Located in the idyllic town of Darien, Connecticut, this rustic barn-style home is outfitted with a luxury Kalamazoo outdoor kitchen. Compact in size, the outdoor kitchen is ideal for entertaining family and friends. The Kalamazoo Hybrid Fire Built-in Grill features three seriously powerful gas burners totaling 82,500 BTUs and a generous 726 square inches of primary grilling surface. The Hybrid Grill is not only the “best gas grill” there is – it also cooks with wood and charcoal. This means any grilling technique is at the homeowner’s disposal – from searing and indirect grilling, to rotisserie roasting over a live wood fire. This all stainless-steel grill is hand-crafted in the U.S.A. to the highest quality standards so that it can withstand even the harshest east coast winters. A Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet Built-in Cooktop Cabinet flanks the grill and expands the kitchens cooking capabilities, offering two gas burners. Stainless steel outdoor cabinetry was incorporated into the outdoor kitchen design for ample storage. All Kalamazoo cabinetry is weather-tight, meaning dishes, cooks tools and non-perishable food items can be stored outdoors all year long without moisture or debris seeping in. The outdoor kitchen provides a place from the homeowner’s to grill, entertain and enjoy their picturesque surrounds.

Little did our homeowner know how much his inspiration for his master bathroom renovation might mean to him after the year of Covid 2020. Living in a land-locked state meant a lot of travel to partake in his love of scuba diving throughout the world. When thinking about remodeling his bath, it was only natural for him to want to bring one of his favorite island diving spots home. We were asked to create an elegant bathroom that captured the elements of the Caribbean with some of the colors and textures of the sand and the sea. The pallet fell into place with the sourcing of a natural quartzite slab for the countertop that included aqua and deep navy blues accented by coral and sand colors. Floating vanities in a sandy, bleached wood with an accent of louvered shutter doors give the space an open airy feeling. A sculpted tub with a wave pattern was set atop a bed of pebble stone and beneath a wall of bamboo stone tile. A tub ledge provides access for products. The large format floor and shower tile (24 x 48) we specified brings to mind the trademark creamy white sand-swept swirls of Caribbean beaches. The walk-in curbless shower boasts three shower heads with a rain head, standard shower head, and a handheld wand near the bench toped in natural quartzite. Pebble stone finishes the floor off with an authentic nod to the beaches for the feet.

Cortan planters with a bench top. The removable bench top provides functional sitting. Also, the unit can be used as storage for garden tools and accessories. Durable polystyrene and aluminum bench top construction requires no maintenance. The bench top comes in mocha color with finely sanded texture.

Example of a mid-sized beach style l-shaped light wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen design in Charleston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Whether crafting is a hobby or a full-time occupation, it requires space and organization. Any space in your home can be transformed into a fun and functional craft room – whether it’s a guest room, empty basement, laundry room or small niche. Replete with built-in cabinets and desks, or islands for sewing centers, you’re no longer relegated to whatever empty room is available for your creative crafting space. An ideal outlet to spark your creativity, a well-designed craft room will provide you with access to all of your tools and supplies as well as a place to spread out and work comfortably. Designed to cleverly fit into any unused space, a custom craft room is the perfect place for scrapbooking, sewing, and painting for everyone.

Choosing to abandon uniformity in your kitchen can be a great choice if you're looking to opt out of a monochrome aesthetic. Two-toned kitchen cabinets add visual interest and contrast while drawing focus to different features within the space. Designs utilizing two-toned cabinets have become very popular in recent years and it's not a trend that will be fading out any time soon. Our clients opted for a combination of Earl Grey and Macchiato Classic cabinetry in their two-toned kitchen. The large island with its second faucet, sink, microwave drawer and lower storage is the focal point of the room and a great work surface for food prep and entertaining. A vertical pull out PowerDock was installed into the top of the island for plugging in kitchen tools, phones and laptops. Dolomite Marble subway tile and Brunello quartz countertops brighten up the kitchen and balance out the tone of the cabinets creating a light and airy feel. The addition of contrasting touches such as the Honey Bronze, Flat Black hardware and Champaign Bronze faucets, accessories the room beautifully. The subdued and sophisticated style of this two-toned kitchen is exquisite and shows the various ways that two-tone cabinets can be versatile and appealing. Some of the other areas that were remodeled in this home included the complete overhaul of the existing stair well, a guest bath and laundry area. The guest bath has beautiful vanity cabinets in Celest finish, Monochrome Lotus Deco tile and very reflective Midnight Dots in the shower floor and niche. The combination of all three give a striking white, blue and black design that will inspire and show that you can use pattern and texture in small spaces. A twenty four inch wall mounted shower seat can be lifted and secured when in use and tucked away to allow access out of the shower. A pocket door from the guest bathroom provides a second access point to the hallway with the laundry that has also been revamped with the same style and finish of cabinetry.

