The Setup: After purchasing this home, the homeowners faced a unique opportunity to reimagine their kitchen and nearby spaces. Water damage from a burst pipe had left much of the home’s interior in need of repair, and while the existing kitchen was functional and in relatively good shape, it didn’t align with the family’s vision for their new home. The layout included a peninsula that wasn’t ideal, and there were some druthers with the nearby pantry. Since the space needed to be rebuilt anyway, the homeowners saw this as a chance to create a kitchen that was both highly functional for their four young children and timeless in its design. The project also included a refresh of the adjacent message center and dining room — spaces that play key roles in the family’s daily life. The goal was to create a cohesive flow between these areas, balancing modern functionality with the craftsman-inspired character of the rest of the home. Design Objectives: - Replace the outdated peninsula with a large island to maximize counter space and create new seating options. - Open up the space visually by removing soffits and rethinking the cabinetry layout. Incorporate concealed refrigeration and freezer units to provide significant storage for the family while maintaining a streamlined aesthetic. - Integrate black cabinetry into the design without making the space feel harsh or heavy. - Ensure the lighting plan balances functional task lighting with ambient accent lighting. - Avoid visual clutter in the cabinetry design while still giving a nod to the craftsman aesthetic. - Incorporate a slab backsplash as a key design feature. Design Challenges: - The outdated peninsula left dead space in the kitchen and lacked sufficient seating for the family. - The cooktop wall was cramped, with small cabinets flanking the hood, limited storage, and soffits that made the space feel closed-in. - The family needed significant refrigeration space (two refrigerators and a freezer) but wanted to avoid a cluttered look with visible stainless steel appliances. - Adding black cabinetry risked making the space feel too dark or heavy. - The original lighting plan was insufficient, particularly over the dining table where a decorative fixture proved too dim. - The family wanted shaker-style drawer fronts to match the home’s arts-and-crafts design but worried that too much shaker cabinetry might look overly busy. - Prioritizing a slab backsplash in the wish list priority planning. The Renewed Space Design Solutions: - A functional island: The peninsula was replaced with a large island that provides continuous countertop space for prepping and serving. The island also features seating for four people, creating a central hub for informal meals and activities. - Streamlined cooktop wall: The soffits were removed, and the upper cabinets on the cooktop wall were eliminated to create a more open, streamlined design. A custom oversized hood became the focal point of the wall, with the blower unit offset inside it to align with the cooktop while maintaining exterior visual symmetry. - Concealed refrigeration: Two column refrigerators and one freezer were integrated into the cabinetry, concealing them behind wood paneling that blends seamlessly with the overall design. - Warm black cabinetry: The black cabinetry was crafted from hickory with a visible grain, softening its appearance and adding warmth. The grain detail gives the cabinetry a rich, textured look that avoids feeling stark or overpowering. - Additional lighting: In the dining area, recessed can lights were added during an additional installation phase to supplement the gorgeous decorative fixture’s dim output. The new lighting plan creates a layered effect, combining functional task lighting with softer ambient lighting. - Simplified cabinetry details: Slab drawer fronts were used on the upper drawers, while five-piece shaker fronts (with slightly less prominent rail and stile pieces) were reserved for the middle and lower drawers. This approach simplified the overall look while maintaining the craftsman-inspired aesthetic. - Slab backsplash priority: The slab backsplash was prioritized by making thoughtful adjustments elsewhere, like opting not to extend cabinetry to the ceiling, which also helped visually prioritize the gorgeous slab backsplash. This decision also enhanced the kitchen’s furniture-like feel, aligning with the home’s craftsman character. - This kitchen perfectly balances practicality with timeless style. By addressing the family’s functional needs — ample seating, smart storage, and effective lighting — while incorporating thoughtful design elements like warm black cabinetry and a striking slab backsplash, Alicia created a space that works beautifully for a busy household. The result is a cohesive, inviting kitchen that honors the home’s craftsman roots and will serve the family well for years to come.

initial entry to deck walkway, city regulations require a supplemental gate to prevent accidents from wandering neighborhood children
Inspiration for a timeless home design remodel in Raleigh

Colorful stylish teen girls' rooms done in sophisticated palettes that will grow with the girls. Bright poppy colors and fun prints create the perfect space to hang out with friends, and are parent-approved.

Our clients in Stonehouse, Toano Virginia asked us to make their dream of a finished basement come true. They had some great ideas about what they wanted and also some sound performance goals for this area of their home. They were interested in a having a stone wall in the sitting area and sound proofing installed as part of the design as they felt that the neighbors across the way in the rear of the home were much too noisy with loud dogs and amplified music. We installed Homasote soundproofing boards across the rear wall to abate the sound. Windows across the rear wall were supplemented with double panes to provide dead air space between the exterior window and the interior of the home. The french doors received storm doors on the exterior. A new bathroom was added as well as a kitchenette, sitting area and guest bedroom to the finished basement area. Bob Harper

NatureKast has a reputation for long lasting and beautiful outdoor products. As a result of years of experience and sensational craftsmanship, we’ve come up with a product that is stunningly beautiful, but also ruggedly functional. These cabinets are constructed out of 3/4” thick White or Black PVC and feature 100% Stainless Steel hardware. On top of that, we’ve pioneered a closed-cell weatherproof Resin that we’ve moulded to create exterior beauty that you will love at first sight. Available in 3 captivating door styles, and 15 finishes, these cabinets are designed to beautifully supplement your outdoor living space by providing comfort, style and longevity.

