Rob Karosis
Mid-sized country ceramic tile utility room photo in New York with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, beige walls and a drop-in sink

This custom renovation started with an idea which evolved to a complete gut of the first floor house back split. The renovation consisted of the entire first level being opened up and ceilings vaulted to 11 feet. A new custom kitchen was designed and built for the space complete with German soft close hardware, custom rustic brick backsplash, and granite countertops. Hand scraped oak floors, pot lights, custom tile work, new electrical system, and new plumbing completed the project.

Designed by Land and Water Design and brought to life by Evolve Construction. This project features a Trex "Rain Escape" membrane system, Fiberon decking, beaded fir ceiling with recessed lights and ceiling fans, Versatek PVC trim, Oceanic Bordeaux granite grill counter top, Linx Grill and accessories, Vinyl Pergolas, custom built handrails with straight and custom bent tempered glass, and aluminum balusters. Includes under stairway storage area, and a custom lattice A/C screen with pergola. Low voltage deck lighting by Affordable Lighting.

Concrete planter boxes placed around the perimeter house zone-specific plantings with an emphasis on perennials and plants that evolve beautifully in all four seasons. Concealed drip irrigation extends to each. Wi-Fi controlled low-volt lighting highlights individual plants, features, and steps. The entire patio is wired for future installation of sound. A gas-fired glycol snow melt system winds throughout the patio and steps.

Concrete planter boxes placed around the perimeter house zone-specific plantings with an emphasis on perennials and plants that evolve beautifully in all four seasons. Concealed drip irrigation extends to each. Wi-Fi controlled low-volt lighting highlights individual plants, features, and steps. The entire patio is wired for future installation of sound. A gas-fired glycol snow melt system winds throughout the patio and steps.

Designed by Land and Water Design and brought to life by Evolve Construction. This project features a Trex "Rain Escape" membrane system, Fiberon decking, beaded fir ceiling with recessed lights and ceiling fans, Versatek PVC trim, Oceanic Bordeaux granite grill counter top, Linx Grill and accessories, Vinyl Pergolas, custom built handrails with straight and custom bent tempered glass, and aluminum balusters. Includes under stairway storage area, and a custom lattice A/C screen with pergola. Low voltage deck lighting by Affordable Lighting.

Bathe your bathroom in beautiful details and luxurious design with floating vanities from Dura Supreme Cabinetry. With Dura Supreme’s floating vanity system, vanities and even linen cabinets are suspended on the wall leaving a sleek, clean look that is ideal for transitional and contemporary design themes. Floating vanities are a favorite look for small bathrooms to impart an open, airy and expansive feel. For this bath, painted and stained finishes were combined for a stunning effect, with matching Dura Supreme medicine cabinets over a floating shelf. This double sink basin design offers stylish functionality for a shared bath. A variety of vanity console configurations are available with floating linen cabinets to maintain the style throughout the design. Floating Vanities by Dura Supreme are available in 12 different configurations (for single sink vanities, double sink vanities, or offset sinks) or individual cabinets that can be combined to create your own unique look. Any combination of Dura Supreme’s many door styles, wood species and finishes can be selected to create a one-of-a-kind bath furniture collection. The bathroom has evolved from its purist utilitarian roots to a more intimate and reflective sanctuary in which to relax and reconnect. A refreshing spa-like environment offers a brisk welcome at the dawning of a new day or a soothing interlude as your day concludes. Our busy and hectic lifestyles leave us yearning for a private place where we can truly relax and indulge. With amenities that pamper the senses and design elements inspired by luxury spas, bathroom environments are being transformed form the mundane and utilitarian to the extravagant and luxurious. Bath cabinetry from Dura Supreme offers myriad design directions to create the personal harmony and beauty that are a hallmark of the bath sanctuary. Immerse yourself in our expansive palette of finishes and wood species to discover the look that calms your senses and soothes your soul. Your Dura Supreme designer will guide you through the selections and transform your bath into a beautiful retreat. Request a FREE Dura Supreme Brochure Packet: http://www.durasupreme.com/request-brochure Find a Dura Supreme Showroom near you today: http://www.durasupreme.com/dealer-locator

Gramophone and its Design & Build team worked together to design and create this elegant but casual theater, inspired by and evolved from the aesthetics of the client's yacht. Black mohair and alligator leather textures along with vintage touches set this space apart from others considered off the shelf. To keep the space neat, the projector was hidden away in a projector room behind the theater, while components were nestled away in a rack tower. As well as that the video quality and in-wall Meridian sound system could rival that of any Baltimore home theater. Photography by Maryland Photography, Inc.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

A kitchen that evolves and becomes discreet by concealing its functions. Spatia elegantly and harmoniously suggests a modern landscape for the home. This Spatia kitchen in brown oak includes a wall of tall units with pocket system and easy box handles.

