As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards In general, Bryan and Connie Rellinger loved the charm of the old cottage they purchased on a Crooked Lake peninsula, north of Petoskey. Specifically, however, the presence of a live-well in the kitchen (a huge cement basin with running water for keeping fish alive was right in the kitchen entryway, seriously), rickety staircase and green shag carpet, not so much. An extreme renovation was the only solution. The downside? The rebuild would have to fit into the smallish nonconforming footprint. The upside? That footprint was built when folks could place a building close enough to the water to feel like they could dive in from the house. Ahhh... Stephanie Baldwin of Edgewater Design helped the Rellingers come up with a timeless cottage design that breathes efficiency into every nook and cranny. It also expresses the synergy of Bryan, Connie and Stephanie, who emailed each other links to products they liked throughout the building process. That teamwork resulted in an interior that sports a young take on classic cottage. Highlights include a brass sink and light fixtures, coffered ceilings with wide beadboard planks, leathered granite kitchen counters and a way-cool floor made of American chestnut planks from an old barn. Thanks to an abundant use of windows that deliver a grand view of Crooked Lake, the home feels airy and much larger than it is. Bryan and Connie also love how well the layout functions for their family - especially when they are entertaining. The kids' bedrooms are off a large landing at the top of the stairs - roomy enough to double as an entertainment room. When the adults are enjoying cocktail hour or a dinner party downstairs, they can pull a sliding door across the kitchen/great room area to seal it off from the kids' ruckus upstairs (or vice versa!). From its gray-shingled dormers to its sweet white window boxes, this charmer on Crooked Lake is packed with ideas! - Jacqueline Southby Photography

Example of a classic patio design in DC Metro with a fire pit and a gazebo

Dancer Concrete Design was contacted to find the best way to deliver a finished concrete floor in such a different type of space. The home’s design is of two intersecting circles that make up the garage and main living space. A basement sits below half of the structure while a structural concrete pad supports the other half circle. The floor finishing would take place in the living room, dinning room, and into the kitchen. For this project the owners were fully occupying the space. Of course this process aesthetically enhances the space, but we have also found it to increase the durability of our floors. After mechanically removing the grout we move to additional polishing steps and our two-step sealing process of densification and stain guard. Densifying is a reactive penetrating sealer that makes the concrete even stronger and resistant to scratches, stains and other contaminants. The homeowner selected a natural concrete finish – no added stains or dyes – and the final day, the team polished the floor to the desired finish, a level one, 400-grit shine.

Blending a modern sensibility with traditional architecture, this garden features a front yard meadow with native grasses (Carex praecracilis) and wildflowers. Poured-in-place concrete pavers in a meandering pattern slow the approach from the sidewalk to the entry. The modestly-sized backyard has been maximized for entertaining with outdoor dining and lounging areas and subtle landscape lighting. Native plants, herbs, and edibles share the back garden beds, and a raised pond brings the garden to life. Photo by Martin Cox Photography.

Interior Designer: Aria Design www.ariades.com Photographer: Darlene Halaby
Example of a large trendy stone and rectangular lap pool design in Orange County

This kitchen's black and white color palette, industrial light fixtures and the owners' unique decorating style combine to striking effect. The kitchen was opened up to the dining area to create better flow in the home's interior, and new french patio doors connect it to the outdoors.

This was a full renovation of a 1920’s home sitting on a five acre lot. This is a beautiful and stately stone home whose interior was a victim of poorly thought-out, dated renovations and a sectioned off apartment taking up a quarter of the home. We changed the layout completely reclaimed the apartment and garage to make this space work for a growing family. We brought back style, elegance and era appropriate details to the main living spaces. Custom cabinetry, amazing carpentry details, reclaimed and natural materials and fixtures all work in unison to make this home complete. Our energetic, fun and positive clients lived through this amazing transformation like pros. The process was collaborative, fun, and organic.

Study room - transitional built-in desk medium tone wood floor and beige floor study room idea in Houston with beige walls and no fireplace

This was a full renovation of a 1920’s home sitting on a five acre lot. This is a beautiful and stately stone home whose interior was a victim of poorly thought-out, dated renovations and a sectioned off apartment taking up a quarter of the home. We changed the layout completely reclaimed the apartment and garage to make this space work for a growing family. We brought back style, elegance and era appropriate details to the main living spaces. Custom cabinetry, amazing carpentry details, reclaimed and natural materials and fixtures all work in unison to make this home complete. Our energetic, fun and positive clients lived through this amazing transformation like pros. The process was collaborative, fun, and organic.