This small house was designed as a retreat for an artist and photographer couple. To blend into the beautiful rugged setting the materials were selected to be basic and durable. Thick walls are finished with white interior plaster and black exterior stucco. Natural wood is layered at the ceilings and extend southward to shade the large windows. The floors are of radiantly heated concrete. Supplemental heat is provided by a Danish wood stove. The roof extends east covering a flagstone terrace for exterior gatherings and dining.

Many recent renovations had already taken place at this phenomenal old Tudor home. The kitchen redo was saved for last. Our mission, imposed by our client, was to create a jaw-dropping, ultra-functional space for family and friends to gather in for years to come. Naturally, the new kitchen would have to reflect the style of the home seamlessly. One challenge was to incorporate very large professional style appliances into the space while keeping the feel of a stately, yet warm home. Custom wood panels were designed for the refrigerator units to give a furniture feel. A copper hood was designed to bring in an old world element. Wood panels were applied to all other appliances – two dishwashers, a wine refrigerator, and a beverage refrigerator. An iron I-beam that separated the original kitchen from the butler’s pantry and back entry was covered in wood with chamfers to match the other ceiling beams in the home by a local woodworker. Due to the age of the home, the outside walls are concrete block. This necessitated chiseling troughs into the concrete for electrical wiring. Ceilings were studded randomly, so finding openings for recessed lighting was hit or miss. A large cluster of wiring and plumbing to the second floor had to be hidden behind cabinetry to the left of and above the refrigerators. HVAC wasn’t straight forward either. Toe kick heaters from the old kitchen had to be replaced with other sources. A propane tank had to be added to fuel the large dual fuel, double oven range. The homeowner wanted to add a walk-in pantry for extra storage, so space was taken from an existing exterior space. This created the need for extra insulation, supplemental heat and added lighting. Needless to say, mechanicals were a big challenge. Natural stone was added in backsplash areas to the ceiling to mimic the rectangular stone on the exterior of the home. Wood panels fill the backsplash areas under wall cabinets. Large chandeliers light the space. Open shelves at the wet bar/prep area offer convenient storage for grab and go service items. A built-in pantry with antique mirrored mullion doors hides a microwave, several other small appliances as well as dishes and food items. This pantry was tucked into an alcove for an added architectural element. Herringbone wood floors are classic and timeless. Wrought iron hardware and shelf brackets fit right in. Large Barley twist legs ground the island giving a nod to the Tudor style. Mission accomplished. Matt Villano Photography

Revamped casual Oakland garden. Supplemented existing Napa Basalt walls and stairs to reduce slope and add gravel patio, replaced traditional sod lawn with synthetic turf, added new planting and low-voltage lighting throughout.

The rooms in this charming 1920’s Burns Park home were completely compartmentalized (typical for homes built in this period). The homeowners wanted a more open space with sightlines into the dining and living spaces, and a kitchen that could accommodate more than one cook! We removed a wall and replaced it with a beautiful Butternut beam and countertop seating, a more casual eating area to supplement their dining room. Bringing this home into 2018 while paying respect to its historic neighborhood was an important part of this project. The personality, cabinetry and contemporary finishes in this kitchen better mirror this cheerful and vibrant family.

Sophisticated washbasin solutions guarantee that adults and children can both be comfortable in the bathroom. Children can enjoy their own accessories, making them feel on par with the adults. Shelves, mirror, and hooks, for example, can be placed where they are easy to reach. If needed, the accessories can be rearranged or even supplemented by other elements. Not only is this arrangement practical, it also has considerable aesthetic appeal.

Again, we planned on various lighting layers, including the chandelier over our fire table. The solid roof above is another deck coming out from the masterbedroom, and we supplemented the roof area using a timberframe style framing with a glass roof, and this resulted in a four season outdoor entertainment space. We enjoy the peacefulness of the forest setting as well as some dramatic sea views and mountain views beyond that ( can't see in this photo due to haze from distant forest fires in the interior of BC.

For this 2-bedroom condo in a classic Brooklyn brownstone, Cheung Showman Architects worked with the client to introduce a variety of material textures to a space previously characterized by plaster molding. Reclaimed wood floors, shelves made of old joists, and painted brick serve to change the feeling of 'history' in the apartment, supplementing the original molding's sharp classical lines with natural variation and layering over time.

