Hear what our clients, Karen & Robert, have to say about their project by clicking on the Facebook link and then the Videos tab. Hannah Goering Photography

Lakeview outdoor-living design / build in Garland, TX Designer - Todd Lueke Photo - Daniel Bowman Ashe ©
Mid-sized trendy backyard stamped concrete patio photo in Dallas with a roof extension

Designed by Thayer Design Studio. We are a full-service interior design firm located in South Boston, MA specializing in new construction, renovations, additions and room by room furnishing for residential and small commercial projects throughout New England. From conception to completion, we engage in a collaborative process with our clients, working closely with contractors, architects, crafts-people and artisans to provide cohesion to our client’s vision. We build spaces that tell a story and create comfort; always striving to find the balance between materials, architectural details, color and space. We believe a well-balanced and thoughtfully curated home is the foundation for happier living.

This is an example of a large contemporary landscaping in Ahmedabad.

This stacked stone and marble topped outdoor firepit glows each evening as flames flicker through festive colored pieces of tempered glass. The covered porch outdoor kitchen behind it has a tumbled paver patio as its foundation. The solid wood ceiling features an outdoor fan to provide cool breezes while the outdoor grill is cooking dinner.

Interior Design by Grace Benson Photography by Bethany Nauert
Tuscan concrete floor front door photo in Los Angeles with white walls and a dark wood front door

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

Mountain craftsman style front porch Photo by © Daniel Vaughan (vaughangroup.ca)
Mid-sized mountain style front yard brick single front door photo in Toronto with a roof extension, gray walls and a medium wood front door

Example of a large trendy backyard tile full sun patio design in San Francisco with a fire pit and no cover

Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman brown two-story vinyl gable roof remodel in Atlanta

Wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; hardwood floor: Southern Pecan Natural, Home Depot; lamps: Morten Table Lamp, West Elm; sofa: Hamilton Leath Sofa, West Elm; sofa piillows: Susan Connor; chairs, mirror, and pole lamp: Craigslist; coffee table: Switch Coffee Table, Crate & Barrel; side tables: Mason Side Table, Crate & Barrel; rug: West Elm (no longer sold) Design: Annabode + Co Photo: Allie Crafton © 2016 Houzz

Inspiration for a small timeless dark wood floor great room remodel in Chicago with beige walls

Inspiration for a large timeless wooden l-shaped dark wood floor staircase remodel in Chicago with wooden risers

jim fiora studio
Inspiration for a small victorian gray two-story wood exterior home remodel in New York with a gambrel roof

Shot for MainStreet Design Build, Birmingham, MI
Inspiration for a traditional front yard landscaping in Detroit.

A suspended walkway joins the house to the boat house. Builder Steve Jones Construction. Landscape architect, Planters, Inc and outdoor lighting by The Outdoor Lights.

Gilbertson Photography
Example of an arts and crafts beige two-story exterior home design in Minneapolis with a hip roof

This is an example of a small traditional screened-in front porch design with decking and a roof extension.