After years of renting out the house, the owners of this 1916 Craftsman were ready to make it their forever home. Both enthusiastic cooks, an updated kitchen was at the top of the list. Updating the fireplace, as well as two bathrooms in the house were also important. The homeowners passion for honoring the age of home, while also updating it, was at the forefront of our design. The end result beautifully blends the older elements with the new.

After years of renting out the house, the owners of this 1916 Craftsman were ready to make it their forever home. Both enthusiastic cooks, an updated kitchen was at the top of the list. Updating the fireplace, as well as two bathrooms in the house were also important. The homeowners passion for honoring the age of home, while also updating it, was at the forefront of our design. The end result beautifully blends the older elements with the new.

For this project the clients wanted a vacation home for frequent entertaining and family gatherings; a home that was as comfortable as a lodge for large numbers of people or as cozy as a bungalow for a couple’s weekend getaway. They also needed the house to fit an odd shaped lot situated at the end of a peninsula overlooking the lake, with a steep drop-off into the lake. The resulting home is as unique as the needs of the client. A brief list of features: - Adjacent full guest quarters over the three bay garage - Every bedroom has a walkout balcony including the second floor guest bedrooms. Second floor and guest suites have balconies with lake view. - Covered loggia connects both buildings (1 - main home and 2 - indoor pool, guest quarters, home gym and 3 bay garage) - Covered loggia contains double-sided fireplace, gourmet outdoor kitchen, and full dining and seating areas - Indoor pool and home gym exercise area - Outdoor Pool has an infinity edge waterfall that drops to a catch basin on either side of the sculpture pedestal (the furthermost point) and is recycled back up into the pool. - Sunken hot tub within outdoor pool - Exterior features copper roofing, shake siding, stone and multiple gable brackets - End roof pergola with glass panels allows sun to shine through into indoor pool area - Full basement - Wrap around deck - Built-in plant containers surrounding outdoor pool area

The owners of this outdated 1960’s kitchen were ready for a change and sought out Renovisions after seeing one of their eye-catching ads in South Shore Living Magazine. It was time to start fresh with a cleaner and brighter look with more functional storage. The professionals at Renovisions worked as a team to accommodate their wishes while being mindful of their existing traditional styled furnishings. Keeping a similar layout, the old cabinets, flooring, countertops, door, window and appliances were removed as well as the wall between the kitchen and dining room to accommodate additional cabinets while creating an L for more useful countertop space. Replacing the worn stained wooden door and double hung window with a new prairie-style window and breezeway door in white finish was the first order of business. By replacing the tired vinyl floor with new oak wood floors the space became warm & inviting. The beautiful new white painted shaker-style cabinets look fabulous with the natural ivory-tan blend granite countertops and sleek stainless steel appliances. Simple, yet elegant white subway tiles provide a serene and open feel to the space. Creating a small niche area behind the slide-in range was also at the top of our clients list to accommodate the spices they use daily, turning an ordinary look to extraordinary. Pesto change-o, as if by magic Renovisions transformed this dated tight-fit kitchen into a warm and inviting better functioning space that is definitely pleasing to the eyes of these homeowners who are thrilled with the end result and grateful for the high quality work along with the professional manner in which their project was completed. “Thanks to you, Ed, Mike, and Liz for all your hard work. The kitchen is beautiful and I love the backsplash! The whole room looks beautiful, I'm so glad that we went with the white subway tiles in the end. They're light and clean and really pretty. Thanks for everything, Cathy. Your team has done a wonderful job! We appreciate all your help and hard work.” - Bea R. (Hanson)

Our client is lucky to have extended family visiting often, so we had to design two full guest master suites. Bringing in color was one of the items on the clients wish list, which we were happy to accommodate. The end results are two beautiful master suites full of color, air, and light. Every guest now wishes they could stay longer.

