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When our clients purchased their Fairfax Station home at the beginning of the pandemic, the main living areas had already been updated. However, three bathrooms were still stuck in the1980s. We tackled the upstairs primary and hall bathrooms first to ensure our clients had a working bathroom while construction was underway. Once the upstairs renovations were completed, we moved on to the main level guest bathroom.
Primary Bathroom Transformation:
The old primary bathroom had a small dark shower stall, a basic alcove tub, and the original 40-year-old plumbing, vanities, and tile. We completely gutted the space and made some minor layout changes to maximize functionality and create a serene retreat complete with free-standing soaking tub and generous walk-in shower. Expanding the shower’s footprint and replacing the full-height walls with a glass surround opened up the space, making the entire bathroom feel larger and more airy. Marble shelves and a shaving ledge add convenience and style. A large double vanity provides ample storage and a full 7 feet of countertop space. Mixed metal finishes elevate the design, with soft gold accents and brushed nickel fixtures pairing perfectly with the classic gray vanity and muted marble tiles. We reconfigured the dressing area, added custom closet built-ins, and installed new carpet throughout to complete this tailored transformation.
Hall Bathroom Update:
The hall bathroom did not require any significant layout changes, but the dated fixtures and finishes all had to go. We wanted the new bathroom to feel both classic and fresh, so we opted for a polished finish palette, including sleek white subway tiles on the walls and marble-look hexagonal on the floor. A furniture-style vanity, in dark navy, was paired with a distinctive Carrara marble top and sleek chrome fixtures for a modern twist. The tub+shower combo features both a standard shower head and multi-function handheld for optimum flexibility – great for bathing children and pets alike. This renovation blended classic details with modern functionality, creating a bathroom that’s both timeless and fresh.
Guest Bathroom Update:
The home’s main level bathroom serves as both powder room and guest bathroom with 2 separate entrances. The in-swing door from the guest bedroom made the already narrow bathroom feel even more cramped. By installing a pocket door at the guest bedroom, we immediately improved the flow and usability of the space. The shower was upgraded with handcrafted white subway tile and contrasting grout, creating a clean, tailored look that elevates the room. Thoughtful details—like discreet grab bars and a handheld shower on a slide bar—make the space adaptable and comfortable for guests of all ages. A marble mosaic floor sets a refined backdrop for the freestanding black vanity, while the cross-bar handles offer a nod to the past on these modern-day fixtures.

Overthinking a situation isn’t always a bad thing, particularly when the home in question is one in which the past is suddenly meeting the present. Originally designed by Finnish architect Olav Hammarstrom in 1952 for fellow architect Eero Saarinen, this unique home recently received its first transformation in decades. Still in its 1950s skin, it was completely gutted, inside and out. It was a serious undertaking, as the homeowner wanted modern upgrades, while keeping an eye toward retaining the home’s 1950s charm. She had a vision for her home, and she stuck to it from beginning to end.
Perched on a rise of land and overlooking the tranquil Wellfleet Herring Pond, the home initially appears split, with the guest house on the left, and the main house of the right, but both ends are connected with a breezeway. The original home’s bones were in good shape, but many upgrades and replacements were necessary to bring the house up to date.
New siding, roofing, gutters, insulation and mechanical systems were all replaced. Doors and windows with metal frames were custom made by a company in Long Island that fabricates doors for office buildings. Modern heating and cooling systems were added, and the three bathrooms were all updated. The footprint of the home remained unchanged. Inside, the only expansion was more closet space.
The attention to detail in retaining the 50s-style look took a lot of online searching, from handles and knobs to lighting fixtures, with bits and pieces arriving from all over the world, including a doorstop from New Zealand. The homeowner selected many of the fixtures herself, while a very detail-oriented foreman exhaustively researched as well, looking for just the right piece for each and every location.
High-end appliances were purchased to modernize the kitchen and all of the old cabinetry was removed, replaced and refaced with NUVACOR, a versatile surfacing material that not only provided a sleek, modern look, but added convenience and ease of use.
Bare, wood-beamed ceilings throughout give a nod to the home’s natural surroundings, while the main living area (formerly a fisherman’s cabin), with a brick fireplace, was completely trimmed in walnut, while multiple windows of varying sizes welcome sunlight to brighten the home. Here, the sheetrock ceiling with faux rafters provides an interesting and room-brightening feature.
Behind the house sits the serene pond, which can now be enjoyed from the stunning new deck. Here, decking material was not laid out side by side, as it typically is but, instead, meticulously laid out on edge, creating an unusual and eye-catching effect. A railing of tempered glass panels allows unobstructed views of the surrounding natural beauty, and keeps consistent with the open, airy feel of the place. A new outdoor shower is accessible via the deck and left open to the wilderness and the pond below, completing the bold yet sophisticated feeling of this retro-modern home.

