Renovation and addition of a 1940's Colonial into a family home that's modern, cool and classic. White interiors, dark floors, open plan, loads of natural light and easy access to outdoors makes this perfect for family and entertaining. Traditional meets modern. Award winning project . Judges say : "This renovation balances traditional attributes with modern clarity. Photo: Matthew Williams

This project began with the request to update the existing kitchen of this eclectic waterfront home on Puget Sound. The remodel entailed relocating the kitchen from the front of the house where it was limiting the window space to the back of the house overlooking the family room and dining room. We opened up the kitchen with sliding window walls to create a natural connection to the exterior. The bold colors were the owner’s vision, and they wanted the space to be fun and inviting. From the reclaimed barn wood floors to the recycled glass countertops to the Teppanyaki grill on the island and the custom stainless steel cloud hood suspended from the barrel vault ceiling, virtually everything was centered on entertaining.

In this backyard space, the design challenge was to bring the essence of the California Mountains to Redondo Beach. As this client is an avid outdoorsman, he wanted to bring the a feel of the Sierra Nevada mountains, his happy place, home to create his very own backyard mountain retreat. Our team sourced materials that one would find in the mountains of California whilst keeping a lounge feel in mind for the secondary design criteria, a retreat. In this retreat, we created four distinct areas: the lounging area with covered pergola, fire pit area with built-in seating bench and overhead trellis complete with carnival lighting, central waterfall, and barbeque area with picnic table and overhead carnival lighting. We built a 10” x 10” rugged pergola was built out of sustainably sourced pine. The massive posts feel as though large pine trees were harvested right out of the California Mountains and crafted right on-site. The pergola was built with a retractable shade cloth so the sun can be let in for warmth in open during the colder months. The pergola and the other hard-scaped areas in the backyard were covered with a mix of gray granite and charcoal pavers. This color selection is reminiscent of the colors in California granite. Walking north from the pergola toward the fire pit area there is a mass planting of deer grasses, assortment of ferns and California coffee berries planted to mimic California Chaparral. At the other edge of this chaparral garden, sits the Cresta Boulder fire pit. Boulders were used to create this fire pit to harness the feeling of being outdoors in the wilderness. The boulders were locally sourced out of the Sierra Nevada mountain range for authenticity. In order to frame the space we installed a trellis and off the trellis runs carnival lights for night time parties. Just beyond the fire pit sits a granite boulder water fall. The waterfall is placed so that wherever you are in the yard you can see and hear the tranquil sounds of the babbling water as it circulates and recycles. The barbeque area is nestled against the backdrop of a dark green fernleaf podocarpus hedge. During the day, birds and butterflies traverse the native foliage and at night the sounds of the fire pit dance in harmony with the gentle sounds of water falling down granite pebbles making this backyard a true retreat from the chaotic noise of the city.

This project is truly one of those designed by setbacks. The owners fell in love with the setting, sitting on a bank above the river, but a sewer easement through the center of the property, parallel to the road, cut the building envelope in half. Our goal was a 1,400 sq ft home with outside space on the river side of the home. We started with an attached garage concept, which is very desirable in our snowy climate, but it was forcing a compromise with no patio on the back of the house. We negotiated an agreement with the city staff to allow us to build a breezeway over the 25’ sewer easement. The breezeway was designed and constructed to be removable by forklift in 3 pieces, if it ever becomes necessary to work on the sewer line, buried about 20’ below grade. The owners had varying taste in the style of home they wanted, one on the more traditional end and one on a more contemporary bent. They also wanted low maintenance materials. The result is a simple gable form with over-sized knee braces and gable end vents for function as well as character. The home is finished with cedar shingle siding with a horizontal corrugated metal wainscot below. We opened the back of the house up with windows and sliding doors, giving great views into the trees and down to the river below. The greatest feature is the back patio perched on the bank with the sound of the river rising up from below.

This project is truly one of those designed by setbacks. The owners fell in love with the setting, sitting on a bank above the river, but a sewer easement through the center of the property, parallel to the road, cut the building envelope in half. Our goal was a 1,400 sq ft home with outside space on the river side of the home. We started with an attached garage concept, which is very desirable in our snowy climate, but it was forcing a compromise with no patio on the back of the house. We negotiated an agreement with the city staff to allow us to build a breezeway over the 25’ sewer easement. The breezeway was designed and constructed to be removable by forklift in 3 pieces, if it ever becomes necessary to work on the sewer line, buried about 20’ below grade. The owners had varying taste in the style of home they wanted, one on the more traditional end and one on a more contemporary bent. They also wanted low maintenance materials. The result is a simple gable form with over-sized knee braces and gable end vents for function as well as character. The home is finished with cedar shingle siding with a horizontal corrugated metal wainscot below. We opened the back of the house up with windows and sliding doors, giving great views into the trees and down to the river below. The greatest feature is the back patio perched on the bank with the sound of the river rising up from below.

