Water leaks can be frustrating and happen often unexpectedly… especially when the water is coming from your upstairs neighbor! Once the leak occurred, the homeowners decided that it was the perfect opportunity to create their dream kitchen and entryway. The decision was made and the homeowners went shopping to purchase materials for their renovation. One problem; they hadn’t hired a contractor yet. They quickly discovered they would need help building their dream kitchen and entryway which is where we came in. Scope: Create a versatile space that reflects the homeowners’ vibrant personalities where they could cook, work, relax and entertain. Desired features include: Color changing LED tape lighting was essential to help create ambiance. Smaller can lights with updated trim to modernize the lighting. Disguising a “workspace” into the island design. Installing a compost bin that doubles as a wine chiller for entertaining. Separate wine bar. Installing an intricate piece of mirror art and lighting in the entryway. Installing custom waved back splash tile. Challenges: Creating a working set of construction plans from cabinet drawings was a challenge. The process entailed continuous communication with the clients including several walkthroughs before final installation of each aspect throughout the project. Incorporating high-gloss and muted surfaces into the space without creating glare from the natural light coming in from many existing windows. Wavy tile became difficult to install with the desired layout of backsplash outlet style and locations. Solutions: The core design issues were resolved with exceptional communication between our field team and the homeowners. Satin finish countertops and matte paint offset the high gloss cabinetry and backsplash. Because of the size of tiles in the space, the outlets needed to be cut in the center of the tile to look uniform. Time and a steady hand made this possible for the best visual result. Result: Thoughtful execution helped to create a versatile dream kitchen and entry way that also provides an at-home workspace. This now versatile space is useful and aesthetically pleasing, exceeding the homeowners’ vision. The small details ranging from accent lighting to the compost bin turned wine chiller make this a luxurious statement piece.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Vinemont American Tradition in Charlotte, North Carolina, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elements. The home commands immediate attention with dramatic, two-story soaring ceilings that bridge the high-end kitchen and great room into a breath-taking central living space. This open layout flows into a bright morning room, creating the perfect transitional space to start your day. Designed for high-performance entertaining and seamless home organization, a secondary "messy kitchen" sits directly off the main living area, serving as the ultimate prep and storage solution complete with built-in shelving to keep cooking clutter entirely out of sight. Off the foyer, organization is made effortless in a custom home office featuring premium flush-mount shelving and built-in cabinets. This dedicated work-from-home space is beautifully separated from the main living areas by a striking sliding barn door, ensuring absolute privacy. The thoughtful architecture continues into a luxurious main-level primary sanctuary. The deluxe owner’s bath serves as a private, spa-like retreat anchored by a bold black subway tile accent wall and a freestanding soaking tub. Intelligently designed on either side of this central focal point are a spacious glass-enclosed tile shower, dual vanities, expansive independent walk-in closets, and a discrete, enclosed water closet. Upstairs, the home transitions into a dedicated family zone. A huge second-story loft and bonus room offers kids plenty of room to roam, serving as an ideal home for toys, media, and video games. This upper level accommodates three secondary bedrooms, where two bedrooms share a highly practical Jack-and-Jill bath layout while the fourth bedroom features its own independent, private en-suite bathroom.

