Originally built about 1850 in the historic Mohawk Valley of New York State, the Reese Brothers Barn is an unusual example of the transformation that took place in American agriculture during the Industrial Revolution of the mid-nineteenth century. Before this period of time, American farmers grew varied and diverse crops. But with the advent of the Industrial Revolution and its accompanying mass marketing, farmers began to specialize in the crops they raised. The architecture of their barns also became specialized, which led to larger barns like this one, with innovative farming to allow for larger clear spans. The timbers were hewn by hand with the broad axe and adze from massive virgin hemlock trees. They were then joined together using the ancient method of mortise and tenon joinery. Its unique and innovative truss system allowed for forty-foot-long spans under which the Reese brothers could store enormous amounts of loose hay. In 2000 the barn was carefully dismantled and restored at the 10XXX Ranch to its original condition by Joe and Connie Mitchell. It represents one of the finest examples of 19th century American architecture, now preserved for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. Featured on The Wall Street Journal

As part of a complete Colonial home remodel by Cutuli Homes in Redmond, Washington, this custom mudroom and laundry room was designed to combine everyday function with the authentic character found throughout the renovated home. Traditional Colonial-style blue cabinetry and period-inspired hardware provide extensive built-in storage, while the rich wide-plank wood flooring carries the warmth and historic character of the adjoining kitchen into the space. A custom wood countertop surrounds a distinctive galvanized metal utility sink, paired with a vintage-inspired faucet that reinforces the room’s traditional aesthetic. The built-in mudroom bench, wall hooks, open shoe storage and basket shelving create an attractive place for coats, shoes and everyday necessities without sacrificing the home's refined architectural character. Thoughtful details and custom craftsmanship transform what could have been a purely utilitarian space into an integral part of this whole-home Colonial remodel. Remodeling & Construction: Cutuli Homes | Redmond, Washington

As part of a complete Colonial home remodel by Cutuli Homes in Redmond, Washington, this custom mudroom and laundry room was designed to combine everyday function with the authentic character found throughout the renovated home. Traditional Colonial-style blue cabinetry and period-inspired hardware provide extensive built-in storage, while the rich wide-plank wood flooring carries the warmth and historic character of the adjoining kitchen into the space. A custom wood countertop surrounds a distinctive galvanized metal utility sink, paired with a vintage-inspired faucet that reinforces the room’s traditional aesthetic. The built-in mudroom bench, wall hooks, open shoe storage and basket shelving create an attractive place for coats, shoes and everyday necessities without sacrificing the home's refined architectural character. Thoughtful details and custom craftsmanship transform what could have been a purely utilitarian space into an integral part of this whole-home Colonial remodel. Remodeling & Construction: Cutuli Homes | Redmond, Washington

