Words cannot describe the level of transformation this beautiful 60’s ranch has undergone. The home was blessed with a ton of natural light, however the sectioned rooms made for large awkward spaces without much functionality. By removing the dividing walls and reworking a few key functioning walls, this home is ready to entertain friends and family for all occasions. The large island has dual ovens for serious bake-off competitions accompanied with an inset induction cooktop equipped with a pop-up ventilation system. Plenty of storage surrounds the cooking stations providing large countertop space and seating nook for two. The beautiful natural quartzite is a show stopper throughout with it’s honed finish and serene blue/green hue providing a touch of color. Mother-of-Pearl backsplash tiles compliment the quartzite countertops and soft linen cabinets. The level of functionality has been elevated by moving the washer & dryer to a newly created closet situated behind the refrigerator and keeps hidden by a ceiling mounted barn-door. The new laundry room and storage closet opposite provide a functional solution for maintaining easy access to both areas without door swings restricting the path to the family room. Full height pantry cabinet make up the rest of the wall providing plenty of storage space and a natural division between casual dining to formal dining. Built-in cabinetry with glass doors provides the opportunity to showcase family dishes and heirlooms accented with in-cabinet lighting. With the wall partitions removed, the dining room easily flows into the rest of the home while maintaining its special moment. A large peninsula divides the kitchen space from the seating room providing plentiful storage including countertop cabinets for hidden storage, a charging nook, and a custom doggy station for the beloved dog with an elevated bowl deck and shallow drawer for leashes and treats! Beautiful large format tiles with a touch of modern flair bring all these spaces together providing a texture and color unlike any other with spots of iridescence, brushed concrete, and hues of blue and green. The original master bath and closet was divided into two parts separated by a hallway and door leading to the outside. This created an itty-bitty bathroom and plenty of untapped floor space with potential! By removing the interior walls and bringing the new bathroom space into the bedroom, we created a functional bathroom and walk-in closet space. By reconfiguration the bathroom layout to accommodate a walk-in shower and dual vanity, we took advantage of every square inch and made it functional and beautiful! A pocket door leads into the bathroom suite and a large full-length mirror on a mosaic accent wall greets you upon entering. To the left is a pocket door leading into the walk-in closet, and to the right is the new master bath. A natural marble floor mosaic in a basket weave pattern is warm to the touch thanks to the heating system underneath. Large format white wall tiles with glass mosaic accent in the shower and continues as a wainscot throughout the bathroom providing a modern touch and compliment the classic marble floor. A crisp white double vanity furniture piece completes the space. The journey of the Yosemite project is one we will never forget. Not only were we given the opportunity to transform this beautiful home into a more functional and beautiful space, we were blessed with such amazing clients who were endlessly appreciative of TVL – and for that we are grateful!

The open shower stall with glass half wall and door permitted my clients the ability to not feel restricted in the space. We added lighting to the ceiling, equipped with Bluetooth Speaker Technology for a musical experience at their request. Here you can see the 2" hexagon mosaic tile in the wall niche, along with engineered quartz surfaces for the wall ledge and niche shelves. A lot of thought went into the design of this space to allow my client the storage space and functionality for their ideal bathing experience.

This custom walk-in shower was done in slate tile with beach pebble shower floor and granite corner bench. Complimentary color slate was used to create the meandering pattern in the floor and walls. Shower niche has soap shelf above shampoo products. Due to rough-in plumbing restrictions in the condo the toilet location had to be retained but was eclectically incorporated into the overall bathroom design.

When we first removed the lawn and piled up the soil, neighbors were wondering what the hell we were doing. Less than a year later, they are stopping by asking for plant identifications, and gardening advice. The best part of projects like this is that they often help softening HOA restrictions, a little bit at a time.