Bathroom remodeling Starting from the bathroom remodeling, we moved the door from the left to the center, we installed in wall custom made pocket door with acid etched glass insert that we fabricated in our shop in Ridgewood; we replaced the bathtub with the shower enclosure; we built custom made vanity and custom medicine cabinet with mirrors. However, the bathroom was so tiny, our client got heated floor which expanded through out the hallway into the kitchen. The place had a very narrow corridor so all of the appliances and larger components had to be delivered before bathroom wall was built. Kitchen remodeling Our client wished to replace her kitchen double hung window and we made that happen. Her kitchen had a curvy wall and it was quite challenging to build our custom- made cabinets. However, the kitchen connected with the sleeping and living area, had lots of storage which was continued on the entire East wall. Due to the lack of space, our client purchased a Murphy bed was a terrific solution. Within the studio, our client got many lighting fixtures that brightened up the area; it brought more clean and positive energy into that place. In window area, we built her wardrobe, desk with large counter space, drawer cabinets for files, radiator cover and new window surrounding. The floor we installed was Porcelanosa tiles from entry door to where the kitchen ended and engineered floor through the rest of the area. As part of the design, our client asked us to put up floor panels on the wall. Appliances We built 3 custom made bike holders for her bicycles. She chose great appliances by Smeg. Overall, such a small placed was turned into a dream home for our client. Please take a look at some of our photos we would like to share with you.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Vinemont American Tradition in Charlotte, North Carolina, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elements. The home commands immediate attention with dramatic, two-story soaring ceilings that bridge the high-end kitchen and great room into a breath-taking central living space. This open layout flows into a bright morning room, creating the perfect transitional space to start your day. Designed for high-performance entertaining and seamless home organization, a secondary "messy kitchen" sits directly off the main living area, serving as the ultimate prep and storage solution complete with built-in shelving to keep cooking clutter entirely out of sight. Off the foyer, organization is made effortless in a custom home office featuring premium flush-mount shelving and built-in cabinets. This dedicated work-from-home space is beautifully separated from the main living areas by a striking sliding barn door, ensuring absolute privacy. The thoughtful architecture continues into a luxurious main-level primary sanctuary. The deluxe owner’s bath serves as a private, spa-like retreat anchored by a bold black subway tile accent wall and a freestanding soaking tub. Intelligently designed on either side of this central focal point are a spacious glass-enclosed tile shower, dual vanities, expansive independent walk-in closets, and a discrete, enclosed water closet. Upstairs, the home transitions into a dedicated family zone. A huge second-story loft and bonus room offers kids plenty of room to roam, serving as an ideal home for toys, media, and video games. This upper level accommodates three secondary bedrooms, where two bedrooms share a highly practical Jack-and-Jill bath layout while the fourth bedroom features its own independent, private en-suite bathroom.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Vinemont American Tradition in Charlotte, North Carolina, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elements. The home commands immediate attention with dramatic, two-story soaring ceilings that bridge the high-end kitchen and great room into a breath-taking central living space. This open layout flows into a bright morning room, creating the perfect transitional space to start your day. Designed for high-performance entertaining and seamless home organization, a secondary "messy kitchen" sits directly off the main living area, serving as the ultimate prep and storage solution complete with built-in shelving to keep cooking clutter entirely out of sight. Off the foyer, organization is made effortless in a custom home office featuring premium flush-mount shelving and built-in cabinets. This dedicated work-from-home space is beautifully separated from the main living areas by a striking sliding barn door, ensuring absolute privacy. The thoughtful architecture continues into a luxurious main-level primary sanctuary. The deluxe owner’s bath serves as a private, spa-like retreat anchored by a bold black subway tile accent wall and a freestanding soaking tub. Intelligently designed on either side of this central focal point are a spacious glass-enclosed tile shower, dual vanities, expansive independent walk-in closets, and a discrete, enclosed water closet. Upstairs, the home transitions into a dedicated family zone. A huge second-story loft and bonus room offers kids plenty of room to roam, serving as an ideal home for toys, media, and video games. This upper level accommodates three secondary bedrooms, where two bedrooms share a highly practical Jack-and-Jill bath layout while the fourth bedroom features its own independent, private en-suite bathroom.

This project is a story of how buildings and relationships evolve over time, and how the two are intertwined in the making of architecture. The client, a single man, had just purchased a classic Edwardian flat on San Francisco’s Liberty Street, known for its historic homes and famous neighbors like Tracy Chapman, when his realtor connected him with LLA. The initial brief was to integrate a modern, minimalist kitchen and bathroom with the apartment's traditional aesthetic. The existing condition was a series of cramped rooms and a long hallway that divided the apartment into many separate spaces, some without natural light. The solution was to remove most of the walls in the middle of the flat, with extensive structural work hidden from view. This created an open connection between the living, dining and kitchen areas that flooded the formerly dark core of the apartment with light. Midway through the design process, the client and his partner, and avid cook, decided it was time to move in together. The project evolved further and LLA found inventive ways to pack more features and amenities into a design that was fundamentally about simplicity. The result of this creative tension is a large open kitchen with deceptively simple forms- a long back counter with three rows of drawers below, an island with a central cooktop and double cantilevers for seating, and a slightly mysterious wood box at the back. The box conceals the refrigerator, storage, linens, and laundry, and through a secret door, a large walk-in pantry. The bathroom evolved into a mini-spa, with a walk-through shower and Japanese-style soaking tub. The space shares light with the kitchen through a floor-to-ceiling translucent glass panel. Each client has a large dog, and so a small sliver of space under the upstairs neighbor's stair was turned into the perfect doggie den, complete with period correct doorway. The newly blended family moved in together when the project was completed. A poignant footnote, Maverick, the blonder, fluffier dog in the photos, was very old and sadly passed away shortly after they moved in. It made the photoshoot feel like a special event that honored and preserved his memory in pictures. Like all families, theirs continues to evolve and change, just as their home has over its 90 year life.