Minnesota’s always-changing climate. Trex decking was used throughout, along with red cedar porch, pergola and privacy lattice detailing. The front entry of the home was also updated to include a large, open porch with access to the newly landscaped yard. Cable railings from Loftus Iron add to the contemporary style of the home, including a gate feature at the top of the front steps to contain the family pets when they’re let out into the yard. Tour this project in person, September 28 – 29, during the 2019 Castle Home Tour!

This modern home, near Cedar Lake, built in 1900, was originally a corner store. A massive conversion transformed the home into a spacious, multi-level residence in the 1990’s. However, the home’s lot was unusually steep and overgrown with vegetation. In addition, there were concerns about soil erosion and water intrusion to the house. The homeowners wanted to resolve these issues and create a much more useable outdoor area for family and pets. Castle, in conjunction with Field Outdoor Spaces, designed and built a large deck area in the back yard of the home, which includes a detached screen porch and a bar & grill area under a cedar pergola. The previous, small deck was demolished and the sliding door replaced with a window. A new glass sliding door was inserted along a perpendicular wall to connect the home’s interior kitchen to the backyard oasis. The screen house doors are made from six custom screen panels, attached to a top mount, soft-close track. Inside the screen porch, a patio heater allows the family to enjoy this space much of the year. Concrete was the material chosen for the outdoor countertops, to ensure it lasts several years in Minnesota’s always-changing climate. Trex decking was used throughout, along with red cedar porch, pergola and privacy lattice detailing. The front entry of the home was also updated to include a large, open porch with access to the newly landscaped yard. Cable railings from Loftus Iron add to the contemporary style of the home, including a gate feature at the top of the front steps to contain the family pets when they’re let out into the yard. Tour this project in person, September 28 – 29, during the 2019 Castle Home Tour!