Stuart Wade, Envision Virtual Tours The second-largest and most developed of Georgia's barrier islands, St. Simons is approximately twelve miles long and nearly three miles wide at its widest stretch (roughly the size of Manhattan Island in New York). The island is located in Glynn County on Georgia's coast and lies east of Brunswick (the seat of Glynn County), south of Little St. Simons Island and the Hampton River, and north of Jekyll Island. The resort community of Sea Island is separated from St. Simons on the east by the Black Banks River. Known for its oak tree canopies and historic landmarks, St. Simons is both a tourist destination and, according to the 2010 U.S. census, home to 12,743 residents. Early History The earliest St. Simons Island Village record of human habitation on the island dates to the Late Archaic Period, about 5,000 to 3,000 years ago. Remnants of shell rings left behind by Native Americans from this era survive on many of the barrier islands, including St. Simons. Centuries later, during the period known by historians as the chiefdom era, the Guale Indians established a chiefdom centered on St. Catherines Island and used St. Simons as their hunting and fishing grounds. By 1500 the Guale had established a permanent village of about 200 people on St. Simons, which they called Guadalquini. Beginning in 1568, the Spanish attempted to create missions along the Georgia coast. Catholic missions were the primary means by which Georgia's indigenous Native American chiefdoms were assimilated into the Spanish colonial system along the northern frontier of greater Spanish Florida. In the 1600s St. Simons became home to two Spanish missions: San Buenaventura de Guadalquini, on the southern tip of the island, and Santo Domingo de Asao (or Asajo), on the northern tip. Located on the inland side of the island were the pagan refugee villages of San Simón, the island's namesake, and Ocotonico. In 1684 pirate raids left the missions and villages largely abandoned. Colonial History As Fort Frederica early as 1670, with Great Britain's establishment of the colony of Carolina and its expansion into Georgia territory, Spanish rule was threatened by the English. The Georgia coast was considered "debatable land" by England and Spain, even though Spain had fully retreated from St. Simons by 1702. Thirty-one years later General James Edward Oglethorpe founded the English settlement of Savannah. In 1736 he established Fort Frederica, named after the heir to the British throne, Frederick Louis, prince of Wales, on the west side of St. Simons Island to protect Savannah and the Carolinas from the Spanish threat. Between 1736 and 1749 Fort Frederica was the hub of British military operations along the Georgia frontier. A town of the same name grew up around the fort and was of great importance to the new colony. By 1740 Frederica's population was 1,000. In 1736 the congregation of what would become Christ Church was organized within Fort Frederica as a mission of the Church of England. Charles Wesley led the first services. In 1742 Britain's decisive victory over Spain in the Battle of Bloody Marsh, during the War of Jenkins' Ear, ended the Spanish threat to the Georgia coast. When the British regimen disbanded in 1749, most of the townspeople relocated to the mainland. Fort Frederica went into decline and, except for a short time of prosperity during the 1760s and 1770s under the leadership of merchant James Spalding, never fully recovered. Today the historic citadel's tabby ruins are maintained by the National Park Service. Plantation Era By the start of the American Revolution (1775-83), Fort Frederica was obsolete, and St. Simons was left largely uninhabited as most of its residents joined the patriot army. Besides hosting a small Georgia naval victory on the Fort Frederica River, providing guns from its famous fort for use at Fort Morris in Sunbury, and serving as an arena for pillaging by privateers and British soldiers, the island played almost no role in the war. Following the war, many of the townspeople, their businesses destroyed, turned to agriculture. The island was transformed into fourteen cotton plantations after acres of live oak trees were cleared for farm land and used for building American warships, including the famous USS Constitution, or "Old Ironsides." Although rice was the predominant crop along the neighboring Altamaha River, St. Simons was known for its production of long-staple cotton, which soon came to be known as Sea Island cotton. Between Ebos Landing the 1780s and the outbreak of the Civil War (1861-65), St. Simons's plantation culture flourished. The saline atmosphere and the availability of cheap slave labor proved an ideal combination for the cultivation of Sea Island cotton. In 1803 a group of Ebo slaves who survived the Middle Passage and arrived on the west side of St. Simons staged a rebellion and drowned themselves. The sacred site is known today as Ebos Landing. One of the largest owners of land and slaves on St. Simons was Pierce Butler, master of Hampton Point Plantation, located on the northern end of the island. By 1793 Butler owned more than 500 slaves, who cultivated 800 acres of cotton on St. Simons and 300 acres of rice on Butler's Island in the Altamaha River delta. Butler's grandson, Pierce Mease Butler, who at the age of sixteen inherited a share of his grandfather's estate in 1826, was responsible for the largest sale of human beings in the history of the United States: in 1859, to restore his squandered fortune, he sold 429 slaves in Savannah for more than $300,000. The British actress and writer Fanny Kemble, whose tumultuous marriage to Pierce ended in divorce in 1849, published an eyewitness account of the evils of slavery on St. Simons in her book Journal of a Residence on a Georgian Plantation in 1838-1839 (1863). Another Retreat Plantation large owner of land and slaves on St. Simons was Major William Page, a friend and employee of Pierce Butler Sr. Before purchasing Retreat Plantation on the southwestern tip of the island in 1804, Page managed the Hampton plantation and Butler's Island. Upon Page's death in 1827, Thomas Butler King inherited the land together with his wife, Page's daughter, Anna Matilda Page King. King expanded his father-in-law's planting empire on St. Simons as well as on the mainland, and by 1835 Retreat Plantation alone was home to as many as 355 slaves. The center of life during the island's plantation era was Christ Church, Frederica. Organized in 1807 by a group of island planters, the Episcopal church is the second oldest in the Diocese of