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Vinemont American Tradition in Charlotte, North Carolina, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elements. The home commands immediate attention with dramatic, two-story soaring ceilings that bridge the high-end kitchen and great room into a breath-taking central living space. This open layout flows into a bright morning room, creating the perfect transitional space to start your day. Designed for high-performance entertaining and seamless home organization, a secondary "messy kitchen" sits directly off the main living area, serving as the ultimate prep and storage solution complete with built-in shelving to keep cooking clutter entirely out of sight. Off the foyer, organization is made effortless in a custom home office featuring premium flush-mount shelving and built-in cabinets. This dedicated work-from-home space is beautifully separated from the main living areas by a striking sliding barn door, ensuring absolute privacy. The thoughtful architecture continues into a luxurious main-level primary sanctuary. The deluxe owner’s bath serves as a private, spa-like retreat anchored by a bold black subway tile accent wall and a freestanding soaking tub. Intelligently designed on either side of this central focal point are a spacious glass-enclosed tile shower, dual vanities, expansive independent walk-in closets, and a discrete, enclosed water closet. Upstairs, the home transitions into a dedicated family zone. A huge second-story loft and bonus room offers kids plenty of room to roam, serving as an ideal home for toys, media, and video games. This upper level accommodates three secondary bedrooms, where two bedrooms share a highly practical Jack-and-Jill bath layout while the fourth bedroom features its own independent, private en-suite bathroom.

Water leaks can be frustrating and happen often unexpectedly… especially when the water is coming from your upstairs neighbor! Once the leak occurred, the homeowners decided that it was the perfect opportunity to create their dream kitchen and entryway. The decision was made and the homeowners went shopping to purchase materials for their renovation. One problem; they hadn’t hired a contractor yet. They quickly discovered they would need help building their dream kitchen and entryway which is where we came in. Scope: Create a versatile space that reflects the homeowners’ vibrant personalities where they could cook, work, relax and entertain. Desired features include: Color changing LED tape lighting was essential to help create ambiance. Smaller can lights with updated trim to modernize the lighting. Disguising a “workspace” into the island design. Installing a compost bin that doubles as a wine chiller for entertaining. Separate wine bar. Installing an intricate piece of mirror art and lighting in the entryway. Installing custom waved back splash tile. Challenges: Creating a working set of construction plans from cabinet drawings was a challenge. The process entailed continuous communication with the clients including several walkthroughs before final installation of each aspect throughout the project. Incorporating high-gloss and muted surfaces into the space without creating glare from the natural light coming in from many existing windows. Wavy tile became difficult to install with the desired layout of backsplash outlet style and locations. Solutions: The core design issues were resolved with exceptional communication between our field team and the homeowners. Satin finish countertops and matte paint offset the high gloss cabinetry and backsplash. Because of the size of tiles in the space, the outlets needed to be cut in the center of the tile to look uniform. Time and a steady hand made this possible for the best visual result. Result: Thoughtful execution helped to create a versatile dream kitchen and entry way that also provides an at-home workspace. This now versatile space is useful and aesthetically pleasing, exceeding the homeowners’ vision. The small details ranging from accent lighting to the compost bin turned wine chiller make this a luxurious statement piece.

This project is a story of how buildings and relationships evolve over time, and how the two are intertwined in the making of architecture. The client, a single man, had just purchased a classic Edwardian flat on San Francisco’s Liberty Street, known for its historic homes and famous neighbors like Tracy Chapman, when his realtor connected him with LLA. The initial brief was to integrate a modern, minimalist kitchen and bathroom with the apartment's traditional aesthetic. The existing condition was a series of cramped rooms and a long hallway that divided the apartment into many separate spaces, some without natural light. The solution was to remove most of the walls in the middle of the flat, with extensive structural work hidden from view. This created an open connection between the living, dining and kitchen areas that flooded the formerly dark core of the apartment with light. Midway through the design process, the client and his partner, and avid cook, decided it was time to move in together. The project evolved further and LLA found inventive ways to pack more features and amenities into a design that was fundamentally about simplicity. The result of this creative tension is a large open kitchen with deceptively simple forms- a long back counter with three rows of drawers below, an island with a central cooktop and double cantilevers for seating, and a slightly mysterious wood box at the back. The box conceals the refrigerator, storage, linens, and laundry, and through a secret door, a large walk-in pantry. The bathroom evolved into a mini-spa, with a walk-through shower and Japanese-style soaking tub. The space shares light with the kitchen through a floor-to-ceiling translucent glass panel. Each client has a large dog, and so a small sliver of space under the upstairs neighbor's stair was turned into the perfect doggie den, complete with period correct doorway. The newly blended family moved in together when the project was completed. A poignant footnote, Maverick, the blonder, fluffier dog in the photos, was very old and sadly passed away shortly after they moved in. It made the photoshoot feel like a special event that honored and preserved his memory in pictures. Like all families, theirs continues to evolve and change, just as their home has over its 90 year life.

