This family of 5 was quickly out-growing their 1,220sf ranch home on a beautiful corner lot. Rather than adding a 2nd floor, the decision was made to extend the existing ranch plan into the back yard, adding a new 2-car garage below the new space - for a new total of 2,520sf. With a previous addition of a 1-car garage and a small kitchen removed, a large addition was added for Master Bedroom Suite, a 4th bedroom, hall bath, and a completely remodeled living, dining and new Kitchen, open to large new Family Room. The new lower level includes the new Garage and Mudroom. The existing fireplace and chimney remain - with beautifully exposed brick. The homeowners love contemporary design, and finished the home with a gorgeous mix of color, pattern and materials. The project was completed in 2011. Unfortunately, 2 years later, they suffered a massive house fire. The house was then rebuilt again, using the same plans and finishes as the original build, adding only a secondary laundry closet on the main level.

Close to Lincoln Center Plaza, two existing apartments were combined into a single custom tailored 4-bedroom residence. Characteristic with other buildings from the same post-war era, the existing apartments suffered greatly from a low, monotonous ceiling slab. To break up the ceiling, floating planes containing low-profile LED recessed lighting were incorporated throughout. Grey-washed birch veneer millwork is seen as you enter into the new foyer space. A blackened steel inlaid panel serves as a datum that continues throughout the apartment, wrapping the entry unit and extending around the corner to then transform into a floating bookshelf. The unit not only divides the entry area from the Living room, but also serves its utilitarian purpose on the foyer side as coat and storage closets, and then an entertaining function on the opposing side with a TV niche and custom liquor bar. Whitewashed rift and quartered white oak floors were used to brighten the space. In the kitchen, marble counters extend up the wall and onto the ceiling marking the separation of the kitchen/dining area from the living room/entry area. The kid’s room contains a custom curved desk area built beneath the bay windows to take advantage of the views. In the master bedroom, the blackened steel inlay reappears inset into the wardrobe wall unit.

Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Philadelphia

Trillium Ovatum / Pacific Trillium Photo: brewbooks, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic Woodland garden in Seattle

The need for Universal Design and/or Aging in Place Design is becoming more and more common and needed in our aging, society of increasing life expectancy. Murphy Bros. design/build CAPs certified expert Cherie Poissant explains some of the unique elements that went into this project which touch on both disciplines. "In this particular case, my client, Dorothy, a widow, wanted to stay in the home she has lived in for decades. No surprise, most adults over 65 say they do too. But this 1920's home was not constructed with the principles of Universal or Aging-in-Place design concepts, which is true with most homes on the market these days. She also suffers from macular degeneration, which affects central vision. As is the case with senior clients dealing with vision issues, I needed to pay close attention to lighting and color that would give her peripheral vision cues. I chose a high contrast color scheme in the design to make navigating the room easier and safer," explains Poissant. "In addition, every wall and contact point, such as the the towel racks and TP dispenser also doubles as a grab bar to address fall prevention, which is a huge issue with the elderly." Murphy Bros. Design/Build Consultant — Cherie Poissant Alyssa Lee Photography

Nothing says "home" like a lush, green, manicured lawn. A professionally designed and installed landscape can increase your enjoyment of your home while also increase the resale value of your property. Often times, though, keeping your lawn maintained takes too much time, is too much of a hassle and requires more tools than many homeowners have at their disposal. To keep your lawn healthy and save yourself from the hassle, enlist help from the lawn maintenance professionals at Rick Roberts Lawn Service. Our team has over 20 years of experience providing lawn care services to homeowners throughout Southwest Florida, and we take pride in offering quality results. At Rick Roberts Lawn Service, our residential lawn maintenance contractors provide exceptional quality residential lawn maintenance services at fair pricing. In the event of a hurricane, you can rest assured that our lawn maintenance company can take care of any storm related damages your yard suffers because we have the experience and necessary equipment to provide quick storm recovery lawn maintenance services.

