Arch Studio, Inc. Architect and Mark Pinkerton Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional white one-story stucco house exterior remodel in San Francisco with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Interior Design & Styling Erin Roberts | Photography Margaret Austin
Large danish master light wood floor and beige floor bedroom photo in San Francisco with white walls and no fireplace

Photography by Francis Dzikowski / OTTO
Alcove bathtub - traditional white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor alcove bathtub idea in New York with white cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink and recessed-panel cabinets

Chris Keilty
Example of a mid-sized trendy master white tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile freestanding bathtub design in Boise with a wall-mount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops and beige walls

Jennifer Brown
Example of a large danish galley light wood floor enclosed kitchen design in New York with an island, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets and white backsplash

Mark Boisclair Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary galley kitchen remodel in Phoenix with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, metallic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, white walls and an island

Contractor: Jason Skinner of Bay Area Custom Homes. Photographer: Michele Lee Willson
Transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite countertops, multicolored backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Mid-sized trendy u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, quartzite countertops, mosaic tile backsplash and a peninsula

Minimalist formal and open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Los Angeles with a ribbon fireplace

Plaster walls, teak shower floor, granite counter top, and teak cabinets with custom windows opening into shower.
Inspiration for a modern gray tile concrete floor, gray floor and wood ceiling walk-in shower remodel in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, granite countertops, medium tone wood cabinets, gray countertops and a floating vanity

Example of a large minimalist open concept living room design in New York with black walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Kitchen inspired by the Black and Copper True refrigerationKitchen: 42 Inch True Refrigerator from True Residential, 24" Undercounter Drawer, Stools World Away, Brizo Faucets, Tilebar Soleras Avana Cheveron, Range Oven Le Cornue-Chateau 150, Countertops Cambria, Hand Scones Shades of light, Door knobs Emtek,

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

Example of a small transitional multicolored floor powder room design in Phoenix with a two-piece toilet, gray walls, a console sink, gray countertops, furniture-like cabinets and marble countertops

Example of a large trendy u-shaped open concept kitchen design with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern loft-style and single-wall concrete floor and gray floor wet bar remodel in San Francisco with a bar, white walls, no tv, an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, stainless steel countertops, brown backsplash and wood backsplash

Kitchen - huge modern kitchen idea in London with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island

Brandon Barre & Gillian Jackson
Freestanding bathtub - mid-sized eclectic master white tile and mosaic tile mosaic tile floor freestanding bathtub idea in Toronto with furniture-like cabinets, marble countertops and white walls

Example of a mid-sized beach style 3/4 multicolored floor and cement tile floor bathroom design in Toronto with open cabinets, white walls, an integrated sink and quartz countertops