This remodel addressed issues including peeling vinyl flooring, outdated fixtures, and safety hazards due to deferred maintenance. Challenges included: sourcing budget-sensitive materials with a high-end feel; slip-resistant hexagon floor tiles; a new pedestal sink; a water-saving toilet; and a larger medicine cabinet, while correcting code violations. Universal Design created an open floor plan, low-maintenance finishes, zero-threshold entries into the bathroom and shower, in addition to highly-contrasting materials, grab bars with blocking, accessible towel bars for user convenience, and dimmable lighting with anti-glare trim. We combined modern materials for a noir style and universal functionality for our aging-in-place clients and their forever home.

This remodel addressed issues including peeling vinyl flooring, outdated fixtures, and safety hazards due to deferred maintenance. Challenges included: sourcing budget-sensitive materials with a high-end feel; slip-resistant hexagon floor tiles; a new pedestal sink; a water-saving toilet; and a larger medicine cabinet, while correcting code violations. Universal Design created an open floor plan, low-maintenance finishes, zero-threshold entries into the bathroom and shower, in addition to highly-contrasting materials, grab bars with blocking, accessible towel bars for user convenience, and dimmable lighting with anti-glare trim. We combined modern materials for a noir style and universal functionality for our aging-in-place clients and their forever home.

R Brandt Designs
Example of a trendy freestanding desk dark wood floor study room design in Dallas

This remodel addressed issues including peeling vinyl flooring, outdated fixtures, and safety hazards due to deferred maintenance. Challenges included: sourcing budget-sensitive materials with a high-end feel; slip-resistant hexagon floor tiles; a new pedestal sink; a water-saving toilet; and a larger medicine cabinet, while correcting code violations. Universal Design created an open floor plan, low-maintenance finishes, zero-threshold entries into the bathroom and shower, in addition to highly-contrasting materials, grab bars with blocking, accessible towel bars for user convenience, and dimmable lighting with anti-glare trim. We combined modern materials for a noir style and universal functionality for our aging-in-place clients and their forever home.

This remodel addressed issues including peeling vinyl flooring, outdated fixtures, and safety hazards due to deferred maintenance. Challenges included: sourcing budget-sensitive materials with a high-end feel; slip-resistant hexagon floor tiles; a new pedestal sink; a water-saving toilet; and a larger medicine cabinet, while correcting code violations. Universal Design created an open floor plan, low-maintenance finishes, zero-threshold entries into the bathroom and shower, in addition to highly-contrasting materials, grab bars with blocking, accessible towel bars for user convenience, and dimmable lighting with anti-glare trim. We combined modern materials for a noir style and universal functionality for our aging-in-place clients and their forever home.

Design ideas for a mid-century modern landscaping in Los Angeles.

Intersecting masses of ferns (ostrich, ghost, holly, tassel, wood, autumn, beech, lady, cinnamon, maidenhair, sensitive and Christmas) run along the banks of the small creek while Japanese maples and dwarf hemlocks create rhythm. Photo by Jay Sifford.

Mid-Century Remodel on Tabor Hill This sensitively sited house was designed by Robert Coolidge, a renowned architect and grandson of President Calvin Coolidge. The house features a symmetrical gable roof and beautiful floor to ceiling glass facing due south, smartly oriented for passive solar heating. Situated on a steep lot, the house is primarily a single story that steps down to a family room. This lower level opens to a New England exterior. Our goals for this project were to maintain the integrity of the original design while creating more modern spaces. Our design team worked to envision what Coolidge himself might have designed if he'd had access to modern materials and fixtures. With the aim of creating a signature space that ties together the living, dining, and kitchen areas, we designed a variation on the 1950's "floating kitchen." In this inviting assembly, the kitchen is located away from exterior walls, which allows views from the floor-to-ceiling glass to remain uninterrupted by cabinetry. We updated rooms throughout the house; installing modern features that pay homage to the fine, sleek lines of the original design. Finally, we opened the family room to a terrace featuring a fire pit. Since a hallmark of our design is the diminishment of the hard line between interior and exterior, we were especially pleased for the opportunity to update this classic work.