Embarking on a garage remodeling project is a transformative endeavor that can significantly enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of the space. By investing in tailored storage solutions such as cabinets, wall-mounted organizers, and overhead racks, one can efficiently declutter the area and create a more organized storage system. Flooring upgrades, such as epoxy coatings or durable tiles, not only improve the garage's appearance but also provide a resilient surface. Adding custom workbenches or tool storage solutions contributes to a more efficient and user-friendly workspace. Additionally, incorporating proper lighting and ventilation ensures a well-lit and comfortable environment. A remodeled garage not only increases property value but also opens up possibilities for alternative uses, such as a home gym, workshop, or hobby space, making it a worthwhile investment for both practicality and lifestyle improvement.

Thanks to international shipping and The Container Store, we transformed a tiny Parisian kitchen into an ooh-la-la organized space! Big on charm but tight on space - the entire apartment is teenie tiny. It's only 600 square feet and three cabinets in the kitchen total. Frequently used cooking tools and spices are at your fingertips now, with elfa shelving above from The Container Store. Maximizing the vertical space and providing storage for items used less frequently.

GARAGE STORAGE TO KEEP YOU ORGANIZED Are you looking to transform the cluttered state of your garage? With modular storage or custom-fit cabinet systems, Garage Living of Texas can help you succeed in getting your garage organized and functional. There are a multitude of color, style, and component design combinations to choose from to fit your exact needs and tastes. All of our cabinet systems are built from high-quality steel to withstand the rigours of your garage. That sturdy construction also comes sleekly designed, enhancing the aesthetic value of your garage. Slatwall panels are ideal for organization and they also provide a finished look for your garage. The cellular foam PVC construction has a durable finish that protects your walls and there are numerous organizers to get your items off the floor and neatly organized on the wall.

Whether crafting is a hobby or a full-time occupation, it requires space and organization. Any space in your home can be transformed into a fun and functional craft room – whether it’s a guest room, empty basement, laundry room or small niche. Replete with built-in cabinets and desks, or islands for sewing centers, you’re no longer relegated to whatever empty room is available for your creative crafting space. An ideal outlet to spark your creativity, a well-designed craft room will provide you with access to all of your tools and supplies as well as a place to spread out and work comfortably. Designed to cleverly fit into any unused space, a custom craft room is the perfect place for scrapbooking, sewing, and painting for everyone.

With views of the private land, this hydrotheraphy tub from Jason provides for a relaxing soak after a hard day. Photo by Chrissy Racho
Inspiration for a large transitional master porcelain tile bathroom remodel in Bridgeport with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, gray walls, shaker cabinets and quartz countertops

Designed By: Sarah Buehlman Marc and Mandy Maister were clients and fans of Cantoni before they purchased this harbor home on Balboa Island. The South African natives originally met designer Sarah Buehlman and Cantoni’s Founder and CEO Michael Wilkov at a storewide sale, and quickly established a relationship as they bought furnishings for their primary residence in Newport Beach. So, when the couple decided to invest in this gorgeous second home, in one of the ritziest enclaves in North America, they sought Sarah’s help in transforming the outdated 1960’s residence into a modern marvel. “It’s now the ultimate beach house,” says Sarah, “and finished in Cantoni from top to bottom—including new custom cabinetry installed throughout.” But let’s back up. This project began when Mandy contacted Sarah in the midst of the remodel process (in December 2010), asking if she could come take a look and help with the overall design. “The plans were being drawn up with an architect, and they opted not to move anything major. Instead, they updated everything—as in the small carpeted staircase that became a gorgeous glass and metal sculpture,” Sarah explains. She took photographs and measurements, and then set to work creating the scaled renderings. “Marc and Mandy were drawn to the One and Only Collection. It features a high-gloss brown and white color scheme which served as inspiration for the project,” says Sarah. Primary pieces in the expansive living area include the Mondrian leather sectional, the Involution sculpture, and a pair of Vladimir Kagan Corkscrew swivel chairs. The Maisters needed a place to house all their electronics but didn’t want a typical entertainment center. The One and Only buffet was actually modified by our skilled shop technicians, in our distribution center, so it could accommodate all the couple’s media equipment. “These artisans are another one of our hidden strengths—in addition to the design tools, inventory and extensive resources we have to get a job done,” adds Sarah. Marc and Mandy also fell in love with the exotic Makassar ebony wood in the Ritz Collection, which Sarah combined in the master bedroom with the Ravenna double chaise to provide an extra place to sit and enjoy the beautiful harbor views. Beyond new furnishings, the Maisters also decided to completely redo their kitchen. And though Marc and Mandy did not have a chance to actually see our kitchen displays, having worked with Sarah over the years, they had immense trust in our commitment to craftsmanship and quality. In fact, they opted for new cabinetry in four bathrooms as well as the laundry room based on our 3D renderings and lacquer samples alone—without ever opening a drawer. “Their trust in my expertise and Cantoni’s reputation were a major deciding factor,” says Sarah. This plush second home, complete with a private boat dock right out back, counts as one of Sarah’s proudest accomplishments. “These long-time clients are great. They love Cantoni and appreciate high quality Italian furnishings in particular. The home is so gorgeous that once you are inside and open the Nano doors, you simply don’t want to leave.” The job took almost two years to complete, but everyone seems quite happy with the results, proving that large or small—and in cases necessitating a quick turnaround or execution of a long-term vision—Cantoni has the resources to come through for all clients.

