This recent renovation project began with a desire to open up the kitchen to the family room. Today everyone seems to want the big island to live and entertain around, right? I always recommend taking your time during the planning phase—6 weeks at least! Kitchens and bathrooms are highly functional areas, so you want to give yourself time to think thoughts like, “where am I going to put all my plastic cups?” I ask my clients lots of questions during this phase to help them design a kitchen that truly has a place for everything. Appliances and plumbing are part of this phase as well. Once the cabinet design was finalized, the demo began! Because that troublesome wall was load bearing, so the GC, Miland Home Construction, had to install a beam to support the second floor. But once that was done, boy we had a lot of space to work with! Picking your countertops is a little like picking an ice cream flavor: you really want to see all your options! Not only is function important here, but your counter material is really a major element of the kitchen, so pick one you love! This client fell in love with Taj Mahal Quartzite. The backsplash was the next layer of fun. Now the mood of the kitchen becomes clear. Will it be elegant? Homey? Rustic? Picking the lighting then becomes like the fine tuner on a microscope, adjusting the view to its perfect clarity. With construction underway, and the mood of the new space established, soft furnishings become the focus. Layering in luxurious, yet durable fabrics are the name of the game for most families. We all want beautiful spaces that can stand up to spouses, kids, and pets! It’s always a lot fun to select a deep and comfy sofa and chairs! The finishing touches are what really give the project that designer look—so be sure to save room in the budget for art, window treatments, and accessories. In this home I wallpapered the wall behind the tv with a subtle grasscloth, selected a large abstract to center the room, and echoed its colors throughout the accessories. The result is eye-pleasing indeed: soft, textured, interesting and peaceful. This busy family was thrilled with the results.

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.

The original kitchen in this stunning home was L-shaped and had a small island and peninsula seating. We expanded the kitchen by enclosing an existing screen porch and adding a new porch to the rear of the house with breathtaking lake views. Large picture windows replaced existing double hung windows for open views and unencumbered sight lines. The kitchen was relocated and expanded with a new and improved layout featuring an oversized island with ample seating and a warm wood countertop. The Thermador range takes center stage between the large picture windows and has a boxed hood with vent. Cabinet panels were added to the built-in refrigerator for a clean and sophisticated look. The white cabinets and marble look quartz are balanced by the warm wood floors and stained countertops. Lantern style pendant lights and strategically placed can lights add to the warmth and brightness of this spectacularly renovated kitchen. A keeping room was added where the kitchen used to be. A cozy fireplace and reworked windows provide a relaxing space for entertaining. A built-in bar and beverage station was designed for this casual, yet elegant space. A sliding barn door leads to a large walk-through pantry. The new kitchen placement allowed us to provide a connection to the existing living room with an oversized cased opening. The spaces are now perfectly aligned for daily living and entertaining. The client is thrilled with the design and is in awe of the results. Kustom Home Design provided the perfect solution for this luxury kitchen renovation.

This well-loved home belonging to a family of seven was overdue for some more room. Renovations by the team at Advance Design Studio entailed both a lower and upper level addition to original home. Included in the project was a much larger kitchen, eating area, family room and mud room with a renovated powder room on the first floor. The new upper level included a new master suite with his and hers closets, a new master bath, outdoor balcony patio space, and a renovation to the only other full bath on in that part of the house. Having five children formerly meant that when everyone was seated at the large kitchen table, they couldn’t open the refrigerator door! So naturally the main focus was on the kitchen, with a desire to create a gathering place where the whole family could hang out easily with room to spare. The homeowner had a love of all things Irish, and careful details in the crown molding, hardware and tile backsplash were a reflection. Rich cherry cabinetry and green granite counter tops complete a traditional look so as to fit right in with the elegant old molding and door profiles in this fine old home. The second focus for these parents was a master suite and bathroom of their own! After years of sharing, this was an important feature in the new space. This simple yet efficient bath space needed to accommodate a long wall of windows to work with the exterior design. A generous shower enclosure with a comfortable bench seat is open visually to the his and hers vanity areas, and a spacious tub. The makeup table enjoys lots of natural light spilling through large windows and an exit door to the adult’s only exclusive coffee retreat on the rooftop adjacent. Added square footage to the footprint of the house allowed for a spacious family room and much needed breakfast area. The dining room pass through was accentuated by a period appropriate transom detail encasing custom designed carved glass detailing that appears as if it’s been there all along. Reclaimed painted tin panels were added to the dining room ceiling amongst elegant crown molding for unique and dramatic dining room flair. An efficient dry bar area was tucked neatly between the great room spaces, offering an excellent entertainment area to circulating guests and family at any time. This large family now enjoys regular Sunday breakfasts and dinners in a space that they all love to hang out in. The client reports that they spend more time as a family now than they did before because their house is more accommodating to them all. That’s quite a feat anyone with teenagers can relate to! Advance Design was thrilled to work on this project and bring this family the home they had been dreaming about for many, many years. Photographer: Joe Nowak

Gorgeous primary bathroom we built for our clients in Kirkland, WA. Such an incredible design by Heidi Caillier. The shower is a dream. With two shower heads, a shower wand, a custom soap niche and marble bench, it is marble from floor to ceiling - the ceiling is also covered in marble! The star and hexagon mosaic floor tile adds a really nice pop to the subtle blues and greens of this gorgeous bathroom. We are so thrilled with how this turned out!

