We borrowed square footage from the bedroom to create a luxurious en suite bathroom. One of the homeowners’ concerns when carving out space for the bathroom was whether it would feel constricted to walk into the room and find a wall right in front of your face. In order to make sure this alcove didn't feel tight, we created a niche with a mirror in the entry alcove to the room. This recessed niche makes the entryway feel roomier while hanging onto the critical space needed for the luxurious bathroom of their dreams. We also designed custom built-ins in lieu of dressers. These drawer/shelf combination units perfectly blend with the white walls and, when supplemented with closet storage, provide clothing storage that is visually quiet and well-composed.

Inner city residence in the exclusive Mt. Royal neighborhood of Calgary. Front garden includes a low retaining wall and steps that separates the public street from the private residence. Once inside the property the stone walkways, trees and lush planting welcome the visitors to the residence. The rear garden is geared to entertaining and providing a place for the children and family pet to play. The centerpiece of the garden is the outdoor fireplace located on the upper patio that provides an oasis for the family to sit and relax from the downtown core only minutes away. Raised beds allow for extra seating in a more casual environment all supplemented by flowering pots and a lower lawn area for play. The hot tub is located at the basement level patio and only steps away from the man cave complete with poker room, home theatre and bar area fit for a Viking.

The owners of this 1956 Brooklyn Park home called us in to create a more functional and updated kitchen. They entertain and cook a lot, so requested that we add more countertop space, utilize the wasted area in front of the sliding glass door, and maximize storage. They also had a great inspiration photo that helped us to create the warm yet sleek look. The kitchen received a major transformation with the dark hickory chocolate frameless cabinetry and contrasting high gloss white doors and quartz countertops. By moving the refrigerator the owners gained workspace on either side of the new gas range. We placed an angled peninsula near the sliding glass door. The peninsula provides seating for two, great working space, and cabinetry with roll-outs. An existing closet was transformed into a functional pantry, adding drawers to the base and roll-outs behind the upper doors. Under cab lighting, pendants, and puck lights supplement the recess lights without overwhelming the room. Other unique features in this kitchen are the essentially hidden Broan Elite range hood, the Mirabelle spring-style single handle faucet, under counter water purification system and the beautiful linear marble backsplash.

This transitional dinning room is a combination of both classic, homey textures and colors, like the brick fireplace and dining table set, and more contemporary elements such as the white walls and the wooden light piece above the table. The beautiful brick fireplace works well with the style of the chairs and adds to the room by creating a homey feel. The large dining table is great for guests and family dinners and the simplicity of the table is complemented by the design of the chairs. The area rug works to section of the room to give it a tailored look and make the room well edited. The overhead hanging lighting creates a focal point at the table and also provides most of the light, supplemented by flush-mount ceiling lights over the fireplace.

This 84 square foot daylight basement kitchen utilizes every square inch of space and provides ample counter space for cooking and entertaining. Featuring Dura Supreme Cabinetry in Knotty Alder with cashew stain and floating shelves. Flooring is Mannington Adura LVT in Napa Dry Cork. Appliances: Wolf 24" induction cooktop, Bosch 24" convection microwave, Bosch, 18" panel ready slim-line dishwasher, Bosch fully vented pull-out exhaust hood and Bosch freestanding counter depth 24" refrigerator. Countertops and backsplash are Formica laminate in Limestone Matte with ogee edge detail. LED track lighting and LED under-cabinet lighting creates an inviting space. Individually controlled convection radiant wall heaters by Stelpro supplement the home's forced air heating system. A Kitchen That Works LLC

Interior Designer: MOTIV Interiors LLC Photography: Laura Rockett Photography Design Challenge: MOTIV Interiors created this colorful yet relaxing retreat - a space for guests to unwind and recharge after a long day of exploring Nashville! Luxury, comfort, and functionality merge in this AirBNB project we completed in just 2 short weeks. Navigating a tight budget, we supplemented the homeowner’s existing personal items and local artwork with great finds from facebook marketplace, vintage + antique shops, and the local salvage yard. The result: a collected look that’s true to Nashville and vacation ready!

