This kitchen in Bamberg came together in Dallas White granite, a stone that reads clean and bright without going stark. The background carries soft grays with subtle movement through it, enough character to keep the eye interested but calm enough to work with just about any cabinet color a builder picks for a spec house like this one. That's part of why it gets used so often in kitchens meant to show well and live well at the same time. Granite's still one of the best choices you can make for a kitchen countertop, and Dallas White in particular holds up the way granite's supposed to. It's dense, it resists heat, and you can set a hot pan on it without worrying about scorching. Scratches aren't a concern with normal use, and the surface takes a polish that lasts for years. We seal it going in and that's about all the maintenance it ever needs. Getting a granite slab like this into a kitchen right takes more than just cutting to size. We template the space first to make sure the seams land where they won't draw attention, usually tucked near the sink or stove, and any countertop longer than about 8 to 9 feet is going to need one. Matching the pattern across a seam so it reads as one continuous piece is where the work actually happens. The edge here is eased, a clean, simple line that lets the stone itself do the talking instead of competing with it. Day to day, this is the kind of countertop that just works. Wipe it down, don't worry about it, and it'll look the same ten years from now as it does today. That durability is exactly what a spec house kitchen needs, something that shows well to a buyer walking through and keeps performing long after they've moved in. We do a lot of work through the Midlands, and Bamberg jobs like this one are a good example of what granite still does better than almost anything else on the market. It's a straightforward material that never stops earning its keep in a kitchen, and this one turned out exactly the way it should.

This outdoor kitchen in Lexington is built around 3cm unfilled travertine, and that's a material choice that says a lot about what this space is meant to do. Unfilled travertine keeps its natural pits and texture instead of having them smoothed over with resin, which means the surface reads as raw and organic rather than polished. Out here, under open sky and full sun, that texture works in the stone's favor. It doesn't glare back at you at midday and it doesn't get slick when a hose or a rain shower hits it. The layout is an L-shaped countertop set over a stacked stone veneer base, with stainless steel drawers and cabinets tucked underneath and a built-in grill anchoring one leg of the L. There's a cutout in the counter for a sink or a cooler, which is the kind of detail that takes real planning at the template stage. You can't cut that opening freehand on site and expect clean lines. We measure twice, dry-fit the appliance or basin, and cut the stone to match before it ever leaves the shop. Travertine outdoors is a practical call as much as a good-looking one. It handles heat well, which matters right next to a grill, and it won't crack or discolor the way some engineered materials can when they take direct sun for years. Unfilled travertine in particular breathes a little more than the filled version, so it doesn't trap moisture the way a sealed slab might. We finished the edges eased, which keeps the whole thing feeling soft and unfussy, no sharp lines to bang a hip on when you're moving between the grill and the prep space. Outdoor kitchens take a beating that indoor ones never see: pollen, humidity, the occasional hard freeze here in the Midlands, direct sun for months at a stretch. Travertine's been used outdoors for centuries for exactly that reason, it ages instead of failing. Sealing it now and then keeps water from sitting in the pits, but even bare it holds up. This one in Lexington is set up to be used hard, grilled on, gathered around, and to look better for the wear rather than worse.

Finished basement in West Chester, PA Cherry Creek Farm community with: theater area with soft separation by stone and walnut columns and LED lighted tray ceiling, Runco projector, 108" screen surrounded by stone columns, walnut wood work, LED lights, and custom walnut component cabinet with slots for subwoofer. 10' x 9' walnut built in, steam shower bathroom with Steam Spa steam generator, frameless glass, wine cellar with custom walnut wine racks, LED lights, spray foam insulation and vapor barrier, exercise room, ready for future bar, India accent lighted wall pocket, plenty CAT 6 network/media wiring, bar, copper bar top, 2 level bar, bar sink, bar cabinets

