Basement Pub. Bar and stained glass window close up. Rob Karosis Photographer
Elegant home bar photo in New York

Poised on the edge of a deep ravine overlooking the beautiful Barton Creek, the core of this 1960’s renovated home centers on the kitchen. This particular space was artfully collaborated on with the home's owner, who is the owner and chef of one of Austin's premiere restaurants. The original 155 square foot kitchen was not inspiring at all to the culinary professional who was unhappy with the size, layout, lighting, space, lack of appliances, and overall outdated style. One of the key goals was to create a space not only for everyday cooking, but for entertaining as well. The overall design of the kitchen incorporates large amounts of counter space, commercial-style appliances, transparent refrigerator and pantry, as well as natural lighting to pair with necessary task lighting. The openness of the design allows for the dining area to seamlessly flow into the space for everyday family gatherings or entertaining on special occasions. Photography by Adam Steiner

We brought the light in to this former dark room now residential home office. Our client wanted a peaceful space that was directly connected to nature, space for his spouse to work on occasion, and a place to play his drums. We delivered a design that eeked out additional space from a hall and large storage/laundry room. Our earth friendly paints and cork flooring, along with reuse of cabinet doors gives our nature-loving client peace of mind and allows him to breathe easy. We concealed cables, equipment, a fold-up desk, and privacy shades to give him a multi-purpose Zen office that blends with the Japanese style of their home. Dennis Timmons Photography

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This beautifully designed kitchen sports cabinetry stained warm honey maple with a mottled olive green Quartz countertop. The island is painted distressed black and is topped with a coppery salmon Quartz countertop, making it an attention grabbing focal point. Shades of pale olive subway tiles from Walker Zanger provide an interesting backdrop. The timeless elements in this kitchen make it a perfect gathering place for any occasion.

Rise to the occasion with the Swell Armchair. Imbuing both vintage and mid-century elements, Swell was designed to portray simple elegance. Made with dense foam padding, fine polyester upholstery, and dark walnut stained dowel wood legs, Swell captures the moment while imbuing a rewarding seating experience for contemporary, bohemian, chic and other eclectic spaces sporting mid-century inspired elements. Buy Now OVERALL PRODUCT DIMENSIONS 28"L x 25.5"W x 33"H SEAT DIMENSIONS 25.5"W x 19"H BACKREST DIMENSIONS 14"H

Rise to the occasion with the Swell Armchair. Imbuing both vintage and mid-century elements, Swell was designed to portray simple elegance. Made with dense foam padding, fine polyester upholstery, and dark walnut stained dowel wood legs, Swell captures the moment while imbuing a rewarding seating experience for contemporary, bohemian, chic and other eclectic spaces sporting mid-century inspired elements. Buy Now OVERALL PRODUCT DIMENSIONS 28"L x 25.5"W x 33"H SEAT DIMENSIONS 25.5"W x 19"H BACKREST DIMENSIONS 14"H

CUSTOM SERVING TRAY 16" x 25" Solid Mahogany serving tray enhanced with decoupage mulberry paper with metallic pigment then sealed with a thick layer of hard resin. Sizes Available - Lg. 16" x 25" - $120 Med.- 14" x 18" - $105 Trays are custom made using elements such as: IItalian Glass Mosaic Decoupage Elements of Art Vinyl imagery of your Favorite Sports Team Logo, Occasion, or Personal Message. Personal Memorabilia (Ex. Photos, Tickets, coins, etc.) Fabric to match Decor Wire Trim on Handles - add $25 Hardwood Available - Dk. Brown Mahogany or Natural Hardwood Sizes available - Lg. 16" x 25" or Med. 18" x 14" prices vary $90-$265 For more examples visit: MerleArtDesign@AOL.com

Rise to the occasion with the Swell Armchair. Imbuing both vintage and mid-century elements, Swell was designed to portray simple elegance. Made with dense foam padding, fine polyester upholstery, and dark walnut stained dowel wood legs, Swell captures the moment while imbuing a rewarding seating experience for contemporary, bohemian, chic and other eclectic spaces sporting mid-century inspired elements. Buy Now OVERALL PRODUCT DIMENSIONS 28"L x 25.5"W x 33"H SEAT DIMENSIONS 25.5"W x 19"H BACKREST DIMENSIONS 14"H

