2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER This couple lived in their colonial home in Burke, Virginia, for more than 20 years. Now that their children were grown and gone, it was time for them to pay more attention to their home. First on their list was to renovate their master bathroom. Tight and dysfunctional is how they described the existing space. The homeowners always dreamed of having a whirlpool, a large steam shower and a private toilet area. Importantly, they wanted to use the latest products and materials to bring the bathroom into the 21st Century. Starting with exotic granite and porcelain tile from floor to ceiling, the new design does just that. Then, a highly sophisticated steam shower using granite benches, a heavy glass enclosure, chrome faucets and a rain shower head was installed. Modern body spray heads are embedded in the wall tiles. The shower is complemented by a bubble, jetted whirlpool tub with granite surrounds. A modern double vanity with vessel sinks, a granite countertop, high end cabinets and stylish faucets rest along one wall. Custom-built, recessed mirrored medicine cabinets provide storage for necessities. In the end, the homeowners are thrilled with the outcome and never imagined that their old and dark looking small bath could ever be transformed into such beautiful bathroom.

The kitchen features Poggenpohl cabinets in both Light Grey and Titan Grey, Black Galaxy granite around the perimeter and a magnificent slab of Astrick granite on the island. The appliance package includes Sub-Zero refrigerator, freezer and beverage center; Viking gas range, convection ovens and warming drawer; Miele dishwasher and Chang Dorsa range hood. Special care was taken in the design of the appliance garage to allow easy access to the myriad of small devices the homeowner uses on a daily basis. Fully automated, the space even features a state-of-the-art, remote controlled privacy shade. The result is a spectacular kitchen remodel highlighted by clean lines and exquisite finishes. The homeowners, including one avid cook and one enthusiastic taster, are thrilled with both the aesthetic as well as the functionality of their new space. © Bob Narod Photography and BOWA

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!

The goal of this remodel's design began with the homeowners dream to restore her cherished 1908 home to its vintage glory, updating it with Art Deco inspired touches while maintaining its original character and charm. In the kitchen; marble counters, unlacquered brass hardware, vintage mirrors, and a library ladder were used to accomplish the old meets new aesthetic. A custom hood with hand painted gold detail and a Lacanche French range are centerpieces of this timeless black and white kitchen. The show stopping powder room off the kitchen is a bright pop of color featuring Schumacher's Chiang Mai Dragon print wallpaper, vintage swan faucet, and a turquoise Cyan Design chandelier installed on the metallic gold ceiling. We are thrilled to announce that this project was featured in the April 2020 edition of Seattle Magazine. Design By: Jennifer Gardner Design Construction By: Matt Walters Photography By: Mary Hatch

Design Services Provided - Architect was asked to convert this 1950's Split Level Style home into a Traditional Style home with a 2-story height grand entry foyer. The new design includes modern amenities such as a large 'Open Plan' kitchen, a family room, a home office, an oversized garage, spacious bedrooms with large closets, a second floor laundry room and a private master bedroom suite for the owners that includes two walk-in closets and a grand master bathroom with a vaulted ceiling. The Architect presented the new design using Professional 3D Design Software. This approach allowed the Owners to clearly understand the proposed design and secondly, it was beneficial to the Contractors who prepared Preliminary Cost Estimates. The construction duration was nine months and the project was completed in September 2015. The client is thrilled with the end results! We established a wonderful working relationship and a lifetime friendship. I am truly thankful for this opportunity to design this home and work with this client!

Photo of a traditional landscaping in New York.

The owners wanted to not only update their kitchen, but rather enhance the space and create a thing of beauty. We were excited to work with them in their goal. So the space was 'gutted', saving the existing hardwood flooring, which was later refinished. The existing windows and doors were replaced and resized. Note the window seat that was framed and finished with cabinet panels under the kitchen windows. A larger beautiful island was added, which provides additional seating, as well. The existing simple desk area was transformed with a stunning custom buffet. The owners wanted two types of tile back splash. Our skilled craftsman installed the brick pattern back splash near the sink, and the unique design back splash in the cooking area. As you can see, the results are breathtaking, and the owners were thrilled. A new custom Butler Pantry was installed with under cabinet lighting, glass doors, and a unique pattern tile back splash, creating a focal point as they entertain. General Contractor / Remodel: ED Enterprises, Inc. Michael Alan Kaskel Photography

As a new build, we were thrilled to fully design, furnish, and style this home in Delano, Minnesota. Our goal was to meld Scandinavian simplicity and old country charm. These lovely clients live on a peaceful countryside ranch while caring for their horses, sweet dog, and summertime garden, making it crucial that we created a space not only beautiful, but functional. In every project we take on, our focus is to integrate elements tailored to our client's needs. For ScandiCountry, it meant durable materials, well thought out storage, and loads of charming details to make it theirs!