The existing condominium was spacious , but lacked definition. It was simply too rambling and shapeless to be comfortable or functional. The existing builder-grade kitchen did not have enough counter or cabinet space. And the existing window sills were too high to appreciate the views outside. To accommodate our clients' needs, we carved out the spaces and gave subtle definition to its spaces without obstructing the views within or the sense os spaciousness. We raised the kitchen and dining space on a platform to define it as well as to define the space of the adjacent living area. The platform also allowed better views to the exterior. We designed and fabricated custom concrete countertops for the kitchen and master bath. The concrete ceilings were sprayed with sound attenuating insulation to abate the echoes. The master bath underwent a transformation. To enlarge the feel of the space, we designed and fabricated custom shallow vanity cabinets and a concrete countertop. Protruding from the countertop is the curve of a generous semi-encased porcelain sink. The shower is a room of glass mosaic tiles. The mirror is a simple wall mirror with polished square edges topped by a sleek fluorescent vanity light with a high CRI. This project was published in New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles magazine. photo: Cheryl Gerber

This collaboration was with a return client, who wanted to completely restore and renovate her over 100-year-old Victorian. It was key for the homeowner maintained the original footprint of the home with full front to back views of the sound. A contemporary vision translated into slab doors in a navy high-gloss finish for the island and smoky white for the perimeter and upper cabinetry. Simple, satin nickel contemporary hardware reiterates the linear elements throughout. Interior detailing features rich walnut to complement the herringbone floors. The custom hood is hammered stainless steel to play off the plinth block island legs. The undeniable focal point is the stunning Calacatta Corchia marble selected for the countertops and full-height backsplash and walls. The lighting is a unique, suspended adjustable LED fixture. The twin side-by-side Sub-Zero Pro Fridge/Freezer columns include a glass front to highlight interior storage. The Wolf 60" range with pro handles features 2 30" full-size ovens, 6 burners, and a double griddle. The retractable doors in the wet bar cleverly close to hide the sink and bottle storage. The many windows bring lots of light into the space to make it a warm and inviting place to entertain friends and family.

This collaboration was with a return client, who wanted to completely restore and renovate her over 100-year-old Victorian. It was key for the homeowner maintained the original footprint of the home with full front to back views of the sound. A contemporary vision translated into slab doors in a navy high-gloss finish for the island and smoky white for the perimeter and upper cabinetry. Simple, satin nickel contemporary hardware reiterates the linear elements throughout. Interior detailing features rich walnut to complement the herringbone floors. The custom hood is hammered stainless steel to play off the plinth block island legs. The undeniable focal point is the stunning Calacatta Corchia marble selected for the countertops and full-height backsplash and walls. The lighting is a unique, suspended adjustable LED fixture. The twin side-by-side Sub-Zero Pro Fridge/Freezer columns include a glass front to highlight interior storage. The Wolf 60" range with pro handles features 2 30" full-size ovens, 6 burners, and a double griddle. The retractable doors in the wet bar cleverly close to hide the sink and bottle storage. The many windows bring lots of light into the space to make it a warm and inviting place to entertain friends and family.

Close Up of River Stones in Fountain
This is an example of a small contemporary drought-tolerant backyard river rock water fountain landscape in Los Angeles.

As cute and cozy as the existing master bedroom and bath suite was, it was just a bit too tight for the owners. And the shower was too dark. And it only had one sink...no countertop space....no mirror...no towel bars... Expanding and updating the bath started with doubling the size of the existing dormer, adding several more windows, and tiling the old wood floor. The dark, enclosed shower was replaced with a wide-open all-glass one, which shows off the new fixtures and tile, lets light through to brighten up the whole bathroom. A new door on barn-door roller hardware replaces the old hinged door, which blocked the hallway when opened. And moving the linen closet to the adjacent hallway returned space to the bath. Double beadboard wanscot, period plumbing and lighting fixtures, and a wood plank ceiling turn this little master bath into a jewel box, and keep the character in tune with the rest of the house.

This beautiful living room features full surround sound, flat screen television, automated lighting and shading for full home theater entertainment!
Large elegant formal and open concept carpeted and beige floor home theater photo with a standard fireplace, a media wall and brown walls

This elegant sideboard combines mirror, iron and warm toned wood. A close up of the wallcovering details a coral textural pattern against soft taupe ground.