CUSTOM SERVING TRAY 16" x 25" Solid Mahogany serving tray enhanced with decoupage mulberry paper with metallic pigment then sealed with a thick layer of hard resin. Sizes Available - Lg. 16" x 25" - $120 Med.- 14" x 18" - $105 Trays are custom made using elements such as: IItalian Glass Mosaic Decoupage Elements of Art Vinyl imagery of your Favorite Sports Team Logo, Occasion, or Personal Message. Personal Memorabilia (Ex. Photos, Tickets, coins, etc.) Fabric to match Decor Wire Trim on Handles - add $25 Hardwood Available - Dk. Brown Mahogany or Natural Hardwood Sizes available - Lg. 16" x 25" or Med. 18" x 14" prices vary $90-$265 For more examples visit: MerleArtDesign@AOL.com

2013 NARI Capital CotY, Merit Award Winner, Creative Solutions under $15,000 Objective: This couple was tired of the old brick look of their family room and its embedded fireplace. They wanted to uplift the entire room, with better lighting, updated built ins and new gas log fireplace. Challenges: It was not an easy task to get rid of all masonry and brick wall. Gas lines and powder line were quite distance away and the family room floor was a concrete slab. Design solutions: It was important for the couple to create an optional separation between the family room and the kitchen for times that she is having her book club gang over and husband wanted to watch his sporting events. Part of the wall between kitchen and family room was taken by a closet. We have removed that entire wall and implemented a 6” wide Barn door for a partial solution to their problem. New wiring for light and cable wires were running into the old masonry wall. Gas line gave the old wood burning fireplace and new life. Custom built in cabinetry was placed in place old masonry wall. A new stone hearth and surround wrapped around the new fireplace. New hardwood wide plank flooring gave this family room warmth. New recess lighting has offered a much brighter room. Outcome: He gets to enjoy his favorite football team beat up the rebels while she gets to have her tea party around the kitchen table. And in all other occasions they get to cuddle by the flames of a new fireplace.

2013 NARI Capital CotY, Merit Award Winner, Creative Solutions under $15,000 Objective: This couple was tired of the old brick look of their family room and its embedded fireplace. They wanted to uplift the entire room, with better lighting, updated built ins and new gas log fireplace. Challenges: It was not an easy task to get rid of all masonry and brick wall. Gas lines and powder line were quite distance away and the family room floor was a concrete slab. Design solutions: It was important for the couple to create an optional separation between the family room and the kitchen for times that she is having her book club gang over and husband wanted to watch his sporting events. Part of the wall between kitchen and family room was taken by a closet. We have removed that entire wall and implemented a 6” wide Barn door for a partial solution to their problem. New wiring for light and cable wires were running into the old masonry wall. Gas line gave the old wood burning fireplace and new life. Custom built in cabinetry was placed in place old masonry wall. A new stone hearth and surround wrapped around the new fireplace. New hardwood wide plank flooring gave this family room warmth. New recess lighting has offered a much brighter room. Outcome: He gets to enjoy his favorite football team beat up the rebels while she gets to have her tea party around the kitchen table. And in all other occasions they get to cuddle by the flames of a new fireplace.

Rise to the occasion with the Swell Armchair. Imbuing both vintage and mid-century elements, Swell was designed to portray simple elegance. Made with dense foam padding, fine polyester upholstery, and dark walnut stained dowel wood legs, Swell captures the moment while imbuing a rewarding seating experience for contemporary, bohemian, chic and other eclectic spaces sporting mid-century inspired elements. Buy Now OVERALL PRODUCT DIMENSIONS 28"L x 25.5"W x 33"H SEAT DIMENSIONS 25.5"W x 19"H BACKREST DIMENSIONS 14"H