Upper Stair Landing and Hall. Art work by Melissa Auberty Photography by Michael Hunter Photography.
Example of a large transitional dark wood floor and brown floor hallway design in Dallas with white walls

Example of a trendy two-story exterior home design in DC Metro

When a world class sailing champion approached us to design a Newport home for his family, with lodging for his sailing crew, we set out to create a clean, light-filled modern home that would integrate with the natural surroundings of the waterfront property, and respect the character of the historic district. Our approach was to make the marine landscape an integral feature throughout the home. One hundred eighty degree views of the ocean from the top floors are the result of the pinwheel massing. The home is designed as an extension of the curvilinear approach to the property through the woods and reflects the gentle undulating waterline of the adjacent saltwater marsh. Floodplain regulations dictated that the primary occupied spaces be located significantly above grade; accordingly, we designed the first and second floors on a stone “plinth” above a walk-out basement with ample storage for sailing equipment. The curved stone base slopes to grade and houses the shallow entry stair, while the same stone clads the interior’s vertical core to the roof, along which the wood, glass and stainless steel stair ascends to the upper level. One critical programmatic requirement was enough sleeping space for the sailing crew, and informal party spaces for the end of race-day gatherings. The private master suite is situated on one side of the public central volume, giving the homeowners views of approaching visitors. A “bedroom bar,” designed to accommodate a full house of guests, emerges from the other side of the central volume, and serves as a backdrop for the infinity pool and the cove beyond. Also essential to the design process was ecological sensitivity and stewardship. The wetlands of the adjacent saltwater marsh were designed to be restored; an extensive geo-thermal heating and cooling system was implemented; low carbon footprint materials and permeable surfaces were used where possible. Native and non-invasive plant species were utilized in the landscape. The abundance of windows and glass railings maximize views of the landscape, and, in deference to the adjacent bird sanctuary, bird-friendly glazing was used throughout. Photo: Michael Moran/OTTO Photography

Arbutus menziesii / Pacific Madrone Photo: Wendy Cutler, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-2.0 Generic
Photo of a landscaping in Other.

Inspiration for a transitional patio remodel in DC Metro

Minimalist concrete floor open concept kitchen photo in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble countertops and white backsplash

This was a remodel of a traditional craftsmen/shingle style home. The clients wanted to make their home more energy efficient, warm and functional. The solution was to bring more light into the spaces, insulate throughout and redo the existing space and create a fully functional, roomy kitchen to be used for both cooking and entertaining.

This remodel addressed issues including peeling vinyl flooring, outdated fixtures, and safety hazards due to deferred maintenance. Challenges included: sourcing budget-sensitive materials with a high-end feel; slip-resistant hexagon floor tiles; a new pedestal sink; a water-saving toilet; and a larger medicine cabinet, while correcting code violations. Universal Design created an open floor plan, low-maintenance finishes, zero-threshold entries into the bathroom and shower, in addition to highly-contrasting materials, grab bars with blocking, accessible towel bars for user convenience, and dimmable lighting with anti-glare trim. We combined modern materials for a noir style and universal functionality for our aging-in-place clients and their forever home.

The goal for this 1939 Tudor-style story-and-a-half home was to create a kitchen that offered the conveniences, storage, and performance of a modern workspace while preserving the warmth, craftsmanship, and vintage charm that made the home special. The client, an avid home cook, wanted the room to feel as though it had always belonged to the house, with thoughtful upgrades that respected the original architecture rather than competing with it. Just as important, she needed a more efficient layout with enough storage for small appliances, so everyday cooking would no longer require carrying items up from the lower level. Several existing conditions shaped the design approach. The kitchen retained original, amber-stained birch woodwork that the client wished to keep, and the compact footprint was interrupted by six doorways and two windows, none of which were to be moved, altered, or replaced. A previous flooring update had left the door casings undercut too short, creating visible gaps where the casing met the floor. The existing vintage 40-inch range also lacked proper ventilation, yet the client wished to accommodate a refrigerator, dishwasher, cooktop, double ovens, built-in microwave, and effective venting above the cooktop into the new kitchen layout. To honor the original millwork, beaded inset-style cherry cabinetry was selected in a soft, hand-rubbed finish that will deepen over time and develop a natural patina. Charcoal-gray soapstone countertops complement the cabinetry while reinforcing the historic character of the home with an organic, timeworn texture. The former breakfast nook was transformed into a butler’s pantry, adding valuable base cabinet storage and expanded work surfaces for frequently used small appliances. Also in the butler’s pantry, a single upper cabinet was paired with open shelves to give an open, airy feeling while adding character and practical storage. A classic single-bowl apron-front workstation sink contributes both period-appropriate character and practical prep and cleanup function. Because the home’s openings were such a defining feature, the design worked within the existing architecture instead of altering it. Custom plinth blocks were created for each doorway to extend the original casing gracefully down to the new natural red oak flooring, resolving the earlier construction issue while adding a detail that feels authentic to the age of the house. Despite the number of door and window openings, the new layout provides a significantly more functional, built-in kitchen with an improved work triangle for serious cooking. Appliance placement was carefully planned to deliver the requested performance without overwhelming the small room. Three cooking functions (double ovens & microwave) were consolidated into one location with a GE Café double oven featuring Advantium Technology, while the client’s compact 31-inch refrigerator was reused to preserve space. A sleek 30-inch induction cooktop provides efficient cooking, and a Vent-A-Hood ARS ductless vent hood supplies needed ventilation without requiring a duct run to the exterior. The finish palette balances richness, texture, and historical sensitivity. A deeply textured navy backsplash tile adds depth and dramatic shadow play against the soapstone, while wallpaper in the back entry echoes the tile’s geometric pattern to visually connect the adjoining spaces. Oil-rubbed bronze cabinet hardware and light fixtures enhance the warmth of the cherry cabinetry and complete the antique-inspired feel. Lighting was layered to make the compact kitchen brighter, more useful, and more inviting. Vintage-style semi-flush ceiling fixtures establish the overall tone, while dimmable puck lights highlight select areas and undercabinet task lighting keeps work surfaces well illuminated. The completed kitchen now feels both highly functional and deeply rooted in the home’s history. Rich cherry cabinetry, velvety soapstone, natural red oak flooring, navy tile, bronze accents, and carefully preserved birch trim work together to create a warm, cohesive space that celebrates timeless craftsmanship. By increasing storage, improving workflow, integrating modern appliances, and respecting the Tudor home’s original character, the design achieves the client’s vision: a kitchen that feels personal, practical, historically appropriate, and as though it has always been there.

