These clients reached out to Hillcrest Construction when their family began out-growing their Phoenixville-area home. Through a comprehensive design phase, opportunities to add square footage were identified along with a reorganization of the typical traffic flow throughout the house. All household traffic into the hastily-designed, existing family room bump-out addition was funneled through a 3’ berth within the kitchen making meal prep and other kitchen activities somewhat similar to a shift at a PA turnpike toll booth. In the existing bump-out addition, the family room was relatively tight and the dining room barely fit the 6-person dining table. Access to the backyard was somewhat obstructed by the necessary furniture and the kitchen alone didn’t satisfy storage needs beyond a quick trip to the grocery store. The home’s existing front door was the only front entrance, and without a foyer or mudroom, the front formal room often doubled as a drop-zone for groceries, bookbags, and other on-the-go items. Hillcrest Construction designed a remedy to both address the function and flow issues along with adding square footage via a 150 sq ft addition to the family room and converting the garage into a mudroom entry and walk-through pantry. - The project’s addition was not especially large but was able to facilitate a new pathway to the home’s rear family room. The existing brick wall at the bottom of the second-floor staircase was opened up and created a new, natural flow from the second-floor bedrooms to the front formal room, and into the rear family hang-out space- all without having to cut through the often busy kitchen. The dining room area was relocated to remove it from the pathway to the door to the backyard. Additionally, free and clear access to the rear yard was established for both two-legged and four-legged friends. The existing chunky slider door was removed and in its place was fabricated and installed a custom centerpiece that included a new gas fireplace insert with custom brick surround, two side towers for display items and choice vinyl, and two base cabinets with metal-grated doors to house a subwoofer, wifi equipment, and other stow-away items. The black walnut countertops and mantle pop from the white cabinetry, and the wall-mounted TV with soundbar complete the central A/V hub. The custom cabs and tops were designed and built at Hillcrest’s custom shop. The farmhouse appeal was completed with distressed engineered hardwood floors and craftsman-style window and door trim throughout. - Another major component of the project was the conversion of the garage into a pantry+mudroom+everyday entry. The clients had used their smallish garage for storage of outdoor yard and recreational equipment. With those storage needs being addressed at the exterior, the space was transformed into a custom pantry and mudroom. The floor level within the space was raised to meet the rest of the house and insulated appropriately. A newly installed pocket door divided the dining room area from the designed-to-spec pantry/beverage center. The pantry was designed to house dry storage, cleaning supplies, and dry bar supplies when the cleaning and shopping are complete. A window seat with doggie supply storage below was worked into the design to accommodate the existing elevation of the original garage window. A coat closet and a small set of steps divide the pantry from the mudroom entry. The mudroom entry is marked with a striking combo of the herringbone thin-brick flooring and a custom hutch. Kids returning home from school have a designated spot to hang their coats and bookbags with two deep drawers for shoes. A custom cherry bench top adds a punctuation of warmth. The entry door and window replaced the old overhead garage doors to create the daily-used informal entry off the driveway. With the house being such a favorable area, and the clients not looking to pull up roots, Hillcrest Construction facilitated a collaborative experience and comprehensive plan to change the house for the better and make it a home to grow within.

Southwest Florida’s hot summers and mild winters, along with amenity-rich communities and beautiful homes, attract retirees from around the world every year. And, it is not uncommon to see these active adults choosing to spend their summers away from Florida, only to return for the fall/winter. For our fabulous clients, that’s exactly what they did. After spending summers in Michigan, and winters in Bonita Springs, Florida, they decided to set down some roots. They purchased a home in Bonita Bay where they had enough space to build a guest suite for an aging parent who needed around the clock care. After interviewing three different contractors, the chose to retain Progressive Design Build’s design services. Progressive invested a lot of time during the design process to ensure the design concept was thorough and reflected the couple’s vision. Options were presented, giving these homeowners several alternatives and good ideas on how to realize their vision, while working within their budget. Progressive Design Build guided the couple all the way—through selections and finishes, saving valuable time and money. When all was said and done, the design plan included a completely remodeled master suite, a separate master suite for the couple’s aging parents, a new kitchen, family room entertainment area, and laundry room. The cozy home was renovated with tiled flooring throughout, with the exception of carpeting in the bedrooms. Progressive Design Build modified some interior walls, created Wainscoted panels, a new home office, and completely painted the home inside and out. This project resulted in the first of four additional projects this homeowner would complete with Progressive Design Build over the next five years. Kitchen: Varying heights and depths breaks up that long wall of DuraSupreme Cabinetry. Includes tumbled marble back splash and radiused island.