Georgia. Embargoes imposed by the War of 1812 (1812-15) prevented the parishioners from building a church structure, so they worshiped in the home of John Beck, which stood on the site of Oglethorpe's only St. Simons residence, Orange Hall. The first Christ Church building, finished on the present site in 1820, was ruined by occupying Union troops during the Civil War. In 1884 the Reverend Anson Dodge Jr. rebuilt the church as a memorial to his first wife, Ellen. The cruciform building with a trussed gothic roof and stained-glass windows remains active today as Christ Church. Civil War and Beyond The St. Simons Island Lighthouse outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 put a sudden end to St. Simons's lucrative plantation era. In January of that year, Confederate troops were stationed at the south end of the island to guard the entrance to Brunswick Harbor. Slaves from Retreat Plantation, owned by Thomas Butler King, built earthworks and batteries. Plantation residents were scattered—the men joined the Confederate army and their families moved to the mainland. Cannon fire was heard on the island in December 1861, and Confederate troops retreated in February 1862, after dynamiting the lighthouse to keep its beacon from aiding Union troops. Soon thereafter, Union troops occupied the island, which was used as a camp for freed slaves. By August 1862 more than 500 former slaves lived on St. Simons, including Susie King Taylor, who organized a school for freed slave children. But in November the ex-slaves were taken to Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Fernandina, Florida, leaving the island abandoned. After the Civil War the island never returned to its status as an agricultural community. The plantations lay dormant because there were no slaves to work the fields. After Union general William T. Sherman's January 1865 Special Field Order No. 15 —a demand that former plantations be divided and distributed to former slaves—was overturned by U.S. president Andrew Johnson less than a year later, freedmen and women were forced to work as sharecroppers on the small farms that dotted the land previously occupied by the sprawling plantations. By St. Simons Lumber Mills 1870 real economic recovery began with the reestablishment of the timber industry. Norman Dodge and Titus G. Meigs of New York set up lumber mill operations at Gascoigne Bluff, formerly Hamilton Plantation. The lumber mills provided welcome employment for both blacks and whites and also provided mail and passenger boats to the mainland. Such water traffic, together with the construction of a new lighthouse in 1872, designed by architect Charles B. Cluskey, marked the beginning of St. Simons's tourism industry. The keeper of the lighthouse created a small amusement park, which drew many visitors, as did the seemingly miraculous light that traveled from the top of the lighthouse tower to the bottom. The island became a summer retreat for families from the mainland, particularly from Baxley, Brunswick, and Waycross. The island's resort industry was thriving by the 1880s. Beachfront structures, such as a new pier and grand hotel, were built on the southeastern end of the island and could be accessed by ferry. Around this time wealthy northerners began vacationing on the island. Twentieth Century The St. Simons Island Pier and Village opening in 1924 of the Brunswick–St. Simons Highway, today known as the Torras Causeway, was a milestone in the development of resorts in the area. St. Simons's beaches were now easily accessible to locals and tourists alike. More than 5,000 automobiles took the short drive from Brunswick to St. Simons via the causeway on its opening day, paving the way for convenient residential and resort development. In 1926 automotive pioneer Howard Coffin of Detroit, Michigan, bought large tracts of land on St. Simons, including the former Retreat Plantation, and constructed a golf course, yacht club, paved roads, and a residential subdivision. Although the causeway had brought large numbers of summer people to the island, St. Simons remained a small community with only a few hundred permanent residents until the 1940s. The St. Simons Island outbreak of World War II (1941-45) brought more visitors and residents to St. Simons. Troops stationed at Jacksonville, Florida; Savannah; and nearby Camp Stewart took weekend vacations on the island, and a new naval air base and radar school became home to even more officers and soldiers. The increased wartime population brought the island its first public school. With a major shipyard for the production of Liberty ships in nearby Brunswick, the waters of St. Simons became active with German U-boats. In April 1942, just off the coast, the Texas Company oil tanker S. S. Oklahoma and the S. S. Esso Baton Rouge were torpedoed by the Germans, bringing the war very close to home for island residents. Due in large part to the military's improvement of the island's infrastructure during the war, development on the island boomed in the 1950s and 1960s. More permanent homes and subdivisions were built, and the island was no longer just a summer resort but also a thriving community. In 1950 the Methodist conference and retreat center Epworth by the Sea opened on Gascoigne Bluff. In 1961 novelist Eugenia Price visited St. Simons and began work on her first works of fiction, known as the St. Simons Trilogy. Inspired by real events on the island, Price's trilogy renewed interest in the history of Georgia's coast, and the novelist herself relocated to the island in 1965 and lived there for thirty-one years. St. Simons is also home to contemporary Georgia writer Tina McElroy Ansa. Since Epworth by the Sea 1980 St. Simons's population has doubled. The island's continued status as a vacation destination and its ongoing development boom have put historic landmarks and natural areas at risk. While such landmarks as the Fort Frederica ruins and the Battle of Bloody Marsh site are preserved and maintained by the National Park Service, and while the historic lighthouse is maintained by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, historic Ebos Landing has been taken over by a sewage treatment plant. Several coastal organizations have formed in recent years to save natural areas on the island. The St. Simons Land Trust, for example, has received donations of large tracts of land and plans to protect property in the island's three traditional African American neighborhoods. Despite its rapid growth and development, St. Simons remains one of the most beautiful and important islands on the Georgia coast.

