Giving a nod to mid-century modern styling, we created a kitchen that is both simple and refined - with just a touch of detail. The beveled inner profile of the Nova door gives it distinction, while affording the client an easy cleanability. The vaulted ceiling, with skylight and large window demand a generous volume of cabinetry to be of proper proportion. A variety of island storage options (various depth pan and utensil drawers, a pullout pantry for oils and condiments, tray storage), plus a multi-purpose pantry cabinet, and a matching desk unit provide a wealth of storage options and unify the space. With the generous island, complete with cooktop and prep sink, the kitchen is perfect for this gourmet cook to entertain their guests. The client wanted a non-traditional top trim which would add both height and a broad horizontal line; we used a 7” high panel with applied bevel molding top and bottom. A bevel molding was also applied to the light valance: these bevel compliment the aesthetic module of the Nova door. The architect requested a large valance to house the electric window blind. The valance also incorporates light sconces which shine on the counter from a reasonable distance as the ceiling was so high; this was achieved using a matching Nova wainscot panel. The architect also wanted matching end panels on the island, yet the island cabinets did not match because they were different depths. On one side we provided 15” deep drawers and 15” wide side panel; on the opposite side we had a 24” deep pullout pantry with 15” wide side panel pulled to the front - so the question was, what to do with the 9” wide blank area? The solution: we had a 15” wide cabinet made with a 24” wide door that overlapped the blank area. By using touch latch hinges, it looks like a fixed panel flanked by two 15” panels. It’s amazing what Wood-Mode will make.

When we began this blue and white kitchen project, there was a room that had been previously added on to the back of the kitchen. At the time the client put addition in, they had structurally framed it keeping the post you see in the photos. We had the option of removing the post and putting in a steel header to remove it, but to avoid the expense, the decision was made to keep the post, work around it. Ken designed something spectacular to intentionally incorporate it into a large kitchen island positioning it in the most ideal location so the post wouldn’t be in the middle of the room. He built up the quartz counters to a 2” thickness and notched the countertop around the post. Before the renovation, there were no sliding doors, so we added a slider and two windows that flank the Bertazzoni range oven and hood. There was a side door where the coffee pot is now and there was no way to get to the outdoor deck from the kitchen. A large part of the design was changing the way you enter the kitchen from the front hallway and from the outdoor deck and dining area. The client wanted an open indoor/outdoor feeling in this kitchen with more storage and better functionality. We were able to create this by moving the stove from the inside wall to the outside wall, adding new windows and sliders, and allowing the natural light to flow in from the pre-existing skylight. The exquisite finishes of this blue and white kitchen are from our Brookhaven by Wood-Mode line with oak wood floors.

Recessed lighting, a ceiling fan/light combo, skylights and open gables allow natural light to flood back into the space and the house. You can also see 2 out of the 3 infrared heaters installed in this space to take the chill out of the air when needed. Be sure you talk to your designer about all roof options before you end up with regret after a build!

The clients' home backed up to deep woods and they wanted a room with floor to ceiling screens to allow cooling breezes to blow through. However, they had two young children and they wanted to protect the screens so we installed a clear glass railing system with white metal vertical posts hold the glass panels and solved the challenge. The floor is 12 x 24 porcelain tile. The ceiling is knotty pine and has 4 recessed ceiling lights and a ceiling fan for hot days. White trim provides a clean finished look. The comfy durable aluminum frame powder coated furniture is from Yardbird Outdoor Furniture in St. Louis Park, MN.

Michael Lavin Flower
Example of a trendy exterior home design in Boston

Two years before this photo shoot, a Bloomington couple came to SYI wondering whether to renovate their dated bi-level or upgrade to a new house entirely: the classic love-it-or-list-it dilemma. The whole house needed to be touched, really: bathrooms and kitchen, lighting and flooring and paint everywhere, not to mention new furniture to fill in and improve the living spaces. We spent a year with this family, considering options that were less transformative but allowed for the whole house to be upgraded, as well as options that dramatically changed the main living space but meant the rest of the house would have to wait. Meanwhile, they kept an eye out for better digs in town: a house at their price point, that met their family's needs and matched their aesthetic without major construction. After a year of hunting, hemming and hawing: they pulled the trigger. Give us the whole enchilada in the kitchen and main living space, they said. There's no other house for us. The bathrooms and basement can wait. Make this space, where we spend all our time, a place we love to be. Walls and ceilings came down; clerestory windows went in. A stunning 4-panel sliding door-cum-window wall replaced two separate doors in two separate rooms, and the sun streaming in now gives this house in Indiana a California-like access to the outdoors. The central custom screen does triple duty: displaying the client's objets d'art, hiding an HVAC chase, and holding up the ceiling. The gas fireplace is completely new, with custom shelving on either side. Of course, in 2017, the kitchen anchors everything. Family Central, it features custom cabinetry, honed quartz, a new window wall, and a huge island. Materials are earthy and natural, lending a warm modern effect to the space. The medium stain of the wood and overall horizontality of the design are a nod to the home's era (1967), while white cabinetry and charcoal tile provide a neutral but crisp backdrop for the family's stunning and colorful art collection. The result: an ordinary bi-level is now an extraordinary home, unlike any other in Bloomington. Contractor: Rusty Peterson Construction Cabinetry: Tim Graber Furniture Photography: Gina Rogers