This project is a story of how buildings and relationships evolve over time, and how the two are intertwined in the making of architecture. The client, a single man, had just purchased a classic Edwardian flat on San Francisco’s Liberty Street, known for its historic homes and famous neighbors like Tracy Chapman, when his realtor connected him with LLA. The initial brief was to integrate a modern, minimalist kitchen and bathroom with the apartment's traditional aesthetic. The existing condition was a series of cramped rooms and a long hallway that divided the apartment into many separate spaces, some without natural light. The solution was to remove most of the walls in the middle of the flat, with extensive structural work hidden from view. This created an open connection between the living, dining and kitchen areas that flooded the formerly dark core of the apartment with light. Midway through the design process, the client and his partner, and avid cook, decided it was time to move in together. The project evolved further and LLA found inventive ways to pack more features and amenities into a design that was fundamentally about simplicity. The result of this creative tension is a large open kitchen with deceptively simple forms- a long back counter with three rows of drawers below, an island with a central cooktop and double cantilevers for seating, and a slightly mysterious wood box at the back. The box conceals the refrigerator, storage, linens, and laundry, and through a secret door, a large walk-in pantry. The bathroom evolved into a mini-spa, with a walk-through shower and Japanese-style soaking tub. The space shares light with the kitchen through a floor-to-ceiling translucent glass panel. Each client has a large dog, and so a small sliver of space under the upstairs neighbor's stair was turned into the perfect doggie den, complete with period correct doorway. The newly blended family moved in together when the project was completed. A poignant footnote, Maverick, the blonder, fluffier dog in the photos, was very old and sadly passed away shortly after they moved in. It made the photoshoot feel like a special event that honored and preserved his memory in pictures. Like all families, theirs continues to evolve and change, just as their home has over its 90 year life.

This project is a story of how buildings and relationships evolve over time, and how the two are intertwined in the making of architecture. The client, a single man, had just purchased a classic Edwardian flat on San Francisco’s Liberty Street, known for its historic homes and famous neighbors like Tracy Chapman, when his realtor connected him with LLA. The initial brief was to integrate a modern, minimalist kitchen and bathroom with the apartment's traditional aesthetic. The existing condition was a series of cramped rooms and a long hallway that divided the apartment into many separate spaces, some without natural light. The solution was to remove most of the walls in the middle of the flat, with extensive structural work hidden from view. This created an open connection between the living, dining and kitchen areas that flooded the formerly dark core of the apartment with light. Midway through the design process, the client and his partner, and avid cook, decided it was time to move in together. The project evolved further and LLA found inventive ways to pack more features and amenities into a design that was fundamentally about simplicity. The result of this creative tension is a large open kitchen with deceptively simple forms- a long back counter with three rows of drawers below, an island with a central cooktop and double cantilevers for seating, and a slightly mysterious wood box at the back. The box conceals the refrigerator, storage, linens, and laundry, and through a secret door, a large walk-in pantry. The bathroom evolved into a mini-spa, with a walk-through shower and Japanese-style soaking tub. The space shares light with the kitchen through a floor-to-ceiling translucent glass panel. Each client has a large dog, and so a small sliver of space under the upstairs neighbor's stair was turned into the perfect doggie den, complete with period correct doorway. The newly blended family moved in together when the project was completed. A poignant footnote, Maverick, the blonder, fluffier dog in the photos, was very old and sadly passed away shortly after they moved in. It made the photoshoot feel like a special event that honored and preserved his memory in pictures. Like all families, theirs continues to evolve and change, just as their home has over its 90 year life.