As seen in another photo within this project showing the before picture, this kitchen suffered from poor flow and felt quite cramped. During the first consultation, there was discussion about knocking walls down and including the dining room as part of the kitchen. We went to the design board and came up with the most economical solution we could to meet all the requirements. No walls needed to be removed. We redesigned the entire kitchen to allow for better flow and space. The end product is still amazing. A few of the changes included the relocation of the dishwasher, fridge and the centering of the sink. Originally the dishwasher and sink were located on the same wall making it very cramped and non-functional. By moving the dishwasher to where the fridge originally was located and then centering the sink allows for a comfortable and functional use of space. Lighting was an essential part of the design with the addition of numerous recessed lights and under cabinet lighting all with the ability to dim. This allows for a full range of ambient lighting. A good portion of the budget went to installing the granite counter tops. The movement is unique in every piece and draws the eye immediately. The glass mosaic tile back splash adds glamour without taking anything away from the granite. The use of different size upper cabinets accentuates the crown molding and gives the kitchen a more custom look but helped stay on budget by using standard sizes. A new Delta kitchen faucet with two wave technology locations make clean up easy when your hands are dirty, and filling a pot less straining on the wrist as you just place it under the faucet and the water turns on automatically. Finishing the kitchen off is the Mannington vinyl tile flooring that requires grouting. Laid on a diagonal, again raises the level of this kitchen to a more custom feel.

Over the years, this Gladwyne home suffered numerous piecemeal renovations and modifications, and was in dire need of a cohesive vision. Seeing past this, the new owners purchased the property because of the home’s unique siting on the land. Abutting the eastern property line, they noticed the potential of a proper renovation which would unify the home and create expansive views across the 2 acre site to the west. Our office was commissioned to create a cohesive design which emphasized these ideas. This completed master bedroom and bathroom suite, marks the end of the first renovation phase. The master suite was expanded and focused around a new 16’ window overlooking the property. The bed is flanked at both sides with a sitting area and custom casework. The perpendicular floor boards define the space and pull the eye into the closet/bath. A composition of reflections distort boundaries, pulling outside inward and provide an evolving seasonal experience. For the lower floor renovation, the client requested the removal of all dividing walls to make the space as visually open as possible. To do this, the entire 2nd floor was temporarily propped up while the 1st floor structure was removed and a strategically designed new structural steel frame system was installed. The remaining central bearing wall also stabilizes the custom stair treads while the guardrails suspend the opposite end from the ceiling. The floor to ceiling glazing opens the views of the sprawling grounds and provides a casual sitting area. A sliding bright red wall divides the office / family room area and the rough sawn wood cabinetry maintain a handmade warm character to the contemporary design.

Close to Lincoln Center Plaza, two existing apartments were combined into a single custom tailored 4-bedroom residence. Characteristic with other buildings from the same post-war era, the existing apartments suffered greatly from a low, monotonous ceiling slab. To break up the ceiling, floating planes containing low-profile LED recessed lighting were incorporated throughout. Grey-washed birch veneer millwork is seen as you enter into the new foyer space. A blackened steel inlaid panel serves as a datum that continues throughout the apartment, wrapping the entry unit and extending around the corner to then transform into a floating bookshelf. The unit not only divides the entry area from the Living room, but also serves its utilitarian purpose on the foyer side as coat and storage closets, and then an entertaining function on the opposing side with a TV niche and custom liquor bar. Whitewashed rift and quartered white oak floors were used to brighten the space. In the kitchen, marble counters extend up the wall and onto the ceiling marking the separation of the kitchen/dining area from the living room/entry area. The kid’s room contains a custom curved desk area built beneath the bay windows to take advantage of the views. In the master bedroom, the blackened steel inlay reappears inset into the wardrobe wall unit.

Finding a home is not easy in a seller’s market, but when my clients discovered one—even though it needed a bit of work—in a beautiful area of the Santa Cruz Mountains, they decided to jump in. Surrounded by old-growth redwood trees and a sense of old-time history, the house’s location informed the design brief for their desired remodel work. Yet I needed to balance this with my client’s preference for clean-lined, modern style. Suffering from a previous remodel, the galley-like bathroom in the master suite was long and dank. My clients were willing to completely redesign the layout of the suite, so the bathroom became the walk-in closet. We borrowed space from the bedroom to create a new, larger master bathroom which now includes a separate tub and shower. The look of the room nods to nature with organic elements like a pebbled shower floor and vertical accent tiles of honed green slate. A custom vanity of blue weathered wood and a ceiling that recalls the look of pressed tin evoke a time long ago when people settled this mountain region. At the same time, the hardware in the room looks to the future with sleek, modular shapes in a chic matte black finish. Harmonious, serene, with personality: just what my clients wanted. Photo: Bernardo Grijalva