Part of the Modin Vinyl Plank Collection, Available Exclusively From www.Flooret.com $3.49 / sq ft, 22.08 sq ft per box 50% WIDER. 25% LONGER. TWICE AS DURABLE Luxury Vinyl Plank, 5 mm x 9" x 60" (1.0 mm / 40 mil wear-layer) Lifetime Residential Warranty, 20 year Commercial Warranty Classic Oak Elegance. Arden provides a timeless template with which to define your space. We designed the grain pattern to have just a hint of rustic, but it is still clean enough that you can convincingly use it in a modern setting. REDEFINING DURABILITY The most important specification for determining the durability of vinyl flooring is the thickness of the wear-layer. The best wear-layers are made of thick, clear virgin PVC, which covers the paper print-film that gives the floor its unique appearance. Once the wear-layer wears through, the paper is damaged and the floor will need replacement. Most vinyl floors come with a 8-12 mil wear-layer (0.2-3 mm). The top commercial specs in the industry are higher, at 20-22 mil (0.5 mm). A select few manufacturers offer a "super" commercial spec of 28 mil (0.7 mm). For Modin, we decided to set a new standard: 40 mil (1.0 mm) of premium virgin PVC. This allows us to offer an industry-leading 20 year Commercial Warranty (Lifetime Residential), compared to nearly all other commercial vinyl floors' 10 year Commercial Warranty. Beyond our superior wear-layer, we also use a patented click mechanism for superior hold, and a ceramic-bead coating. SIZE MATTERS Wider and longer planks create a sense of space and luxury. Most vinyl floors come in 6" or 7" widths, and 36" or 48" lengths. For Modin, we designed our planks to be 9" wide, and 60" long. This extra large size allows our gorgeous designs to be fully expressed. DETAILS THAT COUNT We made sure to get all the details right. Real texture, to create the feel of wire-brushed wood. Low sheen level, to ensure a natural look that wears well over time. 4-sided bevels, to more accurately emulate the look of real planks. When added together they help create the unique look that is Modin. DESIGNS THAT INSPIRE We spent nearly a year just focusing on our designs, to ensure they provide the right mix of color and depth. Focusing on timeless wire-brush and European Oak styles, as well as more contemporary modern washes, our collection offers truly beautiful design that is both functional and inspiring.

A classic West Side loft in Hell’s Kitchen, Gallery’s main task was to renovate the large kitchen. The clients like to entertain, so in addition to remodeling the aesthetic, we expanded the footprint of the island and built an entirely new bar at the opposite end of the kitchen. Some design choices are a natural fit for the space. In this case, that meant leaning into the industrial vibe of the exposed concrete while bringing in some character with the material choices. INDUSTRIAL CHIC With an industrial aesthetic in mind, gray was a natural color choice for the fully custom Miralis cabinets. The backsplash was designed in a subway brick pattern, but rather than the typical porcelain or marble, a clay tile in a white matte tone resembling cement was chosen to further coordinate with the exposed concrete. Stacked cabinets were installed to accommodate the tall loft ceilings. For contrast, we incorporated glass front cabinetry with lighting in some areas. The resulting marriage of concrete, glass, and wood is well-matched for an industrial chic loft kitchen. Further highlighting the homeowners’ love of entertaining, we also built an entirely custom bar at one end of the space, featuring open shelving in contrasting wood tones with underlighting and a custom mirrored backsplash for an authentic bar feel. ADVENTURES IN APPROACHING COLUMNS Loft renovations tend to come with two common needs: how to fill all that space tastefully and how to work with those ever present columns. In the case of this loft kitchen renovation, it suited the industrial aesthetic not to wrap the concrete column as one typically would, but rather to leave it exposed, accentuating the raw character of the space. Partially as a result, the island expanded too, creating more room for functional additions such as a built-in microwave, wine fridge, and more open shelving to match the bar, outlined with a countertop overhang to optimize counter space and chair storage. ANCHORED IN SYMMETRY With a loft space as unusually large as this one, an ideal design strategy, especially when high ceilings are involved, is to anchor the kitchen on opposing sides. Here, one side is anchored by a large floor-to-ceiling pantry, while the other is anchored by the counter-depth fridge with cabinetry above. The connecting element is the counter space in the middle, resulting in the visual impact of a long kitchen run within the open floor plan of a loft. SOME HIGHLIGHTS - Entirely custom-built bar with custom mirrored backsplash templated specifically for this project - Large, oversized island with seating all around, open shelving, and built-in microwave - Subway backsplash tiles in clay rather than porcelain or marble - Olympian white marble countertops Considering a kitchen loft renovation in New York? Our expertise is in renovating all kinds of New York Spaces, from gut renovations of historic landmark buildings like brownstones and townhomes to kitchens and bathrooms in lofts and other apartments in managed buildings. Contact us to find out if our full-scale design-and-build approach is right for your project.