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Vinemont American Tradition in Charlotte, North Carolina, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elements. The home commands immediate attention with dramatic, two-story soaring ceilings that bridge the high-end kitchen and great room into a breath-taking central living space. This open layout flows into a bright morning room, creating the perfect transitional space to start your day. Designed for high-performance entertaining and seamless home organization, a secondary "messy kitchen" sits directly off the main living area, serving as the ultimate prep and storage solution complete with built-in shelving to keep cooking clutter entirely out of sight. Off the foyer, organization is made effortless in a custom home office featuring premium flush-mount shelving and built-in cabinets. This dedicated work-from-home space is beautifully separated from the main living areas by a striking sliding barn door, ensuring absolute privacy. The thoughtful architecture continues into a luxurious main-level primary sanctuary. The deluxe owner’s bath serves as a private, spa-like retreat anchored by a bold black subway tile accent wall and a freestanding soaking tub. Intelligently designed on either side of this central focal point are a spacious glass-enclosed tile shower, dual vanities, expansive independent walk-in closets, and a discrete, enclosed water closet. Upstairs, the home transitions into a dedicated family zone. A huge second-story loft and bonus room offers kids plenty of room to roam, serving as an ideal home for toys, media, and video games. This upper level accommodates three secondary bedrooms, where two bedrooms share a highly practical Jack-and-Jill bath layout while the fourth bedroom features its own independent, private en-suite bathroom.

This project is a story of how buildings and relationships evolve over time, and how the two are intertwined in the making of architecture. The client, a single man, had just purchased a classic Edwardian flat on San Francisco’s Liberty Street, known for its historic homes and famous neighbors like Tracy Chapman, when his realtor connected him with LLA. The initial brief was to integrate a modern, minimalist kitchen and bathroom with the apartment's traditional aesthetic. The existing condition was a series of cramped rooms and a long hallway that divided the apartment into many separate spaces, some without natural light. The solution was to remove most of the walls in the middle of the flat, with extensive structural work hidden from view. This created an open connection between the living, dining and kitchen areas that flooded the formerly dark core of the apartment with light. Midway through the design process, the client and his partner, and avid cook, decided it was time to move in together. The project evolved further and LLA found inventive ways to pack more features and amenities into a design that was fundamentally about simplicity. The result of this creative tension is a large open kitchen with deceptively simple forms- a long back counter with three rows of drawers below, an island with a central cooktop and double cantilevers for seating, and a slightly mysterious wood box at the back. The box conceals the refrigerator, storage, linens, and laundry, and through a secret door, a large walk-in pantry. The bathroom evolved into a mini-spa, with a walk-through shower and Japanese-style soaking tub. The space shares light with the kitchen through a floor-to-ceiling translucent glass panel. Each client has a large dog, and so a small sliver of space under the upstairs neighbor's stair was turned into the perfect doggie den, complete with period correct doorway. The newly blended family moved in together when the project was completed. A poignant footnote, Maverick, the blonder, fluffier dog in the photos, was very old and sadly passed away shortly after they moved in. It made the photoshoot feel like a special event that honored and preserved his memory in pictures. Like all families, theirs continues to evolve and change, just as their home has over its 90 year life.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Vinemont American Tradition in Charlotte, North Carolina, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elements. The home commands immediate attention with dramatic, two-story soaring ceilings that bridge the high-end kitchen and great room into a breath-taking central living space. This open layout flows into a bright morning room, creating the perfect transitional space to start your day. Designed for high-performance entertaining and seamless home organization, a secondary "messy kitchen" sits directly off the main living area, serving as the ultimate prep and storage solution complete with built-in shelving to keep cooking clutter entirely out of sight. Off the foyer, organization is made effortless in a custom home office featuring premium flush-mount shelving and built-in cabinets. This dedicated work-from-home space is beautifully separated from the main living areas by a striking sliding barn door, ensuring absolute privacy. The thoughtful architecture continues into a luxurious main-level primary sanctuary. The deluxe owner’s bath serves as a private, spa-like retreat anchored by a bold black subway tile accent wall and a freestanding soaking tub. Intelligently designed on either side of this central focal point are a spacious glass-enclosed tile shower, dual vanities, expansive independent walk-in closets, and a discrete, enclosed water closet. Upstairs, the home transitions into a dedicated family zone. A huge second-story loft and bonus room offers kids plenty of room to roam, serving as an ideal home for toys, media, and video games. This upper level accommodates three secondary bedrooms, where two bedrooms share a highly practical Jack-and-Jill bath layout while the fourth bedroom features its own independent, private en-suite bathroom.

