Search results for "School cut" in Home Design Ideas

Midwest college town Champaign, Illinois, is not exactly known for cutting edge residential architecture so when this custom contemporary was built in 1996 it was the talk of the town. Designed by architect G.T. Hardwick, it was commissioned by a local successful business owner who was retiring and desiring a slice of solitude amongst the trees.
It's changed hands a couple of times since and was most recently purchased by a University of Illinois design school faculty member in 2018. The home was in dire need of updating and so the new owner turned to Jennifer Ott Design with the brief to completely update the kitchen and dining areas, creating a contemporary yet fun and welcoming vibe.

The long linear space of the den and dining areas allows for maximum flexibility. They back up on to the Kitchen's extra deep pennisula which can seat three.
Photography: Michael Moran

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.
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Midwest college town Champaign, Illinois, is not exactly known for cutting edge residential architecture so when this custom contemporary was built in 1996 it was the talk of the town. Designed by architect G.T. Hardwick, it was commissioned by a local successful business owner who was retiring and desiring a slice of solitude amongst the trees.
It's changed hands a couple of times since and was most recently purchased by a University of Illinois design school faculty member in 2018. The home was in dire need of updating and so the new owner turned to Jennifer Ott Design with the brief to completely update the kitchen and dining areas, creating a contemporary yet fun and welcoming vibe.

This Ledden Palimeno Client wanted a traditional entertaining space in the backyard of their Wenonah New Jersey home. We provided them with a well thought out design that focused on all areas of the yard. The patio itself was installed with Pennsylvania Bluestone cut in a random pattern. The sod is used as groundcover and a finished look, but it doesn't overwhelm this small space. The curbstone edging and landscape lighting are key accents. The use of hedges and hydrangeas brought a traditional feel to the landscape. Shade loving perennials like the astilbe here, provide a pop of color in the dark areas of this space.
Cast lighting fixtures bring light to this shady garden space. The Pennsylvania Bluestone patio meets the 2' wide strip of grass that creates a soft divider from the Belgian block edge of the landscape bed. This installation was completed just in time for the graduation celebration of this client's high school senior son!

Custom pantry doors and shelves, hand-gouged/planed. Most of this wood was milled from trees cut from the property. Antique rusty hinges. Adobe mud plaster. Recycled maple floor reclaimed from school gym. Locally milled rough-sawn wood ceiling.
A design-build project by Sustainable Builders llc of Taos NM. Photo by Thomas Soule of Sustainable Builders llc.

A sprawling 4000 square foot Prairie-School style home overlooks Lake Michigan. It replaced the clients 800 square foot cottage. The Halquist limestone walls flow seamlessly from the exterior to the interior. Sherwin Williams Blonde paint color adds to the warmth of the setting. Leather furniture for comfy and practical seating.
Beth Singer Photographer

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations

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.

As a combined group of interior designers and home decorators, no one loves a home makeover as much as the HER Home Design team.
When we got the call about this new home interior design and home decor project, we were THRILLED to jump right in!
The Client
Our primary client for this home makeover was a mom of a busy family of four with one adult son in college and a young adult daughter in her last years of high school. She and her husband both worked many hours in the medical field.
The family had recently moved up into a larger home almost double the size of their last home. The 5 bedroom, 4 bath residence was super spacious boasting more than 6,000 sq. ft. and a beautiful in-ground swimming pool. It had great bones and a space for everyone, but it needed a ton of updates to make it comfortable for them to enjoy with their family and friends.
The HER team was called in to give the home's main level a complete makeover with a fresh, up-to-date vibe.
The Challenge
The rooms in our project included the entry, home office, spiral staircase, two main floor powder rooms, formal living room, formal dining room, family room, sunroom and rear staircase.
We were charged with creating an interior design plan with consistent contemporary, elegant theme that connected all the rooms on the main level, but still allowed each room to have its own personality. Our clients wanted new paint and lighting, updated furniture, wrought iron balusters to replace the existing wooden ones, a powder room that WOW'd them and one that was more casual. We had our work cut out for us, indeed.
The Solution
We were so excited to present our interior design plan for the home makeover to the family. Our new plan included:
- Adding a textured grasscloth wallpaper to a wall in the home office and replacing the furniture with updated pieces and a beautiful light fixture
- Updating all the lighting on the main floor to LED fixtures - there were more than 40 recessed lights!
- Replacing the wooden spindles with wrought iron balusters and adding a fresh coat of high gloss to the banisters
- Painting the home office, formal living room, dining room, family room, both baths and the sunroom
- Highlighting the family's prized African art piece, a bust, as the focal point in their living room
- Adding GORGEOUS, custom crown molding and hand-crafted chair rail in the sunroom and formal living room
- Installing an ENTIRE wall of glass ceramic tile in the north powder which made it completely GLAM!
- Making the guest bathroom feel bigger and brighter by laying white Carrera marble tile and painting the bathroom a soft Sea Salt green. Adding a strip of subway tile made the old peachy-colored bathroom feel updated and spa-like
- Creating a new fireplace fascia on the family room side by adding stacked stone and soft, comfy seating around the fireplace
- And lastly, making the family room an inviting place to relax and entertain by purchasing new, plush furniture and rearranging it to make it cozy