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

Custom Surface Solutions (www.css-tile.com) - Owner Craig Thompson (512) 430-1215. This project shows new 12 x 24 tile installed vertically with offset layout pattern on wall and floor. Includes shower box with linear glass accent tile back and vertical glass accent band. Tile edges are finished with Schluter Jolly satin aluminum profile edge trim.

I visited this property in Lytham St Annes to survey a small Victorian tiled lobby which was in a sorry state. The client was keen to have it restored and wanted to know if it was possible. I discussed with them what we could do, and I gave them a quote for the work. Although it was only a small lobby, I could see the job could be quite involved and would be subject to the replacement tiles which I was confident we could source. This is one of those jobs you wish you hadn’t started as there were a lot more tiles to remove than anticipated and it mushroomed into replacing half the floor. Once the area was cleaned up, I applied a self-levelling compound to bring up the height of the base. Once the levelling compound had set, I was able relay the Victorian tiles using a combination of original tiles and replacements which had to be cut to shape. Cutting tiles to fit is quite intricate and time-consuming work especially when you consider new tiles are all metric in size and a 2mm difference becomes very telling after a foot or so! My solution was to use 150 mm tiles which are the biggest the stockist offers and then cut them down on my Rubi cutter using a template made from the original tiles. This the only way I could get it to look tight, it takes longer but it makes for a thorough job and a better finish. I always use flexible floor adhesive when laying tiles, my preference is Keraquick Grey from Mapei. There are other brands off course but this one is quite easy to get hold of and as the term grouting is a relatively modern invention (in the past it was called pointing ) I find it looks right with this type of tile and similar to the screed cement the Victorians used in the past. After the tiling had been completed, I left the floor to cure and fully dry and returned at a later date to give the floor an overall clean. For this I ran a coarse 200-grit diamond floor pad across the floor lubricated with water and used handheld diamond blocks for the edges where the pad can’t reach. The slurry was rinsed off with water and extracted with a wet vacuum. With old floors like this, which don’t have a damp-proof membrane installed under the floor, efflorescence is always a concern and can lead to white salts appearing on the surface of the tile as moisture rises through the floor. To counter this, I finished cleaning the floor by scrubbing it with Tile Doctor Acid Gel. This was then rinsed off with water and the soil extracted using a wet vacuum. The client was happy to seal the floor themselves (they wanted to save some money and it wasn’t a big area) so I supplied them with a bottle of Tile Doctor Colour Grow. I recommended this sealer as it will enhance the dark colours and being fully breathable it will cope with any moisture rising through the base. I recommended they apply two coats to start leaving time to allow the first coast to dry they could also then decide to leave it at that if they were happy with the finish. Russell Taylor Lancashire Tile Doctor

Riad Tile
Bathroom - contemporary cement tile floor and pink floor bathroom idea in Santa Barbara