This project was the result of the owner’s desire to install a swimming pool and outdoor living space inspired by tropical resorts they had visited on family vacations. The one element asked for specifically was a large waterfall spilling into the pool. The challenge for the designers was how to achieve the look the owner’s wished without the use of clichéd items such as thatched huts and tiki torches. The designers decided lush full plantings using plants found in the northeast region that met certain design criteria would be the primary way of giving the tropical feel. Boulder outcroppings, irregular stone paving and fire bowls along the back of the pool would complete the look. The property is located in a newer subdivision with homes on both sides and a school to the rear. A walkway connects the neighborhood and the school along one side. The desired privacy would be addressed by the placement of plants and trees around the perimeter in mounded beds. Placing the waterfall to the rear of the pool helped block the view of the school beyond. The township had restrictions on the amount of impervious material allowable on site. The patio was designed to the maximum allowable size with square footage going to where it would be most usable. Planting beds were cut into the patio to decrease unnecessary square footage, divide spaces, and allow for more places to add plants and trees. A rectangular swimming pool was chosen to make it easier to install an automatic pool cover. The pool was designed, with input from the landscape designers, and contracted separately by the owner. The landscape designers chose the location of pool and waterfall so that it was prominently placed to be the focal point of the backyard. The pool includes a curving sunbathing shelf running from end to end, finished in a lighter color to make it more visible, with removable umbrellas for shade and to add to the resort feel. To tie into the boulders used throughout the design, a large boulder was used as a substitute for a diving board. The yard sloped down towards the back of the property which required a large amount of soil to be added and large boulder retaining wall along the back. For the planting design, the designers choose to focus on plants with larger leaves, various leaf colors and textures, and plants with large flowers in bold colors. These plants were then arranged into a loose lush planting scheme mixed with more traditional northeast plants such as pines, grasses, and roses. Unique plants such as hardy bananas were added for their tropical and exotic look. The full planting beds help to nestle in and enclose the living space. Broken flagstone was chosen for the patio and intentionally left irregular at the edges. PA flagstone was avoided and a stone with gold and brown tones was chosen. Boulder outcroppings added to the natural and tropical theme. The fire pit was designed with a large built-in bench to increase the amount of seating. The designers chose a rounded smooth shape and incorporated the same stone as the pool coping for the caps and bench. For entertaining guests the outdoor kitchen was outfitted with a large gas grill, beverage taps, refrigerator, sink and a dedicated lobster cooker. The kitchen was finished with granite countertops and stainless steel cabinets. Two strategically placed fire bowls, along with the low voltage lighting, add additional interest to the space at night. While the designers were faced with many challenges the resulting design incorporated enough elements to achieve the desired look and feel. Using plants appropriate to the northeast that fit the design criteria and carefully choosing hardscaping materials was essential. The owner’s feel they now have their own tropical theme resort right in their Pennsylvania backyard.

This comprehensive main floor remodel transformed a dated early-2000s home into a warm, distinctive space tailored for modern family life and effortless entertaining. Located in Northwest Indiana, the home’s renovation included the kitchen, living room, dining-to-sitting room conversion, office, mudroom, and laundry—each space reimagined with layered detail and a cohesive design language. The project’s primary goal was to move away from builder-grade finishes and create a home full of character and comfort. In the kitchen, we reworked the layout to improve flow—removing a restrictive peninsula, extending the island for added seating, and designing a custom hood and cabinetry plan that worked around existing structural beams. A warmer palette of earth tones and neutrals reflected the clients’ personal style, while upgraded lighting, a statement range, and a larger pantry elevated functionality. A double-sided fireplace connecting the kitchen and living room was redesigned to feel more intentional, with cohesive materials used on both faces. In the living area, a previously underwhelming wet bar became a standout moment with deep green cabinetry, a wine fridge, and built-in storage—adding both function and sophistication. Throughout the project, structural limitations and narrow footprints presented design challenges that were met with custom solutions—from a uniquely shaped island to intentional lighting plans that worked around ceiling beams. The final result is a highly personal, connected series of spaces that support both everyday routines and meaningful moments of gathering—infused with warmth, purpose, and a relaxed sense of luxury.

This lakefront second home in the Irish Hills offered expansive lake views, yet the yard provided little usable space beyond the existing deck. The slope toward the water restricted gathering areas and made site access during construction especially complex. The goal was to extend the living environment beyond the deck. To create a series of spaces that felt connected to the water, social with corn hole tournaments and a cozy place to unwind in the evening after docking the boat, cast in warm, soft lighting.