Kitchen Renovation Goals: Open up kitchen to living room & dining room by removing two bearing walls Renovate & enlarge the kitchen – Extend the kitchen into breakfast area New arch window with seating bench Add two skylights Relocate the air return New hardwood floor

Mid-sized trendy master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile bathroom photo in Other with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, a drop-in sink and quartzite countertops

This kitchen was the dream kitchen for these homeowners. This now expansive space was originally only half the size of what you see now! However, opening up this space was no simple task, as one single wall seemed to have every item you wish to not have in a wall you plan on moving, from an HVAC return, electrical, as well as being a load-bearing wall! Nonetheless, we turned this vision into a reality, and bumped out that wall! This now expanded kitchen is full of cabinet storage, countertop working space, and a beautiful island with seating. This kitchen is now a perfect entertainment space with the exact function as well as style for these homeowners to enjoy for years to come!

These clients reached out to Hillcrest Construction when their family began out-growing their Phoenixville-area home. Through a comprehensive design phase, opportunities to add square footage were identified along with a reorganization of the typical traffic flow throughout the house. All household traffic into the hastily-designed, existing family room bump-out addition was funneled through a 3’ berth within the kitchen making meal prep and other kitchen activities somewhat similar to a shift at a PA turnpike toll booth. In the existing bump-out addition, the family room was relatively tight and the dining room barely fit the 6-person dining table. Access to the backyard was somewhat obstructed by the necessary furniture and the kitchen alone didn’t satisfy storage needs beyond a quick trip to the grocery store. The home’s existing front door was the only front entrance, and without a foyer or mudroom, the front formal room often doubled as a drop-zone for groceries, bookbags, and other on-the-go items. Hillcrest Construction designed a remedy to both address the function and flow issues along with adding square footage via a 150 sq ft addition to the family room and converting the garage into a mudroom entry and walk-through pantry. - The project’s addition was not especially large but was able to facilitate a new pathway to the home’s rear family room. The existing brick wall at the bottom of the second-floor staircase was opened up and created a new, natural flow from the second-floor bedrooms to the front formal room, and into the rear family hang-out space- all without having to cut through the often busy kitchen. The dining room area was relocated to remove it from the pathway to the door to the backyard. Additionally, free and clear access to the rear yard was established for both two-legged and four-legged friends. The existing chunky slider door was removed and in its place was fabricated and installed a custom centerpiece that included a new gas fireplace insert with custom brick surround, two side towers for display items and choice vinyl, and two base cabinets with metal-grated doors to house a subwoofer, wifi equipment, and other stow-away items. The black walnut countertops and mantle pop from the white cabinetry, and the wall-mounted TV with soundbar complete the central A/V hub. The custom cabs and tops were designed and built at Hillcrest’s custom shop. The farmhouse appeal was completed with distressed engineered hardwood floors and craftsman-style window and door trim throughout. - Another major component of the project was the conversion of the garage into a pantry+mudroom+everyday entry. The clients had used their smallish garage for storage of outdoor yard and recreational equipment. With those storage needs being addressed at the exterior, the space was transformed into a custom pantry and mudroom. The floor level within the space was raised to meet the rest of the house and insulated appropriately. A newly installed pocket door divided the dining room area from the designed-to-spec pantry/beverage center. The pantry was designed to house dry storage, cleaning supplies, and dry bar supplies when the cleaning and shopping are complete. A window seat with doggie supply storage below was worked into the design to accommodate the existing elevation of the original garage window. A coat closet and a small set of steps divide the pantry from the mudroom entry. The mudroom entry is marked with a striking combo of the herringbone thin-brick flooring and a custom hutch. Kids returning home from school have a designated spot to hang their coats and bookbags with two deep drawers for shoes. A custom cherry bench top adds a punctuation of warmth. The entry door and window replaced the old overhead garage doors to create the daily-used informal entry off the driveway. With the house being such a favorable area, and the clients not looking to pull up roots, Hillcrest Construction facilitated a collaborative experience and comprehensive plan to change the house for the better and make it a home to grow within.