THE PROBLEM Our client came to use with a kitchen that was outdated, didn't flow well or use space efficiently and wasn't offering the best views of their bucolic backyard. Their stately colonial home in a beautiful West Newbury neighborhood was in need of an overhaul. THE SOLUTION The primary focus was creating a more open and accessible L-shaped layout with oversized island and seating for 4-5 people. The appliances were relocated to optimal placements and allowed for a full 48" range, double ovens, appliances cabinetry with hidden microwave, in-island beverage center as well as dishwasher. We were even able to supplement the walk-in pantry with a free standing pantry for additional storage. In addition to a kitchen that performed better, we also increased the amount of natural light in the space with a larger window and through use of materials and paint, such as updating the trim to white, which reflects the light throughout the space. Rather than replace the hardwood floors, we simply refinished the existing oak floors.

Photo by Pete Cadieux
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional partial sun backyard landscaping in Boston.

When the developer found this brownstone on the Upper Westside he immediately researched and found its potential for expansion. We were hired to maximize the existing brownstone and turn it from its current existence as 5 individual apartments into a large luxury single family home. The existing building was extended 16 feet into the rear yard and a new sixth story was added along with an occupied roof. The project was not a complete gut renovation, the character of the parlor floor was maintained, along with the original front facade, windows, shutters, and fireplaces throughout. A new solid oak stair was built from the garden floor to the roof in conjunction with a small supplemental passenger elevator directly adjacent to the staircase. The new brick rear facade features oversized windows; one special aspect of which is the folding window wall at the ground level that can be completely opened to the garden. The goal to keep the original character of the brownstone yet to update it with modern touches can be seen throughout the house. The large kitchen has Italian lacquer cabinetry with walnut and glass accents, white quartz counters and backsplash and a Calcutta gold arabesque mosaic accent wall. On the parlor floor a custom wetbar, large closet and powder room are housed in a new floor to ceiling wood paneled core. The master bathroom contains a large freestanding tub, a glass enclosed white marbled steam shower, and grey wood vanities accented by a white marble floral mosaic. The new forth floor front room is highlighted by a unique sloped skylight that offers wide skyline views. The house is topped off with a glass stair enclosure that contains an integrated window seat offering views of the roof and an intimate space to relax in the sun.

Mexican Fence Post Cactus

Becky Griffin's Curious Details
Example of a classic kitchen design in Houston

This 84 square foot daylight basement kitchen utilizes every square inch of space and provides ample counter space for cooking and entertaining. Featuring Dura Supreme Cabinetry in Knotty Alder with cashew stain and floating shelves. Flooring is Mannington Adura LVT in Napa Dry Cork. Appliances: Wolf 24" induction cooktop, Bosch 24" convection microwave, Bosch, 18" panel ready slim-line dishwasher, Bosch fully vented pull-out exhaust hood and Bosch freestanding counter depth 24" refrigerator. Countertops and backsplash are Formica laminate in Limestone Matte with ogee edge detail. LED track lighting and LED under-cabinet lighting creates an inviting space. Individually controlled convection radiant wall heaters by Stelpro supplement the home's forced air heating system. A Kitchen That Works LLC

This project is in the final stages. The basement is finished with a den, bedroom, full bathroom and spacious laundry room. New living spaces have been created upstairs. The kitchen has come alive with white cabinets, new countertops, a farm sink and a brick backsplash. The mudroom was incorporated at the garage entrance with a storage bench and beadboard accents. Industrial and vintage lighting, a barn door, a mantle with restored wood and metal cabinet inlays all add to the charm of the farm house remodel. DREAM. BUILD. LIVE. www.smartconstructionhomes.com

When the developer found this brownstone on the Upper Westside he immediately researched and found its potential for expansion. We were hired to maximize the existing brownstone and turn it from its current existence as 5 individual apartments into a large luxury single family home. The existing building was extended 16 feet into the rear yard and a new sixth story was added along with an occupied roof. The project was not a complete gut renovation, the character of the parlor floor was maintained, along with the original front facade, windows, shutters, and fireplaces throughout. A new solid oak stair was built from the garden floor to the roof in conjunction with a small supplemental passenger elevator directly adjacent to the staircase. The new brick rear facade features oversized windows; one special aspect of which is the folding window wall at the ground level that can be completely opened to the garden. The goal to keep the original character of the brownstone yet to update it with modern touches can be seen throughout the house. The large kitchen has Italian lacquer cabinetry with walnut and glass accents, white quartz counters and backsplash and a Calcutta gold arabesque mosaic accent wall. On the parlor floor a custom wetbar, large closet and powder room are housed in a new floor to ceiling wood paneled core. The master bathroom contains a large freestanding tub, a glass enclosed white marbled steam shower, and grey wood vanities accented by a white marble floral mosaic. The new forth floor front room is highlighted by a unique sloped skylight that offers wide skyline views. The house is topped off with a glass stair enclosure that contains an integrated window seat offering views of the roof and an intimate space to relax in the sun.