Do you want to upgrade your kitchen? Replace your current sink with this Canadian STYLISH stainless steel kitchen sink. This luxurious 33” x 18” double undermount kitchen sink is made of surgical grade SUS 304 16G stainless steel, this sleek and luxurious kitchen sink with a brushed satin finish will look amazing in your kitchen! Even after years of constant use, the patina finish of the kitchen sink will never oxidize. The X-pattern drain grooves in this undermount kitchen sink’s basin allow for optimal drainage. the undermount sink will drain and dry quickly and effortlessly. Also, the 10mm radius sink corners are smooth and easy to clean, so that your skin will always be shiny and free of bacteria and unpleasant smells. The STYLISH stainless steel sink is here to make your life easier. Keep your cabinets intact. Water condensation in kitchen sinks often causes your cabinets to get ruined. This won’t be a problem if you install the STYLISH undermount sink in your kitchen. The stone guard coating of our stainless steel sinks prevents condensation and makes the sink quiet. Our kitchen sinks are Canadian designed and meet the highest plumbing standards for North America, so you can trust us when we say that this is the best sink on the market. This functional STYLISH sink will not make loud noises when the water is on. Thanks to the 2mm and 3mm extra thick pads, this is a very quiet sink. STYLISH has equipped the undermount kitchen sink with a soundproofing system, so that you will be able to wash dishes and your hands without having to deal with loud, annoying noises. Another great feature of this sink is that the double bowls are 60/40 and extra deep. One of the bowls is extra-large for even bigger pots. The extra deep basins of this double undermount kitchen sink can fit large pots and pans easily. The 10-inch depth is also great because it can hide the dirty dishes under the countertop line until you have the time to wash them. This undermount kitchen sink comes with two luxury stainless steel basket strainers. These are also extra deep, so that they can catch more food scraps than regular strainers. Also included are two stainless steel bottom grids, perfect to protect the bottom of your stainless steel kitchen sink, one cutting template and mounting brackets. This double undermount kitchen sink was designed with the busy parent and young professional in mind. The modern and linear style will integrate perfectly in any kitchen space.

This project in Northeast Columbia brought together three different stones across the house, and that's not something we get to do every day. Marble in one space, quartzite in another, dolomite doing its own quiet work somewhere else. It's the kind of job that makes you slow down and think about where each material actually belongs instead of just picking one slab and running it everywhere. The kitchen called for something that could handle the daily grind while still looking like a piece of natural stone should look, full of movement and depth. Quartzite earns its keep here. It reads like marble with all that soft veining and cool background color, but it's far harder and more resistant to etching from citrus, wine, or vinegar splashing around a busy counter. We templated it carefully to keep the veining moving in a way that feels natural across the runs, not chopped up or mismatched at the seams. That takes patience on the slab yard picking the right book match before it ever hits a saw. The bathroom vanity is where the marble gets to shine. Marble on a vanity top makes sense in a way it doesn't always in a kitchen. Less traffic, less acid exposure, and it gets to just look good day after day with the veining catching the light over the sink. We kept the edge eased throughout the project, a simple softened line that doesn't compete with the stone itself. An eased edge is subtle, it just takes the sharp corner off the top so it feels comfortable under your hand and doesn't chip as easy as a square edge would over the years. Dolomite showed up in the other space, and it's one of our favorite stones to work with because it splits the difference. It looks a lot like marble, softer tones, that same classic veining, but it's a good bit tougher and more stain resistant, which makes it a smart call anywhere you want that marble look without babying it constantly. Sealing still matters with all three of these stones. A good penetrating sealer keeps them looking right for years and makes cleanup simple, no special stuff needed, just soap and water day to day. Jobs like this are why we like working across the Midlands. Northeast Columbia homes run the gamut from new builds to older houses getting a real refresh, and getting to move between marble, quartzite, and dolomite in one project keeps the work honest. Every stone got fabricated and set the way it should be, tight seams, clean eased edges, and a finish that'll hold up to real life in that kitchen and that bath for a long time to come.

