Strategically - Photos & Ideas

Northern Michigan is the ultimate getaway destination with serene views and abundance of outdoor recreation. This remote Up North house offers nothing short of that. With the nearest major town almost 45 minutes away, it was essential this vacation home offered all the amenities for entertainment and relaxation. Spire worked with the client to create the perfect lake house retreat with comfort and convenience during any season or weather. The living room with an attached game room is a versatile space that offers endless entertainment. A 65” TV was installed over the fireplace in the custom stone wall. The adjustable mount allows the TV to lower for comfortable viewing from either the couch or pool table. A pair of Meridian Audio DSP7200 custom color matched speakers equipped with a Meridian Audio 218 digital controller were strategically installed on each side of the fireplace. The floor-standing speakers compliment the natural stone while providing astonishingly life-like sound, perfect for streaming live concerts. The powerful audio extends to the upper level of the home. Spire installed B&W 700 series bookshelf speakers in the executive office and a Triad custom speaker bar in the master bedroom. These speakers are ideal for smaller rooms, while elevating the TV experience. The large living room windows offer beautiful lake views and ample lighting. Lutron Palladiom shades were installed to easily control the natural light in the living room, master bedroom and bathroom. They are custom designed and fully automated to let in the morning sun or achieve partial shading or complete privacy. Whether set on a schedule or controlled from an iPad, the shades operate quietly and seamlessly. The technology was designed to be enjoyed just as much indoors as outdoors. With the whole home audio system, high-quality sound can flow throughout the indoor rooms as well as the outdoor patio. While the location may be remote, Spire ensured the WiFi and network connection is strong both throughout the yard and inside the home. A Lutron HomeWorks QS system integrates the control of all the interior and exterior lighting including motion sensing for the exterior pathway. Since this is not a permanent residence, a control and security system was very important. A personalized Savant system was integrated for full home control of lighting, climate, entertainment and security from anywhere with a smart device . This includes the ability to control the multiple landscape light zones with timed scenes. The Doorbird cameras and chimes with the integration of camera feeds into the Savant Control provides remote communication with visitors at any of the exterior doors. Remote access also allows rebooting of all essential systems from any location.

Fish Lake Addition

Lake Country Builders

Example of a beach style gender-neutral carpeted and beige floor kids' room design in Minneapolis with brown walls

Refined Industrial House Remodel

Melton Design Build

This home remodel was an incredible transformation that turned a traditional Boulder home into an open concept, refined space perfect for hosting. The Melton design team aimed at keeping the space fresh, which included industrial design elements to keep the space feeling modern. Our favorite aspect of this home transformation is the openness from room to room. The open concept allows plenty of opportunities for this lively family to host often and comfortably.

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Seadrift Residence

CCS ARCHITECTURE

Inside, the building is zoned into living and sleeping wings. The living room, kitchen, and dining spaces comprise the main area with high wood ceilings. Strategic skylights bring in patterned natural light from above to balance the south and north light. The bedroom wing is situated to be separate from the main space, and has two bedrooms plus the ‘bunk room’, which the three kids share. It has three double bunks and one loft, sleeping seven. Each of the bunks has its own small window and reading light. Photo by Paul Dyer

Spring Lake - Family Room - After

Sheila Rich Interiors, LLC

Pocket doors allow the multi-functional family room to become a private main floor fifth bedroom for weekend guests. Ottomans are used in lieu of a coffee table, offering extra seating as well as surface space and allowing better traffic flow. The proportionally-sized custom wall unit with strategically placed angles and touch-latch doors (eliminating protrusions) leaves just enough functional floor space for the queen-size mattress to open comfortably.

Timeless Elegant Kitchen

Drury Design

THE SETUP Once these empty nest homeowners decided to stay put, they knew a new kitchen was in order. Passionate about cooking, entertaining, and hosting holiday gatherings, they found their existing kitchen inadequate. The space, with its traditional style and outdated layout, was far from ideal. They longed for an elegant, timeless kitchen that was not only show-stopping but also functional, seamlessly catering to both their daily routines and special occasions with friends and family. Another key factor was its future appeal to potential buyers, as they’re ready to enjoy their new kitchen while also considering downsizing in the future. Design Objectives: Create a more streamlined, open space Eliminate traditional elements Improve flow for entertaining and everyday use Omit dated posts and soffits Include storage for small appliances to keep counters clutter-free Address mail organization and phone charging concerns THE REMODEL Design Challenges: Compensate for lost storage from omitted wall cabinets Revise floorplan to feature a single, spacious island Enhance island seating proximity for a more engaging atmosphere Address awkward space above existing built-ins Improve natural light blocked by wall cabinet near the window Create a highly functional space tailored for entertaining Design Solutions: Tall cabinetry and pull-outs maximize storage efficiency A generous single island promotes seamless flow and ample prep space Strategic island seating arrangement fosters easy conversation New built-ins fill arched openings, ensuring a custom, clutter-free look Replace wall cabinet with lighted open shelves for an airy feel Galley Dresser and Workstation offer impeccable organization and versatility, creating the perfect setup for entertaining with everything easily accessible. THE RENEWED SPACE The new kitchen exceeded every expectation, thrilling the clients with its revitalized, expansive design and thoughtful functionality. The transformation brought to life an open space adorned with marble accents, a state-of-the-art steam oven, and the seamless integration of the Galley Dresser, crafting a kitchen not just to be used, but to be cherished. This is more than a culinary space; it’s a new heart of their home, ready to host countless memories and culinary adventures.