Midwest college town Champaign, Illinois, is not exactly known for cutting edge residential architecture so when this custom contemporary was built in 1996 it was the talk of the town. Designed by architect G.T. Hardwick, it was commissioned by a local successful business owner who was retiring and desiring a slice of solitude amongst the trees.
It's changed hands a couple of times since and was most recently purchased by a University of Illinois design school faculty member in 2018. The home was in dire need of updating and so the new owner turned to Jennifer Ott Design with the brief to completely update the kitchen and dining areas, creating a contemporary yet fun and welcoming vibe.

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.

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.

The floors are 5" Hickory. The paint is all Sherwin Williams. The cabinets are by Brakur. There is under cabinet LED lighting. The countertops are granite - Spring Brook is the color. The faucets are by Moen.

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations

Split Level 1970 home of a young and active family of four. The main public spaces in this home were remodeled to create a fresh, clean look.
The Jack + Mare demo'd the kitchen and dining room down to studs and removed the wall between the kitchen/dining and living room to create an open concept space with a clean and fresh new kitchen and dining with ample storage. Now the family can all be together and enjoy one another's company even if mom or dad is busy in the kitchen prepping the next meal.
The custom white cabinets and the blue accent island (and walls) really give a nice clean and fun feel to the space. The island has a gorgeous local solid slab of wood on top. A local artisan salvaged and milled up the big leaf maple for this project. In fact, the tree was from the University of Portland's campus located right where the client once rode the bus to school when she was a child. So it's an extra special custom piece! (fun fact: there is a bullet lodged in the wood that is visible...we estimate it was shot into the tree 30-35 years ago!)
The 'public' spaces were given a brand new waterproof luxury vinyl wide plank tile. With 2 young daughters, a large golden retriever and elderly cat, the durable floor was a must.
project scope at quick glance:
- demo'd and rebuild kitchen and dining room.
- removed wall separating kitchen/dining and living room
- removed carpet and installed new flooring in public spaces
- removed stair carpet and gave fresh black and white paint
- painted all public spaces
- new hallway doorknob harware
- all new LED lighting (kitchen, dining, living room and hallway)
Jason Quigley Photography

This tiny kitchen was barely usable by a busy mom with 3 young kids. We were able to remove two walls and open the kitchen into an unused space of the home and make this the focal point of the home the clients had always dreamed of! Hidden on the back side of this peninsula are 3 cubbies, one for each child to store their backpacks and lunch boxes for school. The fourth cubby contains a charging station for the families electronics.

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.

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.

