LiLu’s most recent work with these long-time clients was to freshen up significant spaces in their Minneapolis home. Staying true to our original concept of creating a traditional, welcoming, and comfortable retreat, these homeowners have expanded on their love for living and entertaining in a sophisticated, yet casual style -----. These homeowners wanted an office where they could get some work done, and do so while still enjoying the comforts of home. LiLu translated the couple’s desire for traditional elements into practical applications. Ample storage is found behind the doors of beautiful, custom cabinetry above, while plenty of elbow-room is provided with the simply sophisticated desk below. Every detail was considered, even a tastefully integrated pet crate. Project designed by Minneapolis interior design studio LiLu Interiors. They serve the Minneapolis-St. Paul area including Wayzata, Edina, and Rochester, and they travel to the far-flung destinations that their upscale clientele own second homes in. ------- For more about LiLu Interiors, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/ ---------------------------- To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/blog/portfolio-items/timeless-treasure-home-office/

LiLu’s most recent work with these long-time clients was to freshen up significant spaces in their Minneapolis home. Staying true to our original concept of creating a traditional, welcoming, and comfortable retreat, these homeowners have expanded on their love for living and entertaining in a sophisticated, yet casual style -----. These homeowners wanted an office where they could get some work done, and do so while still enjoying the comforts of home. LiLu translated the couple’s desire for traditional elements into practical applications. Ample storage is found behind the doors of beautiful, custom cabinetry above, while plenty of elbow-room is provided with the simply sophisticated desk below. Every detail was considered, even a tastefully integrated pet crate. Project designed by Minneapolis interior design studio LiLu Interiors. They serve the Minneapolis-St. Paul area including Wayzata, Edina, and Rochester, and they travel to the far-flung destinations that their upscale clientele own second homes in. ------- For more about LiLu Interiors, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/ --------- To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/blog/portfolio-items/timeless-treasure-home-office/

Example of a 1960s open concept porcelain tile family room design in Phoenix with white walls and a tv stand

Sean Litchfield
Kitchen - farmhouse kitchen idea in Boston

LiLu’s most recent work with these long-time clients was to freshen up significant spaces in their Minneapolis home. Staying true to our original concept of creating a traditional, welcoming, and comfortable retreat, these homeowners have expanded on their love for living and entertaining in a sophisticated, yet casual style -----. These homeowners wanted an office where they could get some work done, and do so while still enjoying the comforts of home. LiLu translated the couple’s desire for traditional elements into practical applications. Ample storage is found behind the doors of beautiful, custom cabinetry above, while plenty of elbow-room is provided with the simply sophisticated desk below. Every detail was considered, even a tastefully integrated pet crate. Project designed by Minneapolis interior design studio LiLu Interiors. They serve the Minneapolis-St. Paul area including Wayzata, Edina, and Rochester, and they travel to the far-flung destinations that their upscale clientele own second homes in. ------- For more about LiLu Interiors, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/ ----------------- To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/blog/portfolio-items/timeless-treasure-home-office/

Photography: Konstrukt Photo
1960s home design photo in San Francisco

Austin Victorian by Chango & Co. Architectural Advisement & Interior Design by Chango & Co. Architecture by William Hablinski Construction by J Pinnelli Co. Photography by Sarah Elliott

ENTERTAINING FABULOUSLY BEYOND THE WALLS OF YOUR HOME OUTDOORS seems to have guests hopping to the Sound of the SNAP, CRACKLE POP of their own OUTDOOR FIREPLACE. All Outdoor Fireplaces create warmth, light, ambiance, culinary delight and conversation. The outdoor fireplace it seems true to say that the more dramatic in appearance, The more dramatic the outdoor space becomes. With many choices of Stone types, natural stone veneer in a sleuce of colors, It so happens to become a designers Outdoor Living DREAM come true. Not only looking handsome and stone tall in the corner of the backyard, The work house of the OUTDOOR KITCHEN can be the same Outdoor fireplace with a slightly Different intent. These type outdoor fireplaces are usually coupled with warming drawers and Hearth ovens. More commonly referred to as Pizza Ovens. Outdoor fireplaces stand tall in the Landscape as well as the homescape. It surely comes to reason that Outdoor Fireplaces are amongst the hottest trends in outdoor Living. Outdoor fireplace by Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE by Preferred Properties