This project in Northeast Columbia brought together three different stones across the house, and that's not something we get to do every day. Marble in one space, quartzite in another, dolomite doing its own quiet work somewhere else. It's the kind of job that makes you slow down and think about where each material actually belongs instead of just picking one slab and running it everywhere. The kitchen called for something that could handle the daily grind while still looking like a piece of natural stone should look, full of movement and depth. Quartzite earns its keep here. It reads like marble with all that soft veining and cool background color, but it's far harder and more resistant to etching from citrus, wine, or vinegar splashing around a busy counter. We templated it carefully to keep the veining moving in a way that feels natural across the runs, not chopped up or mismatched at the seams. That takes patience on the slab yard picking the right book match before it ever hits a saw. The bathroom vanity is where the marble gets to shine. Marble on a vanity top makes sense in a way it doesn't always in a kitchen. Less traffic, less acid exposure, and it gets to just look good day after day with the veining catching the light over the sink. We kept the edge eased throughout the project, a simple softened line that doesn't compete with the stone itself. An eased edge is subtle, it just takes the sharp corner off the top so it feels comfortable under your hand and doesn't chip as easy as a square edge would over the years. Dolomite showed up in the other space, and it's one of our favorite stones to work with because it splits the difference. It looks a lot like marble, softer tones, that same classic veining, but it's a good bit tougher and more stain resistant, which makes it a smart call anywhere you want that marble look without babying it constantly. Sealing still matters with all three of these stones. A good penetrating sealer keeps them looking right for years and makes cleanup simple, no special stuff needed, just soap and water day to day. Jobs like this are why we like working across the Midlands. Northeast Columbia homes run the gamut from new builds to older houses getting a real refresh, and getting to move between marble, quartzite, and dolomite in one project keeps the work honest. Every stone got fabricated and set the way it should be, tight seams, clean eased edges, and a finish that'll hold up to real life in that kitchen and that bath for a long time to come.

This project in Northeast Columbia brought together three different stones across the house, and that's not something we get to do every day. Marble in one space, quartzite in another, dolomite doing its own quiet work somewhere else. It's the kind of job that makes you slow down and think about where each material actually belongs instead of just picking one slab and running it everywhere. The kitchen called for something that could handle the daily grind while still looking like a piece of natural stone should look, full of movement and depth. Quartzite earns its keep here. It reads like marble with all that soft veining and cool background color, but it's far harder and more resistant to etching from citrus, wine, or vinegar splashing around a busy counter. We templated it carefully to keep the veining moving in a way that feels natural across the runs, not chopped up or mismatched at the seams. That takes patience on the slab yard picking the right book match before it ever hits a saw. The bathroom vanity is where the marble gets to shine. Marble on a vanity top makes sense in a way it doesn't always in a kitchen. Less traffic, less acid exposure, and it gets to just look good day after day with the veining catching the light over the sink. We kept the edge eased throughout the project, a simple softened line that doesn't compete with the stone itself. An eased edge is subtle, it just takes the sharp corner off the top so it feels comfortable under your hand and doesn't chip as easy as a square edge would over the years. Dolomite showed up in the other space, and it's one of our favorite stones to work with because it splits the difference. It looks a lot like marble, softer tones, that same classic veining, but it's a good bit tougher and more stain resistant, which makes it a smart call anywhere you want that marble look without babying it constantly. Sealing still matters with all three of these stones. A good penetrating sealer keeps them looking right for years and makes cleanup simple, no special stuff needed, just soap and water day to day. Jobs like this are why we like working across the Midlands. Northeast Columbia homes run the gamut from new builds to older houses getting a real refresh, and getting to move between marble, quartzite, and dolomite in one project keeps the work honest. Every stone got fabricated and set the way it should be, tight seams, clean eased edges, and a finish that'll hold up to real life in that kitchen and that bath for a long time to come.