After we dug out the few existing plants and reworked the soil, and repurposed the buried bricks we'd found, THIS was the end result, after only a few months from planting. (Yet to bloom are the dwarf NE Asters) Homeowners were thrilled with all the butterfly and pollinator activity!

An absolute knockout! We are thrilled to present this recently completed kitchen coordinated with Ferrara Construction. This expansive kitchen features some fantastic elements that will be sure to wow. This space features our signature two-tone style as well as commercial style appliances from Sub-Zero and Wolf that will entice any home chef! The grey and white color combo will remain timeless and set their home apart from the others in the community. We are hopeful you will love this one as much as we do! Cabinetry - R.D. Henry & Company Base/Talls - Style: Naples 2 3/4 - Color: Harbor Grey with Brush Black Glaze Uppers - Style: Naples 2 3/4 - Color: White Paint Countertops - Cambria - Color: Ella Hardware - Atlas Homewares - Style: 303BRN/304BRN Lighting/Power Strips - Task Lighting Corporation Mullion Doors - Art For Everyday Inc.™

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.

Hom, Inc. has the honor of participating in some of the coolest personal residence projects. This project in particular is a perfect fit for us and we are thrilled to be a part of it. Designed by Mark Spangler, Architect, this home is intended to look like an old farm house that was added on to over the years. Construction details, materials and other considerations are all carefully chosen to reflect the era when family farms were a staple and quality was the norm. With a perfect setting near the James River and tucked in behind the Goochland Courthouse on a family farm, this home will be a hidden gem of fantastic architecture and quality construction.

We were thrilled to transform a Pikesville couple's dated, orange-painted, developer-grade master bathroom into an ultra-luxe European style enclave accented with rich, warm wood tones in the floor, hardware and furniture accessories and romantic painted wood vanities. The expansive shower with its black hexagon floor and recess nook, white subway shower wall, and black threshold surface tiles over white subway surround enclosed in clear glass featuring an unobtrusive sliding door is a stunning focal point. A contemporary waterfall chandelier combines with the Palladium window to pour light into this new bathroom oasis. A sleek skirted concealed tank toilet and shape-matching all white pedestal soaking tub add an eclectic modern aesthetic feel.

Austin was thrilled to work with this Northwest Austin homeowner to design and build a spectacular outdoor living space, a combination screened room, patio and deck with an outdoor kitchen. One of the things that is so special about this project is its unique patio with a hot tub and a dramatic fire wall. Read more about this amazing project at https://austinporchandpatio.com/2017/06/10/challenge-us-archadeck-of-austin-designs-a-permeable-patio-to-complete-the-perfect-combination-outdoor-space/. Photos courtesy Archadeck of Austin.

Luxurious is the best way to describe this stunning Vienna master bathroom remodel. From the gorgeous standalone soaking tub, to the beautifully tiled shower (with rainfall showerhead!), to the contrasting quartz countertops atop the dark brown vanity cabinets, it checks all the boxes as a space that anyone would be thrilled to have in their home and at their disposal.

The Design Team at The Elements is thrilled to partner with Mark Kiester and Unique Homes to present Home 1 for the Home Show Expo 2017 in The Estates on the Ridge development at Echo Valley in Norwalk. The home’s Arts and Crafts exterior belies an interior rich with a sophisticated mix of styles and textures. The warm finishes make this home instantly comfortable, and the fine craftsmanship mean many years of worry-free enjoyment in this incredible home. Photo by Mary Rose Timko, The Elements at Prairie Trail