A luxurious den & media room inside a penthouse lNYC loft. The custom skylight creates an ambiant glow to the space while highlighting an antique Japanese screen from the Edo period. For seating, a long sectional lines two walls to ensure comfortable viewing of the television screen.

Here was the in progress, before we added chairs and a rug. The two story stacked stone fireplace is stunning next to our oatmeal linen sofa & gray cocktail ottoman. The large oval tray is handy for drinks or snacks. The linen fabrics gave this client the light fresh look they requested. The clients were thrilled that we provide furniture that is ready for immediate delivery - to avoid waiting periods. Notice the weathered gray wood frame at the bottom of the sofa! A unique feature that makes the sofa appealing from the back and side views.

Nestled in the front corner of the home, overlooking the front drive and the rose garden, this study library is a cozy academic retreat perfectly suited for the family’s love of books and learning. Originally the dining room, the space was artfully transformed into a study, with new cabinetry crafted to complement the home’s original mahogany millwork for a unifying, historical touch. Custom library built-ins wrap around the room, beautifully detailed with reeded edges and crown molding. A new mahogany window reinforces the period style, while a window seat with a plush velvet cushion provides the perfect nook to curl up with a favorite book, a blanket, and a cup of tea or coffee. The shelf above the window was designed to perfectly accommodate and showcase the family’s set of Harvard Classics. The room is color-drenched in a rich forest green, creating a moody, enveloping atmosphere, while leather club chairs and a family heirloom desk furnish the space with elegance and character. The original servery door, connecting the former dining room to the home’s office, was retained, maintaining a link to the home’s history and layout. This study library is both a functional workspace and a refined retreat—a place for reading, reflection, and quiet moments. Photos by MK Photography

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

The beautiful, old barn on this Topsfield estate was at risk of being demolished. Before approaching Mathew Cummings, the homeowner had met with several architects about the structure, and they had all told her that it needed to be torn down. Thankfully, for the sake of the barn and the owner, Cummings Architects has a long and distinguished history of preserving some of the oldest timber framed homes and barns in the U.S. Once the homeowner realized that the barn was not only salvageable, but could be transformed into a new living space that was as utilitarian as it was stunning, the design ideas began flowing fast. In the end, the design came together in a way that met all the family’s needs with all the warmth and style you’d expect in such a venerable, old building. On the ground level of this 200-year old structure, a garage offers ample room for three cars, including one loaded up with kids and groceries. Just off the garage is the mudroom – a large but quaint space with an exposed wood ceiling, custom-built seat with period detailing, and a powder room. The vanity in the powder room features a vanity that was built using salvaged wood and reclaimed bluestone sourced right on the property. Original, exposed timbers frame an expansive, two-story family room that leads, through classic French doors, to a new deck adjacent to the large, open backyard. On the second floor, salvaged barn doors lead to the master suite which features a bright bedroom and bath as well as a custom walk-in closet with his and hers areas separated by a black walnut island. In the master bath, hand-beaded boards surround a claw-foot tub, the perfect place to relax after a long day. In addition, the newly restored and renovated barn features a mid-level exercise studio and a children’s playroom that connects to the main house. From a derelict relic that was slated for demolition to a warmly inviting and beautifully utilitarian living space, this barn has undergone an almost magical transformation to become a beautiful addition and asset to this stately home.

