This project was designed to accommodate the client’s wish to have a traditional and functional barn that could also serve as a backdrop for social and corporate functions. Several years after it’s completion, this has become just the case as the clients routinely host everything from fundraisers to cooking demonstrations to political functions in the barn and outdoor spaces. In addition to the barn, Axial Arts designed an indoor arena, cattle & hay barn, and a professional grade equipment workshop with living quarters above it. The indoor arena includes a 100′ x 200′ riding arena as well as a side space that includes bleacher space for clinics and several open rail stalls. The hay & cattle barn is split level with 3 bays on the top level that accommodates tractors and front loaders as well as a significant tonnage of hay. The lower level opens to grade below with cattle pens and equipment for breeding and calving. The cattle handling systems and stocks both outside and inside were designed by Temple Grandin- renowned bestselling author, autism activist, and consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior. This project was recently featured in Cowboy & Indians Magazine. As the case with most of our projects, Axial Arts received this commission after being recommended by a past client.

The bones of this 1908 Glen Park home had been compromised by years and years of awkward remodels. The front door led directly to the private bedroom level, while the public gathering spaces were one-level down, with the main staircase nearly dropping you into the existing kitchen. Potentially spectacular views of an existing mature redwood tree and broad city views beyond were entirely ignored and inaccessible. We first unraveled the knot of the plan with a new split-level entryway and connecting stair. We then opened up the rear of the home to the views, using the huge backyard conifer as design inspiration for a perforated steel guardrail connecting the new interior and exterior space seamlessly. A lower expansion connects the home to the yard and alleyway garage entry. The Pinales House is indicative of the scale of remodel many young families can consider; a scale at which strategic design choices are key to discovering the unrealized potential of the home and site.

The bones of this 1908 Glen Park home had been compromised by years and years of awkward remodels. The front door led directly to the private bedroom level, while the public gathering spaces were one-level down, with the main staircase nearly dropping you into the existing kitchen. Potentially spectacular views of an existing mature redwood tree and broad city views beyond were entirely ignored and inaccessible. We first unraveled the knot of the plan with a new split-level entryway and connecting stair. We then opened up the rear of the home to the views, using the huge backyard conifer as design inspiration for a perforated steel guardrail connecting the new interior and exterior space seamlessly. A lower expansion connects the home to the yard and alleyway garage entry. The Pinales House is indicative of the scale of remodel many young families can consider; a scale at which strategic design choices are key to discovering the unrealized potential of the home and site.

The bones of this 1908 Glen Park home had been compromised by years and years of awkward remodels. The front door led directly to the private bedroom level, while the public gathering spaces were one-level down, with the main staircase nearly dropping you into the existing kitchen. Potentially spectacular views of an existing mature redwood tree and broad city views beyond were entirely ignored and inaccessible. We first unraveled the knot of the plan with a new split-level entryway and connecting stair. We then opened up the rear of the home to the views, using the huge backyard conifer as design inspiration for a perforated steel guardrail connecting the new interior and exterior space seamlessly. A lower expansion connects the home to the yard and alleyway garage entry. The Pinales House is indicative of the scale of remodel many young families can consider; a scale at which strategic design choices are key to discovering the unrealized potential of the home and site.

The bones of this 1908 Glen Park home had been compromised by years and years of awkward remodels. The front door led directly to the private bedroom level, while the public gathering spaces were one-level down, with the main staircase nearly dropping you into the existing kitchen. Potentially spectacular views of an existing mature redwood tree and broad city views beyond were entirely ignored and inaccessible. We first unraveled the knot of the plan with a new split-level entryway and connecting stair. We then opened up the rear of the home to the views, using the huge backyard conifer as design inspiration for a perforated steel guardrail connecting the new interior and exterior space seamlessly. A lower expansion connects the home to the yard and alleyway garage entry. The Pinales House is indicative of the scale of remodel many young families can consider; a scale at which strategic design choices are key to discovering the unrealized potential of the home and site.

Example of a mid-sized beach style gray two-story wood gable roof design in New York with a shingle roof

[Our Clients] We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldn’t wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. [Kitchen] The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. [Dining Room] The dining room had once been the home’s living room, but we had other plans in mind. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. [Living Room] We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs you’ve ever sat in. [Master Suite] This home didn’t originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that you’d never want to leave. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. [Hall Bathroom] The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. [Office] We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. And voila! We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood.