I was initially contacted by the builder and architect working on this Modern European Cottage to review the property and home design before construction began. Once the clients and I had the opportunity to meet and discuss what their visions were for the property, I started working on their wish list of items, which included a custom concrete pool, concrete spa, patios/walkways, custom fencing, and wood structures. One of the largest challenges was that this property had a 30% (or less) hardcover surface requirement for the city location. With the lot size and square footage of the home I had limits to how much hardcover we could add to property. So, I had to get creative. We presented to the city the usage of the Live Green Roof plantings that would reduce the hardcover calculations for the site. Also, if we kept space between the Laurel Sandstones walkways, using them as steppers and planting groundcover or lawn between the stones that would also reduce the hard surface calculations. We continued that theme with the back patio as well. The client’s esthetic leaned towards the minimal style, so by adding greenery between stones work esthetically. I chose the Laurel Tumbled Sandstone for the charm and character and thought it would lend well to the old world feel of this Modern European Cottage. We installed it on all the stone walkways, steppers, and patios around the home and pool. I had several meetings with the client to discuss/review perennials, shrubs, and tree selections. Plant color and texture of the planting material were equally important to the clients when choosing. We grouped the plantings together and did not over-mix varieties of plants. Ultimately, we chose a variety of styles from natural groups of plantings to a touch of formal style, which all work cohesively together. The custom fence design and installation was designed to create a cottage “country” feel. They gave us inspiration of a country style fence that you may find on a farm to keep the animals inside. We took those photos and ideas and elevated the design. We used a combination of cedar wood and sandwich the galvanized mesh between it. The fence also creates a space for the clients two dogs to roam freely around their property. We installed sod on the inside of the fence to the home and seeded the remaining areas with a Low Gro Fescue grass seed with a straw blanket for protection. The minimal European style custom concrete pool was designed to be lined up in view from the porch and inside the home. The client requested the lawn around the edge of the pool, which helped reduce the hardcover calculations. The concrete spa is open year around. Benches are on all four sides of the spa to create enough seating for the whole family to use at the same time. Mortared field stone on the exterior of the spa mimics the stone on the exterior of the home. The spa equipment is installed in the lower level of the home to protect it from the cold winter weather. Between the garage and the home’s entry is a pea rock sitting area and is viewed from several windows. I wanted it to be a quiet escape from the rest of the house with the minimal design. The Skyline Locust tree planted in the center of the space creates a canopy and softens the side of garage wall from the window views. The client will be installing a small water feature along the garage for serene noise ambience. The client had very thoughtful design ideas styles, and our collaborations all came together and worked well to create the landscape design/installation. The result was everything they had dreamed of and more for their Modern European Cottage home and property.

This hillside home in Piedmont, CA was remodeled to change the style from a 1940's rancher with eight foot ceilings and dark interiors, into a modern geometric composition with vast white interiors for casual living and generous daylighting for displaying the artist-owner's works. In a city known for rigorous and difficult design review, an addition, two variances, and a full stylistic change were unanimously approved on the first round. All sloped roofs and attics were eliminated and replaced by a series of stacked and overlapping flat roofs. This made the house taller on the inside and shorter on the outside, which helped earn design review cooperation in the community. Windows were concentrated toward the rear yard views or moved up high on the side walls for daylight and privacy, benefitting the owners as well as the neighbors. At the start, the owner husband was so enthusiastic and engaged in transforming his house into something modern that he presented the architect with a scaled foamcore model, rather than the usual magazine clippings and wish list. He participated in the design decisions throughout the process. The owner wife is the artist who did all the artwork in the house. She had been craving a display space with large walls and good natural light. Both of them loved the location and great views. The project was an opportunity to transform the style of an older traditional home into a modern one, while solving numerous problems. By rebuilding the 1800 ft2 top of the 3-story home it was possible to change the style of the whole building, since the lower floors were a neutral base, and also to change the lifestyle of the owners, who wanted to move their master suite upstairs and live primarily on the top floor as empty nesters. Going into the project, the architect knew there were multiple encroachments into the setbacks and potential privacy issues with close by neighbors. He approached this as a complex puzzle made up of architectural and political pieces which all had to fit together elegantly. It took many careful moves, small and large, to arrive at a serene and cohesive result that tied old and new together seamlessly. The design-build contractor worked closely with the owners and handled all of the construction phase documents and design adjustments, adding ideas of their own to make the project really sing. The project was a collaboration in three acts. The owner had a strong design concept from the start. The architect developed it into a realistic project and garnered the design approvals. Then the contractor executed brilliantly