Close to Lincoln Center Plaza, two existing apartments were combined into a single custom tailored 4-bedroom residence. Characteristic with other buildings from the same post-war era, the existing apartments suffered greatly from a low, monotonous ceiling slab. To break up the ceiling, floating planes containing low-profile LED recessed lighting were incorporated throughout. Grey-washed birch veneer millwork is seen as you enter into the new foyer space. A blackened steel inlaid panel serves as a datum that continues throughout the apartment, wrapping the entry unit and extending around the corner to then transform into a floating bookshelf. The unit not only divides the entry area from the Living room, but also serves its utilitarian purpose on the foyer side as coat and storage closets, and then an entertaining function on the opposing side with a TV niche and custom liquor bar. Whitewashed rift and quartered white oak floors were used to brighten the space. In the kitchen, marble counters extend up the wall and onto the ceiling marking the separation of the kitchen/dining area from the living room/entry area. The kid’s room contains a custom curved desk area built beneath the bay windows to take advantage of the views. In the master bedroom, the blackened steel inlay reappears inset into the wardrobe wall unit.

Nothing says "home" like a lush, green, manicured lawn. A professionally designed and installed landscape can increase your enjoyment of your home while also increase the resale value of your property. Often times, though, keeping your lawn maintained takes too much time, is too much of a hassle and requires more tools than many homeowners have at their disposal. To keep your lawn healthy and save yourself from the hassle, enlist help from the lawn maintenance professionals at Rick Roberts Lawn Service. Our team has over 20 years of experience providing lawn care services to homeowners throughout Southwest Florida, and we take pride in offering quality results. At Rick Roberts Lawn Service, our residential lawn maintenance contractors provide exceptional quality residential lawn maintenance services at fair pricing. In the event of a hurricane, you can rest assured that our lawn maintenance company can take care of any storm related damages your yard suffers because we have the experience and necessary equipment to provide quick storm recovery lawn maintenance services.

Challenge: This prestigious Bridle Path kitchen suffered from poor lighting and functionality issues that prevented it from reaching its full potential. Our clients desired a luxury kitchen that would serve as both a functional workspace and an elegant entertaining hub, requiring us to address the lighting deficiencies while creating a sophisticated aesthetic worthy of this upscale neighborhood. Solution: We transformed this space into a luxury kitchen that balances exceptional functionality with breathtaking beauty. The design centers around the stunning Taj Mahal quartzite, whose naturally elegant patterns became the foundation for all other design decisions. By addressing the lighting challenges and incorporating warm finishes throughout, we created a space that feels both inviting and sophisticated. Highlights: • Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and backsplash - the jewel of the space with naturally beautiful and elegant patterns • Custom millwork cabinetry designed for both beauty and optimal functionality • High-end appliances seamlessly integrated into the sophisticated design • Warm finishes throughout that complement the quartzite's natural beauty • Expert craftsmanship by skilled local fabricators ensuring flawless installation Results: The transformed kitchen now serves as a stunning centerpiece of this Bridle Path home, where the Taj Mahal quartzite's natural elegance takes center stage. This project demonstrates our ability to solve functional challenges while creating luxury spaces that celebrate exceptional materials, proving that sometimes the most beautiful design solutions let natural beauty shine without unnecessary embellishment.

Private Residence in Vail, CO Company: Neils Lunceford, Inc. Website: www.neilslunceford.com Phone: 970-468-0340 Photo Credit: Dan Skinner
Design ideas for a modern landscaping in Denver.