This is a lovely, 2 story home in Littleton, Colorado. It backs up to the High Line Canal and has truly stunning mountain views. When our clients purchased the home it was stuck in a 1980's time warp and didn't quite function for the family of 5. They hired us to to assist with a complete remodel. We took out walls, moved windows, added built-ins and cabinetry and worked with the clients more rustic, transitional taste. Check back for photos of the clients kitchen renovation! Photographs by Sara Yoder. Photo styling by Kristy Oatman.
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Colorado Homes & Lifestyles: A Divine Mix from the Kitchen Issue
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Overthinking a situation isn’t always a bad thing, particularly when the home in question is one in which the past is suddenly meeting the present. Originally designed by Finnish architect Olav Hammarstrom in 1952 for fellow architect Eero Saarinen, this unique home recently received its first transformation in decades. Still in its 1950s skin, it was completely gutted, inside and out. It was a serious undertaking, as the homeowner wanted modern upgrades, while keeping an eye toward retaining the home’s 1950s charm. She had a vision for her home, and she stuck to it from beginning to end.
Perched on a rise of land and overlooking the tranquil Wellfleet Herring Pond, the home initially appears split, with the guest house on the left, and the main house of the right, but both ends are connected with a breezeway. The original home’s bones were in good shape, but many upgrades and replacements were necessary to bring the house up to date.
New siding, roofing, gutters, insulation and mechanical systems were all replaced. Doors and windows with metal frames were custom made by a company in Long Island that fabricates doors for office buildings. Modern heating and cooling systems were added, and the three bathrooms were all updated. The footprint of the home remained unchanged. Inside, the only expansion was more closet space.
The attention to detail in retaining the 50s-style look took a lot of online searching, from handles and knobs to lighting fixtures, with bits and pieces arriving from all over the world, including a doorstop from New Zealand. The homeowner selected many of the fixtures herself, while a very detail-oriented foreman exhaustively researched as well, looking for just the right piece for each and every location.
High-end appliances were purchased to modernize the kitchen and all of the old cabinetry was removed, replaced and refaced with NUVACOR, a versatile surfacing material that not only provided a sleek, modern look, but added convenience and ease of use.
Bare, wood-beamed ceilings throughout give a nod to the home’s natural surroundings, while the main living area (formerly a fisherman’s cabin), with a brick fireplace, was completely trimmed in walnut, while multiple windows of varying sizes welcome sunlight to brighten the home. Here, the sheetrock ceiling with faux rafters provides an interesting and room-brightening feature.
Behind the house sits the serene pond, which can now be enjoyed from the stunning new deck. Here, decking material was not laid out side by side, as it typically is but, instead, meticulously laid out on edge, creating an unusual and eye-catching effect. A railing of tempered glass panels allows unobstructed views of the surrounding natural beauty, and keeps consistent with the open, airy feel of the place. A new outdoor shower is accessible via the deck and left open to the wilderness and the pond below, completing the bold yet sophisticated feeling of this retro-modern home.

Overthinking a situation isn’t always a bad thing, particularly when the home in question is one in which the past is suddenly meeting the present. Originally designed by Finnish architect Olav Hammarstrom in 1952 for fellow architect Eero Saarinen, this unique home recently received its first transformation in decades. Still in its 1950s skin, it was completely gutted, inside and out. It was a serious undertaking, as the homeowner wanted modern upgrades, while keeping an eye toward retaining the home’s 1950s charm. She had a vision for her home, and she stuck to it from beginning to end.
Perched on a rise of land and overlooking the tranquil Wellfleet Herring Pond, the home initially appears split, with the guest house on the left, and the main house of the right, but both ends are connected with a breezeway. The original home’s bones were in good shape, but many upgrades and replacements were necessary to bring the house up to date.
New siding, roofing, gutters, insulation and mechanical systems were all replaced. Doors and windows with metal frames were custom made by a company in Long Island that fabricates doors for office buildings. Modern heating and cooling systems were added, and the three bathrooms were all updated. The footprint of the home remained unchanged. Inside, the only expansion was more closet space.
The attention to detail in retaining the 50s-style look took a lot of online searching, from handles and knobs to lighting fixtures, with bits and pieces arriving from all over the world, including a doorstop from New Zealand. The homeowner selected many of the fixtures herself, while a very detail-oriented foreman exhaustively researched as well, looking for just the right piece for each and every location.
High-end appliances were purchased to modernize the kitchen and all of the old cabinetry was removed, replaced and refaced with NUVACOR, a versatile surfacing material that not only provided a sleek, modern look, but added convenience and ease of use.
Bare, wood-beamed ceilings throughout give a nod to the home’s natural surroundings, while the main living area (formerly a fisherman’s cabin), with a brick fireplace, was completely trimmed in walnut, while multiple windows of varying sizes welcome sunlight to brighten the home. Here, the sheetrock ceiling with faux rafters provides an interesting and room-brightening feature.
Behind the house sits the serene pond, which can now be enjoyed from the stunning new deck. Here, decking material was not laid out side by side, as it typically is but, instead, meticulously laid out on edge, creating an unusual and eye-catching effect. A railing of tempered glass panels allows unobstructed views of the surrounding natural beauty, and keeps consistent with the open, airy feel of the place. A new outdoor shower is accessible via the deck and left open to the wilderness and the pond below, completing the bold yet sophisticated feeling of this retro-modern home.