This project is a story of how buildings and relationships evolve over time, and how the two are intertwined in the making of architecture. The client, a single man, had just purchased a classic Edwardian flat on San Francisco’s Liberty Street, known for its historic homes and famous neighbors like Tracy Chapman, when his realtor connected him with LLA. The initial brief was to integrate a modern, minimalist kitchen and bathroom with the apartment's traditional aesthetic. The existing condition was a series of cramped rooms and a long hallway that divided the apartment into many separate spaces, some without natural light. The solution was to remove most of the walls in the middle of the flat, with extensive structural work hidden from view. This created an open connection between the living, dining and kitchen areas that flooded the formerly dark core of the apartment with light. Midway through the design process, the client and his partner, and avid cook, decided it was time to move in together. The project evolved further and LLA found inventive ways to pack more features and amenities into a design that was fundamentally about simplicity. The result of this creative tension is a large open kitchen with deceptively simple forms- a long back counter with three rows of drawers below, an island with a central cooktop and double cantilevers for seating, and a slightly mysterious wood box at the back. The box conceals the refrigerator, storage, linens, and laundry, and through a secret door, a large walk-in pantry. The bathroom evolved into a mini-spa, with a walk-through shower and Japanese-style soaking tub. The space shares light with the kitchen through a floor-to-ceiling translucent glass panel. Each client has a large dog, and so a small sliver of space under the upstairs neighbor's stair was turned into the perfect doggie den, complete with period correct doorway. The newly blended family moved in together when the project was completed. A poignant footnote, Maverick, the blonder, fluffier dog in the photos, was very old and sadly passed away shortly after they moved in. It made the photoshoot feel like a special event that honored and preserved his memory in pictures. Like all families, theirs continues to evolve and change, just as their home has over its 90 year life.

Water leaks can be frustrating and happen often unexpectedly… especially when the water is coming from your upstairs neighbor! Once the leak occurred, the homeowners decided that it was the perfect opportunity to create their dream kitchen and entryway. The decision was made and the homeowners went shopping to purchase materials for their renovation. One problem; they hadn’t hired a contractor yet. They quickly discovered they would need help building their dream kitchen and entryway which is where we came in. Scope: Create a versatile space that reflects the homeowners’ vibrant personalities where they could cook, work, relax and entertain. Desired features include: Color changing LED tape lighting was essential to help create ambiance. Smaller can lights with updated trim to modernize the lighting. Disguising a “workspace” into the island design. Installing a compost bin that doubles as a wine chiller for entertaining. Separate wine bar. Installing an intricate piece of mirror art and lighting in the entryway. Installing custom waved back splash tile. Challenges: Creating a working set of construction plans from cabinet drawings was a challenge. The process entailed continuous communication with the clients including several walkthroughs before final installation of each aspect throughout the project. Incorporating high-gloss and muted surfaces into the space without creating glare from the natural light coming in from many existing windows. Wavy tile became difficult to install with the desired layout of backsplash outlet style and locations. Solutions: The core design issues were resolved with exceptional communication between our field team and the homeowners. Satin finish countertops and matte paint offset the high gloss cabinetry and backsplash. Because of the size of tiles in the space, the outlets needed to be cut in the center of the tile to look uniform. Time and a steady hand made this possible for the best visual result. Result: Thoughtful execution helped to create a versatile dream kitchen and entry way that also provides an at-home workspace. This now versatile space is useful and aesthetically pleasing, exceeding the homeowners’ vision. The small details ranging from accent lighting to the compost bin turned wine chiller make this a luxurious statement piece.

