Example of a beach style wooden l-shaped staircase design in San Diego with painted risers

This was a dream project! The clients purchased this 1880s home and wanted to renovate it for their family to live in. It was a true labor of love, and their commitment to getting the details right was admirable. We rehabilitated doors and windows and flooring wherever we could, we milled trim work to match existing and carved our own door rosettes to ensure the historic details were beautifully carried through. Every finish was made with consideration of wanting a home that would feel historic with integrity, yet would also function for the family and extend into the future as long possible. We were not interested in what is popular or trendy but rather wanted to honor what was right for the home.

Example of a transitional l-shaped kitchen design in Toronto with gray cabinets, an island, white backsplash and stone tile backsplash

INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNER. 2018 NKBA Design Competition Best Overall Kitchen. 2018 TIDA International USA Kitchen of the Year. 2018 Best Traditional Kitchen - Westchester Home Magazine design awards. The designer's own kitchen was gutted and renovated in 2017, with a focus on classic materials and thoughtful storage. The 1920s craftsman home has been in the family since 1940, and every effort was made to keep finishes and details true to the original construction. For sources, please see the website at www.studiodearborn.com. Photography, Timothy Lenz.

Trendy l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen photo in New York with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored backsplash, black appliances, an island and multicolored countertops

The Back Bay House is comprised of two main structures, a nocturnal wing and a daytime wing, joined by a glass gallery space. The daytime wing maintains an informal living arrangement that includes the dining space placed in an intimate alcove, a large country kitchen and relaxing seating area which opens to a classic covered porch and on to the water’s edge. The nocturnal wing houses three bedrooms. The master at the water side enjoys views and sounds of the wildlife and the shore while the two subordinate bedrooms soak in views of the garden and neighboring meadow. To bookend the scale and mass of the house, a whimsical tower was included to the nocturnal wing. The tower accommodates flex space for a bunk room, office or studio space. Materials and detailing of this house are based on a classic cottage vernacular language found in these sorts of buildings constructed in pre-war north america and harken back to a simpler time and scale. Eastern white cedar shingles, white painted trim and moulding collectively add a layer of texture and richness not found in today’s lexicon of detail. The house is 1,628 sf plus a 228 sf tower and a detached, two car garage which employs massing, detail and scale to allow the main house to read as dominant but not overbearing. Designed by BC&J Architecture.

While this new home had an architecturally striking exterior, the home’s interior fell short in terms of true functionality and overall style. The most critical element in this renovation was the kitchen and dining area, which needed careful attention to bring it to the level that suited the home and the homeowners. As a graduate of Culinary Institute of America, our client wanted a kitchen that “feels like a restaurant, with the warmth of a home kitchen,” where guests can gather over great food, great wine, and truly feel comfortable in the open concept home. Although it follows a typical chef’s galley layout, the unique design solutions and unusual materials set it apart from the typical kitchen design. Polished countertops, laminated and stainless cabinets fronts, and professional appliances are complemented by the introduction of wood, glass, and blackened metal – materials introduced in the overall design of the house. Unique features include a wall clad in walnut for dangling heavy pots and utensils; a floating, sculptural walnut countertop piece housing an herb garden; an open pantry that serves as a coffee bar and wine station; and a hanging chalkboard that hides a water heater closet and features different coffee offerings available to guests. The dining area addition, enclosed by windows, continues to vivify the organic elements and brings in ample natural light, enhancing the darker finishes and creating additional warmth. Photography by Ira Montgomery

Inspiration for a large transitional master black floor and porcelain tile freestanding bathtub remodel in San Diego with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and quartz countertops

Succulent wall
Photo of a small contemporary backyard landscaping in Orange County.

Photo by Amanda Kirkpatrick
Cottage kitchen photo in Austin

Mudroom - rustic gray floor mudroom idea in Denver

Playroom - contemporary gender-neutral playroom idea in Birmingham with white walls

Mudroom - transitional medium tone wood floor mudroom idea in Orange County with gray walls and a black front door

Trendy gender-neutral dark wood floor playroom photo in San Diego with multicolored walls

Inspiration for a farmhouse porch remodel in Austin with decking and a roof extension

Sweet nursery with many shades of pinks and cream. The inspiration for the wall decal came from the client's existing crib. Pops of hot pink in the pillows, decal and chandelier keep the room fun!

Bona stains, finishes and sealers provide the ultimate in durability, protection and beauty in your home. Whether your floor is extremely worn and in need of a recoat or you want to change the color and design, the Bona System will highlight the true beauty and elegance of the wood. Contact a Bona Certified Craftsman to start your floor renovation.

This is an example of a huge farmhouse full sun backyard stone landscaping in San Francisco with a fire pit and no cover.

This bedroom was designed for a sweet couple who's dream was to live in a beach cottage. After purchasing a fixer-upper, they were ready to make their dream come true. We used light and fresh colors to match their personalities and played with texture to bring in the beach-house-feel. Photo courtesy of Chipper Hatter: www.chipperhatter.com