The bones of this 1908 Glen Park home had been compromised by years and years of awkward remodels. The front door led directly to the private bedroom level, while the public gathering spaces were one-level down, with the main staircase nearly dropping you into the existing kitchen. Potentially spectacular views of an existing mature redwood tree and broad city views beyond were entirely ignored and inaccessible. We first unraveled the knot of the plan with a new split-level entryway and connecting stair. We then opened up the rear of the home to the views, using the huge backyard conifer as design inspiration for a perforated steel guardrail connecting the new interior and exterior space seamlessly. A lower expansion connects the home to the yard and alleyway garage entry. The Pinales House is indicative of the scale of remodel many young families can consider; a scale at which strategic design choices are key to discovering the unrealized potential of the home and site.

The bones of this 1908 Glen Park home had been compromised by years and years of awkward remodels. The front door led directly to the private bedroom level, while the public gathering spaces were one-level down, with the main staircase nearly dropping you into the existing kitchen. Potentially spectacular views of an existing mature redwood tree and broad city views beyond were entirely ignored and inaccessible. We first unraveled the knot of the plan with a new split-level entryway and connecting stair. We then opened up the rear of the home to the views, using the huge backyard conifer as design inspiration for a perforated steel guardrail connecting the new interior and exterior space seamlessly. A lower expansion connects the home to the yard and alleyway garage entry. The Pinales House is indicative of the scale of remodel many young families can consider; a scale at which strategic design choices are key to discovering the unrealized potential of the home and site.

Mid-sized transitional beige split-level wood gable roof idea in Tampa

The bones of this 1908 Glen Park home had been compromised by years and years of awkward remodels. The front door led directly to the private bedroom level, while the public gathering spaces were one-level down, with the main staircase nearly dropping you into the existing kitchen. Potentially spectacular views of an existing mature redwood tree and broad city views beyond were entirely ignored and inaccessible. We first unraveled the knot of the plan with a new split-level entryway and connecting stair. We then opened up the rear of the home to the views, using the huge backyard conifer as design inspiration for a perforated steel guardrail connecting the new interior and exterior space seamlessly. A lower expansion connects the home to the yard and alleyway garage entry. The Pinales House is indicative of the scale of remodel many young families can consider; a scale at which strategic design choices are key to discovering the unrealized potential of the home and site.

This project was such an incredible design opportunity, and instilled inspiration and excitement at every turn! Our amazing clients came to us with the challenge of converting their beloved family home into a welcoming haven for all members of the family. At the time that we met our clients, they were struggling with the difficult personal decision of the fate of the home. Their father/father-in-law had passed away and their mother/mother-in-law had recently been admitted into a nursing facility and was fighting Alzheimer’s. Resistant to loss of the home now that both parents were out of it, our clients purchased the home to keep in in the family. Despite their permanent home currently being in New Jersey, these clients dedicated themselves to keeping and revitalizing the house. We were moved by the story and became immediately passionate about bringing this dream to life. The home was built by the parents of our clients and was only ever owned by them, making this a truly special space to the family. Our goal was to revitalize the home and to bring new energy into every room without losing the special characteristics that were original to the home when it was built. In this way, we were able to develop a house that maintains its own unique personality while offering a space of welcoming neutrality for all members of the family to enjoy over time. The renovation touched every part of the home: the exterior, foyer, kitchen, living room, sun room, garage, six bedrooms, three bathrooms, the laundry room, and everything in between. The focus was to develop a style that carried consistently from space to space, but allowed for unique expression in the small details in every room. Starting at the entry, we renovated the front door and entry point to offer more presence and to bring more of the mid-century vibe to the home’s exterior. We integrated a new modern front door, cedar shingle accents, new exterior paint, and gorgeous contemporary house numbers that really allow the home to stand out. Just inside the entry, we renovated the foyer to create a playful entry point worthy of attention. Cement look tile adorns the foyer floor, and we’ve added new lighting and upgraded the entry coat storage. Upon entering the home, one will immediately be captivated by the stunning kitchen just off the entry. We transformed this space in just about every way. While the footprint of the home ultimately remained almost identical, the aesthetics were completely turned on their head. We re-worked the kitchen to maximize storage and to create an informal dining area that is great for casual hosting or morning coffee. We removed the entry to the garage that was once in the informal dining, and created a peninsula in its place that offers a unique division between the kitchen/informal dining and the formal dining and living areas. The simple light warm light gray cabinetry offers a bit of traditional elegance, along with the marble backsplash and quartz countertops. We extended the original wood flooring into the kitchen and stained all floors to match for a warmth that truly resonates through all spaces. We upgraded appliances, added lighting everywhere, and finished the space with some gorgeous mid century furniture pieces. In the formal dining and living room, we really focused on maintaining the original marble fireplace as a focal point. We cleaned the marble, repaired the mortar, and refinished the original fireplace screen to give a new sleek look in black. We then integrated a new gas insert for modern heating and painted the upper portion in a rich navy blue; an accent that is carried through the home consistently as a nod to our client’s love of the color. The former entry into the old covered porch is now an elegant glass door leading to a stunning finished sunroom. This room was completely upgraded as well. We wrapped the entire space in cozy white shiplap to keep a casual feel with brightness. We tiled the floor with large format concrete look tile, and painted the old brick fireplace a bright white. We installed a new gas burning unit, and integrated transitional style lighting to bring warmth and elegance into the space. The new black-frame windows are adorned with decorative shades that feature hand-sketched bird prints, and we’ve created a dedicated garden-ware “nook” for our client who loves to work in the yard. The far end of this space is completed with two oversized chaise loungers and overhead lights…the most perfect little reading nook! Just off the dining room, we created an entirely new space to the home: a mudroom. The clients lacked this space and desperately needed a landing spot upon entering the home from the garage. We uniquely planned existing space in the garage to utilize for this purpose, and were able to create a small but functional entry point without losing the ability to park cars in the garage. This new space features cement-look tile, gorgeous deep brown cabinetry, and plenty of storage for all the small items one might need to store while moving in and out of the home. The remainder of the upstairs level includes massive renovations to the guest hall bathroom and guest bedroom, upstairs master bed/bath suite, and a third bedroom that we converted into a home office for the client. Some of the largest transformations were made in the basement, where unfinished space and lack of light were converted into gloriously lit, cozy, finished spaces. Our first task was to convert the massive basement living room into the new master bedroom for our clients. We removed existing built-ins, created an entirely new walk-in closet, painted the old brick fireplace, installed a new gas unit, added carpet, introduced new lighting, replaced windows, and upgraded every part of the aesthetic appearance. One of the most incredible features of this space is the custom double sliding barn door made by a Denver artisan. This space is truly a retreat for our clients! We also completely transformed the laundry room, back storage room, basement master bathroom, and two bedrooms. This home’s massive scope and ever-evolving challenges were thrilling and exciting to work with, and the result is absolutely amazing. At the end of the day, this home offers a look and feel that the clients love. Above all, though, the clients feel the spirit of their family home and have a welcoming environment for all members of the family to enjoy for years to come.