As a combined group of interior designers and home decorators, no one loves a home makeover as much as the HER Home Design team.
When we got the call about this new home interior design and home decor project, we were THRILLED to jump right in!
The Client
Our primary client for this home makeover was a mom of a busy family of four with one adult son in college and a young adult daughter in her last years of high school. She and her husband both worked many hours in the medical field.
The family had recently moved up into a larger home almost double the size of their last home. The 5 bedroom, 4 bath residence was super spacious boasting more than 6,000 sq. ft. and a beautiful in-ground swimming pool. It had great bones and a space for everyone, but it needed a ton of updates to make it comfortable for them to enjoy with their family and friends.
The HER team was called in to give the home's main level a complete makeover with a fresh, up-to-date vibe.
The Challenge
The rooms in our project included the entry, home office, spiral staircase, two main floor powder rooms, formal living room, formal dining room, family room, sunroom and rear staircase.
We were charged with creating an interior design plan with consistent contemporary, elegant theme that connected all the rooms on the main level, but still allowed each room to have its own personality. Our clients wanted new paint and lighting, updated furniture, wrought iron balusters to replace the existing wooden ones, a powder room that WOW'd them and one that was more casual. We had our work cut out for us, indeed.
The Solution
We were so excited to present our interior design plan for the home makeover to the family. Our new plan included:
- Adding a textured grasscloth wallpaper to a wall in the home office and replacing the furniture with updated pieces and a beautiful light fixture
- Updating all the lighting on the main floor to LED fixtures - there were more than 40 recessed lights!
- Replacing the wooden spindles with wrought iron balusters and adding a fresh coat of high gloss to the banisters
- Painting the home office, formal living room, dining room, family room, both baths and the sunroom
- Highlighting the family's prized African art piece, a bust, as the focal point in their living room
- Adding GORGEOUS, custom crown molding and hand-crafted chair rail in the sunroom and formal living room
- Installing an ENTIRE wall of glass ceramic tile in the north powder which made it completely GLAM!
- Making the guest bathroom feel bigger and brighter by laying white Carrera marble tile and painting the bathroom a soft Sea Salt green. Adding a strip of subway tile made the old peachy-colored bathroom feel updated and spa-like
- Creating a new fireplace fascia on the family room side by adding stacked stone and soft, comfy seating around the fireplace
- And lastly, making the family room an inviting place to relax and entertain by purchasing new, plush furniture and rearranging it to make it cozy