Example of a minimalist exterior home design in London

This townhome located on Lake Anna of Reston, VA own into a confined gall kitchen with a very limited cabinet space, short wall cabinets, big closet taking over big portion of kitchen, duct chase creating a big barrier, plumbing chases causing bulkhead and a bearing wall header to name a few of obstacles Their dream was to walk in from front door and have a clear view of wall to wall scenic view of the lake. Modernize the kitchen, eliminate bearing walls, lots of storage, upgraded appliances and so much more. They have been chasing this dream for years and have been turned down by multiple firms due to level of difficulty of the project, budget constraint and as she put it “cleeking with a design firm that can feel her needs” Our staff spent countless number of hours to hear her and bring her dream to reality. The main constraint was the bearing wall on corner of foyer and living room, which was a closet, main duct chase and return ducts, obscene amount of plumbing and not to mention structural load. By the way of re-routing mechanical chases, and reformulating all second-floor plumbing stack to back walls, and then inserting few structural beams that transfer the second-floor joists to front and back wall, we have accomplished the biggest goals of all and created the view open floor plan Now home to a big island with cooktop and beverage center. The home has front to back clear view of the scenic lake. ¬¬¬With expanding the kitchen into front breakfast area, we have doubled up on storage and cabinet space. Long line of gorgeous counter top and full backsplash under new Led lighting has glorified this kitchen project. The linear porcelain floor tile has complimented the counter top and her trophy accessories.

Southwest Florida’s hot summers and mild winters, along with amenity-rich communities and beautiful homes, attract retirees from around the world every year. And, it is not uncommon to see these active adults choosing to spend their summers away from Florida, only to return for the fall/winter. For our fabulous clients, that’s exactly what they did. After spending summers in Michigan, and winters in Bonita Springs, Florida, they decided to set down some roots. They purchased a home in Bonita Bay where they had enough space to build a guest suite for an aging parent who needed around the clock care. After interviewing three different contractors, the chose to retain Progressive Design Build’s design services. Progressive invested a lot of time during the design process to ensure the design concept was thorough and reflected the couple’s vision. Options were presented, giving these homeowners several alternatives and good ideas on how to realize their vision, while working within their budget. Progressive Design Build guided the couple all the way—through selections and finishes, saving valuable time and money. When all was said and done, the design plan included a completely remodeled master suite, a separate master suite for the couple’s aging parents, a new kitchen, family room entertainment area, and laundry room. The cozy home was renovated with tiled flooring throughout, with the exception of carpeting in the bedrooms. Progressive Design Build modified some interior walls, created Wainscoted panels, a new home office, and completely painted the home inside and out. This project resulted in the first of four additional projects this homeowner would complete with Progressive Design Build over the next five years.

In this monochromatic primary suite, a blend of warmth and depth in the color palette sets a beautiful tone for the space. The custom tufted headboard, contemporary artwork and chandelier add an extra layer of beauty.

This kitchen was the dream kitchen for these homeowners. This now expansive space was originally only half the size of what you see now! However, opening up this space was no simple task, as one single wall seemed to have every item you wish to not have in a wall you plan on moving, from an HVAC return, electrical, as well as being a load-bearing wall! Nonetheless, we turned this vision into a reality, and bumped out that wall! This now expanded kitchen is full of cabinet storage, countertop working space, and a beautiful island with seating. This kitchen is now a perfect entertainment space with the exact function as well as style for these homeowners to enjoy for years to come!