ENTERTAINING FABULOUSLY BEYOND THE WALLS OF YOUR HOME OUTDOORS seems to have guests hopping to the Sound of the SNAP, CRACKLE POP of their own OUTDOOR FIREPLACE. All Outdoor Fireplaces create warmth, light, ambiance, culinary delight and conversation. The outdoor fireplace it seems true to say that the more dramatic in appearance, The more dramatic the outdoor space becomes. With many choices of Stone types, natural stone veneer in a sleuce of colors, It so happens to become a designers Outdoor Living DREAM come true. Not only looking handsome and stone tall in the corner of the backyard, The work house of the OUTDOOR KITCHEN can be the same Outdoor fireplace with a slightly Different intent. These type outdoor fireplaces are usually coupled with warming drawers and Hearth ovens. More commonly referred to as Pizza Ovens. Outdoor fireplaces stand tall in the Landscape as well as the homescape. It surely comes to reason that Outdoor Fireplaces are amongst the hottest trends in outdoor Living. Outdoor fireplace by Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE by Preferred Properties

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

We were contracted by a local couple who owns an accounting practice locally that wanted to build their retirement home in a desired neighborhood close to their offices. They had already bought their lot, and purchased their home plans online. The owners of this beautiful home had many of their selections, colors, and other desires already picked prior to beginning the project. One unique feature that was requested was to incorporate a toe ledge into the master shower so that the lady of the house would have an easier time when shaving her legs. Now that is a true customized item that not many ladies would think about when building the home of her dreams. Connie McCoy

MIchael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE by PREFERRED PROPERTIES.MIchael Gotowala Outdoor kitchens. Remote outdoor fire pit stone and marble top by outdoor living fabulously designer Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE BY PREFERRED PROPERTIES.Outdoor kitchen designer Michael Gotowala Founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN Store by Preferred Properties. Middlebury, CT. With their home sitting on a lakeside lot, these homeowners are naturally drawn to the great outdoors. After 15 years with a simple brick-paved patio, the couple decided to upgrade the space into a truly fabulous outdoor living area. With visions of grandeur, they hired Michael Gotowala of Preferred Properties Landscaping & Masonry, the same designer who had completed their original patio years before. Gotowala called on his vast experience for this complete renovation, designing and installing the hardscaping, fire pit, landscaping, lighting, and outdoor kitchen. He enlarged the patio area by adding stone sitting walls to surround an incredible stone and marble gas fire pit. The open-air kitchen’s island features a T-shaped bar and beverage counter, and its position allows the couple and their guests to capture breathtaking views of the lake in a private setting. The original brick pavers were replaced with a luxurious blue marble patio floor, which is banded with antiqued and sand-blasted marble to accent the true grandeur of this outstanding home. There is also extensive marble coping on the stone sitting walls and bullnose marble coping on stairs. Stunning surfaces complete, Gotowala then equipped the kitchen with all the high-end al fresco appliances needed for true lakeside living! For more great outdoor kitchen ideas go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE by PREFERRED PROPERTIES. www.OUTDOORKITCHENDESIGNER.com Looking for that fabulous outdoor living design? call 1-855- GET OUTDOORS

One look at the Maingi’s backyard is proof that they have achieved the ultimate Summer goal! Featuring sleek, symmetrical lines running from their seating area all the way to their 16’X32′ Rectangle Inground Pool, their outdoor space is a true depiction of modern paradise. Their contemporary sectional, chaise lounges and dining set provide ample seating for hosting family and friends, while surrounding their prized source of entertainment: the pool! The beautiful, Bright Blue Colour Of The Reef Liner is radiant enough to make everyday feel like a special occasion. Enjoy the splashing company of family and friends, or a peaceful swim to yourself with the Calming Sounds Echoing From The Sheer Decent Water Feature. Couple this with the tranquility that comes from the Spill Over Spa flowing into the pool and there is no doubting that the Maingi’s have brought the luxury of paradise into the comfort of their home!