This project is truly one of those designed by setbacks. The owners fell in love with the setting, sitting on a bank above the river, but a sewer easement through the center of the property, parallel to the road, cut the building envelope in half. Our goal was a 1,400 sq ft home with outside space on the river side of the home. We started with an attached garage concept, which is very desirable in our snowy climate, but it was forcing a compromise with no patio on the back of the house. We negotiated an agreement with the city staff to allow us to build a breezeway over the 25’ sewer easement. The breezeway was designed and constructed to be removable by forklift in 3 pieces, if it ever becomes necessary to work on the sewer line, buried about 20’ below grade. The owners had varying taste in the style of home they wanted, one on the more traditional end and one on a more contemporary bent. They also wanted low maintenance materials. The result is a simple gable form with over-sized knee braces and gable end vents for function as well as character. The home is finished with cedar shingle siding with a horizontal corrugated metal wainscot below. We opened the back of the house up with windows and sliding doors, giving great views into the trees and down to the river below. The greatest feature is the back patio perched on the bank with the sound of the river rising up from below. Photo By: Tom Stewart - http://tomstewartphoto.photoshelter.com/

Carl Bruce
Inspiration for a contemporary open concept medium tone wood floor home design remodel in DC Metro with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv

This collaboration was with a return client, who wanted to completely restore and renovate her over 100-year-old Victorian. It was key for the homeowner maintained the original footprint of the home with full front to back views of the sound. A contemporary vision translated into slab doors in a navy high-gloss finish for the island and smoky white for the perimeter and upper cabinetry. Simple, satin nickel contemporary hardware reiterates the linear elements throughout. Interior detailing features rich walnut to complement the herringbone floors. The custom hood is hammered stainless steel to play off the plinth block island legs. The undeniable focal point is the stunning Calacatta Corchia marble selected for the countertops and full-height backsplash and walls. The lighting is a unique, suspended adjustable LED fixture. The twin side-by-side Sub-Zero Pro Fridge/Freezer columns include a glass front to highlight interior storage. The Wolf 60" range with pro handles features 2 30" full-size ovens, 6 burners, and a double griddle. The retractable doors in the wet bar cleverly close to hide the sink and bottle storage. The many windows bring lots of light into the space to make it a warm and inviting place to entertain friends and family.

This collaboration was with a return client, who wanted to completely restore and renovate her over 100-year-old Victorian. It was key for the homeowner maintained the original footprint of the home with full front to back views of the sound. A contemporary vision translated into slab doors in a navy high-gloss finish for the island and smoky white for the perimeter and upper cabinetry. Simple, satin nickel contemporary hardware reiterates the linear elements throughout. Interior detailing features rich walnut to complement the herringbone floors. The custom hood is hammered stainless steel to play off the plinth block island legs. The undeniable focal point is the stunning Calacatta Corchia marble selected for the countertops and full-height backsplash and walls. The lighting is a unique, suspended adjustable LED fixture. The twin side-by-side Sub-Zero Pro Fridge/Freezer columns include a glass front to highlight interior storage. The Wolf 60" range with pro handles features 2 30" full-size ovens, 6 burners, and a double griddle. The retractable doors in the wet bar cleverly close to hide the sink and bottle storage. The many windows bring lots of light into the space to make it a warm and inviting place to entertain friends and family.

This collaboration was with a return client, who wanted to completely restore and renovate her over 100-year-old Victorian. It was key for the homeowner maintained the original footprint of the home with full front to back views of the sound. A contemporary vision translated into slab doors in a navy high-gloss finish for the island and smoky white for the perimeter and upper cabinetry. Simple, satin nickel contemporary hardware reiterates the linear elements throughout. Interior detailing features rich walnut to complement the herringbone floors. The custom hood is hammered stainless steel to play off the plinth block island legs. The undeniable focal point is the stunning Calacatta Corchia marble selected for the countertops and full-height backsplash and walls. The lighting is a unique, suspended adjustable LED fixture. The twin side-by-side Sub-Zero Pro Fridge/Freezer columns include a glass front to highlight interior storage. The Wolf 60" range with pro handles features 2 30" full-size ovens, 6 burners, and a double griddle. The retractable doors in the wet bar cleverly close to hide the sink and bottle storage. The many windows bring lots of light into the space to make it a warm and inviting place to entertain friends and family.

In this room the client wanted to have a concealed 26 inch Television with over head speakers. We achieved this look by creating a custom milled cabinet for the TV.