An Arts & Crafts Bungalow is one of my favorite styles of homes. We have quite a few of them in our Stockton Mid-Town area. And when C&L called us to help them remodel their 1923 American Bungalow, I was beyond thrilled. As per usual, when we get a new inquiry, we quickly Google the project location while we are talking to you on the phone. My excitement escalated when I saw the Google Earth Image of the sweet Sage Green bungalow in Mid-Town Stockton. "Yes, we would be interested in working with you," I said trying to keep my cool. But what made it even better was meeting C&L and touring their home, because they are the nicest young couple, eager to make their home period perfect. Unfortunately, it had been slightly molested by some bad house-flippers, and we needed to bring the bathroom back to it "roots." We knew we had to banish the hideous brown tile and cheap vanity quickly. But C&L complained about the condensation problems and the constant fight with mold. This immediately told me that improper remodeling had occurred and we needed to remedy that right away. The Before: Frustrations with a Botched Remodel The bathroom needed to be brought back to period appropriate design with all the functionality of a modern bathroom. We thought of things like marble countertop, white mosaic floor tiles, white subway tile, board and batten molding, and of course a fabulous wallpaper. This small (and only) bathroom on a tight budget required a little bit of design sleuthing to figure out how we could get the proper look and feel. Our goal was to determine where to splurge and where to economize and how to complete the remodel as quickly as possible because C&L would have to move out while construction was going on. The Process: Hard Work to Remedy Design and Function During our initial design study, (which included 2 hours in the owners’ home), we noticed framed images of William Morris Arts and Crafts textile patterns and knew this would be our design inspiration. We presented C&L with three options and they quickly selected the Pimpernel Design Concept. We had originally selected the Black and Olive colors with a black vanity, mirror, and black and white floor tile. C&L liked it but weren’t quite sure about the black, We went back to the drawing board and decided the William & Co Pimpernel Wallpaper in Bayleaf and Manilla color with a softer gray painted vanity and mirror and white floor tile was more to their liking. After the Design Concept was approved, we went to work securing the building permit, procuring all the elements, and scheduling our trusted tradesmen to perform the work. We did uncover some shoddy work by the flippers such as live electrical wires hidden behind the wall, plumbing venting cut-off and buried in the walls (hence the constant dampness), the tub barely balancing on two fence boards across the floor joist, and no insulation on the exterior wall. All of the previous blunders were fixed and the bathroom put back to its previous glory. We could feel the house thanking us for making it pretty again. The After Reveal: Cohesive Design Decisions We selected a simple white subway tile for the tub/shower. This is always classic and in keeping with the style of the house. We selected a pre-fab vanity and mirror, but they look rich with the quartz countertop. There is much more storage in this small vanity than you would think. The Transformation: A Period Perfect Refresh We began the remodel just as the pandemic reared and stay-in-place orders went into effect. As C&L were already moved out and living with relatives, we got the go-ahead from city officials to get the work done (after all, how can you shelter in place without a bathroom?). All our tradesmen were scheduled to work so that only one crew was on the job site at a time. We stayed on the original schedule with only a one week delay. The end result is the sweetest little bathroom I've ever seen (and I can't wait to start work on C&L's kitchen next). Thank you for joining me in this project transformation. I hope this inspired you to think about being creative with your design projects, determining what works best in keeping with the architecture of your space, and carefully assessing how you can have the best life in your home.