The Lincoln House is a residence in Rye Brook, NY. The project consisted of a complete gut renovation to a landmark home designed and built by architect Wilson Garces, a student of Mies van der Rohe, in 1961. The post and beam, mid-century modern house, had great bones and a super solid foundation integrated into the existing bedrock, but needed many updates in order to make it 21st-century modern and sustainable. All single pane glass panels were replaced with insulated units that consisted of two layers of tempered glass with low-e coating. New Runtal baseboard radiators were installed throughout the house along with ductless Mitsubishi City-Multi units, concealed in cabinetry, for air-conditioning and supplemental heat. All electrical systems were updated and LED recessed lighting was used to lower utility costs and create an overall general lighting, which was accented by warmer-toned sconces and pendants throughout. The roof was replaced and pitched to new interior roof drains, re-routed to irrigate newly planted ground cover. All insulation was replaced with spray-in foam to seal the house from air infiltration and to create a boundary to deter insects. Aside from making the house more sustainable, it was also made more modern by reconfiguring and updating all bathroom fixtures and finishes. The kitchen was expanded into the previous dining area to take advantage of the continuous views along the back of the house. All appliances were updated and a double chef sink was created to make cooking and cleaning more enjoyable. The mid-century modern home is now a 21st century modern home, and it made the transition beautifully! Photographed by: Maegan Walton

Blau-Thompson Residence This Civil War era, 1680-square-foot three-story row house is located in the Italian Market section of Philadelphia. The BluPath Design principals and their young child were the clients. The project goal was to upgrade a traditional housing type to meet a contemporary lifestyle, applying both sustainable criteria and clean, modern yet sensual aesthetics. The challenge of the property (only 830 square feet in lot size) was to create a design that was small, but smart. The structure formerly housed a luncheonette with two apartments above. The interior was gutted and renovated into a single family home. The construction of a small rear addition added a new kitchen on the first floor and new bathrooms on the second and third levels. The east-west orientation of the home was ideal for the roof-mounted solar collectors, which were installed to provide domestic hot water and supplement the new radiant floor heating system. Exterior sensors improve the efficiency of the heating system's response to fluctuations in outside temperature. A new white-coated, rubber membrane roof reduced the structure's heat gain by 20 percent. A water catch system collects rainwater and air conditioner condensation to water the home's small rear garden. Large windows and skylights bring light deep into the row house and reduce the use of light fixtures. The rear yard garden features ipe decking (a dense, water-repellent hardwood) on permeable compacted gravel to minimize storm water runoff. BluPath Design’s principals used the project to demonstrate how sustainability can be integrated with beauty and function, with sensual materials and colors, well-proportioned and light-filled rooms, economic use of space, and thoughtful details. Cherry flooring and custom stairs complement the Indian slate tile in the kitchen and bathrooms. The kitchen features custom walnut cabinets with blue granite counters and backsplashes. The first floor dining area is illuminated by a BluPath-designed fiber-optic chandelier. Ipe hardwood is also used for the master bath tub-surround and shower floor. Sliding frosted glass panels separating the master bath from other living areas allows light from the corner windows to naturally illuminate the adjacent room. Awards Honorable Mention for Sustainability and Energy Efficiency IIDA Philadelphia City Center Chapter 3rd Annual Interior Design Awards, June 2007 Bronze 2006 Commonwealth Design Award 10,000 Friends of PA, May 2006 Media HGTV ‘What You Get for the Money’ February 2007 Philadelphia Style Magazine March/April 2007 Philadelphia Inquirer June 11, 2006 Philadelphia CityPaper September 25-October 2, 2003 Photography by Barry Halkin

All your living room ideas would become possible with this stunning convertible sleeper sofa. Green valvet uphostered with high density foam, the sofa makes a clean yet inviting modern look that supplements your existing decor. Upholstered in green velvet and filled with high-density foam, it offers absolute comfort. It is easy to assemble and convert to a sleeper sofa by pulling out the base, conveniently satisfy all your need in innovative way.

This project was as exciting as it was challenging. The Owner directive was to open up a functional but very choppy master bathroom, creating an open plan, classicly finished master bath. The home owner wanted the elegant, freestanding tub and chandelier to be the focal point...presenting the challenge. When in use, the tub creates a 1,200 lb point load in the middle of an 18' span, directly over a formal living room below. In order to solve this, we supplemented the existing joists, with 14' steel plates, from end to end. This allowed the tub to be suspended, mid span, and provide the owner with the focal point that they were looking for. Opposite the tub, is an incredible walk in shower, formerly, a closet. The contrast of the chrome Kohler fixtures and the extensive Carerra White marble create a wonderful escape for our client... Thank you for viewing

Starry Nights Farm, an organic cattle farm in southern Wisconsin, requested a home in line with their sustainability goals: net zero energy, health-promoting, and a functional farmhouse. Durability and resilience were also priorities, so we chose Insulated Concrete Forms as the wall system, and in addition to heat-pump space conditioning, added a pellet stove for supplemental and backup heating.

This photo was taken when it finally rained. The swale will catch the water and slow it down to be absorbed into the water table. This garden has little supplemental irrigation.