After returning from a winter trip to discover his house had been flooded by a burst second-floor pipe, this homeowner was ready to address the renovations and additions that he had been pondering for about a decade. It was important to him to respect the original character of the c. +/- 1910 two-bedroom small home that had been in his family for years, while re-imagining the kitchen and flow. In response, KHS proposed a one-story addition, recalling an enclosed porch, which springs from the front roof line and then wraps the house to the north. An informal front dining space, complete with built-in banquette, occupies the east end of the addition behind large double-hung windows sized to match those on the original house, and a new kitchen occupies the west end of the addition behind smaller casement windows at counter height. New French doors to the rear allow the owner greater access to an outdoor room edged by the house to the east, the existing one-car garage to the south, and a rear rock wall to the west. Much of the lot to the north was left open for the owner’s annual summer volley ball party. The first-floor was then reconfigured, capturing additional interior space from a recessed porch on the rear, to create a rear mudroom entrance hall, full bath, and den, which could someday function as a third bedroom if needed. Upstairs, a rear shed dormer was extended to the north and east so that head room could be increased, rendering more of the owner’s office/second bedroom usable. Windows and doors were relocated as necessary to better serve the new plan and to capture more daylight. Having expanded from its original 1100 square feet to approximately 1700 square feet, it’s still a small, sweet house – only freshly updated, and with a hint of porchiness. Photos by Katie Hutchison

Living room - mid-sized contemporary open concept medium tone wood floor living room idea in Other with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

The breakfast room, located just off of the kitchen, provides the family a casual space to have informal meals. Wide and custom-designed casings add sumptuous features to all doors and windows, and the wide-cased openings of the rooms provide definition with the open floor plan. The breakfast room has a Stark seagrass herringbone style carpet, Hickory Chair table and Council tufted side chairs. A custom-finished Niermann Weeks chandelier hangs above the table. Bent return drapery rods from Kravet are complimented by raw silk Schumacher fabric. Designed by Melodie Durham of Durham Designs & Consulting, LLC. Photo by Livengood Photographs [www.livengoodphotographs.com/design].

This architecturally elevated ADU interior in Sherman Oaks showcases a dramatic vaulted ceiling with exposed wood beams and integrated LED perimeter lighting, creating a luminous, high-end atmosphere rarely seen in accessory dwelling units. The open-concept layout seamlessly connects kitchen and living space, maximizing volume, natural light, and rental appeal. Designed for both sophisticated living and long-term investment performance, this modern ADU blends architectural character with income-driven functionality, delivering a premium product in the Los Angeles market. The open-concept layout flows seamlessly into a sculptural quartz island wrapped in soft sage cabinetry, delivering both visual impact and functional efficiency. Wide plank flooring expands the footprint, while strategic window placement maximizes natural light, making this ADU feel dramatically larger than its square footage. Designed as a high-yield investment property, this build balances refined aesthetics with rental market appeal, creating a premium living experience that drives long-term value and strong return on investment.

A ground-up lake house in the Berkshires — architectural plans, construction, interior design, and landscaping, all handled by our team. Designed for a returning client who trusted us to bring their vision to life from the first sketch.

This kitchen was the dream kitchen for these homeowners. This now expansive space was originally only half the size of what you see now! However, opening up this space was no simple task, as one single wall seemed to have every item you wish to not have in a wall you plan on moving, from an HVAC return, electrical, as well as being a load-bearing wall! Nonetheless, we turned this vision into a reality, and bumped out that wall! This now expanded kitchen is full of cabinet storage, countertop working space, and a beautiful island with seating. This kitchen is now a perfect entertainment space with the exact function as well as style for these homeowners to enjoy for years to come!