Gramophone and its Design & Build team worked together to design and create this elegant but casual theater, inspired by and evolved from the aesthetics of the client's yacht. Black mohair and alligator leather textures along with vintage touches set this space apart from others considered off the shelf. To keep the space neat, the projector was hidden away in a projector room behind the theater, while components were nestled away in a rack tower. As well as that the video quality and in-wall Meridian sound system could rival that of any Baltimore home theater. Photography by Maryland Photography, Inc.

Boasting views of the Museum of Natural History and Central Park, the Beaux Arts and French Renaissance style building built in 1900 was once home to a luxury hotel. Over the years multiple hotel rooms were combined into the larger apartment residences that exist today. The resulting units, while large in size, lacked the continuity of a single formed space. StudioLAB was presented with the challenge of re-designing the space to fit a modern family’s lifestyle today with the flexibility to adjust as they evolve into their tomorrow. Thus, the existing configuration was completely abandoned with new programmatic elements being relocated in each and every corner of the space. For clients that are big wine connoisseurs, the focal point of entry and circulation lies in a 400 bottle, custom built, blackened steel and glass, temperature controlled wine cabinet. The once enclosed living room was demolished to create one main entertaining space that includes a new dining area and open kitchen. Hafele bi-folding pocket door slides were used in the Living room wall unit to conceal the television, bar and display shelves when not in use. Posing as kitchen cabinetry, a hidden integrated door opens to reveal a guest bedroom with an en suite bathroom. Down the hallway of wide plank ebony stained walnut flooring, a compact powder room was built to house an original Paul Villinski installation of small butterflies cut from recycled aluminum cans, entitled Mistral. Continuing down the hall, and through one of the walnut veneered doors, is the shared kids bedroom where a custom-built bunk bed with integrated storage steps and desk was designed to allow for play space and a reading corner. The kids bathroom across the hall is decorated with custom Lego inspired hand cast concrete tiles and integrated pull-out footstools residing underneath the floating vanity. The master suite features a bio-ethanol fireplace wrapped in blackened steel and integrated into the Tabu veneered built-in. The spacious walk-in closet serves several purposes, which include housing the apartment’s new central HVAC system as well as a sleeping spot for the family’s dog. An integrated URC control system paired with Lutron Radio RA lighting keypads were installed to control the AV, HVAC, lighting and solar shades all by the use of smartphones.

Gramophone and its Design & Build team worked together to design and create this elegant but casual theater, inspired by and evolved from the aesthetics of the client's yacht. Black mohair and alligator leather textures along with vintage touches set this space apart from others considered off the shelf. To keep the space neat, the projector was hidden away in a projector room behind the theater, while components were nestled away in a rack tower. As well as that the video quality and in-wall Meridian sound system could rival that of any Baltimore home theater. Photography by Maryland Photography, Inc.

Garden 31 in La Canada Flintridge

Gramophone and its Design & Build team worked together to design and create this elegant but casual theater, inspired by and evolved from the aesthetics of the client's yacht. Black mohair and alligator leather textures along with vintage touches set this space apart from others considered off the shelf. To keep the space neat, the projector was hidden away in a projector room behind the theater, while components were nestled away in a rack tower. As well as that the video quality and in-wall Meridian sound system could rival that of any Baltimore home theater. Photography by Maryland Photography, Inc.

When an Atlanta artist needed a space that could evolve with his creative practice, Earth Sky Builders delivered a flexible, functional addition tailored for large-scale, multimedia artmaking. Sure, some people just need a quiet corner with a desk and a laptop—but others need room for power tools, sculpture molds, and a sound system. This one-of-a-kind home office-slash-art studio proves that home offices aren’t one-size-fits-all.

Gramophone and its Design & Build team worked together to design and create this elegant but casual theater, inspired by and evolved from the aesthetics of the client's yacht. Black mohair and alligator leather textures along with vintage touches set this space apart from others considered off the shelf. To keep the space neat, the projector was hidden away in a projector room behind the theater, while components were nestled away in a rack tower. As well as that the video quality and in-wall Meridian sound system could rival that of any Baltimore home theater. Photography by Maryland Photography, Inc.

Gramophone and its Design & Build team worked together to design and create this elegant but casual theater, inspired by and evolved from the aesthetics of the client's yacht. Black mohair and alligator leather textures along with vintage touches set this space apart from others considered off the shelf. To keep the space neat, the projector was hidden away in a projector room behind the theater, while components were nestled away in a rack tower. As well as that the video quality and in-wall Meridian sound system could rival that of any Baltimore home theater. Photography by Maryland Photography, Inc.

When an Atlanta artist needed a space that could evolve with his creative practice, Earth Sky Builders delivered a flexible, functional addition tailored for large-scale, multimedia artmaking. Sure, some people just need a quiet corner with a desk and a laptop—but others need room for power tools, sculpture molds, and a sound system. This one-of-a-kind home office-slash-art studio proves that home offices aren’t one-size-fits-all.