A small banquette area with a custom leather bench and marble table. Bistro chairs and complete the eclectic look. Photo by Robert Radifera
Kitchen/dining room combo - small eclectic light wood floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Austin with white walls and no fireplace

Example of a cottage chic patio design in Santa Barbara with a roof extension

Casey Dunn
Example of a mid-century modern dining room design in Austin with a two-sided fireplace

This condo in Sterling, VA belongs to a couple about to enter into retirement. They own this home in Sterling, along with a weekend home in West Virginia, a vacation home on Emerald Isle in North Carolina and a vacation home in St. John. They want to use this home as their "home-base" during their retirement, when they need to be in the metro area for business or to see family. The condo is small and they felt it was too "choppy," it didn't have good flow and the rooms were too separated and confined. They wondered if it could have more of an open concept feel but were doubtful due to the size and layout of the home. The furnishings they owned from their previous home were very traditional and heavy. They wanted a much lighter, more open and more contemporary feel to this home. They wanted it to feel clean, light, airy and much bigger then it is. The first thing we tackled was an unsightly, and very heavy stone veneered fireplace wall that separated the family room from the office space. It made both rooms look heavy and dark. We took down the stone and opened up parts of the wall so that the two spaces would flow into each other. We added a view thru fireplace and gave the fireplace wall a faux marble finish to lighten it and make it much more contemporary. Glass shelves bounce light and keep the wall feeling light and streamlined. Custom built ins add hidden storage and make great use of space in these small rooms. Our strategy was to open as much as possible and to lighten the space through the use of color, fabric and glass. New furnishings in lighter colors and soft textures help keep the feeling light and modernize the space. Sheer linen draperies soften the hard lines and add to the light, airy feel. Tinius Photography

This space provides some relief from the late afternoon sun....or just a spot to relax after a dip in the swimming pool or hot tub.
Example of a trendy patio design in Minneapolis with no cover

This Modern colonial kitchen in Westchester County was built around a dining table to accomodate a large family. Handcrafted subway tiles were used as the backsplash and to frame the windows. Shaker style Brookhaven custom cabinets created the contemporary feel of the space. Photography: Jaime Martorano

A mountain house living room designed by Robert Brown in Cashiers, North Carolina.
Mountain style living room photo in Atlanta

My client came to us with a request to make a contemporary meets warm and inviting 17 foot dining table using only 15 foot long, extra wide "Kingswood" boards from their 1700's attic floor. The bases are vintage cast iron circa 1900 Adam's Brothers - Providence, RI.

Inspiration for a timeless dining room remodel in Chicago

Reclaimed Ontario Barnwood Round Table made from Historic Pioneer Barnwood / www.table.ca
Inspiration for a rustic wine cellar remodel in Toronto

Our client, with whom we had worked on a number of projects over the years, enlisted our help in transforming her family’s beloved but deteriorating rustic summer retreat, built by her grandparents in the mid-1920’s, into a house that would be livable year-‘round. It had served the family well but needed to be renewed for the decades to come without losing the flavor and patina they were attached to. The house was designed by Ruth Adams, a rare female architect of the day, who also designed in a similar vein a nearby summer colony of Vassar faculty and alumnae. To make Treetop habitable throughout the year, the whole house had to be gutted and insulated. The raw homosote interior wall finishes were replaced with plaster, but all the wood trim was retained and reused, as were all old doors and hardware. The old single-glazed casement windows were restored, and removable storm panels fitted into the existing in-swinging screen frames. New windows were made to match the old ones where new windows were added. This approach was inherently sustainable, making the house energy-efficient while preserving most of the original fabric. Changes to the original design were as seamless as possible, compatible with and enhancing the old character. Some plan modifications were made, and some windows moved around. The existing cave-like recessed entry porch was enclosed as a new book-lined entry hall and a new entry porch added, using posts made from an oak tree on the site. The kitchen and bathrooms are entirely new but in the spirit of the place. All the bookshelves are new. A thoroughly ramshackle garage couldn’t be saved, and we replaced it with a new one built in a compatible style, with a studio above for our client, who is a writer.

Warm and inviting this new construction home, by New Orleans Architect Al Jones, and interior design by Bradshaw Designs, lives as if it's been there for decades. Charming details provide a rich patina. The old Chicago brick walls, the white slurried brick walls, old ceiling beams, and deep green paint colors, all add up to a house filled with comfort and charm for this dear family. Lead Designer: Crystal Romero; Designer: Morgan McCabe; Photographer: Stephen Karlisch; Photo Stylist: Melanie McKinley.

• Craftsman-style dining area • Furnishings + decorative accessory styling • Pedestal dining table base - Herman Miller Eames base w/custom top • Vintage wood framed dining chairs re-upholstered • Oversized floor lamp - Artemide • Burlap wall treatment • Leather Ottoman - Herman Miller Eames • Fireplace with vintage tile + wood mantel • Wood ceiling beams • Modern art