This cramped 1970s master bathroom was in need of an organized overhaul with modern selections. A custom barn door with mirror on both sides and unique overlay on one side creates a beautiful invitation to this retreat. The particularly designed bathroom floor provides an eye catching iridescent tile strip that is repeated in the shower as the vertical band. Opposite of the new shower fixtures is a tall bump-in with shower shelves where the lowest shelf doubles as a toe ledge for shaving. The new sink vanity cabinets offer optimal organizational areas including a drawer that incorporates a USB plug-in for a charging station and an outlet for all the hair styling tools. Outside this bathroom area is a special dressing area with custom cabinets to incorporate storage and organization for laundry hampers, clothes, jewelry and purses. This beautiful retreat was photographed by Michael Hunter Photography.

This charming Chappaqua renovation prioritizes comfort and tranquility for empty nesters. With a soothing neutral palette and modern aesthetic, each room seamlessly incorporates unique elements, fostering both relaxation and connection within the home. This inviting family room features a sophisticated update. The existing built-ins were painted a striking charcoal black, creating a bold contrast. The bookcase backings utilize a soft gray grasscloth wallpaper, adding textural depth and visual interest. A comfortable custom sofa with a chaise lounge boasts built-in lumbar support for ultimate relaxation. Dual coffee tables provide ample surface space, perfect for gathering. The furnishings rest on a luxurious charcoal rug with a light gray asymmetrical pattern, tying the space together.

De-clutter your shower space! Our tension shower caddy provides a durable, space-efficient storage solution for virtually any shower or bath. Its reinforced aluminum pole with high-compression spring fits securely between your floor and ceiling (extends 6 to 9 feet). Three adjustable wire-frame shelves slide up and down the aluminum pole to hold all your shower essentials. Made from completely corrosion-resistant materials.

