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.

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

Neptune's Water Gardens is the premier water feature design and installation company in the #Omaha Metro area. Our naturally balanced, low-maintenance ecosystem ponds work with Mother Nature, not against her. We pride ourselves in creating water features that appear to have always existed in their surrounding landscape. Whether you choose an ecosystem #pond, decorative #fountainscape, #Pondless® #Waterfall or the new #RainXchange™ System that pairs a rainwater harvesting system with a #decorative water feature – you'll be thrilled with the sight and sound that water brings to your #landscape. From #trees to #shrubs; #patios to retaining walls, the experienced #designers and #craftsman at #Neptune's Water Gardens will be able to bring all of your #outdoor living ideas to reality . For more information and inspiration visit our website http://www.omahaponds.com . Serving the Omaha Metro Area and Eastern #Nebraska and Western #Iowa . Services include pond help, pond cleaning and repair, pond and water feature maintenance, boulder bubblers and fountains, water garden and koi pond design and installation, pondless and disappearing waterfall design and installation, landscape design installation and maintenance, Stone and paver patios and retaining walls . #neptuneswatergardens #ncn #cac #aquascape #pondstars

Cooktop--Pitt Cooking. Oven Bosch; refrigerator SubZero; countertops by Caesarstone in Organic White. Bar stools by CB2. Photography by Neil Landino

Hoping to make better use of their large backyard, these homeowners contacted us for the wooden retreat of their dreams! With an outdoor swim spa, custom outdoor structure, and two fire pits, this luxury landscape provides the perfect "getaway." Features that are unique to this property include a gorgeous palm tree, a crusher cone fire pit, and a custom-designed covered structure. The dog run was also added in such a place to be accessible from the enlarged deck, allowing for easy canine access. Our clients are thrilled with their new backyard space! With it checking off each item on their list, they can now enjoy their outdoor entertaining space for years to come!

Our client asked us to remodel the Master Bathroom of her 1970's lake home which was quite an honor since it was an important and personal space that she had been dreaming about for years. As a busy doctor and mother of two, she needed a sanctuary to relax and unwind. She and her husband had previously remodeled their entire house except for the Master Bath which was dark, tight and tired. She wanted a better layout to create a bright, clean, modern space with Calacatta gold marble, navy blue glass tile and cabinets and a sprinkle of gold hardware. The results were stunning... a fresh, clean, modern, bright and beautiful Master Bathroom that our client was thrilled to enjoy for years to come.

DESIGN BUILD REMODEL | Ballet / Photography Studio Transformation | FOUR POINT DESIGN BUILD INC. This completely transformed 3,500+ sf family dream home sits atop the gorgeous hills of Calabasas, CA and celebrates the strategic and eclectic merging of contemporary and mid-century modern styles with the earthy touches of a world traveler! To see more of this fantastic transformation, watch for the launch of our NEW website and blog THE FOUR POINT REPORT, where we celebrate this and other incredible design build journey! Launching September 2016. AS SEEN IN Better Homes and Gardens | BEFORE & AFTER |10 page feature and COVER | Spring 2016 Photography by Riley Jamison #ballet #photography #remodel #LAinteriordesigner #builder #dreamproject #oneinamillion

Huge re-model including taking ceiling from a flat ceiling to a complete transformation. Bamboo custom cabinetry was given a grey stain, mixed with walnut strip on the bar and the island given a different stain. Huge amounts of storage from deep pan corner drawers, roll out trash, coffee station, built in refrigerator, wine and alcohol storage, appliance garage, pantry and appliance storage, the amounts go on and on. Floating shelves with a back that just grabs the eye takes this kitchen to another level. The clients are thrilled with this huge difference from their original space.

Mid-sized trendy u-shaped porcelain tile and white floor kitchen photo in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

This master bathroom renovation transforms a builder-grade standard into a personalized retreat for our lovely Stapleton clients. Recognizing a need for change, our clients called on us to help develop a space that would capture their aesthetic loves and foster relaxation. Our design focused on establishing an airy and grounded feel by pairing various shades of white, natural wood, and dynamic textures. We replaced the existing ceramic floor tile with wood-look porcelain tile for a warm and inviting look throughout the space. We then paired this with a reclaimed apothecary vanity from Restoration Hardware. This vanity is coupled with a bright Caesarstone countertop and warm bronze faucets from Delta to create a strikingly handsome balance. The vanity mirrors are custom-sized and trimmed with a coordinating bronze frame. Elegant wall sconces dance between the dark vanity mirrors and bright white full height mirrors flanking the bathtub. The tub itself is an oversized freestanding bathtub paired with a tall bronze tub filler. We've created a feature wall with Tile Bar's Billowy Clouds ceramic tile floor to ceiling behind the tub. The wave-like movement of the tiles offers a dramatic texture in a pure white field. We removed the existing shower and extended its depth to create a large new shower. The walls are tiled with a large format high gloss white tile. The shower floor is tiled with marble circles in varying sizes that offer a playful aesthetic in an otherwise minimalist space. We love this pure, airy retreat and are thrilled that our clients get to enjoy it for many years to come!

