Going house hunting to find the dream home is difficult in every aspect, especially in NYC. The first apartment may have a feature that the other has but very rarely will one place have all. Most important is making sure the location and size works and everything else can be incorporated later. As the apartment our clients selected was "move in" condition its surely was not for what they work looking for in creating their dream home. We first started by creating a "wish list" of all of the essentials, which included; open kitchen, walk in closet, office space , larger master bathroom with stand up shower and soaking tub. With creating many different floor plan options, the only way we would achieve this was by sacrificing the 3rd bedroom. At this stage the 3rd bedroom was very easy for them to sacrifice as it gave them all of the wish list for now. In the future ,they could easily take the square footage from the new oversized living room and add that 3rd bedroom if it were necessary. Our first goal in the demolition stage was to remove all existing interior partition walls and start with a fresh new slate. By removing the existing kitchen walls the New Kitchen layout now combines it with the living room. The cabinetry is 2 tone color, flat slab doors for the modern look. State of the art appliances were installed; Integrated panels were installed on the fridge, wall oven, microwave, cook top. The sink is the ultimate chefs prep station sliding butcher block with bowls that slide over the sink. A garage cabinet was installed to conceal smaller appliances. The cantilever counter top adds the additional seating space for guests while keeping the bottom portion open for the view. The existing walk in closet was relocated to achieve the New Master Bathroom, Combining the spaces now gave us the option to add all the features. Floating vanity with double sinks, soaking tub, stand up shower. The glossy rectified tiles used are 12x36 and when installed make the grout line disappear and make it look like a solid wall. The chocolate floor tiles are randomly staggered then wrap up the tub platform and continue up one wall to create an accent. No tile edge was used but all tiles that meet on a 90 degree outside corner are mitered; tub platform, walls and shower niches. Heated floors were installed to keep the feet warm on the cold winter days. In the Master Bedroom we built a bed frame accent wall. Serves for multiple functions; eliminates night stands by using the niches for alarm clock / phone charger station, lights were added inside the niches for accent lights and raised wall paper was used to finish this beautiful feature. Each his and hers niche has an outlet, 4 way switch for the accent lights and 4 way switch for the recessed lights above when they are done reading in bed. Custom steps were built for easy up and down off the bed for the little puppies that could not possibly make the jump up. Other features throughout the apartment include; New bamboo floors throughout. Since the concrete ceiling slab cannot be chopped , soffits and drop ceilings were built throughout the apartment to accommodate recessed lights. Low voltage recessed lights were used with multiple zone dimmers for energy efficiency. Remote operated shades were installed The overall design was for the apartment was modern, simple lines and true elegance. The newly renovated apartment will be enjoyed by them, friends and family for many years to come... edit

Lori Hamilton
Example of a classic light wood floor family room design in Miami with beige walls and no tv

The family room updates included replacing the existing brick fireplace with natural stone and adding a custom floating mantel, installing a gorgeous coffered ceiling and re-configuring the built- ins.

Betsy Barron, Period Architecture, Ltd.
Example of a mid-sized classic boy light wood floor kids' room design in Philadelphia with beige walls

This incredible closet is custom in every way. It was designed to meet the specific needs and desires of our client. The cabinetry was slightly distressed, glazed and load with extensive detail. The rolling ladder moves around entire closet for upper storage. Several pull out and slide out shelves, scarf racks, hanger racks and custom storage accessories were included in the design. A custom dresser with upper glass cabinets along with built-in hamper are also included. It wouldn't be complete without a vertical, tilted shoe rack. Ceiling painted in a rich robin’s egg blue with sparkle additive sets this closet apart from any other. The custom upholstered storage bench with pillows at the end of the room and crystal chandelier finishes this room beautifully. Photo Credit - Hall Of Portraits

This cozy, yet gorgeous space added over 310 square feet of outdoor living space and has been in the works for several years. The home had a small covered space that was just not big enough for what the family wanted and needed. They desired a larger space to be able to entertain outdoors in style. With the additional square footage came more concrete and a patio cover to match the original roof line of the home. Brick to match the home was used on the new columns with cedar wrapped posts and the large custom wood burning fireplace that was built. The fireplace has built-in wood holders and a reclaimed beam as the mantle. Low voltage lighting was installed to accent the large hearth that also serves as a seat wall. A privacy wall of stained shiplap was installed behind the grill – an EVO 30” ceramic top griddle. The counter is a wood to accent the other aspects of the project. The ceiling is pre-stained tongue and groove with cedar beams. The flooring is a stained stamped concrete without a pattern. The homeowner now has a great space to entertain – they had custom tables made to fit in the space. TK Images