The Kitchen in this residence had to be outstanding for the owner’s ego and provide a template of future styles. We scoured kitchen showrooms from New York to Los Angeles to see cutting edge design, gadgets and layouts. After much consideration and given our long-standing relationship, we worked with New England Custom Cabinets, our go to contractor for custom millwork. We worked tirelessly with them to create the dream kitchen. The limited amount of space available in this waterfront home challenged us to not only make the best use of the available space, but also to make each space highly functional. In order to create the desired aesthetic and still provide storage, we created a floor to ceiling Wegne bank of cabinetry concealing the refrigerator and freezer and incorporating a pantry with a hidden pocket door and an appliance cabinet that has a one of a kind folding mechanism that allows it to sit flat against the adjacent wall. The Wenge cabinetry has a matte finish and is replicated in the cabinet paneling under the Princess White marble double waterfall island. To contrast the dark wood finish, the rest of the kitchen is completed in a high gloss polyester hand buffed white finish with walnut interiors. The upper cabinets appear to float on the three dimensional tile backsplash purchased directly from a vendor in Spain. The special touch latch magic hydraulic openers lift the cabinets vertically and are closed by the touch of a button as well. This is a feature that is years ahead on the design curve. All drawers and drawer fronts are installed using Blum’s Servo-Drive electronic opening system. Hafele LED interior cabinet lighting is applied throughout. Wow – State of the Art, High Tech Appliances that the owner and his friends are still figuring out. The kitchen is fitted out with Gagganeu appliances incorporating an induction cooktop and a state of the art electronic drop down exhaust hood. The microwave, special high-tech oven and warming drawer will keep the owner and his friends reading manuals for years to come. The perimeter counter tops are finished in the innovative Dekton indestructible man-made stone. All base cabinets have electronic openers and automatically light up upon opening. The square flush mounted recessed lights by Tech Lighting accentuate the clean lines of the kitchen. Two hand blown glass and brushed aluminum pendants from California illuminate the beautiful marble waterfall island. Unique toe kick lighting is also incorporated to illuminate the base as a nightlight and accent feature. In order to keep the ceiling “uncluttered” seamless speakers by SpeakerCraft was utilized. The audio, television and lighting are all controlled by Control4 Smart System, which is incorporated throughout the house. The select rift white oak planks in long lengths are finished in a special brushed patina with a gray stain to give the floors a natural driftwood finish. The kitchen exceeds the owner, his friends and family’s expectations for design, function and format. Photographer Kelly Marshall

A classic West Side loft in Hell’s Kitchen, Gallery’s main task was to renovate the large kitchen. The clients like to entertain, so in addition to remodeling the aesthetic, we expanded the footprint of the island and built an entirely new bar at the opposite end of the kitchen. Some design choices are a natural fit for the space. In this case, that meant leaning into the industrial vibe of the exposed concrete while bringing in some character with the material choices. INDUSTRIAL CHIC With an industrial aesthetic in mind, gray was a natural color choice for the fully custom Miralis cabinets. The backsplash was designed in a subway brick pattern, but rather than the typical porcelain or marble, a clay tile in a white matte tone resembling cement was chosen to further coordinate with the exposed concrete. Stacked cabinets were installed to accommodate the tall loft ceilings. For contrast, we incorporated glass front cabinetry with lighting in some areas. The resulting marriage of concrete, glass, and wood is well-matched for an industrial chic loft kitchen. Further highlighting the homeowners’ love of entertaining, we also built an entirely custom bar at one end of the space, featuring open shelving in contrasting wood tones with underlighting and a custom mirrored backsplash for an authentic bar feel. ADVENTURES IN APPROACHING COLUMNS Loft renovations tend to come with two common needs: how to fill all that space tastefully and how to work with those ever present columns. In the case of this loft kitchen renovation, it suited the industrial aesthetic not to wrap the concrete column as one typically would, but rather to leave it exposed, accentuating the raw character of the space. Partially as a result, the island expanded too, creating more room for functional additions such as a built-in microwave, wine fridge, and more open shelving to match the bar, outlined with a countertop overhang to optimize counter space and chair storage. ANCHORED IN SYMMETRY With a loft space as unusually large as this one, an ideal design strategy, especially when high ceilings are involved, is to anchor the kitchen on opposing sides. Here, one side is anchored by a large floor-to-ceiling pantry, while the other is anchored by the counter-depth fridge with cabinetry above. The connecting element is the counter space in the middle, resulting in the visual impact of a long kitchen run within the open floor plan of a loft. SOME HIGHLIGHTS - Entirely custom-built bar with custom mirrored backsplash templated specifically for this project - Large, oversized island with seating all around, open shelving, and built-in microwave - Subway backsplash tiles in clay rather than porcelain or marble - Olympian white marble countertops Considering a kitchen loft renovation in New York? Our expertise is in renovating all kinds of New York Spaces, from gut renovations of historic landmark buildings like brownstones and townhomes to kitchens and bathrooms in lofts and other apartments in managed buildings. Contact us to find out if our full-scale design-and-build approach is right for your project.

Minimalist bathroom photo in Vancouver

Corbin Henry
Example of a tuscan family room design in Sacramento

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.