The edging extends the home's architecture into the garden, while plant materials are used to soften the lines and give the house scale - Jeff Stapleton

This beautiful 1881 Alameda Victorian cottage, wonderfully embodying the Transitional Gothic-Eastlake era, had most of its original features intact. Our clients, one of whom is a painter, wanted to preserve the beauty of the historic home while modernizing its flow and function. From several small rooms, we created a bright, open artist’s studio. We dug out the basement for a large workshop, extending a new run of stair in keeping with the existing original staircase. While keeping the bones of the house intact, we combined small spaces into large rooms, closed off doorways that were in awkward places, removed unused chimneys, changed the circulation through the house for ease and good sightlines, and made new high doorways that work gracefully with the eleven foot high ceilings. We removed inconsistent picture railings to give wall space for the clients’ art collection and to enhance the height of the rooms. From a poorly laid out kitchen and adjunct utility rooms, we made a large kitchen and family room with nine-foot-high glass doors to a new large deck. A tall wood screen at one end of the deck, fire pit, and seating give the sense of an outdoor room, overlooking the owners’ intensively planted garden. A previous mismatched addition at the side of the house was removed and a cozy outdoor living space made where morning light is received. The original house was segmented into small spaces; the new open design lends itself to the clients’ lifestyle of entertaining groups of people, working from home, and enjoying indoor-outdoor living. Photography by Kurt Manley. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/artists-victorian/

HOLLAND RESIDENCE Location: Holland, MI Scope: Design | Build | Furniture Layout & Sourcing Features: Rectilinear Pool at 45 Degree Angle to House | Auto Cover | Handmade Glass Tile | Sun Shelf & Swimout w/ Glass Tile Inlays | Pebble Finish | Paver Pool Deck with Area Patterning and Decorative Accents | Segmental Retaining Wall with Integrated Fencing & Pillars | Limestone Pillar Caps | Grand Staircase with Integrated Lighting | Landscape Lighting | Fieldstone Retaining Walls & Outcropping

Barton Creek Residence - Custom Design - Jim Nix - AIA - Austin Architect - Nix Group Architects – Residential and Commercial Architecture Firm - Austin Texas – 78701. The Genkan styled entry foyer allows for greeting guests and removal of shoes. For this, it incorporates a slightly raised floor and seating bench, both popular features in Japanese homes. Its honed stone flooring is the Texas Aquaverde and Yorkshire stone used at the approaching exterior entry porch and walkway to connect it to the exterior. As well, the interior accent wall behind the bench continues the Texas Lueders stone coursing used outside, with additional interspersed accent banding featuring darker-colored polished Texas Yorkshire stone. Beyond the ante is a pottery collection display wall, main hall and family room beyond.The wood ceiling is supported by exposed wood beams. The custom patterned entry doors have a combination of clear and opaque glass panels, in a similar motif to that of the custom exterior walkway gates. Opposite the entry door is a wood latticed opening which allows for views through and into the Washitsu and Nakaniwa beyond. The opening is framing with painted accent areas, segmented with aluminum reveals. The entry foyer stairs integrates glass with wood handrails, guardrails, treads and stainless steel fittings. The wood inlays include Fir, Wenge, Mesquite, Beech and Cherry. The custom designed bench has many of the same woods as the staircase.

John Lyons The Woven Garden.com
Inspiration for a landscaping in Los Angeles.

Our energy efficient windows are custom built in dramatic sizes, and styles using quality frames from industry leaders. These segmented arch top windows & doors with electronic glass were provided with multi-lite simulated divided grilles on the glass for a distinctive and classic look. For added flexibility, eGlass can be selectively controlled within the same window allowing for: Full View - Glass is turned ON and completely Clear Glare Control - having the top portion of the windows opaque while keeping clear below Modesty Mode - bottom portion of the windows are private while top is clear, allowing sunlight to pass Full Privacy - Glass is turned OFF and completely Private

BEFORE. Segmented Kitchen
Kitchen photo in New York

Here is a view showing the clean, level lines of the custom-cut wall caps. No retaining wall is finished without the caps! They add a very nice, clean look.

This country club home was completely remodeled inside and out. The backyard was a small space. We utilized all of the space we had to make it functional for all needs. Shorter flower pots soften the detached garage off the patio.

This beautiful 1881 Alameda Victorian cottage, wonderfully embodying the Transitional Gothic-Eastlake era, had most of its original features intact. Our clients, one of whom is a painter, wanted to preserve the beauty of the historic home while modernizing its flow and function. From several small rooms, we created a bright, open artist’s studio. We dug out the basement for a large workshop, extending a new run of stair in keeping with the existing original staircase. While keeping the bones of the house intact, we combined small spaces into large rooms, closed off doorways that were in awkward places, removed unused chimneys, changed the circulation through the house for ease and good sightlines, and made new high doorways that work gracefully with the eleven foot high ceilings. We removed inconsistent picture railings to give wall space for the clients’ art collection and to enhance the height of the rooms. From a poorly laid out kitchen and adjunct utility rooms, we made a large kitchen and family room with nine-foot-high glass doors to a new large deck. A tall wood screen at one end of the deck, fire pit, and seating give the sense of an outdoor room, overlooking the owners’ intensively planted garden. A previous mismatched addition at the side of the house was removed and a cozy outdoor living space made where morning light is received. The original house was segmented into small spaces; the new open design lends itself to the clients’ lifestyle of entertaining groups of people, working from home, and enjoying indoor-outdoor living. Photography by Kurt Manley. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/artists-victorian/

Enjoy our Summer Great Deals! Combi blinds/shades, also known as zebra shades, uses dual layers of horizontal fabric segments alternating between sheer and semi-opaque or opaque fabrics. Shade can be set to open where vanes between the two layers are aligned or closed to cover the sheer portion. Or they can be complete rolled up into the headrail. Provide view-through and visual privacy. Shades block up to 99% of UV rays when closed.