The existing kitchen was in a word, "stuck" between the family room, mudroom and the rest of the house. The client has renovated most of the home but did not know what to do with the kitchen. The space was cut off from the family room, had underwhelming storage capabilities, and could not accommodate family gatherings at the table. Access to recently redesigned backyard was down a step and through the mud room. We began by relocating the entrance to the yard into the kitchen with a French door. The remaining space was converted into a walk in pantry accessible from the kitchen. Next we opened a window to the family room so the children were visible from the kitchen side. The old peninsula plan was replaced with a beautiful blue painted island with seating for 4. The outdated appliances received a major upgrade with Sub Zero Wolf cooking and food preservation products. The visual beauty of the vaulted ceiling is enhanced by long pendants and oversized crown molding. A hard working wood tile floor grounds the blue and white colorway. The colors are repeated in a lovely blue and white screened marble tile. White subway tiles frame the feature. The biggest and possibly the most appreciated change to the space was when we opened the wall into the dining room to connect the disjointed rooms. Now the family has experienced a new appreciation for their home. Rooms which were previously storage areas and now integrated in to the family lifestyle. The open space is so conducive to entertaining visitors frequently just "drop in" In the dining area, we designed custom cabinets complete with a window seat the perfect spot for additional diners or a perch for the family cat. The tall cabinets store all of the china and crystal once stored in a back closet. Now it is always ready to be used. The last found space is now home to a refreshment center. Cocktails and coffee are easily stored and served convenient to the kitchen but out of the main cooking area.

The original bathroom was stuck in the 80's with green creamy tile and a very awkward shower layout. During the design, the layout was reconfigured by switching the locations of the shower and bath tub. The new layout not only improved the flow of the bathroom, it gave us more space that allowed a double shower to fit. The new bathroom vanity, faucets and tub feel authentic to the homes traditional style, with the gray and dark toned tiles used on the shower and floor creating a classic yet modern feel. Photos by @AyaLeviThe original bathroom was stuck in the 80's with green creamy tile and a very awkward shower layout. During the design, the layout was reconfigured by switching the locations of the shower and bath tub. The new layout not only improved the flow of the bathroom, it gave us more space that allowed a double shower to fit. The new bathroom vanity, faucets and tub feel authentic to the homes traditional style, with the gray and dark toned tiles used on the shower and floor creating a classic yet modern feel. Photos by @AyaLeviThe original bathroom was stuck in the 80's with green creamy tile and a very awkward shower layout. During the design, the layout was reconfigured by switching the locations of the shower and bath tub. The new layout not only improved the flow of the bathroom, it gave us more space that allowed a double shower to fit. The new bathroom vanity, faucets and tub feel authentic to the homes traditional style, with the gray and dark toned tiles used on the shower and floor creating a classic yet modern feel. Photos by @AyaLeviThe original bathroom was stuck in the 80's with green creamy tile and a very awkward shower layout. During the design, the layout was reconfigured by switching the locations of the shower and bath tub. The new layout not only improved the flow of the bathroom, it gave us more space that allowed a double shower to fit. The new bathroom vanity, faucets and tub feel authentic to the homes traditional style, with the gray and dark toned tiles used on the shower and floor creating a classic yet modern feel. Photos by @AyaLeviThe original bathroom was stuck in the 80's with green creamy tile and a very awkward shower layout. During the design, the layout was reconfigured by switching the locations of the shower and bath tub. The new layout not only improved the flow of the bathroom, it gave us more space that allowed a double shower to fit. The new bathroom vanity, faucets and tub feel authentic to the homes traditional style, with the gray and dark toned tiles used on the shower and floor creating a classic yet modern feel. Photos by @AyaLevi

The fourth wall in the living room consists of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. This condo sleeps 8 so providing ample seating was important. One of our favorite features was adding two teal swivel chairs for guests to stare at the ocean while having coffee in the morning that is also just extra seating during gatherings. Finding elements that were not only stylish but also durable was crucial to the overall design and styling of this space as this doubles as a vacation rental for our client. Mixing style with functionality. We kept the original ceiling in the living room as well as the original cement accent wall in the living room. Everything else was changed. A window was added to the stair wall so that as you walk downstairs, you get a view of the ocean. The walls were painted a barely-there minty seafoam color and we stuck with a neutral color palette with pops of various shades of blues. Built-ins were installed to create a working space that doubles as extra storage. The sectional has a chaise that is used to store bedding and the middle part of the sectional pulls out to provide additional sleeping space for guests. The 3 paintings above the sofa were custom painted for the client's space, as well as the dining table and chairs. The rug is a beautiful piece that ties in all of the colors found throughout the downstairs space.