These clients, an entrepreneur and a physician with three kids, chose their Tudor home for the neighborhood, though it didn’t match their modern-transitional taste. They asked us to help them transform their into a place to play and entertain with clean lines and lively color, namely her favorites: bold purple and refreshing apple green. Their previous layout had a stifled flow with a large sectional sofa that dominated the room, and an awkward assortment of furniture that they wanted to discard with the exception of a vintage stone dining table from her mother. The living room served as a pass through to both the family and dining rooms. The client wanted the living room to be less like a glorified hallway and become a destination. Our solution was to unify the design of this living space with the related rooms by using repetition of color and by creating usable areas for family game night, entertaining and small get togethers. The generous proportions of the room enabled us to create three functional spaces: a game table with seating for four and adjacent pull up seating for family play; a seating area at the fireplace that accommodates a large group or small conversation; and seating at the front window that provides a view of the street (not seen in the photograph). The space went from awkward to one that is used daily for family activities and socializing. As they were not interested in touching the existing architecture, transformations were made using new light fixtures, paint, distinctive furniture and art. The client had a strict budget but desired the highly styled look of couture design pieces with curves and movement. We accomplished this look by pairing a few distinctive couture items with inspired pieces that are budget balancers. We combined the couture game table with more affordable chairs inspired by a classic klismos style, as one might pair Louboutins with stylish jeans. Right- and left-arm chairs with an interesting castle-like fret base detail flank windows. To help the clients better understand the use of the color scheme, we keyed the floor plan to show how the greens and purples traveled in a balanced manner around the room and throughout the adjacent dining and family rooms. We paired apple green accents with layered hues of lavender, orchid and aubergine. Neutral taupe and ivory tones ground the bold colors. The custom rug in ivory, aubergine, pale taupe, grey-lavender was inspired by a picture the client found, but we dramatically increased the scale of the pattern in proportion to our room size. This curvy movement is echoed in the sophisticated shapes of the furniture throughout the redesigned room—from the curved sofas to the circular cutouts in the cube end table. At the windows the solid sateen panels with contrasting aubergine banding have the hand of silk, and are also cost conscious, creating room in the budget for the stunning custom pillows in Italian embroidered silk. The distinctive color and shapes throughout provide the whimsy the clients' desired with the function they needed, creating an inviting living room that is now a daily destination. Designed by KBK Interior Design www.KBKInteriorDesign.com Photo by Wing Wong

The Historic Haven primary bedroom balances timeless architectural charm with a soothing, updated aesthetic. A bold patterned wallpaper creates a refined focal point while complementing the home’s preserved fireplace and built-in cabinetry. Warm wood floors and soft textiles introduce comfort and texture, blending old-world detail with modern simplicity. Layered neutrals and soft blues invite restfulness, transforming this restored historic space into a serene retreat that honors its past while embracing contemporary livability.

This Upper East Side prewar interior was specifically designed as a guest apartment for friends and family to stay for long periods of time. They wanted their guests to feel like home while staying in the city. Our criteria was that it had to be functional while remaining tailored, sophisticated and inviting. The space was rather dark so we opted for wallcoverings and paint colors that were soft, textural and exuded contrast. Our design was to completely renovate the living room, bathroom and master bedroom/sitting area. The kitchen was cosmetic with floor stain, paint, hardware and lighting. Grey, taupe, white and black were accents in the living room and created a friendly environment. This room also had to function as a guest room therefore a pullout sofa covered in a Lee Jofa linen was the perfect choice. The Bedroom has a soft palate which is extremely welcoming with touches of silver and pale grey. The hints of peacock blue and brown transform the space completely and work well with the pheasant mirror above the bed. There is also a reading nook where our star Winston occasionally takes naps when he returns from his runs in Central Park. Photography Jane Beiles

Nestled in the front corner of the home, overlooking the front drive and the rose garden, this study library is a cozy academic retreat perfectly suited for the family’s love of books and learning. Originally the dining room, the space was artfully transformed into a study, with new cabinetry crafted to complement the home’s original mahogany millwork for a unifying, historical touch. Custom library built-ins wrap around the room, beautifully detailed with reeded edges and crown molding. A new mahogany window reinforces the period style, while a window seat with a plush velvet cushion provides the perfect nook to curl up with a favorite book, a blanket, and a cup of tea or coffee. The shelf above the window was designed to perfectly accommodate and showcase the family’s set of Harvard Classics. The room is color-drenched in a rich forest green, creating a moody, enveloping atmosphere, while leather club chairs and a family heirloom desk furnish the space with elegance and character. The original servery door, connecting the former dining room to the home’s office, was retained, maintaining a link to the home’s history and layout. This study library is both a functional workspace and a refined retreat—a place for reading, reflection, and quiet moments. Photos by MK Photography