Dancer Concrete Design was contacted to find the best way to deliver a finished concrete floor in such a different type of space. The home’s design is of two intersecting circles that make up the garage and main living space. A basement sits below half of the structure while a structural concrete pad supports the other half circle. The floor finishing would take place in the living room, dinning room, and into the kitchen. For this project the owners were fully occupying the space. Of course this process aesthetically enhances the space, but we have also found it to increase the durability of our floors. After mechanically removing the grout we move to additional polishing steps and our two-step sealing process of densification and stain guard. Densifying is a reactive penetrating sealer that makes the concrete even stronger and resistant to scratches, stains and other contaminants. The homeowner selected a natural concrete finish – no added stains or dyes – and the final day, the team polished the floor to the desired finish, a level one, 400-grit shine.

Inspiration for a timeless medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in Birmingham with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

David Patterson
Living room - transitional living room idea in Denver

Dancer Concrete Design was contacted to find the best way to deliver a finished concrete floor in such a different type of space. The home’s design is of two intersecting circles that make up the garage and main living space. A basement sits below half of the structure while a structural concrete pad supports the other half circle. The floor finishing would take place in the living room, dinning room, and into the kitchen. For this project the owners were fully occupying the space. Of course this process aesthetically enhances the space, but we have also found it to increase the durability of our floors. After mechanically removing the grout we move to additional polishing steps and our two-step sealing process of densification and stain guard. Densifying is a reactive penetrating sealer that makes the concrete even stronger and resistant to scratches, stains and other contaminants. The homeowner selected a natural concrete finish – no added stains or dyes – and the final day, the team polished the floor to the desired finish, a level one, 400-grit shine.

The most notable design component is the exceptional use of reclaimed wood throughout nearly every application. Sourced from not only one, but two different Indiana barns, this hand hewn and rough sawn wood is used in a variety of applications including custom cabinetry with a white glaze finish, dark stained window casing, butcher block island countertop and handsome woodwork on the fireplace mantel, range hood, and ceiling. Underfoot, Oak wood flooring is salvaged from a tobacco barn, giving it its unique tone and rich shine that comes only from the unique process of drying and curing tobacco. Photo Credit: Ashley Avila

Keep it simple with a 26-inch diameter round side table featuring two glass surfaces, including one at the table base, for an elegant storage solution. A state-of-the-art metal plating process ensures lasting quality on the metal frame, finished in our soft Gold Bullion. Dimensions: 26 dia x 25.5H Features: Lay on Glass Top with Plated Stainless Steel Base, Inset Glass Shelf at Bottom Construction: Inset Glass Shelf at Bottom: 26" dia x 22.5"H

Dancer Concrete Design was contacted to find the best way to deliver a finished concrete floor in such a different type of space. The home’s design is of two intersecting circles that make up the garage and main living space. A basement sits below half of the structure while a structural concrete pad supports the other half circle. The floor finishing would take place in the living room, dinning room, and into the kitchen. For this project the owners were fully occupying the space. Of course this process aesthetically enhances the space, but we have also found it to increase the durability of our floors. After mechanically removing the grout we move to additional polishing steps and our two-step sealing process of densification and stain guard. Densifying is a reactive penetrating sealer that makes the concrete even stronger and resistant to scratches, stains and other contaminants. The homeowner selected a natural concrete finish – no added stains or dyes – and the final day, the team polished the floor to the desired finish, a level one, 400-grit shine.

Inspiration for a transitional living room remodel in Singapore

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Dancer Concrete Design was contacted to find the best way to deliver a finished concrete floor in such a different type of space. The home’s design is of two intersecting circles that make up the garage and main living space. A basement sits below half of the structure while a structural concrete pad supports the other half circle. The floor finishing would take place in the living room, dinning room, and into the kitchen. For this project the owners were fully occupying the space. Of course this process aesthetically enhances the space, but we have also found it to increase the durability of our floors. After mechanically removing the grout we move to additional polishing steps and our two-step sealing process of densification and stain guard. Densifying is a reactive penetrating sealer that makes the concrete even stronger and resistant to scratches, stains and other contaminants. The homeowner selected a natural concrete finish – no added stains or dyes – and the final day, the team polished the floor to the desired finish, a level one, 400-grit shine.