Small House in an Olive Grove

Cooper Joseph Studio

Elliott Kaufman Photography
Example of a minimalist bedroom design in New York with white walls

Mercer Island

Weather Shield Windows & Doors

Trendy kitchen photo in Other

Open Living Space with Leather Sectional

Ernesto Santalla PLLC

Ernesto Santalla was approached to create a new home for two Washington, DC lawyers wishing to downsize their living space. The move took them from a row house in Washington's historic Dupont Circle neighborhood to a two bedroom apartment in the vibrant, up-and-coming U Street Corridor. Our task was to transform a rather plain and generic apartment into a custom, sophisticated space in a few strategic moves. Ceiling details serve to define functional areas of the living space without creating divisions. Changing some doors from wood to frosted glass, creates a sense of continuity between spaces, and allows light to travel between spaces. Lighting was inserted strategically, to enhance certain functions of the home. The kitchen was partially enclosed with a plane of frosted glass to create visual separation from the main living space while still allowing natural light to filter in from the expansive wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. Color was used to reinforce the architectural intent and simplify spaces, such as the entry, which as many doors and frames. Furniture was selected to blend with the client's collection of heirloom pieces, creating a sophisticated juxtaposition. Statement pieces like a ceiling light from Viabizzuno create impact while maintaining the visual simplicity of our minimal approach. This project was featured in DC Modern Luxury. https://www.modernluxury.com/washington-dc/story/grand-nest Photography by Geoffrey Hodgdon

Southern Style Pergola

Matthew Murrey Design

Inspired by the Louisiana architecture of A. Hays Town, this client set out to replicate a Louisiana courtyard in the midst of this creekside estate. A pool was the centerpiece of the design, and it was anchored by an antique brick clad spa. The spa, strategically placed on the home's main axis, was specifically purposed to replicate a courtyard fountain.

South Drive Whole House Renovation

Harwood Design Builders Ltd.

A riverfront property is a desirable piece of property duet to its proximity to a waterway and parklike setting. The value in this renovation to the customer was creating a home that allowed for maximum appreciation of the outside environment and integrating the outside with the inside, and this design achieved this goal completely. To eliminate the fishbowl effect and sight-lines from the street the kitchen was strategically designed with a higher counter top space, wall areas were added and sinks and appliances were intentional placement. Open shelving in the kitchen and wine display area in the dining room was incorporated to display customer's pottery. Seating on two sides of the island maximize river views and conversation potential. Overall kitchen/dining/great room layout designed for parties, etc. - lots of gathering spots for people to hang out without cluttering the work triangle. Eliminating walls in the ensuite provided a larger footprint for the area allowing for the freestanding tub and larger walk-in closet. Hardwoods, wood cabinets and the light grey colour pallet were carried through the entire home to integrate the space.

St. Anne's Road Garden

PLANT Architect Inc.

Dining area
Inspiration for a contemporary deck remodel in Toronto with no cover

Luxury Lake House Retreat

Spire Integrated Systems Inc.

East York Residential

Geometra Design Ltd.

Trendy white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor and multicolored floor bathroom photo in Toronto with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, an undermount tub, white walls, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Linden Hills

Locale Design Build

Mid-sized trendy open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Minneapolis with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Union Hill | Traditional

Heiser Designs

This home in Redmond’s Union Hill neighborhood underwent a complete overhaul including a remodel, layout updates, custom furnishings and styling throughout. The floor plan and flow of the spaces were updated for contemporary living, while the design emits a timeless ambiance.

Chez Shay

Best Practice Architecture

Bathroom - contemporary bathroom idea in Seattle

Salt Addition

Lurie Building Design

Design work started with a modest design focused on improving the kitchen, living, dining and outdoor living areas. However, a feasibility study determined that a better option was to fully remodel the existing dwelling, resulting in reclaiming some of the front veranda to increase the size of the living and dining areas. The remaining section created an alcove to the main bedroom, increasing privacy and creating a dedicated outdoor area. A large awning, cantilevered so as not to impose on the existing septic, created a separate outdoor living area. A teak facade, that will weather to grey in the salty sea air over time, was added to extend high above the box gutter, conceal the solar panels and cap the ends of the separation walls. The roof was repitched and the internal ceilings raked upwards from the teak facade, thereby increasing the internal volume and allowing for the addition of high-light windows in rooms on the ridge side of the dwelling to capture the vista, increase natural light, ventilation and sense of space. A skillion roof outside the back kitchen area was strategically positioned out of sight from the inside of the home and created a second outdoor area in the rear courtyard, serving as the main entry point. A gate house was incorporated in the rear fence to enhance the entry. The rear courtyard reclaimed an existing parking bay to create space for the cellar/music room.

Allee House

McInturff Architects

Mount Airy MD General Contractor: Mueller Homes Photo: Julia Heine / McInturff Architects
Inspiration for a modern deck remodel in DC Metro with a roof extension

Midcentury Modern Renovation

Bella Vista Developments

D & M Images
Study room - mid-sized industrial freestanding desk light wood floor study room idea in Other with white walls