A Hampton style sofa has become a necessity in home decor as people become more familiar with the Hampton interior style. Hampton style sofas are a good choice for timeless design if you are replacing or buying a new one. When you are uncertain of what you want, buying a sofa can seem challenging. If you're trying to select La maison hampton furniture for one of your home's most important rooms, you have a lot to take into account. It maust suit your taste and function.
Couches require thought and consideration. It is important that you choose a style and a color that goes well with your living area, along with a durable material that meets your needs. The front door must also be able to accommodate the rug. So, don't forget to familiarize yourself with the different sizes, fillings, and textures before creating your budget. You don't have to spend a lot of money on a new sofa, but while there are some places where you can save money, there are others where you should invest.
First, Let's Talk about the Vibe of sofa style
First and foremost, you should consider the style of your sofa. Choose a sofa whose style fits the current theme of your home. It may seem very obvious, but many people simply buy whatever suits their fancy, and unfortunately, the style of the room is a lot of the time different from what suits their fancy.
If the rug or the art above the sofa don't go together, it might not work in the room. It's imperative to get the look right before adding the rest of these elements. Make sure you consider how you wish the room to feel when you're in it. If you're looking for something more colorful, or you have a particular style in mind, such as mid-century (then googling 'Hampton style sofas' will prove valuable). A sofa that looks great but is super-comfy might end up looking completely out of place if you skip this step.
Next, We will Discuss Functionality of sofas
It is important to consider what you will be doing with the sofa. Although I am convinced that the answer is "to sit on", we need to dig deeper. Can you, for instance, sit down for drinks in this formal sitting room when company comes over? Do you watch television in this room every day? There is a rumpus room upstairs for the kids to interact with their friends and eat and drink on it? There might be Hampton style sofas in the guest room.
For your convenience, I have compiled a full list of Hampton style sofas here. Depending on the situation, each sofa style needs to be different. Typically, formal couches tend to be less comfortable. They're usually more rigid and upright. Couches for watching TV should be cushier; they should be comfortable. We know that many teens are not concerned about Hampton style sofas maintenance, so kids zones need sofas that are able to withstand more wear and tear. This is something high schools should teach.
This story shows you the importance of not skipping this important ‘how will it be used? At this point, you should have an idea of how you'll use the Hampton style sofas. Consider, for instance, a sofa with a bold color and a formal feel for your living room. If you want a couch with a relaxed feel, choose a neutral shade with a cushy feel.
Dimensions of an ideal hamptons style sofa
Before you buy a Hampton style sofa, you must measure the size of your current living room. You will probably not fit it if you don't do this. A large one will either overwhelm the room and leave no room for a coffee table, or a small one will look dwarfed in comparison. When a pandemic strikes, scale is everything.
You should be able to fit the sofa into the room comfortably without it feeling too large or small. Measure the width of your La maison hampton furniture style sofas first with a tape measure. Consider if you'd like side tables beside your sofa. In that case, you would need to measure the width of either side of your sofa and add around 50cm to either side (most decent side tables have a width of about 50cm).
In addition to measuring Hampton style sofas depth, you should also measure the width. There are some sofas that can be as deep as a metre (from the front of the sofa cushion to its back). Since your sofa will need an allowance of 50cm from the edge of the coffee table to the front of the sofa, and a minimum of 50cm on the other side of the coffee table, you might want to measure your current coffee table to ensure it matches.
Another Important Factor is Height
In an open-plan living room, this element is particularly important if your sofa crosses the space. When you have a sectional sofa, for example, one of the ends will likely cut across the room, so the back should be low so your eye can still pass over the back.
One of the top 10 living room design mistakes I make is to place tall-backed Hampton style sofas across the room, a mistake that really cramps the style of the whole space. It happens way too often.
Although the height won't be a major issue if the sofa is backed up against a wall, it is still worth considering the size of the art you want to hang above it. If you want neck support whilst watching TV, a low-back sofa might not be for you. My neck tends to become less and less flexible as I get older. It's a sad fact, but true nonetheless. If you find yourself in the same situation, you should consider high-back Hampton style sofas.
Sofa Cushions: How Low are They?
Many people don't think about this dimension when purchasing a sofa online, especially if they're doing so for the first time. If you're road-testing the sofa in-store, you'll know if it's too low for you right away, but an online purchase is something else.
Low-profile sofas have a seat height of 40 cm or less. The sofa's 60cm seat height will make it much more difficult to get up and out of it. The importance of this factor increases as we age or if we have mobility problems. The seat you're sitting in should allow you to stand up comfortably, without feeling like you need assistance.
Additionally, the height of your coffee table should not be higher than the seat cushions on the sofa, because the table should never be higher than the seat cushions on the sofa. They should never be higher than each other. Make sure you take notes!
What Else is There in the Room?