This Decatur family came to us looking for a complete renovation of their under-utilized backyard and small, outdoor deck. Their wish list included a functional design that would incorporate indoor-outdoor living and tie in with their Decatur home’s transitional aesthetic. The result is a stunning outdoor living area with a wealth of options for relaxing, entertaining, and outdoor dining. This classic southern-style covered porch, with its open gable roof, features a tongue and groove ceiling painted in a soft shade of blue and centers around an eye-catching wood burning brick fireplace with mounted tv and ample seating in a cheerful bright blue and green color scheme. A new set of French doors off the kitchen creates a seamless transition to the outdoor living room where a small, unused closet was revamped into a stylish, custom built-in bar complete with honed black granite countertops, floating shelves, and a stainless-steel beverage fridge. Adjacent to the lounge area is the covered outdoor dining room ideal for year-round entertaining and spacious enough to host plenty of family and friends without exposure to the elements. A statement pendant light above the large circular table and colorful green dining chairs add a fun and inviting atmosphere to the space. The lower deck includes a separate grilling station and leads down to the private backyard. A thoughtful landscape plan was designed to complement the natural surroundings and enhance the peaceful ambience of this gorgeous in-town retreat. An added bonus is the new storage room built under the deck with a set of custom French doors that make it easily accessible for our homeowners to use.

The Setup: After purchasing this home, the homeowners faced a unique opportunity to reimagine their kitchen and nearby spaces. Water damage from a burst pipe had left much of the home’s interior in need of repair, and while the existing kitchen was functional and in relatively good shape, it didn’t align with the family’s vision for their new home. The layout included a peninsula that wasn’t ideal, and there were some druthers with the nearby pantry. Since the space needed to be rebuilt anyway, the homeowners saw this as a chance to create a kitchen that was both highly functional for their four young children and timeless in its design. The project also included a refresh of the adjacent message center and dining room — spaces that play key roles in the family’s daily life. The goal was to create a cohesive flow between these areas, balancing modern functionality with the craftsman-inspired character of the rest of the home. Design Objectives: - Replace the outdated peninsula with a large island to maximize counter space and create new seating options. - Open up the space visually by removing soffits and rethinking the cabinetry layout. Incorporate concealed refrigeration and freezer units to provide significant storage for the family while maintaining a streamlined aesthetic. - Integrate black cabinetry into the design without making the space feel harsh or heavy. - Ensure the lighting plan balances functional task lighting with ambient accent lighting. - Avoid visual clutter in the cabinetry design while still giving a nod to the craftsman aesthetic. - Incorporate a slab backsplash as a key design feature. Design Challenges: - The outdated peninsula left dead space in the kitchen and lacked sufficient seating for the family. - The cooktop wall was cramped, with small cabinets flanking the hood, limited storage, and soffits that made the space feel closed-in. - The family needed significant refrigeration space (two refrigerators and a freezer) but wanted to avoid a cluttered look with visible stainless steel appliances. - Adding black cabinetry risked making the space feel too dark or heavy. - The original lighting plan was insufficient, particularly over the dining table where a decorative fixture proved too dim. - The family wanted shaker-style drawer fronts to match the home’s arts-and-crafts design but worried that too much shaker cabinetry might look overly busy. - Prioritizing a slab backsplash in the wish list priority planning. The Renewed Space Design Solutions: - A functional island: The peninsula was replaced with a large island that provides continuous countertop space for prepping and serving. The island also features seating for four people, creating a central hub for informal meals and activities. - Streamlined cooktop wall: The soffits were removed, and the upper cabinets on the cooktop wall were eliminated to create a more open, streamlined design. A custom oversized hood became the focal point of the wall, with the blower unit offset inside it to align with the cooktop while maintaining exterior visual symmetry. - Concealed refrigeration: Two column refrigerators and one freezer were integrated into the cabinetry, concealing them behind wood paneling that blends seamlessly with the overall design. - Warm black cabinetry: The black cabinetry was crafted from hickory with a visible grain, softening its appearance and adding warmth. The grain detail gives the cabinetry a rich, textured look that avoids feeling stark or overpowering. - Additional lighting: In the dining area, recessed can lights were added during an additional installation phase to supplement the gorgeous decorative fixture’s dim output. The new lighting plan creates a layered effect, combining functional task lighting with softer ambient lighting. - Simplified cabinetry details: Slab drawer fronts were used on the upper drawers, while five-piece shaker fronts (with slightly less prominent rail and stile pieces) were reserved for the middle and lower drawers. This approach simplified the overall look while maintaining the craftsman-inspired aesthetic. - Slab backsplash priority: The slab backsplash was prioritized by making thoughtful adjustments elsewhere, like opting not to extend cabinetry to the ceiling, which also helped visually prioritize the gorgeous slab backsplash. This decision also enhanced the kitchen’s furniture-like feel, aligning with the home’s craftsman character. - This kitchen perfectly balances practicality with timeless style. By addressing the family’s functional needs — ample seating, smart storage, and effective lighting — while incorporating thoughtful design elements like warm black cabinetry and a striking slab backsplash, Alicia created a space that works beautifully for a busy household. The result is a cohesive, inviting kitchen that honors the home’s craftsman roots and will serve the family well for years to come.