This townhome located on Lake Anna of Reston, VA own into a confined gall kitchen with a very limited cabinet space, short wall cabinets, big closet taking over big portion of kitchen, duct chase creating a big barrier, plumbing chases causing bulkhead and a bearing wall header to name a few of obstacles Their dream was to walk in from front door and have a clear view of wall to wall scenic view of the lake. Modernize the kitchen, eliminate bearing walls, lots of storage, upgraded appliances and so much more. They have been chasing this dream for years and have been turned down by multiple firms due to level of difficulty of the project, budget constraint and as she put it “cleeking with a design firm that can feel her needs” Our staff spent countless number of hours to hear her and bring her dream to reality. The main constraint was the bearing wall on corner of foyer and living room, which was a closet, main duct chase and return ducts, obscene amount of plumbing and not to mention structural load. By the way of re-routing mechanical chases, and reformulating all second-floor plumbing stack to back walls, and then inserting few structural beams that transfer the second-floor joists to front and back wall, we have accomplished the biggest goals of all and created the view open floor plan Now home to a big island with cooktop and beverage center. The home has front to back clear view of the scenic lake. ¬¬¬With expanding the kitchen into front breakfast area, we have doubled up on storage and cabinet space. Long line of gorgeous counter top and full backsplash under new Led lighting has glorified this kitchen project. The linear porcelain floor tile has complimented the counter top and her trophy accessories.

Architect: Andre Tchelistcheff Architects New York. NY Builder: Xhema of Greenwich CT Installer: TRM Enterprises Bridgehampton NY Back story. Northern has worked with both Xhema and TRM many tiles. We have worked with Andre before he branched out on his own. Originally Xhema’s contact was to replace the roof and repair the garage, which as some point had been made into an indoor swimming pool without adequate ventilation. The budget was about $8m and there were 20 drawings. By the time the job was 6 months old the scope of work has expanded to over $30m and over 200 drawings had been produced. Northern was contacted to visit the site and evaluate the existing roof. Although the house had been added to over the years the same tile was used but due to the location of the house the color of the tile varied considerably from the front to the back. Northern identified a large number of custom details which would require us to: 1) Match the existing Field tile in size, thickness (it was actually thicker at the butt and reduced to ½” where the tile is overlapped) , surface texture and the color. 2) Make tiles that are curved in their length to suit the curved rafter on the gabled dormers. 3) Make the curved tiles to suit the low slope octagonal tower. 4) Make the curved tiles and Arris style hips to suit the hipped dormers with the curved rafters. 5) Make the segmented tiles to suit the round turret. 6) Make the custom arris style hip tiles for the octagonal tower. 7) Make the custom Arris style hip to suit the different roof pitches as well as the varying splays at the eaves. 8) Make the custom pieces to suit the swept valleys Simon broke down each section of the roof. He indented all items for each section and agreed the measure etc with the installers. This ‘Project Bible’ became an invaluable tool for the installer, our tile makers and us. We shipped some samples from the original roof to Sahtas who replicated tall the details. I was visiting factory and delayed my return to the Saturday so that the tiles coming out of the kiln late Friday night could be wrapped and packed into newly purchase suit cases. I arrived home late Saturday evening and Simon picked me up Sunday afternoon and drove us down to Greenwich for an 8 am meeting with the clients. When we unpacked the tiles they were still warm and Hilfiger signed off on the color, although his wife suggested we make them a bit darker a ‘as he has a dreadful sense of color!’ We took Vincent Liot, owner of TRM to the factory twice so that he could oversee the prototyping of all the myriad custom pieces. This was an invaluable move as he pre-approved all the pieces before they were shipped. The installation was completed and everyone was very pleased with the final outcome. The Hilfiger’s estate manager told me that a group of friends who were staying the weekend after all the work was completed were heard to ask Mr. Hilfiger ‘I thought you were having a new roof’…to which he responded ‘we did but you can’t tell, which as the plan” …perfect! In refection this is probably the most complicated roof Northern has ever had the pleasure to supply. We learned a lot of very valuable lessons but in future when we are asked how did we do it we will answer ‘that is for us to know and for you to pay for!’