When we began this blue and white kitchen project, there was a room that had been previously added on to the back of the kitchen. At the time the client put addition in, they had structurally framed it keeping the post you see in the photos. We had the option of removing the post and putting in a steel header to remove it, but to avoid the expense, the decision was made to keep the post, work around it. Ken designed something spectacular to intentionally incorporate it into a large kitchen island positioning it in the most ideal location so the post wouldn’t be in the middle of the room. He built up the quartz counters to a 2” thickness and notched the countertop around the post. Before the renovation, there were no sliding doors, so we added a slider and two windows that flank the Bertazzoni range oven and hood. There was a side door where the coffee pot is now and there was no way to get to the outdoor deck from the kitchen. A large part of the design was changing the way you enter the kitchen from the front hallway and from the outdoor deck and dining area. The client wanted an open indoor/outdoor feeling in this kitchen with more storage and better functionality. We were able to create this by moving the stove from the inside wall to the outside wall, adding new windows and sliders, and allowing the natural light to flow in from the pre-existing skylight. The exquisite finishes of this blue and white kitchen are from our Brookhaven by Wood-Mode line with oak wood floors.

Rejuvenate in this sky-lighted enclosed pool after a tiresome day.
Example of a tuscan pool design in Tampa

In this primary bathroom, the lighting scheme was key to achieve the client’s goals and create a space where the client would enjoy being. The bathroom felt cramped, dark, visually heavy. The client was also claustrophobic, making the use of the space uncomfortable. The goal was to transform this space into a relaxed modern spa-like atmosphere, rethink and simplify the floorplan avoiding visual clutter, access natural light, add efficient lighting, and create more visual space. The lighting plan was crucial to increase visual space. My first thought was to add a skylight to access natural light that is so effective in enlarging the feel of a space. After looking at the attic and roof lines it became clear that this was not an option. After some research I found the perfect solution: a smart light fixture that mimics a window. It is installed between studs or ceiling joists. The fixture replicates the light of the sun during the day. It goes from soft morning light - to bright noon - to soft dawn light. By recessing the fixture into the ceiling, the skylight-look and extra height was achieved. The benefits of this light go beyond beautiful design. The fixture is sustainable, energy efficient, and made to last for decades. It regulates the body’s circadian rhythm, helping against sleeping problems and seasonal affective disorder. It also integrates biophilic design, creating connections to nature and benefiting people that spend hours indoors. The use of mood lighting was also key, creating a cozy, welcoming feel to this home-spa. All the lights are dimmable, and plenty of indirect light sources, like the gorgeous vanity pendants and LED mirrors, create the perfect setting. Not forgetting to mention the soft curves of the bathtub chandelier. This is the perfect place to relax in the bubbly bathtub!

Huge open concept living room photo in Hawaii

When we began this blue and white kitchen project, there was a room that had been previously added on to the back of the kitchen. At the time the client put addition in, they had structurally framed it keeping the post you see in the photos. We had the option of removing the post and putting in a steel header to remove it, but to avoid the expense, the decision was made to keep the post, work around it. Ken designed something spectacular to intentionally incorporate it into a large kitchen island positioning it in the most ideal location so the post wouldn’t be in the middle of the room. He built up the quartz counters to a 2” thickness and notched the countertop around the post. Before the renovation, there were no sliding doors, so we added a slider and two windows that flank the Bertazzoni range oven and hood. There was a side door where the coffee pot is now and there was no way to get to the outdoor deck from the kitchen. A large part of the design was changing the way you enter the kitchen from the front hallway and from the outdoor deck and dining area. The client wanted an open indoor/outdoor feeling in this kitchen with more storage and better functionality. We were able to create this by moving the stove from the inside wall to the outside wall, adding new windows and sliders, and allowing the natural light to flow in from the pre-existing skylight. The exquisite finishes of this blue and white kitchen are from our Brookhaven by Wood-Mode line with oak wood floors.

Modern outdoor patio expansion. Indoor-Outdoor Living and Dining. Poured concrete walls, steel posts, bluestain pine ceilings, skylights, standing seam metal roof, firepit, and modern landscaping. Photo by Jess Blackwell

The best choice for energy efficiency, our custom Honeycomb Shades fit nearly any style of window, including skylights, arches, sliders and small windows. Seven light-filtering options, from semi-sheer to blackout, meet your light control needs.