This custom IKEA kitchen remodel started with redesigning the cabinet layout, installing new hardwood flooring throughout, and then installation the IKEA cabinetry with custom IKEA fronts, panels, and trim work. The solid butcherblock floating shelves were enforced with steel rods welded to steel plates connecting to the wall studs; those shelves will never drop due to any weight restrictions.

Most people who have lived in Auckland for a long time remember The Heritage Grand Tearoom, a beautiful large room with an incredible high-stud art-deco ceiling. So we were beyond honoured to be a part of this, as projects of these types don’t come around very often. Because The Heritage Grand Tea Room is a Heritage site, nothing could be fixed into the existing structure. Therefore, everything had to be self-supporting, which is why everything was made out of steel. And that’s where the first challenge began. The first step was getting the steel into the space. And due to the lack of access through the hotel, it had to come up through a window that was 1500x1500 with a 200 tonne mobile crane. We had to custom fabricate a 9m long cage to accommodate the steel with rollers on the bottom of it that was engineered and certified. Once it was time to start building, we had to lay out the footprints of the foundations to set out the base layer of the mezzanine. This was an important part of the process as every aspect of the build relies on this stage being perfect. Due to the restrictions of the Heritage building and load ratings on the floor, there was a lot of steel required. A large part of the challenge was to have the structural fabrication up to an architectural quality painted to a Matte Black finish. The last big challenge was bringing both the main and spiral staircase into the space, as well as the stanchions, as they are very large structures. We brought individual pieces up in the elevator and welded on site in order to bring the design to life. Although this was a tricky project, it was an absolute pleasure working with the owners of this incredible Heritage site and we are very proud of the final product.

Our clients were inspired by the idea of a master bedroom with beautiful, functional closet space, and a larger shower – more so than there loathed 36″ x 36″ corner acrylic unit. After a number of visits, a plan was devised to build 3 closet areas, and a large shower with a floating quartz bench. The bedroom would see a dividing wall, but not to the ceiling so light could come through. The biggest of the three closets would be closest to the window, with a room entirely devoted to that space. The floor in the bathroom would feature a heated flooring system, and the vanity would have backlight lighting on the mirror. The demolition uncovered some surprises, which restricted certain locations of plumbing, so the shower was enlarged and one of the closets was scrapped. In the end, it worked out fantastic. More emphasis was placed on the open concept closet, which thrilled our clients. They were also not disappointed with their larger shower. Photo Aristea Photography

Mark Meissner
Bathroom - transitional bathroom idea in Other

Words cannot describe the level of transformation this beautiful 60’s ranch has undergone. The home was blessed with a ton of natural light, however the sectioned rooms made for large awkward spaces without much functionality. By removing the dividing walls and reworking a few key functioning walls, this home is ready to entertain friends and family for all occasions. The large island has dual ovens for serious bake-off competitions accompanied with an inset induction cooktop equipped with a pop-up ventilation system. Plenty of storage surrounds the cooking stations providing large countertop space and seating nook for two. The beautiful natural quartzite is a show stopper throughout with it’s honed finish and serene blue/green hue providing a touch of color. Mother-of-Pearl backsplash tiles compliment the quartzite countertops and soft linen cabinets. The level of functionality has been elevated by moving the washer & dryer to a newly created closet situated behind the refrigerator and keeps hidden by a ceiling mounted barn-door. The new laundry room and storage closet opposite provide a functional solution for maintaining easy access to both areas without door swings restricting the path to the family room. Full height pantry cabinet make up the rest of the wall providing plenty of storage space and a natural division between casual dining to formal dining. Built-in cabinetry with glass doors provides the opportunity to showcase family dishes and heirlooms accented with in-cabinet lighting. With the wall partitions removed, the dining room easily flows into the rest of the home while maintaining its special moment. A large peninsula divides the kitchen space from the seating room providing plentiful storage including countertop cabinets for hidden storage, a charging nook, and a custom doggy station for the beloved dog with an elevated bowl deck and shallow drawer for leashes and treats! Beautiful large format tiles with a touch of modern flair bring all these spaces together providing a texture and color unlike any other with spots of iridescence, brushed concrete, and hues of blue and green. The original master bath and closet was divided into two parts separated by a hallway and door leading to the outside. This created an itty-bitty bathroom and plenty of untapped floor space with potential! By removing the interior walls and bringing the new bathroom space into the bedroom, we created a functional bathroom and walk-in closet space. By reconfiguration the bathroom layout to accommodate a walk-in shower and dual vanity, we took advantage of every square inch and made it functional and beautiful! A pocket door leads into the bathroom suite and a large full-length mirror on a mosaic accent wall greets you upon entering. To the left is a pocket door leading into the walk-in closet, and to the right is the new master bath. A natural marble floor mosaic in a basket weave pattern is warm to the touch thanks to the heating system underneath. Large format white wall tiles with glass mosaic accent in the shower and continues as a wainscot throughout the bathroom providing a modern touch and compliment the classic marble floor. A crisp white double vanity furniture piece completes the space. The journey of the Yosemite project is one we will never forget. Not only were we given the opportunity to transform this beautiful home into a more functional and beautiful space, we were blessed with such amazing clients who were endlessly appreciative of TVL – and for that we are grateful!