Close to Lincoln Center Plaza, two existing apartments were combined into a single custom tailored 4-bedroom residence. Characteristic with other buildings from the same post-war era, the existing apartments suffered greatly from a low, monotonous ceiling slab. To break up the ceiling, floating planes containing low-profile LED recessed lighting were incorporated throughout. Grey-washed birch veneer millwork is seen as you enter into the new foyer space. A blackened steel inlaid panel serves as a datum that continues throughout the apartment, wrapping the entry unit and extending around the corner to then transform into a floating bookshelf. The unit not only divides the entry area from the Living room, but also serves its utilitarian purpose on the foyer side as coat and storage closets, and then an entertaining function on the opposing side with a TV niche and custom liquor bar. Whitewashed rift and quartered white oak floors were used to brighten the space. In the kitchen, marble counters extend up the wall and onto the ceiling marking the separation of the kitchen/dining area from the living room/entry area. The kid’s room contains a custom curved desk area built beneath the bay windows to take advantage of the views. In the master bedroom, the blackened steel inlay reappears inset into the wardrobe wall unit.

Photo by Richard Ruthsatz. These mosaic tile balls were designed and created by Darlene Graeser from Unconscious on Canvas. It took about one week to tile each ball and it took about 50 lbs. of grout to complete each large ball. For More Information: Contact Artist (805) 419-5568 ... Darlene Graeser is a clinical psychologist by day, prolific painter by night. The hyperactive Darlene has little need or use for sleep. Darlene spent her nights wandering around the house and pondering her day, until she discovered that she could ponder just as well with paint and canvas. After one of her early paintings was featured on the cover of The American Psychologist, a one-woman show mounted in Santa Barbara sold out on the first night and the large colorful canvases she favors were stacked three deep in her studio, Darlene finally accepted the inevitable hyphen and is now Darlene Graeser, Psychologist-Artist or Artist-Psychologist, depending on the time of day. For over 32 years she has born witness as people shared their stories in an effort to understand how to put meaning to their suffering. Her flamboyance, humor, empathy, and wisdom have guided many towards transformation. Certainly, her art is a reflection of the lessons that she has learned from these courageous people. Over and over again wings appear in her art - her way of expressing the eternal mystery of life and death. Her newest work is a culmination of many years of working in the field of Death and Dying. Her wonderment is reflected in massive and unusual angels who are privy to a distant view of earth. Loss, Disappointment, Love, Joy, Shock, Longing, and brazen sexuality are all part of these images from the "other side". "View life from a distance with honor and a sense of wonderment." Check out our Artist Showcase Website: www.darlenegraeser.com where you can see pictures of the artist's studio and her home.

Nothing says "home" like a lush, green, manicured lawn. A professionally designed and installed landscape can increase your enjoyment of your home while also increase the resale value of your property. Often times, though, keeping your lawn maintained takes too much time, is too much of a hassle and requires more tools than many homeowners have at their disposal. To keep your lawn healthy and save yourself from the hassle, enlist help from the lawn maintenance professionals at Rick Roberts Lawn Service. Our team has over 20 years of experience providing lawn care services to homeowners throughout Southwest Florida, and we take pride in offering quality results. At Rick Roberts Lawn Service, our residential lawn maintenance contractors provide exceptional quality residential lawn maintenance services at fair pricing. In the event of a hurricane, you can rest assured that our lawn maintenance company can take care of any storm related damages your yard suffers because we have the experience and necessary equipment to provide quick storm recovery lawn maintenance services.

Close to Lincoln Center Plaza, two existing apartments were combined into a single custom tailored 4-bedroom residence. Characteristic with other buildings from the same post-war era, the existing apartments suffered greatly from a low, monotonous ceiling slab. To break up the ceiling, floating planes containing low-profile LED recessed lighting were incorporated throughout. Grey-washed birch veneer millwork is seen as you enter into the new foyer space. A blackened steel inlaid panel serves as a datum that continues throughout the apartment, wrapping the entry unit and extending around the corner to then transform into a floating bookshelf. The unit not only divides the entry area from the Living room, but also serves its utilitarian purpose on the foyer side as coat and storage closets, and then an entertaining function on the opposing side with a TV niche and custom liquor bar. Whitewashed rift and quartered white oak floors were used to brighten the space. In the kitchen, marble counters extend up the wall and onto the ceiling marking the separation of the kitchen/dining area from the living room/entry area. The kid’s room contains a custom curved desk area built beneath the bay windows to take advantage of the views. In the master bedroom, the blackened steel inlay reappears inset into the wardrobe wall unit.