Inner city residence in the exclusive Mt. Royal neighborhood of Calgary. Front garden includes a low retaining wall and steps that separates the public street from the private residence. Once inside the property the stone walkways, trees and lush planting welcome the visitors to the residence. The rear garden is geared to entertaining and providing a place for the children and family pet to play. The centerpiece of the garden is the outdoor fireplace located on the upper patio that provides an oasis for the family to sit and relax from the downtown core only minutes away. Raised beds allow for extra seating in a more casual environment all supplemented by flowering pots and a lower lawn area for play. The hot tub is located at the basement level patio and only steps away from the man cave complete with poker room, home theatre and bar area fit for a Viking.

When the developer found this brownstone on the Upper Westside he immediately researched and found its potential for expansion. We were hired to maximize the existing brownstone and turn it from its current existence as 5 individual apartments into a large luxury single family home. The existing building was extended 16 feet into the rear yard and a new sixth story was added along with an occupied roof. The project was not a complete gut renovation, the character of the parlor floor was maintained, along with the original front facade, windows, shutters, and fireplaces throughout. A new solid oak stair was built from the garden floor to the roof in conjunction with a small supplemental passenger elevator directly adjacent to the staircase. The new brick rear facade features oversized windows; one special aspect of which is the folding window wall at the ground level that can be completely opened to the garden. The goal to keep the original character of the brownstone yet to update it with modern touches can be seen throughout the house. The large kitchen has Italian lacquer cabinetry with walnut and glass accents, white quartz counters and backsplash and a Calcutta gold arabesque mosaic accent wall. On the parlor floor a custom wetbar, large closet and powder room are housed in a new floor to ceiling wood paneled core. The master bathroom contains a large freestanding tub, a glass enclosed white marbled steam shower, and grey wood vanities accented by a white marble floral mosaic. The new forth floor front room is highlighted by a unique sloped skylight that offers wide skyline views. The house is topped off with a glass stair enclosure that contains an integrated window seat offering views of the roof and an intimate space to relax in the sun.

Atherton has many large substantial homes - our clients purchased an existing home on a one acre flag-shaped lot and asked us to design a new dream home for them. The result is a new 7,000 square foot four-building complex consisting of the main house, six-car garage with two car lifts, pool house with a full one bedroom residence inside, and a separate home office /work out gym studio building. A fifty-foot swimming pool was also created with fully landscaped yards. Given the rectangular shape of the lot, it was decided to angle the house to incoming visitors slightly so as to more dramatically present itself. The house became a classic u-shaped home but Feng Shui design principals were employed directing the placement of the pool house to better contain the energy flow on the site. The main house entry door is then aligned with a special Japanese red maple at the end of a long visual axis at the rear of the site. These angles and alignments set up everything else about the house design and layout, and views from various rooms allow you to see into virtually every space tracking movements of others in the home. The residence is simply divided into two wings of public use, kitchen and family room, and the other wing of bedrooms, connected by the living and dining great room. Function drove the exterior form of windows and solid walls with a line of clerestory windows which bring light into the middle of the large home. Extensive sun shadow studies with 3D tree modeling led to the unorthodox placement of the pool to the north of the home, but tree shadow tracking showed this to be the sunniest area during the entire year. Sustainable measures included a full 7.1kW solar photovoltaic array technically making the house off the grid, and arranged so that no panels are visible from the property. A large 16,000 gallon rainwater catchment system consisting of tanks buried below grade was installed. The home is California GreenPoint rated and also features sealed roof soffits and a sealed crawlspace without the usual venting. A whole house computer automation system with server room was installed as well. Heating and cooling utilize hot water radiant heated concrete and wood floors supplemented by heat pump generated heating and cooling. A compound of buildings created to form balanced relationships between each other, this home is about circulation, light and a balance of form and function. Photo by John Sutton Photography.

Inspiration for a modern home design remodel in New York

This bright and light kitchen project required us extending the kitchen into the dinette area and removing a window to get a better flow. Luckily there were 3 large windows, so we decided removing one wouldn't significantly decrease the amount of natural light. It was a good trade for form and function. We were able to increase the work surfaces to create a much more useable kitchen that fit all the necessities and even had room for extra. We added pull outs and functional accessories to make it an easy to use space. We supplemented the natural light with a solar tube and plenty of installed light with 2 sizes of adjustable output and temperature LED ceiling cans for layers of light.