Our homeowner really wanted to create an open concept feel for his home but was restricted by the closed room floorplan so popular in the decade this house was built. We decided to remove a major loadbearing wall between the kitchen and the dining room as well as the wall separating the kitchen from the front foyer. The existing wood floor that ran throughout the house was repaired and restained to work with the new layout, then came beautiful Benjamin Moore painted cabinetry and an awesome Quartz countertop for the new massive island. Ceramic backsplash in a subway pattern was added and all the handles were done in a contrasting black finish to create a really classic look! Now our homeowners can host large gatherings and parties with their amazing new open concept kitchen!

The project involved a large program that would yield a massive home on a limited and restricted site. The design strategy involved deconstructing the volume into pavilions that could generate a dialogue between built form and landscape and create intimate connections between the golf course and the living spaces. Robin Hill

A wall-long set of La Cantina doors can be opened to let fresh air into the dining room. Great for entertaining, this massive door set doesn't restrict a gathering to just inside or outside.

Our latest project, Fish Camp, on Longboat Key, FL. This home was designed around tight zoning restrictions while meeting the FEMA V-zone requirement. It is registered with LEED and is expected to be Platinum certified. It is rated EnergyStar v. 3.1 with a HERS index of 50. The design is a modern take on the Key West vernacular so as to keep with the neighboring historic homes in the area. Ryan Gamma Photography

A traditional 1926 cottage was transformed into a stunning, contemporary home. The focal point from both inside and out is a 3-story floating wood and stainless staircase, showcased by oversized windows and dramatic lighting. Walnut cabinetry with a distinct stain and natural slab surfaces offset the metals used throughout – Including at the interior and exterior of the fireplace. Reclaimed wood floors pay homage to the industrial area the home is situated in. In designing this home restrictions set forth by the building department were key. For instance, in order for the project to be considered a remodel the existing 8’ tall perimeter walls had to remain in place. The homeowners desperately wanted 9’ tall ceilings, so with crafty engineering and framing we were able to embellish the existing wall framing to achieve the added height. Clearstory windows allow much needed light into the spaces and creates the illusion of spaciousness, while maintaining wall areas for key furnishings and artwork. Every inch of space maximizes storage throughout the 2,600 square foot home. A cabinet for shoe storage immediately inside the front door also serves as a key component at the staircase and provides a platform to highlight sculptural artwork. Unique products and details, such as a metal link shower curtain and custom built-in guest beds with strategically placed outlets and horizontal surfaces to allow for electronics to be close at hand, elevate this home to the next level.