Designed By: Sarah Buehlman Marc and Mandy Maister were clients and fans of Cantoni before they purchased this harbor home on Balboa Island. The South African natives originally met designer Sarah Buehlman and Cantoni’s Founder and CEO Michael Wilkov at a storewide sale, and quickly established a relationship as they bought furnishings for their primary residence in Newport Beach. So, when the couple decided to invest in this gorgeous second home, in one of the ritziest enclaves in North America, they sought Sarah’s help in transforming the outdated 1960’s residence into a modern marvel. “It’s now the ultimate beach house,” says Sarah, “and finished in Cantoni from top to bottom—including new custom cabinetry installed throughout.” But let’s back up. This project began when Mandy contacted Sarah in the midst of the remodel process (in December 2010), asking if she could come take a look and help with the overall design. “The plans were being drawn up with an architect, and they opted not to move anything major. Instead, they updated everything—as in the small carpeted staircase that became a gorgeous glass and metal sculpture,” Sarah explains. She took photographs and measurements, and then set to work creating the scaled renderings. “Marc and Mandy were drawn to the One and Only Collection. It features a high-gloss brown and white color scheme which served as inspiration for the project,” says Sarah. Primary pieces in the expansive living area include the Mondrian leather sectional, the Involution sculpture, and a pair of Vladimir Kagan Corkscrew swivel chairs. The Maisters needed a place to house all their electronics but didn’t want a typical entertainment center. The One and Only buffet was actually modified by our skilled shop technicians, in our distribution center, so it could accommodate all the couple’s media equipment. “These artisans are another one of our hidden strengths—in addition to the design tools, inventory and extensive resources we have to get a job done,” adds Sarah. Marc and Mandy also fell in love with the exotic Makassar ebony wood in the Ritz Collection, which Sarah combined in the master bedroom with the Ravenna double chaise to provide an extra place to sit and enjoy the beautiful harbor views. Beyond new furnishings, the Maisters also decided to completely redo their kitchen. And though Marc and Mandy did not have a chance to actually see our kitchen displays, having worked with Sarah over the years, they had immense trust in our commitment to craftsmanship and quality. In fact, they opted for new cabinetry in four bathrooms as well as the laundry room based on our 3D renderings and lacquer samples alone—without ever opening a drawer. “Their trust in my expertise and Cantoni’s reputation were a major deciding factor,” says Sarah. This plush second home, complete with a private boat dock right out back, counts as one of Sarah’s proudest accomplishments. “These long-time clients are great. They love Cantoni and appreciate high quality Italian furnishings in particular. The home is so gorgeous that once you are inside and open the Nano doors, you simply don’t want to leave.” The job took almost two years to complete, but everyone seems quite happy with the results, proving that large or small—and in cases necessitating a quick turnaround or execution of a long-term vision—Cantoni has the resources to come through for all clients.

Welcome to a culinary haven where contemporary sophistication meets practical design in this custom kitchen adorned with soaring 10 ft ceilings. The modern ambiance is immediately apparent, with sleek Shaker-style doors painted in a bold, elegant black, creating a striking contrast against the expansive height of the room. The kitchen is not merely a cooking space; it's a statement of style and functionality. A walk-in butler's pantry offers an abundance of storage and organizational possibilities, ensuring that every culinary tool and ingredient has its designated place. This pantry is seamlessly integrated into the kitchen layout, allowing for easy access to essentials while maintaining a clean, uncluttered appearance. At the heart of the kitchen stands a spacious working island, its sleek black surface providing a chic and durable workspace. This island is designed for efficiency, equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and ample storage, making meal preparation a seamless and enjoyable experience. Adjacent to the working island, a stylish dining island beckons, featuring exquisite waterfall countertops that cascade gracefully to the floor. This design not only adds a touch of luxury but also serves as an inviting space for casual dining and entertaining guests. The smooth, uninterrupted surface of the waterfall countertops enhances the modern aesthetic, while the choice of gold-colored handles and knobs adds a touch of opulence to the overall design. Emphasizing the kitchen's commitment to customization and luxury, the appliances seamlessly blend into the cabinetry. The panel-ready fridge maintains the sleek, uniform appearance of the kitchen, ensuring that the focus remains on the design elements rather than the machinery. Crowning this culinary masterpiece is a custom wood hood, adding a touch of warmth and organic texture to the predominantly modern setting. This thoughtful integration of natural materials creates a harmonious balance between contemporary aesthetics and timeless appeal. In this custom kitchen with its high ceilings, modern Shaker-style doors, black color palette, and opulent gold accents, culinary enthusiasts are invited to elevate their cooking experience in an environment where functionality meets exquisite design.