Reverse Shed Eichler This project is part tear-down, part remodel. The original L-shaped plan allowed the living/ dining/ kitchen wing to be completely re-built while retaining the shell of the bedroom wing virtually intact. The rebuilt entertainment wing was enlarged 50% and covered with a low-slope reverse-shed roof sloping from eleven to thirteen feet. The shed roof floats on a continuous glass clerestory with eight foot transom. Cantilevered steel frames support wood roof beams with eaves of up to ten feet. An interior glass clerestory separates the kitchen and livingroom for sound control. A wall-to-wall skylight illuminates the north wall of the kitchen/family room. New additions at the back of the house add several “sliding” wall planes, where interior walls continue past full-height windows to the exterior, complimenting the typical Eichler indoor-outdoor ceiling and floor planes. The existing bedroom wing has been re-configured on the interior, changing three small bedrooms into two larger ones, and adding a guest suite in part of the original garage. A previous den addition provided the perfect spot for a large master ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Natural materials predominate, with fir ceilings, limestone veneer fireplace walls, anigre veneer cabinets, fir sliding windows and interior doors, bamboo floors, and concrete patios and walks. Landscape design by Bernard Trainor: www.bernardtrainor.com (see “Concrete Jungle” in April 2014 edition of Dwell magazine). Microsoft Media Center installation of the Year, 2008: www.cybermanor.com/ultimate_install.html (automated shades, radiant heating system, and lights, as well as security & sound).

Kitchen of the Beautiful New Encino Construction which included the installation tongue and groove ceiling, beamed ceiling with golden accent, marble countertops, kitchen windows, sink and faucet, pendant lighting, medium hardwood flooring, kitchen cabinets and shelves and kitchen appliances.

Amy Williams Photography
Mid-sized transitional u-shaped porcelain tile kitchen photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and quartzite countertops

Living space with curved clear cedar ceilings, built-in media and storage walls, custom artwork and custom furniture - Interior Architecture: HAUS | Architecture + LEVEL Interiors - Photography: Ryan Kurtz

The family room is our relaxing room with a fire place in the corner, a 72" High Def TV surrounded by natural stone. The floors are Hickory wood 3/4" thick with hydronic heating under the wood floors. This room has an abundance of natural light.

This was a full gut an renovation. The existing kitchen had very dated cabinets and didn't function well for the clients. A previous desk area was turned into hidden cabinetry to house the microwave and larger appliances and to keep the countertops clutter free. The original pendants were about 4" wide and were inappropriate for the large island. They were replaced with larger, brighter and more sophisticated pendants. The use of panel ready appliances with large matte black hardware made gave this a clean and sophisticated look. Mosaic tile was installed from the countertop to the ceiling and wall sconces were installed over the kitchen window. A different tile was used in the bar area which has a beverage refrigerator and an ice machine and floating shelves. The cabinetry in this area also includes a pullout drawer for dog food.

Reverse Shed Eichler This project is part tear-down, part remodel. The original L-shaped plan allowed the living/ dining/ kitchen wing to be completely re-built while retaining the shell of the bedroom wing virtually intact. The rebuilt entertainment wing was enlarged 50% and covered with a low-slope reverse-shed roof sloping from eleven to thirteen feet. The shed roof floats on a continuous glass clerestory with eight foot transom. Cantilevered steel frames support wood roof beams with eaves of up to ten feet. An interior glass clerestory separates the kitchen and livingroom for sound control. A wall-to-wall skylight illuminates the north wall of the kitchen/family room. New additions at the back of the house add several “sliding” wall planes, where interior walls continue past full-height windows to the exterior, complimenting the typical Eichler indoor-outdoor ceiling and floor planes. The existing bedroom wing has been re-configured on the interior, changing three small bedrooms into two larger ones, and adding a guest suite in part of the original garage. A previous den addition provided the perfect spot for a large master ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Natural materials predominate, with fir ceilings, limestone veneer fireplace walls, anigre veneer cabinets, fir sliding windows and interior doors, bamboo floors, and concrete patios and walks. Landscape design by Bernard Trainor: www.bernardtrainor.com (see “Concrete Jungle” in April 2014 edition of Dwell magazine). Microsoft Media Center installation of the Year, 2008: www.cybermanor.com/ultimate_install.html (automated shades, radiant heating system, and lights, as well as security & sound).