This project is a story of how buildings and relationships evolve over time, and how the two are intertwined in the making of architecture. The client, a single man, had just purchased a classic Edwardian flat on San Francisco’s Liberty Street, known for its historic homes and famous neighbors like Tracy Chapman, when his realtor connected him with LLA. The initial brief was to integrate a modern, minimalist kitchen and bathroom with the apartment's traditional aesthetic. The existing condition was a series of cramped rooms and a long hallway that divided the apartment into many separate spaces, some without natural light. The solution was to remove most of the walls in the middle of the flat, with extensive structural work hidden from view. This created an open connection between the living, dining and kitchen areas that flooded the formerly dark core of the apartment with light. Midway through the design process, the client and his partner, and avid cook, decided it was time to move in together. The project evolved further and LLA found inventive ways to pack more features and amenities into a design that was fundamentally about simplicity. The result of this creative tension is a large open kitchen with deceptively simple forms- a long back counter with three rows of drawers below, an island with a central cooktop and double cantilevers for seating, and a slightly mysterious wood box at the back. The box conceals the refrigerator, storage, linens, and laundry, and through a secret door, a large walk-in pantry. The bathroom evolved into a mini-spa, with a walk-through shower and Japanese-style soaking tub. The space shares light with the kitchen through a floor-to-ceiling translucent glass panel. Each client has a large dog, and so a small sliver of space under the upstairs neighbor's stair was turned into the perfect doggie den, complete with period correct doorway. The newly blended family moved in together when the project was completed. A poignant footnote, Maverick, the blonder, fluffier dog in the photos, was very old and sadly passed away shortly after they moved in. It made the photoshoot feel like a special event that honored and preserved his memory in pictures. Like all families, theirs continues to evolve and change, just as their home has over its 90 year life.

The client purchased this property with grand plans of renovating the entire place; from top to bottom, and from inside to outside. And while the inside canvas was very generous and even somewhat forgiving, the outside space would be anything but. We wanted to squeeze in as much seating space as possible in their limited courtyard area, without encroaching on the already compact-sized pool. The first and most obvious solution was to get rid of the trees and shrubs that separated this house from its zero-lot-line neighbor. With the addition of Lueder limestone slabs, this alone would free up nearly 120 additional square feet, which happened to be the perfect amount of space for a mobile gas fire pit and sectional sofa. And all of this would make for the perfect place to enjoy the afternoon sunset with the implementation of a custom-built metal pergola standing above it all. The next problem we saw was that around the patio area, there were too many levels of steps and stairs, which meant that it would have been difficult to have any sort of traditional furniture arrangement. Randy knew that it only made sense to bring in a wood deck that could be mated to the highest level of the patio, thus creating gaining the most continuous amount of flat space that the client was wanting. But even so, that flat space would be limited to a tight "L-shape" around the pool. And knowing this, the client decided that the larger space would be more valuable to them than the spa, so they opted to have a portion of the deck built over it in order to allow for a more generous amount of patio space. And with the edge of the patio/deck dropping off almost 2 feet to the waterline, it now created the perfect opportunity to have a visually compelling raised wall that could be adorned with different hues of plank-shaped tiles. From inside the pool, the varying shades of brown were a great accent to the wood deck that sat just above. However, the true visual crowning jewel of this project would end up being the raised back wall along the fence, fully encased in a large format, 24x24 slate grey tile, complete with a custom stainless steel, square-tube scupper bank, installed at just the right height to create the perfect amount of water noise. But Randy wasn't done just yet. With two entirely new entertaining areas opened up at opposite ends of the pool, the only thing left to do now was to connect them. Knowing that he nor the client wanted to eliminate any more water space, he decided to bring a new traffic pattern right into the pool by way of two "floating", Lueder limestone stepper pads. It would be a visually perfect union of both pool and walking spaces. The existing steps and walkways were then cut away and replaced with matching Lueder limestone caps and steppers. All remaining gaps were then filled with Mexican beach pebble, which helped to promote a very "zen-like" feel in this outdoor space. The interior of the pool was coated with Wet Edge Primerastone "Blue Pacific Coast" plaster, and lit up with Pentair GloBrite LED pool lights. In the end, the client ended up gaining the additional entertaining and seating space that they needed, and the updated, modern feel that they loved.

The homeowner’s of this home wanted to enlarge their kitchen to accommodate family gatherings and much needed storage solutions. The design included relocating the kitchen back into the existing enclosed dining room space, and transform the front of the house formal living room that was not utilized much into the new dining room. Removing walls, relocating some windows, and expanding the entry into the new dining room allowed for ample and a more comfortable entertainment space. Semi -custom cabinetry included perimeter cabinets painted in Natucket Style Colonial White with the Maple wood island stained in the color selection “Ridgestone” . Perimeter counter tops were done in a 3CM Caesarstone Symphony Grey. While the island demanded a stone with more pattern in a Silestone 3CM Consentino Helix. Storage is abundant in this kitchen with 3 full size pantries, two that house roll outs for easy access to a variety of cooking ingredients, and a corner cabinet has a pull out Lazy Susan. The brick laid backsplash is a 3”x12” Bricklane stone grouted with a medium gray tone.