2013 NARI Capital CotY, Merit Award Winner, Creative Solutions under $15,000 Objective: This couple was tired of the old brick look of their family room and its embedded fireplace. They wanted to uplift the entire room, with better lighting, updated built ins and new gas log fireplace. Challenges: It was not an easy task to get rid of all masonry and brick wall. Gas lines and powder line were quite distance away and the family room floor was a concrete slab. Design solutions: It was important for the couple to create an optional separation between the family room and the kitchen for times that she is having her book club gang over and husband wanted to watch his sporting events. Part of the wall between kitchen and family room was taken by a closet. We have removed that entire wall and implemented a 6” wide Barn door for a partial solution to their problem. New wiring for light and cable wires were running into the old masonry wall. Gas line gave the old wood burning fireplace and new life. Custom built in cabinetry was placed in place old masonry wall. A new stone hearth and surround wrapped around the new fireplace. New hardwood wide plank flooring gave this family room warmth. New recess lighting has offered a much brighter room. Outcome: He gets to enjoy his favorite football team beat up the rebels while she gets to have her tea party around the kitchen table. And in all other occasions they get to cuddle by the flames of a new fireplace.

2013 NARI Capital CotY, Merit Award Winner, Creative Solutions under $15,000 Objective: This couple was tired of the old brick look of their family room and its embedded fireplace. They wanted to uplift the entire room, with better lighting, updated built ins and new gas log fireplace. Challenges: It was not an easy task to get rid of all masonry and brick wall. Gas lines and powder line were quite distance away and the family room floor was a concrete slab. Design solutions: It was important for the couple to create an optional separation between the family room and the kitchen for times that she is having her book club gang over and husband wanted to watch his sporting events. Part of the wall between kitchen and family room was taken by a closet. We have removed that entire wall and implemented a 6” wide Barn door for a partial solution to their problem. New wiring for light and cable wires were running into the old masonry wall. Gas line gave the old wood burning fireplace and new life. Custom built in cabinetry was placed in place old masonry wall. A new stone hearth and surround wrapped around the new fireplace. New hardwood wide plank flooring gave this family room warmth. New recess lighting has offered a much brighter room. Outcome: He gets to enjoy his favorite football team beat up the rebels while she gets to have her tea party around the kitchen table. And in all other occasions they get to cuddle by the flames of a new fireplace.

Phil Rudick, Architect of Urban kitchens + Baths, Austin, Tx. designed this Mediteranean style kitchen to blend with the overall home theme. This large kitchen sports two islands so that this growing family of four can have functional diversity for everyday use and special family occasions as well.

2013 NARI Capital CotY, Merit Award Winner, Creative Solutions under $15,000 Objective: This couple was tired of the old brick look of their family room and its embedded fireplace. They wanted to uplift the entire room, with better lighting, updated built ins and new gas log fireplace. Challenges: It was not an easy task to get rid of all masonry and brick wall. Gas lines and powder line were quite distance away and the family room floor was a concrete slab. Design solutions: It was important for the couple to create an optional separation between the family room and the kitchen for times that she is having her book club gang over and husband wanted to watch his sporting events. Part of the wall between kitchen and family room was taken by a closet. We have removed that entire wall and implemented a 6” wide Barn door for a partial solution to their problem. New wiring for light and cable wires were running into the old masonry wall. Gas line gave the old wood burning fireplace and new life. Custom built in cabinetry was placed in place old masonry wall. A new stone hearth and surround wrapped around the new fireplace. New hardwood wide plank flooring gave this family room warmth. New recess lighting has offered a much brighter room. Outcome: He gets to enjoy his favorite football team beat up the rebels while she gets to have her tea party around the kitchen table. And in all other occasions they get to cuddle by the flames of a new fireplace.

Rise to the occasion with the Swell Armchair. Imbuing both vintage and mid-century elements, Swell was designed to portray simple elegance. Made with dense foam padding, fine polyester upholstery, and dark walnut stained dowel wood legs, Swell captures the moment while imbuing a rewarding seating experience for contemporary, bohemian, chic and other eclectic spaces sporting mid-century inspired elements. Buy Now OVERALL PRODUCT DIMENSIONS 28"L x 25.5"W x 33"H SEAT DIMENSIONS 25.5"W x 19"H BACKREST DIMENSIONS 14"H