Our client's childhood memories of summer fun in her parents' pool and family time on Long Beach Island, NJ is what she wanted to recreate for her own children in the comfort of their backyard. The client's wish list included a pool that was versatile for all ages and activities. We teamed up with Liquidscapes to assist with the pool design process to ensure functionality and quality was achieved. The saltwater pool has a swim lane, sun-shelf, deck jets, built-in seating and a raised spa with an 8' spillway! The pool deck is built with limestone, which remains cool in the hot sun. A custom pavilion cantilevers the deep end of the pool serving as a shady poolside lounge. The wavy garden beds were designed to complement the freeform shape of the pool. The landscape consists of multi-layered magnolias, ilex, and cryptomeria to ensure privacy year round. Fagus, lagerstroemia, and cotinus add in-season privacy, color, and contrast. The large garden beds are filled with lush hydrangeas, perennials, perennial grasses, and ferns. During our presentation for the front of the property, which is the final phase of this project, our client said to us: "Over the years we have dealt with many design and build companies and we're very happy we finally found one that is a pleasure to work with and cares about delivering high quality results.”

#TipTuesday: Because pantries are hidden from plain view, we tend to cram extras and impulse purchases in them, resulting in disorganization, expired food and general chaos. While it’s a good idea to have an overstock of things you regularly run out of, you don’t need extras of everything! Meal plan around what’s already in your pantry and stick to a grocery list that reflects what you want to cook. Talk with one of our designers for more helpful tips and schedule a FREE design consultation today. Phoenix | Prescott | Flagstaff | Cottonwood | Tucson https://linktr.ee/ICAZ

In our Brampton project, we had the pleasure of working with a wonderful family full of energy and creativity. A big family means a big need for functionality — but never at the expense of character. Our design introduced a hidden appliance garage, ample storage, and warm brass accents that brought elegance to everyday living. The durable stainless steel appliances checked every box on their wish list. This renovation was also an engineering feat — we removed a structural weight-bearing column, replacing it with a custom metal bridge, and extended the kitchen across the full wall. The result? A beautiful, open-concept kitchen anchored by a spacious island — perfect for both cooking and family breakfasts.

Over 400 years old, this Grade II listed thatched Cottage sprang a series of serious, under-floor leaks on the ground level – the result of poor under-floor heating pipework. All the central living area rooms were affected, making the cottage decidedly soggy and uninhabitable until fully repaired and restored.

Permeable paver driveway features a reclamation tank at the top to collect rain water to water the landscape
Large minimalist multicolored three-story mixed siding flat roof photo in San Francisco

After previously remodeling all of this family’s upstairs bathrooms, we were honored to return and transform their kitchen. Their goal was clear: improve function, enhance flow, and create spaces that truly support how they live day to day. We reworked the island to improve circulation and usability, added a dedicated pantry for better organization, and incorporated a custom drink station to make hosting easy. Smart storage solutions were thoughtfully integrated throughout the kitchen, including an appliance lift that keeps their KitchenAid mixer accessible but neatly tucked away when not in use. Personal details bring even more character to the space, like a chalkboard wall inside the pantry for last minute grocery list additions. The result is an updated kitchen that balances beauty and practicality, giving this family a space that feels both intentional and inviting.