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.

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!

This master suite is the epitome is luxury. The monochromatic color scheme is in a rich taupe wall-to-wall grass cloth wallcovering, hair on hide benches, pewter finishes and embroidered draperies give this space a lustrous glow. The clients asked for a bedroom that's in the class with the best Manhattan hotel and they're absolutely thrilled with their new bedroom. Photo: Jenn Verrier

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.

This project was such an incredible design opportunity, and instilled inspiration and excitement at every turn! Our amazing clients came to us with the challenge of converting their beloved family home into a welcoming haven for all members of the family. At the time that we met our clients, they were struggling with the difficult personal decision of the fate of the home. Their father/father-in-law had passed away and their mother/mother-in-law had recently been admitted into a nursing facility and was fighting Alzheimer’s. Resistant to loss of the home now that both parents were out of it, our clients purchased the home to keep in in the family. Despite their permanent home currently being in New Jersey, these clients dedicated themselves to keeping and revitalizing the house. We were moved by the story and became immediately passionate about bringing this dream to life. The home was built by the parents of our clients and was only ever owned by them, making this a truly special space to the family. Our goal was to revitalize the home and to bring new energy into every room without losing the special characteristics that were original to the home when it was built. In this way, we were able to develop a house that maintains its own unique personality while offering a space of welcoming neutrality for all members of the family to enjoy over time. The renovation touched every part of the home: the exterior, foyer, kitchen, living room, sun room, garage, six bedrooms, three bathrooms, the laundry room, and everything in between. The focus was to develop a style that carried consistently from space to space, but allowed for unique expression in the small details in every room. Starting at the entry, we renovated the front door and entry point to offer more presence and to bring more of the mid-century vibe to the home’s exterior. We integrated a new modern front door, cedar shingle accents, new exterior paint, and gorgeous contemporary house numbers that really allow the home to stand out. Just inside the entry, we renovated the foyer to create a playful entry point worthy of attention. Cement look tile adorns the foyer floor, and we’ve added new lighting and upgraded the entry coat storage. Upon entering the home, one will immediately be captivated by the stunning kitchen just off the entry. We transformed this space in just about every way. While the footprint of the home ultimately remained almost identical, the aesthetics were completely turned on their head. We re-worked the kitchen to maximize storage and to create an informal dining area that is great for casual hosting or morning coffee. We removed the entry to the garage that was once in the informal dining, and created a peninsula in its place that offers a unique division between the kitchen/informal dining and the formal dining and living areas. The simple light warm light gray cabinetry offers a bit of traditional elegance, along with the marble backsplash and quartz countertops. We extended the original wood flooring into the kitchen and stained all floors to match for a warmth that truly resonates through all spaces. We upgraded appliances, added lighting everywhere, and finished the space with some gorgeous mid century furniture pieces. In the formal dining and living room, we really focused on maintaining the original marble fireplace as a focal point. We cleaned the marble, repaired the mortar, and refinished the original fireplace screen to give a new sleek look in black. We then integrated a new gas insert for modern heating and painted the upper portion in a rich navy blue; an accent that is carried through the home consistently as a nod to our client’s love of the color. The former entry into the old covered porch is now an elegant glass door leading to a stunning finished sunroom. This room was completely upgraded as well. We wrapped the entire space in cozy white shiplap to keep a casual feel with brightness. We tiled the floor with large format concrete look tile, and painted the old brick fireplace a bright white. We installed a new gas burning unit, and integrated transitional style lighting to bring warmth and elegance into the space. The new black-frame windows are adorned with decorative shades that feature hand-sketched bird prints, and we’ve created a dedicated garden-ware “nook” for our client who loves to work in the yard. The far end of this space is completed with two oversized chaise loungers and overhead lights…the most perfect little reading nook! Just off the dining room, we created an entirely new space to the home: a mudroom. The clients lacked this space and desperately needed a landing spot upon entering the home from the garage. We uniquely planned existing space in the garage to utilize for this purpose, and were able to create a small but functional entry point without losing the ability to park cars in the garage. This new space features cement-look tile, gorgeous deep brown cabinetry, and plenty of storage for all the small items one might need to store while moving in and out of the home. The remainder of the upstairs level includes massive renovations to the guest hall bathroom and guest bedroom, upstairs master bed/bath suite, and a third bedroom that we converted into a home office for the client. Some of the largest transformations were made in the basement, where unfinished space and lack of light were converted into gloriously lit, cozy, finished spaces. Our first task was to convert the massive basement living room into the new master bedroom for our clients. We removed existing built-ins, created an entirely new walk-in closet, painted the old brick fireplace, installed a new gas unit, added carpet, introduced new lighting, replaced windows, and upgraded every part of the aesthetic appearance. One of the most incredible features of this space is the custom double sliding barn door made by a Denver artisan. This space is truly a retreat for our clients! We also completely transformed the laundry room, back storage room, basement master bathroom, and two bedrooms. This home’s massive scope and ever-evolving challenges were thrilling and exciting to work with, and the result is absolutely amazing. At the end of the day, this home offers a look and feel that the clients love. Above all, though, the clients feel the spirit of their family home and have a welcoming environment for all members of the family to enjoy for years to come.