Pearl Remodeling / Media carrot Before and after pool and pool deck remodeling
Minimalist pool photo in Los Angeles

Our client spent many years traveling and was never home to enjoy her love for cooking. She gave up the road and want to design her "Idna Gaten's Kitchen! With the help of our 3D design tool our client was happy with our design and thrilled with the results! She did a great job choosing her materials and her friends and family was shocked with her new kitchen. Photo by: Joe Dellanno

The owners of this outdated 1960’s kitchen were ready for a change and sought out Renovisions after seeing one of their eye-catching ads in South Shore Living Magazine. It was time to start fresh with a cleaner and brighter look with more functional storage. The professionals at Renovisions worked as a team to accommodate their wishes while being mindful of their existing traditional styled furnishings. Keeping a similar layout, the old cabinets, flooring, countertops, door, window and appliances were removed as well as the wall between the kitchen and dining room to accommodate additional cabinets while creating an L for more useful countertop space. Replacing the worn stained wooden door and double hung window with a new prairie-style window and breezeway door in white finish was the first order of business. By replacing the tired vinyl floor with new oak wood floors the space became warm & inviting. The beautiful new white painted shaker-style cabinets look fabulous with the natural ivory-tan blend granite countertops and sleek stainless steel appliances. Simple, yet elegant white subway tiles provide a serene and open feel to the space. Creating a small niche area behind the slide-in range was also at the top of our clients list to accommodate the spices they use daily, turning an ordinary look to extraordinary. Pesto change-o, as if by magic Renovisions transformed this dated tight-fit kitchen into a warm and inviting better functioning space that is definitely pleasing to the eyes of these homeowners who are thrilled with the end result and grateful for the high quality work along with the professional manner in which their project was completed. “Thanks to you, Ed, Mike, and Liz for all your hard work. The kitchen is beautiful and I love the backsplash! The whole room looks beautiful, I'm so glad that we went with the white subway tiles in the end. They're light and clean and really pretty. Thanks for everything, Cathy. Your team has done a wonderful job! We appreciate all your help and hard work.” - Bea R. (Hanson)

This mid-century custom home had always intrigued me, so I was thrilled when asked by the homeowners to help to renovate their kitchen, master bath as well as three other bathrooms. Having a true sense of the home's essence and history, they were not afraid to use exotic and precious finishes to highlight its uniqueness. All doorknob sets and faucet sets are by Sherle Wagner and carefully selected by the homeowners to be unique to each space.

Nestled in the Pocono mountains, the house had been on the market for a while, and no one had any interest in it. Then along comes our lovely client, who was ready to put roots down here, leaving Philadelphia, to live closer to her daughter. She had a vision of how to make this older small ranch home, work for her. This included images of baking in a beautiful kitchen, lounging in a calming bedroom, and hosting family and friends, toasting to life and traveling! We took that vision, and working closely with our contractors, carpenters, and product specialists, spent 8 months giving this home new life. This included renovating the entire interior, adding an addition for a new spacious master suite, and making improvements to the exterior. It is now, not only updated and more functional; it is filled with a vibrant mix of country traditional style. We are excited for this new chapter in our client’s life, the memories she will make here, and are thrilled to have been a part of this ranch house Cinderella transformation.

Inspiration for a craftsman home office remodel in DC Metro

Our client who we created this zen-like theater for was on a strict budget, but still wanted a space to enjoy a theater experience in a small group setting. We turned an unfinished space into a gorgeous, complete theater, included art and accessories, and did not have to sacrifice quality! Wise decisions when we designed the project - including creating detailed columns with drywall and moldings, selecting stylish light fixtures and substituting built-in cabinets with a one of a kind chest - led to us coming in right at our client's budget. Needless to say, our client was thrilled!

This was originally a 5' x 8' bathroom that we expanded to nearly 7 x 10'. This allowed us to give them a 5' walk in shower and an 80" vanity. The tile beautifully accents the room and my clients are thrilled with the results!

This amazing home features a backyard patio and pool area with a spectacular custom pool with many features including island which feature sitting areas and fire pit a spa as well as incredible slide which goes into the swimming pool. The pool measures roughly 2300 square feet, and has a deep end of 10'0". The spa is raised and has 12 therapy heads. There is LED colored lighting throughout the project. There is a 300 square foot zero depth beach entry into the pool with agitator jets to keep the water moving. There is also a sunshelf within the pool. The lazy river wraps around the sunken island, and the current in the lazy river is propelled by a commercial waterpark quality pumping system. The sunken island has lighting, a fire pit, and a bridge connecting it to the decking area. There is an infinity edge on one edge of the pool. The pool also has an in-floor cleaning system to keep it clean and sanitary. The swimming pool also has the ability to change colors at night utilizing the amazing LED lighting system. The pool and spa exposed aggregate finish is French Gray color. The slide that cascades down the grotto is custom built. The waterfall grotto also provide a thrilling jump off point into the deepest part of the pool. This amazing backyard was designed and built for a home in Bull Valley Illinois.