When we began this blue and white kitchen project, there was a room that had been previously added on to the back of the kitchen. At the time the client put addition in, they had structurally framed it keeping the post you see in the photos. We had the option of removing the post and putting in a steel header to remove it, but to avoid the expense, the decision was made to keep the post, work around it. Ken designed something spectacular to intentionally incorporate it into a large kitchen island positioning it in the most ideal location so the post wouldn’t be in the middle of the room. He built up the quartz counters to a 2” thickness and notched the countertop around the post. Before the renovation, there were no sliding doors, so we added a slider and two windows that flank the Bertazzoni range oven and hood. There was a side door where the coffee pot is now and there was no way to get to the outdoor deck from the kitchen. A large part of the design was changing the way you enter the kitchen from the front hallway and from the outdoor deck and dining area. The client wanted an open indoor/outdoor feeling in this kitchen with more storage and better functionality. We were able to create this by moving the stove from the inside wall to the outside wall, adding new windows and sliders, and allowing the natural light to flow in from the pre-existing skylight. The exquisite finishes of this blue and white kitchen are from our Brookhaven by Wood-Mode line with oak wood floors.

When we began this blue and white kitchen project, there was a room that had been previously added on to the back of the kitchen. At the time the client put addition in, they had structurally framed it keeping the post you see in the photos. We had the option of removing the post and putting in a steel header to remove it, but to avoid the expense, the decision was made to keep the post, work around it. Ken designed something spectacular to intentionally incorporate it into a large kitchen island positioning it in the most ideal location so the post wouldn’t be in the middle of the room. He built up the quartz counters to a 2” thickness and notched the countertop around the post. Before the renovation, there were no sliding doors, so we added a slider and two windows that flank the Bertazzoni range oven and hood. There was a side door where the coffee pot is now and there was no way to get to the outdoor deck from the kitchen. A large part of the design was changing the way you enter the kitchen from the front hallway and from the outdoor deck and dining area. The client wanted an open indoor/outdoor feeling in this kitchen with more storage and better functionality. We were able to create this by moving the stove from the inside wall to the outside wall, adding new windows and sliders, and allowing the natural light to flow in from the pre-existing skylight. The exquisite finishes of this blue and white kitchen are from our Brookhaven by Wood-Mode line with oak wood floors.

Screened in porch featuring a motorized, retractable vinyl and screen dual system, making the area accessible year round. Hardwood floors were installed for a durable, low maintenance option. Skylights were chosen to compliment the LED recessed lighting. As was a ceiling fan, to help keep the space at a comfortable temperature.

Giving a nod to mid-century modern styling, we created a kitchen that is both simple and refined - with just a touch of detail. The beveled inner profile of the Nova door gives it distinction, while affording the client an easy cleanability. The vaulted ceiling, with skylight and large window demand a generous volume of cabinetry to be of proper proportion. A variety of island storage options (various depth pan and utensil drawers, a pullout pantry for oils and condiments, tray storage), plus a multi-purpose pantry cabinet, and a matching desk unit provide a wealth of storage options and unify the space. With the generous island, complete with cooktop and prep sink, the kitchen is perfect for this gourmet cook to entertain their guests. The client wanted a non-traditional top trim which would add both height and a broad horizontal line; we used a 7” high panel with applied bevel molding top and bottom. A bevel molding was also applied to the light valance: these bevel compliment the aesthetic module of the Nova door. The architect requested a large valance to house the electric window blind. The valance also incorporates light sconces which shine on the counter from a reasonable distance as the ceiling was so high; this was achieved using a matching Nova wainscot panel. The architect also wanted matching end panels on the island, yet the island cabinets did not match because they were different depths. On one side we provided 15” deep drawers and 15” wide side panel; on the opposite side we had a 24” deep pullout pantry with 15” wide side panel pulled to the front - so the question was, what to do with the 9” wide blank area? The solution: we had a 15” wide cabinet made with a 24” wide door that overlapped the blank area. By using touch latch hinges, it looks like a fixed panel flanked by two 15” panels. It’s amazing what Wood-Mode will make.

Duette® Architella® honeycomb shades with Vertiglide™ For doors that need extra insulation from the heat or cold, Duette® Architella® honeycomb shades with the Vertiglide™ operating system are the ideal option. The Vertiglide™ operating system is very simple - with no cords, chains or wands - and allows for just one shade to cover the entire window expanse. Combine these with horizontal Duettes® shades and you have The Whole House Solution™. Almost immediately you can see how your Duette® honeycomb shades transform any room into a stunning, living space and experience the beauty and privacy you deserve. These versatile shades offer options for: top-down/bottom-up, top down, bottom up, angles, cordless, French doors, skylights and patio doors. Using Duettes® in every room of your home is a possibility and a great easy solution.

Yavapai Cabin sits in the middle of a steep mountain in an Arizona conifer forest. A clearing on the slope was made by the owner, with a vision to create a cabin immersed within the tree canopies. Upward Architecture approached the project with two design options, exploring different ways to bring filtered light into the living spaces. Both options propose a plan with a central kitchen and living space, with sleeping suites on either side. A simple shed roof opens up to the commanding views of this Yavapai County forest, from all rooms.