A good idea when choosing a sofa is to consider what other elements will be in the room. For a well-designed, elegantly-resolved living room, you'll need a sofa, rug, coffee table, side table/s, lamp, TV unit, and wall art. The room will not feel right if you buy a massive sectional sofa that takes up the entire room and leaves no space for a coffee table or side tables.
You should measure out your sofa, keeping in mind that the other pieces La maison hampton furniture and decor will also need to fit into the space. All pieces of furniture need to have enough space to breathe. It's best not to have all the furniture crammed into the point where sitting down means hitting your legs or feet against pieces.
You probably now understand that choosing a couch is more about the couch itself than with how to choose it. So think of the big picture whenever you choose something.
Two Two-Seaters, or a Sectional Sofa?
People often have to wrestle with the question of whether they should buy two sofas or one sectional when figuring out how to choose a sofa. Sectionals are usually preferable to two separate two-seater sofas. However, the corner piece is rarely occupied anyway. Often, the corner piece of a sectional is so tiny that it is impossible for a person to sit there comfortably. Therefore, think about whether you actually need this over getting two x two-seater sofas and arranging them into an L-shape.
If you don't have a large living room, you might prefer 2 x two-seater sofas instead. Sectional sofas are best for larger rooms. With the visual break of all that fabric dominating the corner, it will do the room a world of good. Furthermore, you can use the space between your sofas to put a side table so you can place drinks, or a table lamp, there.
You may want to consider getting 1 x two-seater sofa and an armchair instead, if you have a really small living room. Even though you want to seat as many people as possible, you should let the room determine how many people the sofa can accommodate.
A Guide to Picking the Right Material
The material of the sofa is obviously very important when it comes to picking out the right one. The best advice I can offer is to consider who will use the sofa and how that will impact maintenance.
Leather sofas are easier to clean than fabric ones when kids or pets are present. Leather has the disadvantage of retaining heat in the winter and being cold in the summer. Cushions work well with leather sofas, but velvet ones work better with leather sofas. Leather will show up claw marks more easily on some pets (like my cats).
It is true that fabric sofas are softer and cozier, but they can also be more difficult to clean. Having a slipcover sofa is a godsend if you have pets or toddlers, but they're not too easy to maintain.
You should consider how much patience you have to keep the sofa clean and who uses it. That will make it easier to decide what material to use. I work with a sofa supplier who has bomb-proof fabric that is so easy to clean that you can literally serve dinner right onto the cushions without making an utter mess.
Couches require thought and consideration. It is important that you choose a style and a color that goes well with your living area, along with a durable material that meets your needs. The front door must also be able to accommodate the rug. So, don't forget to familiarize yourself with the different sizes, fillings, and textures before creating your budget. You don't have to spend a lot of money on a new sofa, but while there are some places where you can save money, there are others where you should invest.
First, Let's Talk about the Vibe of sofa style
First and foremost, you should consider the style of your sofa. Choose a sofa whose style fits the current theme of your home. It may seem very obvious, but many people simply buy whatever suits their fancy, and unfortunately, the style of the room is a lot of the time different from what suits their fancy.
If the rug or the art above the sofa don't go together, it might not work in the room. It's imperative to get the look right before adding the rest of these elements. Make sure you consider how you wish the room to feel when you're in it. If you're looking for something more colorful, or you have a particular style in mind, such as mid-century (then googling 'Hampton style sofas' will prove valuable). A sofa that looks great but is super-comfy might end up looking completely out of place if you skip this step.
Next, We will Discuss Functionality of sofas
It is important to consider what you will be doing with the sofa. Although I am convinced that the answer is "to sit on", we need to dig deeper. Can you, for instance, sit down for drinks in this formal sitting room when company comes over? Do you watch television in this room every day? There is a rumpus room upstairs for the kids to interact with their friends and eat and drink on it? There might be Hampton style sofas in the guest room.
For your convenience, I have compiled a full list of Hampton style sofas here. Depending on the situation, each sofa style needs to be different. Typically, formal couches tend to be less comfortable. They're usually more rigid and upright. Couches for watching TV should be cushier; they should be comfortable. We know that many teens are not concerned about Hampton style sofas maintenance, so kids zones need sofas that are able to withstand more wear and tear. This is something high schools should teach.
This story shows you the importance of not skipping this important ‘how will it be used? At this point, you should have an idea of how you'll use the Hampton style sofas. Consider, for instance, a sofa with a bold color and a formal feel for your living room. If you want a couch with a relaxed feel, choose a neutral shade with a cushy feel.
Dimensions of an ideal hamptons style sofa
Before you buy a Hampton style sofa, you must measure the size of your current living room. You will probably not fit it if you don't do this. A large one will either overwhelm the room and leave no room for a coffee table, or a small one will look dwarfed in comparison. When a pandemic strikes, scale is everything.
You should be able to fit the sofa into the room comfortably without it feeling too large or small. Measure the width of your La maison hampton furniture style sofas first with a tape measure. Consider if you'd like side tables beside your sofa. In that case, you would need to measure the width of either side of your sofa and add around 50cm to either side (most decent side tables have a width of about 50cm).