Outdoor stone fireplace anchors this marble patio floor and Leisure fiberglass pool with waterfalls by Outdoor living fabulous designer And founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE by Preferred Properties.ENTERTAINING FABULOUSLY BEYOND THE WALLS OF YOUR HOME OUTDOORS seems to have guests hopping to the Sound of the SNAP, CRACKLE POP of their own OUTDOOR FIREPLACE. All Outdoor Fireplaces create warmth, light, ambiance, culinary delight and conversation. The outdoor fireplace it seems true to say that the more dramatic in appearance, The more dramatic the outdoor space becomes. With many choices of Stone types, natural stone veneer in a sleuce of colors, It so happens to become a designers Outdoor Living DREAM come true. Not only looking handsome and stone tall in the corner of the backyard, The work house of the OUTDOOR KITCHEN can be the same Outdoor fireplace with a slightly Different intent. These type outdoor fireplaces are usually coupled with warming drawers and Hearth ovens. More commonly referred to as Pizza Ovens. Outdoor fireplaces stand tall in the Landscape as well as the homescape. It surely comes to reason that Outdoor Fireplaces are amongst the hottest trends in outdoor Living. For more fabulous outdoor kitchen ideas go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.OutdoorKitchenDesigner.com

We were contracted by a local couple who owns an accounting practice locally that wanted to build their retirement home in a desired neighborhood close to their offices. They had already bought their lot, and purchased their home plans online. The owners of this beautiful home had many of their selections, colors, and other desires already picked prior to beginning the project. One unique feature that was requested was to incorporate a toe ledge into the master shower so that the lady of the house would have an easier time when shaving her legs. Now that is a true customized item that not many ladies would think about when building the home of her dreams. Connie McCoy

To this client, it feels good to be home. After initially making plans to build, this client decided to take on a renovation so they could be closer to all of the action within walking distance in Evanston. When the clients found this old worker’s garage home, built by a Swedish immigrant in the 1930’s, they knew this was their home. NMI partnered with Michael Hershensen Architects to completely redefine the space. While MHA tackled the 2nd story family room addition and garage extension, NMI took the lead on all of the interior architecture. The vision for this home was centered around the kitchen and exterior courtyard. The kitchen was designed with hyper-functionality in mind as the client is a trained pastry chef and loves to entertain. The courtyard is a luxurious living space extension that provides the clients with true indoor-outdoor living during the spring, summer, and fall. This home proves that designing with functionality in mind can yield stunning results. From cooking to baking to dining and hosting, every detail was taken into consideration for how this couple lives and entertains.

This spacious home in North Vancouver's Deep Cove community had been built and decorated just over 20 years ago and was in need of updating. Our clients who are empty nesters, spend much of their time in the kitchen and family room so we focused on these spaces keeping in mind that the more formal spaces on the main floor will follow in a few years time. For the most part the layout of their kitchen worked well for them so our role was to tweak the kitchen and family room furniture layout and to select updated finishes and furnishings. Since this home transformation is not happening all at once, we purposefully selected classic finishes, like antique brass hardware, that will tie in with the rest of the home's decor until it can be updated. The resulting refresh stays true to the original feel of the house while giving it a clean, updated look.

To this client, it feels good to be home. After initially making plans to build, this client decided to take on a renovation so they could be closer to all of the action within walking distance in Evanston. When the clients found this old worker’s garage home, built by a Swedish immigrant in the 1930’s, they knew this was their home. NMI partnered with Michael Hershensen Architects to completely redefine the space. While MHA tackled the 2nd story family room addition and garage extension, NMI took the lead on all of the interior architecture. The vision for this home was centered around the kitchen and exterior courtyard. The kitchen was designed with hyper-functionality in mind as the client is a trained pastry chef and loves to entertain. The courtyard is a luxurious living space extension that provides the clients with true indoor-outdoor living during the spring, summer, and fall. This home proves that designing with functionality in mind can yield stunning results. From cooking to baking to dining and hosting, every detail was taken into consideration for how this couple lives and entertains.

This wonderful couple had a traditional Cape style home and wanted to age in place. We designed a primary suite addition including laundry and an additional family room space for true first floor living. The bathroom and walk in closet give them plenty of space to move around. The large windows and quad slider provide a lot of natural light in their new spaces.