Dimension: 40" L X 40" D X 19"H If you’re looking for a coffee table with a little something extra to offer, then our Zayante Rustic Solid Wood Round Nesting Coffee Table Set of 3 is going to be a dream come true for you. Featuring a round, slightly extended table top that resides over a simple cross-form bottom frame, this coffee table hides two extra nesting stools at its base. Half of the bottom cross is solid providing you with a bottom tier, while the other is a rather empty structure when both the stools are taken out from it for seating purpose or to increase the usable surface. When not in use the stools can be easily stowed away at the base. Aside from the extra placements, the ebony finish of this solid wood rustic coffee table is also quite attractive. Its contemporary style build is complemented by the smooth, simple finish, and the overall effect is quite gorgeous. Handcrafted from solid Rosewood, this round coffee table with two nesting stools boasts an excellent heirloom quality along with the utmost strength, resilience, and durability. Its smart, space-saving design is also complemented by an amazing visual versatility. It can easily be set up in a number of interior design styles, be it contemporary, eclectic, transitional, Scandinavian, modern or more. However, it would look best when paired with the 2 solid wood round end tables from our Zayante Rustic Solid Wood 5 Piece Coffee Table Set. Special Features: • 100% Handcrafted • Solid Rosewood craftsmanship • Contemporary style • Round coffee table with 2 stools and bottom tier • Ebony finish • Heirloom quality • Visually versatile • Easy maintenance Note: Real wood is a product of nature, and as such, no two pieces are alike. Variations in solid wood grain patterns are to be expected and make each furniture uniquely beautiful, just like us humans.

This 1902 San Antonio home was beautiful both inside and out, except for the kitchen, which was dark and dated. The original kitchen layout consisted of a breakfast room and a small kitchen separated by a wall. There was also a very small screened in porch off of the kitchen. The homeowners dreamed of a light and bright new kitchen and that would accommodate a 48" gas range, built in refrigerator, an island and a walk in pantry. At first, it seemed almost impossible, but with a little imagination, we were able to give them every item on their wish list. We took down the wall separating the breakfast and kitchen areas, recessed the new Subzero refrigerator under the stairs, and turned the tiny screened porch into a walk in pantry with a gorgeous blue and white tile floor. The french doors in the breakfast area were replaced with a single transom door to mirror the door to the pantry. The new transoms make quite a statement on either side of the 48" Wolf range set against a marble tile wall. A lovely banquette area was created where the old breakfast table once was and is now graced by a lovely beaded chandelier. Pillows in shades of blue and white and a custom walnut table complete the cozy nook. The soapstone island with a walnut butcher block seating area adds warmth and character to the space. The navy barstools with chrome nailhead trim echo the design of the transoms and repeat the navy and chrome detailing on the custom range hood. A 42" Shaws farmhouse sink completes the kitchen work triangle. Off of the kitchen, the small hallway to the dining room got a facelift, as well. We added a decorative china cabinet and mirrored doors to the homeowner's storage closet to provide light and character to the passageway. After the project was completed, the homeowners told us that "this kitchen was the one that our historic house was always meant to have." There is no greater reward for what we do than that.

This is the story about a kitchen that was showing it’s age with white countertops and dark oak cabinets on a dark oak floor. It all worked once, but now the kitchen felt dark, cramped and dysfunctional. The owners were looking for a total kitchen transformation. After a disastrous beginning with a contractor taking their money and vanishing into thin air, the owners were left with a completely gutted kitchen that consisted of only the walls. They hired Rick Jacobson to rescue them and restart the project. The new kitchen design began with the idea of using Cobalt Blue as a primary color. The blue seen on many glassware pieces is Cobalt Blue, and it was decided to use it in the tile for the kitchen, as well as the pendant lights. Another goal was to make the kitchen brighter with an easier traffic flow, as well as completely updated cabinetry. And there were traffic patterns to improve, a refrigerator to move, and exhaust vents to reroute. Rick Jacobson listened to the owners and worked to create the kitchen that the owners imagined. He began by thinking through the traffic flow patterns. He noted that the doorway from the dining room needed to be widened. He added rounded doorway headers to match the home’s existing décor. He carefully thought through where the kitchen island should be, including how opening the oven doors would be in relation to people sitting at the kitchen island at a family gathering. Kitchen cabinet touches include off edge flat panel doors, soft close wooden drawers, and a spice cabinet with two slide-out racks. The new longer center island features a drawer microwave that opens and closes automatically with the push of a button. The center island also features two recycling bins and seating for four. Rick even thought of adding decorative elements to the existing half wall to make it look in line with the kitchen island. The kitchen’s black granite countertops offer an unusually appealing view: There are lots of interesting reflections throughout the kitchen. Another of Rick’s touches is that all of the lights, including recessed ceiling lights, three cobalt blue pendant lights and below cabinet lights are on dimmers which work to balance daytime and nighttime lighting. The under mounted stainless steel single sink is complemented with a gooseneck faucet. The stainless steel gas range is thin enough to allow for a wide drawer below for utensils, and the stainless steel vent hood is vented through the ceiling to outdoors, allowing additional storage space in the top cabinets. Double ovens with white doors are the perfect match to the cabinets, with a location that makes baking and roasting easier with the two large vertical storage for baking sheets and supplies nearby. The result: A functional, open, bright and Cobalt blue kitchen.

Open bookshelves create a cozy atmosphere in the small dining room and a collection of antique blue and white Canton china adds color to an otherwise neutral room. The dining table was created from a metal pedestal base from a restaurant supply source with a 42" diameter plywood top. An alternate 54" diameter plywood with its own skirt will allow seating for six guests. In addition to the books and china, the shelves display some of the owner's collection of antique wood boxes, architectural fragments, family photos and a furniture mold. Photo by Lisa Banting

Lynne Damianos
Example of a classic medium tone wood floor foyer design in Boston with beige walls

Photography - Nancy Nolan Walls are Sherwin Williams Wool Skein, drapery and chair back fabric is F. Schumacher, drapery trim is Designers Guild, chandelier is Visual Comfort