Inspiration for a timeless exterior home remodel in Nashville

The goal of this remodel's design began with the homeowners dream to restore her cherished 1908 home to its vintage glory, updating it with Art Deco inspired touches while maintaining its original character and charm. In the kitchen; marble counters, unlacquered brass hardware, vintage mirrors, and a library ladder were used to accomplish the old meets new aesthetic. A custom hood with hand painted gold detail and a Lacanche French range are centerpieces of this timeless black and white kitchen. The show stopping powder room off the kitchen is a bright pop of color featuring Schumacher's Chiang Mai Dragon print wallpaper, vintage swan faucet, and a turquoise Cyan Design chandelier installed on the metallic gold ceiling. We are thrilled to announce that this project was featured in the April 2020 edition of Seattle Magazine. Design By: Jennifer Gardner Design Construction By: Matt Walters Photography By: Kristen Houvener

Front porch
This is an example of a coastal porch design in Tampa.

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.

Children’s waiting room interior design project at Princeton University. I was beyond thrilled when contacted by a team of scientists ( psychologists and neurologists ) at Princeton University. This group of professors and graduate students from the Turk-Brown Laboratory are conducting research on the infant’s brain by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (or fMRI), to see how they learn, remember and think. My job was to turn a tiny 7’x10′ windowless study room into an inviting but not too “clinical” waiting room for the mothers or fathers and siblings of the babies being studied. We needed to ensure a comfortable place for parents to rock and feed their babies while waiting their turn to go back to the laboratory, as well as a place to change the babies if needed. We wanted to stock some shelves with good books and while the room looks complete, we’re still sourcing something interactive to mount to the wall to help entertain toddlers who want something more active than reading or building blocks. Since there are no windows, I wanted to bring the outdoors inside. Princeton University‘s colors are orange, gray and black and the history behind those colors is very interesting. It seems there are a lot of squirrels on campus and these colors were selected for the three colors of squirrels often seem scampering around the university grounds. The orange squirrels are now extinct, but the gray and black squirrels are abundant, as I found when touring the campus with my son on installation day. Therefore we wanted to reflect this history in the room and decided to paint silhouettes of squirrels in these three colors throughout the room. While the ceilings are 10′ high in this tiny room, they’re very drab and boring. Given that it’s a drop ceiling, we can’t paint it a fun color as I typically do in my nurseries and kids’ rooms. To distract from the ugly ceiling, I contacted My Custom Creation through their Etsy shop and commissioned them to create a custom butterfly mobile to suspend from the ceiling to create a swath of butterflies moving across the room. Their customer service was impeccable and the end product was exactly what we wanted! The flooring in the space was simply coated concrete so I decided to use Flor carpet tiles to give it warmth and a grass-like appeal. These tiles are super easy to install and can easily be removed without any residual on the floor. I’ll be using them more often for sure! See more photos of our commercial interior design job below and contact us if you need a unique space designed for children. We don’t just design nurseries and bedrooms! We’re game for anything!

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.