The fourth wall in the living room consists of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. This condo sleeps 8 so providing ample seating was important. One of our favorite features was adding two teal swivel chairs for guests to stare at the ocean while having coffee in the morning that is also just extra seating during gatherings. Finding elements that were not only stylish but also durable was crucial to the overall design and styling of this space as this doubles as a vacation rental for our client. Mixing style with functionality. We kept the original ceiling in the living room as well as the original cement accent wall in the living room. Everything else was changed. A window was added to the stair wall so that as you walk downstairs, you get a view of the ocean. The walls were painted a barely-there minty seafoam color and we stuck with a neutral color palette with pops of various shades of blues. Built-ins were installed to create a working space that doubles as extra storage. The sectional has a chaise that is used to store bedding and the middle part of the sectional pulls out to provide additional sleeping space for guests. The 3 paintings above the sofa were custom painted for the client's space, as well as the dining table and chairs. The rug is a beautiful piece that ties in all of the colors found throughout the downstairs space.

A busy family moves to a new home stuck in the 90's in metro Boston and requests a full refresh and renovation. Lots of family friendly materials and finishes are used. Some areas feel more modern, others have more of a transitional flair. Elegance is not impossible in a family home, as this project illustrates. Spaces are designed and used for adults and kids. For example the family room doubles as a kids craft room, but also houses a piano and guitars, a library and a sitting area for parents to hang out with their children. The living room is family friendly with a stain resistant sectional sofa, large TV screen but also houses refined decor, a wet bar, and sophisticated seating. The entry foyer offers bins to throw shoes in, and the dining room has an indoor outdoor rug that can be hosed down as needed! The master bedroom is a romantic, transitional space.
Photography: Michael J Lee

Overthinking a situation isn’t always a bad thing, particularly when the home in question is one in which the past is suddenly meeting the present. Originally designed by Finnish architect Olav Hammarstrom in 1952 for fellow architect Eero Saarinen, this unique home recently received its first transformation in decades. Still in its 1950s skin, it was completely gutted, inside and out. It was a serious undertaking, as the homeowner wanted modern upgrades, while keeping an eye toward retaining the home’s 1950s charm. She had a vision for her home, and she stuck to it from beginning to end.
Perched on a rise of land and overlooking the tranquil Wellfleet Herring Pond, the home initially appears split, with the guest house on the left, and the main house of the right, but both ends are connected with a breezeway. The original home’s bones were in good shape, but many upgrades and replacements were necessary to bring the house up to date.
New siding, roofing, gutters, insulation and mechanical systems were all replaced. Doors and windows with metal frames were custom made by a company in Long Island that fabricates doors for office buildings. Modern heating and cooling systems were added, and the three bathrooms were all updated. The footprint of the home remained unchanged. Inside, the only expansion was more closet space.
The attention to detail in retaining the 50s-style look took a lot of online searching, from handles and knobs to lighting fixtures, with bits and pieces arriving from all over the world, including a doorstop from New Zealand. The homeowner selected many of the fixtures herself, while a very detail-oriented foreman exhaustively researched as well, looking for just the right piece for each and every location.
High-end appliances were purchased to modernize the kitchen and all of the old cabinetry was removed, replaced and refaced with NUVACOR, a versatile surfacing material that not only provided a sleek, modern look, but added convenience and ease of use.
Bare, wood-beamed ceilings throughout give a nod to the home’s natural surroundings, while the main living area (formerly a fisherman’s cabin), with a brick fireplace, was completely trimmed in walnut, while multiple windows of varying sizes welcome sunlight to brighten the home. Here, the sheetrock ceiling with faux rafters provides an interesting and room-brightening feature.
Behind the house sits the serene pond, which can now be enjoyed from the stunning new deck. Here, decking material was not laid out side by side, as it typically is but, instead, meticulously laid out on edge, creating an unusual and eye-catching effect. A railing of tempered glass panels allows unobstructed views of the surrounding natural beauty, and keeps consistent with the open, airy feel of the place. A new outdoor shower is accessible via the deck and left open to the wilderness and the pond below, completing the bold yet sophisticated feeling of this retro-modern home.
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