This re-design took a dated split level and transformed it into an attractive and functional home to meet the needs of a growing family. Additional square footage was added to incorporate a larger master suite and a second garage. The front entry became a bright and open space, with an open to below music room above it. The master suite took advantage of the large trees in this established neighbourhood giving it a feeling of being in a secluded treehouse. See this project and more at www.beginwithdesign.com Photos: Carol Ellergodt

The bones of this 1908 Glen Park home had been compromised by years and years of awkward remodels. The front door led directly to the private bedroom level, while the public gathering spaces were one-level down, with the main staircase nearly dropping you into the existing kitchen. Potentially spectacular views of an existing mature redwood tree and broad city views beyond were entirely ignored and inaccessible. We first unraveled the knot of the plan with a new split-level entryway and connecting stair. We then opened up the rear of the home to the views, using the huge backyard conifer as design inspiration for a perforated steel guardrail connecting the new interior and exterior space seamlessly. A lower expansion connects the home to the yard and alleyway garage entry. The Pinales House is indicative of the scale of remodel many young families can consider; a scale at which strategic design choices are key to discovering the unrealized potential of the home and site.

The bones of this 1908 Glen Park home had been compromised by years and years of awkward remodels. The front door led directly to the private bedroom level, while the public gathering spaces were one-level down, with the main staircase nearly dropping you into the existing kitchen. Potentially spectacular views of an existing mature redwood tree and broad city views beyond were entirely ignored and inaccessible. We first unraveled the knot of the plan with a new split-level entryway and connecting stair. We then opened up the rear of the home to the views, using the huge backyard conifer as design inspiration for a perforated steel guardrail connecting the new interior and exterior space seamlessly. A lower expansion connects the home to the yard and alleyway garage entry. The Pinales House is indicative of the scale of remodel many young families can consider; a scale at which strategic design choices are key to discovering the unrealized potential of the home and site.

This multi-story home perched on a cliff overlooking Lake Travis was a get-away home for a repeat client in Houston. The client wanted a fun and relaxing retreat with the lake views being the focal point. Warm woods, metals, and fabrics with bright and organic colors were used to create a comfortable, transitional feel. In the game room, a tabletop arcade, popcorn machine and game table bring the “fun” indoors after a long day on the lake.

Large trendy white one-story wood gable roof photo in DC Metro with a shingle roof and a black roof

Brooklyn Townhouse gut renovation. Staircase.
Staircase - mid-sized industrial painted straight wood railing staircase idea in New York with painted risers

Todd Miller, QMA Architects & Planners, QMA Design+Build, LLC Ocean City NJ
Inspiration for a coastal exterior home remodel in Philadelphia