The goal for this 1939 Tudor-style story-and-a-half home was to create a kitchen that offered the conveniences, storage, and performance of a modern workspace while preserving the warmth, craftsmanship, and vintage charm that made the home special. The client, an avid home cook, wanted the room to feel as though it had always belonged to the house, with thoughtful upgrades that respected the original architecture rather than competing with it. Just as important, she needed a more efficient layout with enough storage for small appliances, so everyday cooking would no longer require carrying items up from the lower level. Several existing conditions shaped the design approach. The kitchen retained original, amber-stained birch woodwork that the client wished to keep, and the compact footprint was interrupted by six doorways and two windows, none of which were to be moved, altered, or replaced. A previous flooring update had left the door casings undercut too short, creating visible gaps where the casing met the floor. The existing vintage 40-inch range also lacked proper ventilation, yet the client wished to accommodate a refrigerator, dishwasher, cooktop, double ovens, built-in microwave, and effective venting above the cooktop into the new kitchen layout. To honor the original millwork, beaded inset-style cherry cabinetry was selected in a soft, hand-rubbed finish that will deepen over time and develop a natural patina. Charcoal-gray soapstone countertops complement the cabinetry while reinforcing the historic character of the home with an organic, timeworn texture. The former breakfast nook was transformed into a butler’s pantry, adding valuable base cabinet storage and expanded work surfaces for frequently used small appliances. Also in the butler’s pantry, a single upper cabinet was paired with open shelves to give an open, airy feeling while adding character and practical storage. A classic single-bowl apron-front workstation sink contributes both period-appropriate character and practical prep and cleanup function. Because the home’s openings were such a defining feature, the design worked within the existing architecture instead of altering it. Custom plinth blocks were created for each doorway to extend the original casing gracefully down to the new natural red oak flooring, resolving the earlier construction issue while adding a detail that feels authentic to the age of the house. Despite the number of door and window openings, the new layout provides a significantly more functional, built-in kitchen with an improved work triangle for serious cooking. Appliance placement was carefully planned to deliver the requested performance without overwhelming the small room. Three cooking functions (double ovens & microwave) were consolidated into one location with a GE Café double oven featuring Advantium Technology, while the client’s compact 31-inch refrigerator was reused to preserve space. A sleek 30-inch induction cooktop provides efficient cooking, and a Vent-A-Hood ARS ductless vent hood supplies needed ventilation without requiring a duct run to the exterior. The finish palette balances richness, texture, and historical sensitivity. A deeply textured navy backsplash tile adds depth and dramatic shadow play against the soapstone, while wallpaper in the back entry echoes the tile’s geometric pattern to visually connect the adjoining spaces. Oil-rubbed bronze cabinet hardware and light fixtures enhance the warmth of the cherry cabinetry and complete the antique-inspired feel. Lighting was layered to make the compact kitchen brighter, more useful, and more inviting. Vintage-style semi-flush ceiling fixtures establish the overall tone, while dimmable puck lights highlight select areas and undercabinet task lighting keeps work surfaces well illuminated. The completed kitchen now feels both highly functional and deeply rooted in the home’s history. Rich cherry cabinetry, velvety soapstone, natural red oak flooring, navy tile, bronze accents, and carefully preserved birch trim work together to create a warm, cohesive space that celebrates timeless craftsmanship. By increasing storage, improving workflow, integrating modern appliances, and respecting the Tudor home’s original character, the design achieves the client’s vision: a kitchen that feels personal, practical, historically appropriate, and as though it has always been there.