Home Office in Monte Lindo | Room Type: Full Home Furnishing – 4,368 sq ft | 6 Bedrooms | 5 Baths- Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen Nook, Family Room, Office, Primary Bedroom + Bath. Project Name: Monte Lindo | Key Feature: A Modern Transitional new build transformed from builder-grade into a unique, personality-driven home through curated furnishings, lighting, art, and mirrors. Challenge: COVID-related supply and delivery delays, along with limitations of working within a builder-grade home that restricted creativity in certain areas. Solution: The team elevated the space with thoughtfully selected furnishings, lighting, wallpaper, art, and mirrors, pushing the clients slightly outside their comfort zone to create a home that felt both comfortable and impressive. Materials: Lighting: Arteriors, Palecek, Circa, Memoky. Rugs: Loloi, Surya. Mirrors: Four Hands, Ferguson, Arteriors. Wallpaper: Savannah Hayes. Furniture: Classic Home, Four Hands, Moss Home, Dovetail, Union Home. Budget: $50k-$75K | Timeline: 11 months, completed September 2021.

For this couple, planning to move back to their rambler home in Arlington after living overseas for few years, they were ready to get rid of clutter, clean up their grown-up kids’ boxes, and transform their home into their dream home for their golden years. The old home included a box-like 8 feet x 10 feet kitchen, no family room, three small bedrooms and two back to back small bathrooms. The laundry room was located in a small dark space of the unfinished basement. This home is located in a cul-de-sac, on an uphill lot, of a very secluded neighborhood with lots of new homes just being built around them. The couple consulted an architectural firm in past but never were satisfied with the final plans. They approached Michael Nash Custom Kitchens hoping for fresh ideas. The backyard and side yard are wooded and the existing structure was too close to building restriction lines. We developed design plans and applied for special permits to achieve our client’s goals. The remodel includes a family room, sunroom, breakfast area, home office, large master bedroom suite, large walk-in closet, main level laundry room, lots of windows, front porch, back deck, and most important than all an elevator from lower to upper level given them and their close relative a necessary easier access. The new plan added extra dimensions to this rambler on all four sides. Starting from the front, we excavated to allow a first level entrance, storage, and elevator room. Building just above it, is a 12 feet x 30 feet covered porch with a leading brick staircase. A contemporary cedar rail with horizontal stainless steel cable rail system on both the front porch and the back deck sets off this project from any others in area. A new foyer with double frosted stainless-steel door was added which contains the elevator. The garage door was widened and a solid cedar door was installed to compliment the cedar siding. The left side of this rambler was excavated to allow a storage off the garage and extension of one of the old bedrooms to be converted to a large master bedroom suite, master bathroom suite and walk-in closet. We installed matching brick for a seam-less exterior look. The entire house was furnished with new Italian imported highly custom stainless-steel windows and doors. We removed several brick and block structure walls to put doors and floor to ceiling windows. A full walk in shower with barn style frameless glass doors, double vanities covered with selective stone, floor to ceiling porcelain tile make the master bathroom highly accessible. The other two bedrooms were reconfigured with new closets, wider doorways, new wood floors and wider windows. Just outside of the bedroom, a new laundry room closet was a major upgrade. A second HVAC system was added in the attic for all new areas. The back side of the master bedroom was covered with floor to ceiling windows and a door to step into a new deck covered in trex and cable railing. This addition provides a view to wooded area of the home. By excavating and leveling the backyard, we constructed a two story 15’x 40’ addition that provided the tall ceiling for the family room just adjacent to new deck, a breakfast area a few steps away from the remodeled kitchen. Upscale stainless-steel appliances, floor to ceiling white custom cabinetry and quartz counter top, and fun lighting improved this back section of the house with its increased lighting and available work space. Just below this addition, there is extra space for exercise and storage room. This room has a pair of sliding doors allowing more light inside. The right elevation has a trapezoid shape addition with floor to ceiling windows and space used as a sunroom/in-home office. Wide plank wood floors were installed throughout the main level for continuity. The hall bathroom was gutted and expanded to allow a new soaking tub and large vanity. The basement half bathroom was converted to a full bathroom, new flooring and lighting in the entire basement changed the purpose of the basement for entertainment and spending time with grandkids. Off white and soft tone were used inside and out as the color schemes to make this rambler spacious and illuminated. Final grade and landscaping, by adding a few trees, trimming the old cherry and walnut trees in backyard, saddling the yard, and a new concrete driveway and walkway made this home a unique and charming gem in the neighborhood.