Built for the Bluff, A Sea Ranch Home is Remade from the Inside Out The house had always been grounded, on an ocean bluff at The Sea Ranch. It sits unencumbered, adjacent to one of the most dramatic stretches of the Sonoma coast with protected commons meadow to the east, uninterrupted Pacific views to the west, and a bluff trail running alongside. What it lacked was the feeling of home, one that could hold up its own against the natural landscape. The owners are entrepreneurs with deep involvement across tech, real estate, and development and they know how things are built. The Sea Ranch house had been in their lives for years, a second residence and a place for family to gather. Built for a different time, it felt more compromising than comfortable. Sitting in a closed off nook, the kitchen fit one cook at a time and turned its back on the rest of the house. The entry was dim and compressed, divided by a structural column that presented itself at exactly the wrong moment. The primary suite was small relative to the view outside it. A large rear bedroom sat behind a lowered ceiling with a bathroom that had never been added. The house was certainly worth the trouble of doing it right. What followed was not one project but four, each with its own design challenge, each addressed over a period of time. Where the House Meets the Ocean The most complex piece of the project, in both structural and spatial terms, was the kitchen expansion. The existing room was a single-person galley squeezed in as an afterthought with no meaningful connection to the dining room, the living space, or the deck outside. To make it useful for a family that cooks and gathers, it needed to grow outward into an existing patio and flow into the rooms around it. A big challenge was the roofline. Several planes at different pitches and angles converged directly where additional volume was needed. A new form had to join that geometry without reading as a correction. The solution found the simplest possible connection between the existing angles, a roofline that from outside the structure, appears entirely original. From the bluff trail where the addition is visible, there is no discernible seam. Inside, the kitchen is now open to the living and dining rooms without interruption. A large sliding glass door connects the space onto the rear deck. The deck itself was expanded and oriented so that the body of the house shields it from the coastal wind which is a common consideration that determines whether outdoor space at The Sea Ranch actually gets used. The result is a room that works for large family gatherings where no one feels cutoff, and one that makes the boundary between being inside and outside easy to ignore. Welcoming Light A structural column stood at the convergence of eight distinct roof planes in the entry. It was load-bearing, but it was also the reason the entry had always felt like a hallway rather than a welcoming arrival. With the structural engineer, a custom steel connector was designed to receive beams from six separate directions, redistributing the load through a single new continuous beam. The column was surgically removed. Three triangular skylights were then cut into the roof above, their shapes drawn from the existing geometry of the planes around them. The entry is now bright and open. The skylights feel native to the structure because they follow the logic already present in the roof. Two Suites, Two Views At opposite ends of the house, the two bedroom suites were each reconfigured, and each found a different way to introduce more of the landscape into the room. An addition to the primary suite extended the structure outward to create a wraparound plan with a loop from the bedroom through bath and closet that had not been possible before. The expansion opened a slot view from the tub and shower toward the ocean. The view is precise and private. The ocean view is present and deliberate. The rear bedroom absorbed an adjacent storage room to transform it into a full second suite with a vaulted ceiling, a large bathroom with a tub, a shower, and a sauna. A private fenced garden courtyard sits just beyond the glass bringing the outdoors inside. The tub was placed so that, looking past the courtyard and through the bedroom beyond, the ocean is visible at the far end. It is a long view and it makes the room feel larger and more settled than its footprint would suggest. Glass on Four Sides, Fire at the Center The main living and gathering room had always been caught between two competing facts: glass on four sides meant exceptional views but at The Sea Ranch, it also meant a cold room. A 360-degree cylindrical fireplace was added at the center on a raised stone base, providing radiant heat in every direction and giving the room a focal point around which a group naturally orients itself, whether that means two people at the end of the day or the whole family after dinner. Owners Who Picked Up the Tools The owner was not a passive client. they came with construction knowledge, specific ideas, and the desire to be an active part of the process, a dynamic that other architects may had found difficult, which Klopf Architecture accepted as an asset. They took it upon themselves to complete some of the work during construction, including the installation of a new radiant heating system beneath the floors. The radiant system added to the older and less-desirable forced-air setup. At The Sea Ranch, that change matters as the house sits close enough to the ocean and moving air competes with the sound of it, where radiant heat does not. Solar panels were added to the roof as part of the new system. Insulation was upgraded throughout the walls, roof, and crawl space. The house that had always had the right setting now holds warmth the way a house on the bluff should. They were also deeply involved in the design and selections throughout, and the finished house reflects both of them in ways that are specific rather than generic. The process took longer and moved through more iterations than a more arms-length relationship might have allowed. The result is more defined and personal because of it. The Landscape Holds Priority Every exterior decision was shaped by The Sea Ranch Design Standards, which require that buildings defer to the landscape around them rather than compete with it. Because this house sits on the bluff and is visible from the public trail, the additions faced a close review. Existing materials were matched. Geometries were resolved. The additions had to become indistinguishable from the original building. From the trail, the house reads exactly as it always has — low, cedar-clad, secondary to the meadow and the water. The setting holds priority. Inside, the house has been remade. Klopf Architecture Project Team: Geoff Campen and Trenton Jewett
Contractor: Shawn Bettega Construction
Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed
Year Completed: 2023
Location: The Sea Ranch, CA

Green Acres Ironworks provides a broad range of metal fabrication services. Our installation crews serve Chicago and Northwest Indiana, and we will ship fabricated products nationwide. We fabricate and install railings, staircases, spiral staircases, steel porches, fences, gates, balconies, light structural fabrication, custom fabricated parts, custom tools, hardware, metal restoration, metal sculpture, decorative items, and yard art. We have the capability of fabricating items in steel, brass, and stainless steel.