The goal here was to achieve an overall new look; a sleeker transitional style kitchen remodel with a better flow throughout the kitchen and dining room. Adding more lighting, interior storage, a desk area and custom seating area with built-in wine cubby and glass cabinetry to showcase wine glasses were on the top of this clients’ list. Replacing the existing vinyl floor with new hardwood flooring was a good choice to combine both rooms and also to provide a warm and spacious feel to an otherwise narrow space. The homeowners came across a dark marble countertop in a trade magazine but were concerned about the maintenance necessary to care for scratches and stains. We recommended Silestone’s ‘Doradus’, a new Quartz color which looks and feels like real marble, without the fuss of sealing the countertop every 6 months. The double-equal stainless steel sink with grids were stunning in contrast to the darker quartz material and the Jado single-handled stainless steel faucet was exactly the look and quality the client wanted. Along with new Electrolux stainless steel appliances, we provided custom ‘linen white’ inset cabinetry to accommodate a pantry cabinet with pull out trays, a pull-out trash receptacle, deep drawers including a bread drawer, a Lazy Susan, and a few mullion doors with glass to showcase some colorful dishware. LED dimmable lighting was furnished and installed over all countertop work areas, casting a beautiful rich glow on the linen white porcelain subway tile as well as onto the countertop below. Recessed LED dimmable Lighting was also installed on the ceiling to ensure plenty of lighting whenever needed. Our clients are thrilled with their new kitchen as it provides a much better flow as well as an appealing sleeker ‘linen white’ classic look compared to the darker wood-toned outdated kitchen they once had.

t I am thrilled how our Round Mountain project turned out! I'm not sure if the color of the cabinets or the custom pendant lights are my favorite elements. We used an engineered luxury vinyl wood plank floor that is waterproof! Scroll to see the before pictures and 3D rendering the transformation was such a fun journey! What type of accessories do you have on your island?

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 couple wanted to remodel their kitchen to brighten the space and add additional cabinetry for improved storage. They loved the idea of new white cabinetry and selected a stunning granite countertop in the color Caroline Summer to complement their existing tile flooring. The selections paired beautifully with the flooring, creating a fresh and cohesive look. For a personal touch, they chose to complete the backsplash themselves, installing an off-white subway tile that ties everything together. They are thrilled with their newly completed kitchen and the transformation it brings to their home.

James Latta Photography - As an interior designer, I liked my home but was not "in love" with it. I didn't feel in sync with the style and architecture despite compliments from friends and family. It was time for a change. I sold my Floating Home (see Sleepless in Portland: Houseboat Diary) and my La Quinta home (see Transitional Living, La Quinta) and downsized to a house that's a better fit. The home was lacking sufficient storage so I added a beverage center with storage cabinets and a butcher block countertop to the dining room. An Ikea table frame was powder coated in dark grey and fitted with a Cambria Quartz dining top. A matching quartz piece was added to create a kitchen bar seating area and includes a beautiful waterfall edge. Reclaimed wood square tiles were added to the kitchen pop up ceiling and the living room fireplace to add warmth and texture. Black and white photography of the local desert landscape frame the fireplace. Although the home is mainly grey, black and white, pops of red are a recurring theme thought the interior and exterior, including a red barn door at the kitchen pantry. I broke design rules and didnt take the "safe" route. Quirky accent items can be found throughout the home. These include a wall-mounted family accordion, framed movie quotes in one of the guest rooms, a custom canvas photo of my miniature schnauzer, and dragon print accent pillows throughout. A Tongue and Groove (T&G) wood ceiling transformed the master bedroom and a beautiful red area rug adds color and warmth. The result is DARING and yet comfortable. The backyard was completely renovated. Tons of white rock were removed and beautiful landscaping and lighting were added as well as an additional 500 square feet of pavers. A sun shade, red umbrellas, and patio misters create inviting seating areas for friends and family. Tongue and Groove wood was also added to the outdoor patio ceilings. A high end surround sound system and built in BBQ with patterned cement tiles complete this outdoor living space. The process was exhausting and time consuming but now that it is over, I am thrilled with the results. I now live in a home that nourishes my soul and better represents my style and tastes.

This transitional kitchen brings in clean lines, simple cabinets, warm earth tones accents, and lots of function. This kitchen has a small footprint and had very little storage space. Our clients wanted to add more space, somehow, get the most storage possible, make it feel bright and open, have a desk area, and somewhere that could function as a coffee area. By taking out the doorway into the dining room, we were able to extend the cabinetry into the dining room, giving them their desk area as well as storage and a nice area for guests! A custom appliance garage was made that allows you to have all the necessities right at your hands and gives you the ability to close it up and hide all of the appliances. Trash, spice, tray, and drawer pull outs were added for function, as well as 2 lazy susans, wine storage, and deep drawers for pots and pans. The homeowner fell in love with the matte white GE Cafe appliances with the brushed bronze accents, and quite frankly, so did we! Once we found those, we knew we wanted to incorporate that metal throughout the kitchen. New hardwood flooring was installed in the kitchen and finished to match the existing wood in the dining room. We brought the warmth up to eye level with open shelving stained to match. We love creating with our clients, and this kitchen was no exception! We are thrilled with how everything came together.