In addition to measuring Hampton style sofas depth, you should also measure the width. There are some sofas that can be as deep as a metre (from the front of the sofa cushion to its back). Since your sofa will need an allowance of 50cm from the edge of the coffee table to the front of the sofa, and a minimum of 50cm on the other side of the coffee table, you might want to measure your current coffee table to ensure it matches.
Another Important Factor is Height
In an open-plan living room, this element is particularly important if your sofa crosses the space. When you have a sectional sofa, for example, one of the ends will likely cut across the room, so the back should be low so your eye can still pass over the back.
One of the top 10 living room design mistakes I make is to place tall-backed Hampton style sofas across the room, a mistake that really cramps the style of the whole space. It happens way too often.
Although the height won't be a major issue if the sofa is backed up against a wall, it is still worth considering the size of the art you want to hang above it. If you want neck support whilst watching TV, a low-back sofa might not be for you. My neck tends to become less and less flexible as I get older. It's a sad fact, but true nonetheless. If you find yourself in the same situation, you should consider high-back Hampton style sofas.
Sofa Cushions: How Low are They?
Many people don't think about this dimension when purchasing a sofa online, especially if they're doing so for the first time. If you're road-testing the sofa in-store, you'll know if it's too low for you right away, but an online purchase is something else.
Low-profile sofas have a seat height of 40 cm or less. The sofa's 60cm seat height will make it much more difficult to get up and out of it. The importance of this factor increases as we age or if we have mobility problems. The seat you're sitting in should allow you to stand up comfortably, without feeling like you need assistance.
Additionally, the height of your coffee table should not be higher than the seat cushions on the sofa, because the table should never be higher than the seat cushions on the sofa. They should never be higher than each other. Make sure you take notes!
What Else is There in the Room?
A good idea when choosing a sofa is to consider what other elements will be in the room. For a well-designed, elegantly-resolved living room, you'll need a sofa, rug, coffee table, side table/s, lamp, TV unit, and wall art. The room will not feel right if you buy a massive sectional sofa that takes up the entire room and leaves no space for a coffee table or side tables.
You should measure out your sofa, keeping in mind that the other pieces La maison hampton furniture and decor will also need to fit into the space. All pieces of furniture need to have enough space to breathe. It's best not to have all the furniture crammed into the point where sitting down means hitting your legs or feet against pieces.
You probably now understand that choosing a couch is more about the couch itself than with how to choose it. So think of the big picture whenever you choose something.
Two Two-Seaters, or a Sectional Sofa?
People often have to wrestle with the question of whether they should buy two sofas or one sectional when figuring out how to choose a sofa. Sectionals are usually preferable to two separate two-seater sofas. However, the corner piece is rarely occupied anyway. Often, the corner piece of a sectional is so tiny that it is impossible for a person to sit there comfortably. Therefore, think about whether you actually need this over getting two x two-seater sofas and arranging them into an L-shape.
If you don't have a large living room, you might prefer 2 x two-seater sofas instead. Sectional sofas are best for larger rooms. With the visual break of all that fabric dominating the corner, it will do the room a world of good. Furthermore, you can use the space between your sofas to put a side table so you can place drinks, or a table lamp, there.
You may want to consider getting 1 x two-seater sofa and an armchair instead, if you have a really small living room. Even though you want to seat as many people as possible, you should let the room determine how many people the sofa can accommodate.
A Guide to Picking the Right Material
The material of the sofa is obviously very important when it comes to picking out the right one. The best advice I can offer is to consider who will use the sofa and how that will impact maintenance.
Leather sofas are easier to clean than fabric ones when kids or pets are present. Leather has the disadvantage of retaining heat in the winter and being cold in the summer. Cushions work well with leather sofas, but velvet ones work better with leather sofas. Leather will show up claw marks more easily on some pets (like my cats).
It is true that fabric sofas are softer and cozier, but they can also be more difficult to clean. Having a slipcover sofa is a godsend if you have pets or toddlers, but they're not too easy to maintain.
You should consider how much patience you have to keep the sofa clean and who uses it. That will make it easier to decide what material to use. I work with a sofa supplier who has bomb-proof fabric that is so easy to clean that you can literally serve dinner right onto the cushions without making an utter mess.

Elzeli, an interior designer and past pupil of our Garden Design School, had a clear idea of what she wanted for her Garden space.
After renovating her home, she called us in to help her create modern garden spaces to compliment her new exquisite house.
Her front garden was mass planted in blocks to compliment the modern clean cut look of her house and reduce on maintenance, with paving details between and built up planters to give structure to the space and create a striking entrance.
Her back area was planted up with Statice, guara and wispy flowering plants along the boundary fence while closer to the pool an entertainment area, strategic niches left open and planted up with feature plants such as echevarias, cycads and silver birches.
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