An Arts & Crafts Bungalow is one of my favorite styles of homes. We have quite a few of them in our Stockton Mid-Town area. And when C&L called us to help them remodel their 1923 American Bungalow, I was beyond thrilled. As per usual, when we get a new inquiry, we quickly Google the project location while we are talking to you on the phone. My excitement escalated when I saw the Google Earth Image of the sweet Sage Green bungalow in Mid-Town Stockton. "Yes, we would be interested in working with you," I said trying to keep my cool. But what made it even better was meeting C&L and touring their home, because they are the nicest young couple, eager to make their home period perfect. Unfortunately, it had been slightly molested by some bad house-flippers, and we needed to bring the bathroom back to it "roots." We knew we had to banish the hideous brown tile and cheap vanity quickly. But C&L complained about the condensation problems and the constant fight with mold. This immediately told me that improper remodeling had occurred and we needed to remedy that right away. The Before: Frustrations with a Botched Remodel The bathroom needed to be brought back to period appropriate design with all the functionality of a modern bathroom. We thought of things like marble countertop, white mosaic floor tiles, white subway tile, board and batten molding, and of course a fabulous wallpaper. This small (and only) bathroom on a tight budget required a little bit of design sleuthing to figure out how we could get the proper look and feel. Our goal was to determine where to splurge and where to economize and how to complete the remodel as quickly as possible because C&L would have to move out while construction was going on. The Process: Hard Work to Remedy Design and Function During our initial design study, (which included 2 hours in the owners’ home), we noticed framed images of William Morris Arts and Crafts textile patterns and knew this would be our design inspiration. We presented C&L with three options and they quickly selected the Pimpernel Design Concept. We had originally selected the Black and Olive colors with a black vanity, mirror, and black and white floor tile. C&L liked it but weren’t quite sure about the black, We went back to the drawing board and decided the William & Co Pimpernel Wallpaper in Bayleaf and Manilla color with a softer gray painted vanity and mirror and white floor tile was more to their liking. After the Design Concept was approved, we went to work securing the building permit, procuring all the elements, and scheduling our trusted tradesmen to perform the work. We did uncover some shoddy work by the flippers such as live electrical wires hidden behind the wall, plumbing venting cut-off and buried in the walls (hence the constant dampness), the tub barely balancing on two fence boards across the floor joist, and no insulation on the exterior wall. All of the previous blunders were fixed and the bathroom put back to its previous glory. We could feel the house thanking us for making it pretty again. The After Reveal: Cohesive Design Decisions We selected a simple white subway tile for the tub/shower. This is always classic and in keeping with the style of the house. We selected a pre-fab vanity and mirror, but they look rich with the quartz countertop. There is much more storage in this small vanity than you would think. The Transformation: A Period Perfect Refresh We began the remodel just as the pandemic reared and stay-in-place orders went into effect. As C&L were already moved out and living with relatives, we got the go-ahead from city officials to get the work done (after all, how can you shelter in place without a bathroom?). All our tradesmen were scheduled to work so that only one crew was on the job site at a time. We stayed on the original schedule with only a one week delay. The end result is the sweetest little bathroom I've ever seen (and I can't wait to start work on C&L's kitchen next). Thank you for joining me in this project transformation. I hope this inspired you to think about being creative with your design projects, determining what works best in keeping with the architecture of your space, and carefully assessing how you can have the best life in your home.