This Master Suite Addition project was initiated by our Clients’ desire to stay in their family home well into their golden years. Their wish list included a master suite and large open space for entertaining. With “Aging in Place” a main objective, our goal was to move all essential tasks to the first floor. Our design created a smooth transition between old house and new by expanding their dining room and adding a vestibule between the two spaces. This resulted in a much larger dining space and the larger entertaining area they were seeking. The master bedroom’s floor to ceiling windows on two of the walls frames picturesque views of their beloved garden outside. Vaulted ceilings, French doors to the bathroom with a transom window above express class and grandeur. Through the French doors the elegant master bathroom shines with reflections from the decorative crystal chandelier, white and grey tile, polished chrome fixtures and lighted glass bowls. A double headed shower, with dual temperature controls, and the air-jetted tub provide a true sanctuary for a relaxed bathing experience. “His and Her” elements are also fulfilled with dual vanities, and dual toilet areas. Upon completion, the homeowners passionately stated that this project turned out even better than they could have imagined. They truly love their new space in their long loved home and look forward to many more years in their new haven.

In our Brampton project, we had the pleasure of working with a wonderful family full of energy and creativity. A big family means a big need for functionality — but never at the expense of character. Our design introduced a hidden appliance garage, ample storage, and warm brass accents that brought elegance to everyday living. The durable stainless steel appliances checked every box on their wish list. This renovation was also an engineering feat — we removed a structural weight-bearing column, replacing it with a custom metal bridge, and extended the kitchen across the full wall. The result? A beautiful, open-concept kitchen anchored by a spacious island — perfect for both cooking and family breakfasts.

Two years before this photo shoot, a Bloomington couple came to SYI wondering whether to renovate their dated bi-level or upgrade to a new house entirely: the classic love-it-or-list-it dilemma. The whole house needed to be touched, really: bathrooms and kitchen, lighting and flooring and paint everywhere, not to mention new furniture to fill in and improve the living spaces. We spent a year with this family, considering options that were less transformative but allowed for the whole house to be upgraded, as well as options that dramatically changed the main living space but meant the rest of the house would have to wait. Meanwhile, they kept an eye out for better digs in town: a house at their price point, that met their family's needs and matched their aesthetic without major construction. After a year of hunting, hemming and hawing: they pulled the trigger. Give us the whole enchilada in the kitchen and main living space, they said. There's no other house for us. The bathrooms and basement can wait. Make this space, where we spend all our time, a place we love to be. Walls and ceilings came down; clerestory windows went in. A stunning 4-panel sliding door-cum-window wall replaced two separate doors in two separate rooms, and the sun streaming in now gives this house in Indiana a California-like access to the outdoors. The central custom screen does triple duty: displaying the client's objets d'art, hiding an HVAC chase, and holding up the ceiling. The gas fireplace is completely new, with custom shelving on either side. Of course, in 2017, the kitchen anchors everything. Family Central, it features custom cabinetry, honed quartz, a new window wall, and a huge island. Materials are earthy and natural, lending a warm modern effect to the space. The medium stain of the wood and overall horizontality of the design are a nod to the home's era (1967), while white cabinetry and charcoal tile provide a neutral but crisp backdrop for the family's stunning and colorful art collection. The result: an ordinary bi-level is now an extraordinary home, unlike any other in Bloomington. Contractor: Rusty Peterson Construction Cabinetry: Tim Graber Furniture Photography: Gina Rogers

This living room was transformed by StageRightSoCal, a boutique home staging company serving Orange and Los Angeles Counties. Our goal was to create a space that feels both stylish and welcoming — where potential buyers can instantly imagine themselves relaxing, entertaining, and living comfortably. We carefully selected furnishings and décor to enhance the home’s architectural features, maximize natural light, and create a balanced, inviting flow. The result is a modern yet timeless living space that highlights the home’s best qualities and photographs beautifully for real estate listings.