Photographer: Bob Narod
Example of a large transitional look-out brown floor and laminate floor basement design in DC Metro with multicolored walls

Our goal on this project was to create a live-able and open feeling space in a 690 square foot modern farmhouse. We planned for an open feeling space by installing tall windows and doors, utilizing pocket doors and building a vaulted ceiling. An efficient layout with hidden kitchen appliances and a concealed laundry space, built in tv and work desk, carefully selected furniture pieces and a bright and white colour palette combine to make this tiny house feel like a home. We achieved our goal of building a functionally beautiful space where we comfortably host a few friends and spend time together as a family. John McManus

Our clients came to us wanting to maximize the space they had. They were not planning on moving anytime soon, as they loved their neighborhood. They wanted to renovate the front of their house, which included the front atrium, living room, kitchen, and powder bath. They hated their kitchen because it was completely closed off, had low ceilings, was dark and outdated, not to mention the floors were different in each of these rooms! The pantry was in the breakfast area and the kitchen table became a junk catcher, being the first thing you see when coming in from the garage/laundry room. In their living room, they wanted the spaces on either side of the fireplace to be symmetrical, whether that be bookshelves, a wet bar or closed off. Both parents are working professionals with no time and/or desire to design, create and figure this out on their own. They needed help figuring out how to reconfigure their current space in order to maximize what they already had, as they could not see an obvious solution. They could not envision how it would look so the fact that our designers were able to show them their new kitchen in 3D was pertinent. We removed the pass-through windows that surrounded the atrium and front dining room, as well as the entire kitchen wall, completely opening up those two rooms. We removed a hall that used to lead between the kitchen and the living room since it was a complete waste of space! The ceilings were raised to 10’ in the kitchen and we were able to leave the skylight, letting in that natural light they wanted. We were able to give them a much larger pantry with tons of shelving and increase the size of their laundry room by utilizing the space of their old breakfast nook. We relocated the door to the garage into their new elongated laundry room, built a wet bar across from their new larger pantry (with a pocket door) and the flow and functionality of these new spaces is just perfect! All new Waypoint cabinets were installed one two main kitchen surrounding walls painted Linen. Calacatta Bianco Polished Porcelain Tile 4x12 was used for the backsplash. A large eat-at island was installed, painted Stone, where the family can now gather for homework, meals, and mingling. The soft champagne bronze hardware and accent lighting really give this white and gray kitchen a soft classic look. In the living room, we removed the built-in bookshelves to the left of the fireplace and closed off the wet-bar on the other side, giving them more space in their master suite. White Oak wood flooring, stained Putney, was installed throughout the entire new space, giving it the continuity they were looking for. In the guest bathroom, Carrara white herringbone marble mosaic 12x12 tile was used on the shower floor and niche, while basic marble Bianco polished 12x24 porcelain tile was used on the walls. Luxart polished chrome traditional hardware gives this timeless bathroom the perfect shine. Our clients are so happy with the new functionality and look of their space. It has definitely changed their lives in a way they could have never imagined!

Winner of the 2018 Tour of Homes Best Remodel, this whole house re-design of a 1963 Bennet & Johnson mid-century raised ranch home is a beautiful example of the magic we can weave through the application of more sustainable modern design principles to existing spaces. We worked closely with our client on extensive updates to create a modernized MCM gem. Extensive alterations include: - a completely redesigned floor plan to promote a more intuitive flow throughout - vaulted the ceilings over the great room to create an amazing entrance and feeling of inspired openness - redesigned entry and driveway to be more inviting and welcoming as well as to experientially set the mid-century modern stage - the removal of a visually disruptive load bearing central wall and chimney system that formerly partitioned the homes’ entry, dining, kitchen and living rooms from each other - added clerestory windows above the new kitchen to accentuate the new vaulted ceiling line and create a greater visual continuation of indoor to outdoor space - drastically increased the access to natural light by increasing window sizes and opening up the floor plan - placed natural wood elements throughout to provide a calming palette and cohesive Pacific Northwest feel - incorporated Universal Design principles to make the home Aging In Place ready with wide hallways and accessible spaces, including single-floor living if needed - moved and completely redesigned the stairway to work for the home’s occupants and be a part of the cohesive design aesthetic - mixed custom tile layouts with more traditional tiling to create fun and playful visual experiences - custom designed and sourced MCM specific elements such as the entry screen, cabinetry and lighting - development of the downstairs for potential future use by an assisted living caretaker - energy efficiency upgrades seamlessly woven in with much improved insulation, ductless mini splits and solar gain

The great room walls are filled with glass doors and transom windows, providing maximum natural light and views of the pond and the meadow. Photographer: Daniel Contelmo Jr.

Photos by Spacecrafting House built by Divine Custom Homes
Example of a large transitional open concept carpeted home theater design in Minneapolis with gray walls and a projector screen