Having lived in her home for an extended period of time before embarking on a remodel meant that this homeowner had a clear idea of how she uses her space, the shortcomings of the layout, and how she would like to improve it. Her challenges started with a non-functional master bathroom that was dark and dated. By reducing the size of a closet in the adjoining bedroom and removing a full closet from the inside of the bathroom, Riverside Construction was able to open up the space and allow for a larger vanity. New, functional closet space was designed into the bedroom and added to another wall. Replacing the dark tub/shower wall tile with crisp white Subway tile brightened up the space and created the crisp, fresh look that the homeowner wanted. A vertical mosaic accent was also used for visual interest, and a built-in shower niche was created to keep bath essentials within easy reach. A honed marble countertop and a platinum crystal vanity light fixture by Quoizel complete this lovely transitional master bathroom transformation.

The renovation of Maison Gray was an ambitious project, marked by technical challenges to transform this 1960s residence into a modern and bright living space. Due to urban planning constraints, it was impossible to completely demolish the house. Therefore, a progressive approach was adopted, methodically deconstructing and rebuilding each wall while keeping the roof in place with temporary supports. This required rigorous coordination between the demolition and construction teams, who worked in parallel to successfully complete the large-scale project. Major structural and framing work allowed for the roof slopes to be redefined and the creation of a double-height space, a central feature of the house's new architecture. Despite the complexity of the project, the work was completed in a relatively short period, an impressive achievement for such a large-scale transformation. Thanks to meticulous execution, the house was practically rebuilt from scratch, with a mezzanine and new spaces arranged in half-levels within a generous volume. The tall arch on the façade marks the vaulted entrance leading to an open living space in double height, naturally lit by a skylight and large windows opening to the garden. Achieving these elements and alignments required great precision, with every architectural detail, from curves to openings, carefully executed to create a fluid and harmonious flow. Sangaré Studio designed the interior with natural materials in soft tones, creating intimate and fluid spaces. Built with care, Maison Gray offers a welcoming and soothing environment, allowing the family to enjoy spaces designed for comfort and tranquility.

The renovation of Maison Gray was an ambitious project, marked by technical challenges to transform this 1960s residence into a modern and bright living space. Due to urban planning constraints, it was impossible to completely demolish the house. Therefore, a progressive approach was adopted, methodically deconstructing and rebuilding each wall while keeping the roof in place with temporary supports. This required rigorous coordination between the demolition and construction teams, who worked in parallel to successfully complete the large-scale project. Major structural and framing work allowed for the roof slopes to be redefined and the creation of a double-height space, a central feature of the house's new architecture. Despite the complexity of the project, the work was completed in a relatively short period, an impressive achievement for such a large-scale transformation. Thanks to meticulous execution, the house was practically rebuilt from scratch, with a mezzanine and new spaces arranged in half-levels within a generous volume. The tall arch on the façade marks the vaulted entrance leading to an open living space in double height, naturally lit by a skylight and large windows opening to the garden. Achieving these elements and alignments required great precision, with every architectural detail, from curves to openings, carefully executed to create a fluid and harmonious flow. Sangaré Studio designed the interior with natural materials in soft tones, creating intimate and fluid spaces. Built with care, Maison Gray offers a welcoming and soothing environment, allowing the family to enjoy spaces designed for comfort and tranquility.

The renovation of Maison Gray was an ambitious project, marked by technical challenges to transform this 1960s residence into a modern and bright living space. Due to urban planning constraints, it was impossible to completely demolish the house. Therefore, a progressive approach was adopted, methodically deconstructing and rebuilding each wall while keeping the roof in place with temporary supports. This required rigorous coordination between the demolition and construction teams, who worked in parallel to successfully complete the large-scale project. Major structural and framing work allowed for the roof slopes to be redefined and the creation of a double-height space, a central feature of the house's new architecture. Despite the complexity of the project, the work was completed in a relatively short period, an impressive achievement for such a large-scale transformation. Thanks to meticulous execution, the house was practically rebuilt from scratch, with a mezzanine and new spaces arranged in half-levels within a generous volume. The tall arch on the façade marks the vaulted entrance leading to an open living space in double height, naturally lit by a skylight and large windows opening to the garden. Achieving these elements and alignments required great precision, with every architectural detail, from curves to openings, carefully executed to create a fluid and harmonious flow. Sangaré Studio designed the interior with natural materials in soft tones, creating intimate and fluid spaces. Built with care, Maison Gray offers a welcoming and soothing environment, allowing the family to enjoy spaces designed for comfort and tranquility.