This 1950's home was chopped up with the segmented rooms of the period. The front of the house had two living spaces, separated by a wall with a door opening, and the long-skinny hearth area was difficult to arrange. The kitchen had been remodeled at some point, but was still dated. The homeowners wanted more space, more light, and more MODERN. So we delivered. We knocked out the walls and added a beam to open up the three spaces. Luxury vinyl tile in a warm, matte black set the base for the space, with light grey walls and a mid-grey ceiling. The fireplace was totally revamped and clad in cut-face black stone. Cabinetry and built-ins in clear-coated maple add the mid-century vibe, as does the furnishings. And the geometric backsplash was the starting inspiration for everything. We'll let you just peruse the photos, with before photos at the end, to see just how dramatic the results were!

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary medium tone wood floor entryway remodel in Richmond with gray walls and a medium wood front door

THE SETUP The original primary bathroom was characterized by a disjointed and segmented layout. The shower featured a bulky glass-block enclosure that overwhelmed the space visually. There was a considerable amount of open, unused space, and despite having a his and hers vanity, the arrangement lacked personal space for each user, as they shared the conjoined space between the sinks. The toilet was inconveniently located right by the door, with a half-wall partition meant to provide privacy but instead contributing to a cramped and unbalanced feel. Overall, the bathroom’s layout and design were fragmented, failing to make the most of the available space and lacking adequate storage solutions. Design objectives: - Reconfigure the layout to enhance functionality and flow. - Create an elegant, upscale aesthetic that is light and bright. - Incorporate specialized storage solutions for female hair care needs. - Increase overall storage capacity. - Develop a spa-like shower experience. - Provide a significant wow factor to the space. THE REMODEL Design challenges to be solved: - Repositioning the toilet to a more suitable location. - Designing hair care storage solutions without cluttering the elegant space. - Balancing an upscale, elegant design with a feminine touch in the color palette. - Increasing the brightness of the room without adding windows. - Completely replacing the existing shower to create a spa-like experience. - Planning new storage solutions without adding bulkiness or clutter to the cabinetry. THE RENEWED SPACE Design solutions: Toilet Relocation: Moved the toilet by the window, creating a better overall layout that also opened up two full walls for cabinetry and storage solutions. Specialized Vanity Storage: The left side of the left vanity is the wife’s. Open shelves facing across the vanity can be used for decorative or daily needs items. Pull-out docking drawers with power outlets and metal basins handle hot hair appliances. Bright and Elegant Color Scheme: White cabinets, countertops, floors, and shower walls keep the space bright. The just-off-white wall color with a hint of pink adds a feminine touch. Thin wainscoting with white trim offers traditional-leaning elegance. Layered Lighting Strategy: Ceiling can lights, sconces, lighted mirrors, and toe-kick lighting were installed. Natural light-rated bulbs keep the space bright and natural-feeling. Spa-Like Shower: An extra-large shower was created using the same floor tile materials for continuity. Equipped with a Kohler Anthem system with a shower head, hand-held, and four body sprays. His and Hers niches for separate body care product storage. Enhanced Storage Solutions: Added a linen cabinet within the vanity area for efficient storage of towels and bathroom essentials. This elegant bathroom feels incredibly spacious now. The color palette and lights keep the room bright and cheery. Gold fixtures, the herringbone pattern on the floor, and exquisite trim work add an elegant touch. With the husband and wife having their own vanity wall sections joined at the corner, each user truly has their own space within the space. The clients are very happy with the final result.

Lauren Bloom
Inspiration for a small tropical partial sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in Denver.

Large scale renovation on desirable Queens Rd West in Charlotte. The home was built in the 90's and had green formica countertops and was very dated, but had great bones and a beautiful wood library. The renovation was featured in a 4 part segment on WCNC.

Our clients challenged us with a kitchen from 1970 that was segmented from the rest of the home. There were five doorways in this kitchen, the ceiling was low and the kitchen was dark most of the day. The clients wanted an open, light kitchen for entertaining with an eat-in breakfast bar. We were able to construct a tray ceiling and designed a large island with a Macubus Fantasy Quartzite (#AlliedStone) countertop with a 3” laminated edge. The island also includes a drawer microwave, wine refrigerator, and a dual can trash bin. The double ovens and a cabinet-depth commercial refrigerator/freezer provide the perfect appliances for entertaining. Two windows placed symmetrically on the exterior wall frame the 36” cooktop/vent hood and fully open to operate as a pass-through for outdoor entertaining. The backsplash features tile from Ann Sacks that goes above the windows to the ceiling. The dedicated bar contains a small sink, and ice maker. The original front door to this home was repurposed as a barn door and used as the new entrance to the laundry/mud room. This finished project opened up this kitchen and made it truly the heart of this home.