Our client said of her new kitchen, "It transforms the way our family lives." Her children used to spend their time in the basement rec room where she rarely saw them, but now, with the island in the expanded kitchen, she has more together time with them and is thrilled. Custom built light oak cabinets, Jerusalem gold limestone subway tile backsplash, a honeycomb of honey onyx marble tiles behind the range hood, and jupiter crystal granite countertops create a warm visual language that evokes the homeowners' favorite travels. Counter-height red leather and mahogany bar stools surround a glass top pedestal table which integrates with the kitchen's custom center island. For this project, WKD was asked to design a new kitchen in a Boston suburb with custom kitchen cabinets along with new cabinets in the adjacent family room, creating more of a kitchen lounge. They were also asked to find space for a much needed walk-in pantry, reconfigure a home office and create a mudroom. By moving walls and reorienting doors, spaces were reconfigured to provide more storage and a more welcoming atmosphere. The custom painted floor creates a happy balance with all the wood tones in the room. Photos by Michael Lee

Like most of our projects, we can't gush about this reno—a new kitchen and mudroom, ensuite closet and pantry—without gushing about the people who live there. The best projects, we always say, are the ones in which client, contractor and design team are all present throughout, conception to completion, each bringing their particular expertise to the table and forming a cohesive, trustworthy team that is mutually invested in a smooth and successful process. They listen to each other, give the benefit of the doubt to each other, do what they say they'll do. This project exemplified that kind of team, and it shows in the results. Most obvious is the opening up of the kitchen to the dining room, decompartmentalizing somewhat a century-old bungalow that was originally quite purposefully compartmentalized. As a result, the kitchen had to become a place one wanted to see clear through from the front door. Inset cabinets and carefully selected details make the functional heart of the house equal in elegance to the more "public" gathering spaces, with their craftsman depth and detail. An old back porch was converted to interior space, creating a mudroom and a much-needed ensuite walk-in closet. A new, larger deck went on: Phase One of an extensive design for outdoor living, that we all hope will be realized over the next few years. Finally, a duplicative back stairwell was repurposed into a walk-in pantry. Modernizing often means opening spaces up for more casual living and entertaining, and/or making better use of dead space. In this re-conceptualized old house, we did all of that, creating a back-of-the-house that is now bright and cheerful and new, while carefully incorporating meaningful vintage and personal elements. The best result of all: the clients are thrilled. And everyone who went in to the project came out of it friends. Contractor: Stumpner Building Services Cabinetry: Stoll’s Woodworking Photographer: Gina Rogers

Inspiration for a rustic master beige tile beige floor bathroom remodel in Other with beige walls, a vessel sink, a hinged shower door and gray countertops

Transitional l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Other with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, white backsplash, colored appliances, an island and beige countertops

With a recently updated kitchen, these clients had big plans in mind on how to connect their interior living space to the exterior. They wanted a seamless transition that was low maintenance, stylish and large enough to host a party. They got all of that and more! The tiered PVC deck designed to look like exotic wood is flanked with built-in containers, modern cable railings, raised garden beds and a bluestone walkway for driveway access. The clients are thrilled with the new space and how well it integrates with their home.

Bathroom - farmhouse gray floor bathroom idea in San Francisco with dark wood cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, gray countertops and recessed-panel cabinets

Photo by Krista Cox Studio
Transitional medium tone wood floor, brown floor, exposed beam and vaulted ceiling living room photo in Charlotte with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Photo by Michael Hospelt
Inspiration for a contemporary beige one-story mixed siding flat roof remodel in San Francisco

Example of a transitional living room design in Los Angeles with white walls and a standard fireplace

Contractor: Joseph McKinstry Construction; Interior Design: Jan Holbrook; Photo: Benjamin Benschneider
Example of a trendy beige tile and limestone tile drop-in bathtub design in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, beige walls and an undermount sink

Example of a cottage white two-story board and batten exterior home design in Boise with a shingle roof and a gray roof

I was thrilled to be selected as one of 10 designers around the country to design a bathroom space for Speakman faucets. Dave Kessler of Native Structures in Providence, RI was the amazing contractor. www.speakman.com www.nativestructures.com

We always say that a powder room is the “gift” you give to the guests in your home; a special detail here and there, a touch of color added, and the space becomes a delight! This custom beauty, completed in January 2020, was carefully crafted through many construction drawings and meetings. We intentionally created a shallower depth along both sides of the sink area in order to accommodate the location of the door openings. (The right side of the image leads to the foyer, while the left leads to a closet water closet room.) We even had the casing/trim applied after the countertop was installed in order to bring the marble in one piece! Setting the height of the wall faucet and wall outlet for the exposed P-Trap meant careful calculation and precise templating along the way, with plenty of interior construction drawings. But for such detail, it was well worth it. From the book-matched miter on our black and white marble, to the wall mounted faucet in matte black, each design element is chosen to play off of the stacked metallic wall tile and scones. Our homeowners were thrilled with the results, and we think their guests are too!

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

Natalia Robert
Inspiration for a mediterranean light wood floor kitchen remodel in San Diego with raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, beige backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

We came into this master suite remodel with much of the demolition already completed by the homeowners. They were in a little over their head and wanted a little help. We're thrilled at their new "grown up" master suite! Joshua Seaman Photography

This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.

Dustin Peck Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless guest carpeted bedroom remodel in Charlotte with brown walls

Entering this downtown Denver loft, three layered cowhide rugs create a perfectly organic shape and set the foundation for two cognac leather arm chairs. A 13' panel of Silver Eucalyptus (EKD) supports a commissioned painting ("Smoke") Bottom line, it’s a pretty amazing first impression! Without showing you the before photos of this condo, it’s hard to imagine the transformation that took place in just 6 short months. The client wanted a hip, modern vibe to her new home and reached out to San Diego Interior Designer, Rebecca Robeson. Rebecca had a vision for what could be. Rebecca created a 3D model to convey the possibilities… and they were off to the races. The design races that is. Rebecca’s 3D model captured the heart of her new client and the project took off. With only 6 short months to completely gut and transform the space, it was essential Robeson Design connect with the right people in Denver. Rebecca searched HOUZZ for Denver General Contractors. Ryan Coats of Earthwood Custom Remodeling lead a team of highly qualified sub-contractors throughout the project and over the finish line. The project was completed on time and the homeowner is thrilled... Rocky Mountain Hardware Exquisite Kitchen Design Rugs - Aja Rugs, LaJolla Painting – Liz Jardain Photos by Ryan Garvin Photography