In this luxury, new construction home, our clients desired this custom ‘zen’ bar as part of their dining and living space. It was important to combine elegance with functionality. Tasking such a lovely, custom furniture piece with a long list of responsibilities was quite a challenge but we were able to get the job done beautifully with creativity and custom cabinetry. Together we created a space that had the duty of displaying priceless souvenirs, providing ample storage space, creating a fun, yet elegant ambiance, and keeping beverages chilled and ready to be served. The bar features a kegerator with built-in beer tap and a hammered nickel sink. With the goal of making this piece truly custom, glass floating shelves were designed that allow light to pass through and up-light anything on display but still have the appearance of typical 3” wooden shelves. The wooden pieces were routed to allow for both the lighting strip and the glass, creating the perfect display shelves for any memento.

Take a look at the latest home renovation that we had the pleasure of performing for a client in Trinity. This was a full master bathroom remodel, guest bathroom remodel, and a laundry room. The existing bathroom and laundry room were the typical early 2000’s era décor that you would expect in the area. The client came to us with a list of things that they wanted to accomplish in the various spaces. The master bathroom features new cabinetry with custom elements provided by Palm Harbor Cabinets. A free standing bathtub. New frameless glass shower. Custom tile that was provided by Pro Source Port Richey. New lighting and wainscoting finish off the look. In the master bathroom, we took the same steps and updated all of the tile, cabinetry, lighting, and trim as well. The laundry room was finished off with new cabinets, shelving, and custom tile work to give the space a dramatic feel.

In this luxury, new construction home, our clients desired this custom ‘zen’ bar as part of their dining and living space. It was important to combine elegance with functionality. Tasking such a lovely, custom furniture piece with a long list of responsibilities was quite a challenge but we were able to get the job done beautifully with creativity and custom cabinetry. Together we created a space that had the duty of displaying priceless souvenirs, providing ample storage space, creating a fun, yet elegant ambiance, and keeping beverages chilled and ready to be served. The bar features a kegerator with built-in beer tap and a hammered nickel sink. With the goal of making this piece truly custom, glass floating shelves were designed that allow light to pass through and up-light anything on display but still have the appearance of typical 3” wooden shelves. The wooden pieces were routed to allow for both the lighting strip and the glass, creating the perfect display shelves for any memento.

Attractive living as an architectural experiment: a 136-year-old water tower, a listed building with a spectacular 360-degree panorama view over the City of London. The task, to transform it into a superior residence, initially seemed an absolute impossibility. But when the owners came across architect Mike Collier, they had found a partner who was to make the impossible possible. The tower, which had been empty for decades, underwent radical renovation work and was extended by a four-storey cube containing kitchen, dining and living room - connected by glazed tunnels and a lift shaft. The kitchen, realised by Enclosure Interiors in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, with furniture from LEICHT is the very heart of living in this new building. Shiny white matt-lacquered kitchen fronts (AVANCE-LR), tone-on-tone with the worktops, reflect the light in the room and thus create expanse and openness. The surface of the handle-less kitchen fronts has a horizontal relief embossing; depending on the light incidence, this results in a vitally structured surface. The free-standing preparation isle with its vertical side panels with a seamlessly integrated sink represents the transition between kitchen and living room. The fronts of the floor units facing the dining table were extended to the floor to do away with the plinth typical of most kitchens. Ceiling-high tall units on the wall provide plenty of storage space; the electrical appliances are integrated here invisible to the eye. Floor units on a high plinth which thus appear to be floating form the actual cooking centre within the kitchen, attached to the wall. A range of handle-less wall units concludes the glazed niche at the top. LEICHT international: “Architecture and kitchen” in the centre of London. www.LeichtUSA.com

A Top En-counter fabricated and installed Dupont Corian in this gorgeous custom home in Naples, CA designed by Architect Jim Choate. Photo's taken by Twinfolkcreative.com. Geary Smith - Coldwell Banker Beachside listed and sold this home for 5.3 million

The developer had planned only a shower cubicle here. We changed the layout so a full-size bath would fit, because a proper soak was high on the clients' list. Glossy green tiles run behind the bath and the rain shower, travertine-look porcelain covers the rest, and brushed copper fittings tie the two materials together. A typical brief for a new-build apartment in Limassol, Cyprus.

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

Colorful plant combinations and groupings along a decomposed pathway in a San Anselmo garden in northern California. Phormiums, native Penstemon, Snow in Summer, Lambs Ears and other colorful plants create a beautiful low-water tapestry of plant groupings. Photo and Design: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

While we typically focus on high end homes, this small 1980's house in Stafford sold for under $200,000. We did a remodel and make ready for the homeowner prior to listing so they could take advantage of our hot market. This house is proof that good design can make inexpensive material selections look really good, and that you don't have to spend a fortune on a nice remodel. Floors: Emser Tile 6x24 Heritage Walnut Backsplash: Emser Tile 6x6 Ancient Tumbled Travertine Backsplash Insert: Emser Tile Lucente Grazia Mosaic 5/8" Bath Floors: Emser Tile 18x18 St Moritz Silver Bath Insert: Emser Tile Lucente Grazia Linear Kitchen Granite: Diamond Arrow Master Bath Granite: Diamond Arrow Guest Bath Granite: White Galaxy Wall Paint: PPG Grey Marble Trim Paint: PPG Arctic Cotton Ceiling Paint: PPG Arctic Cotton All Photos by Curtis Lawson

Front door Entry open to courtyard atrium with Dining Room and Family Room beyond. Photo by Clark Dugger
Inspiration for a large 1960s light wood floor and beige floor foyer remodel in Orange County with white walls and a black front door

While we typically focus on high end homes, this small 1980's house in Stafford sold for under $200,000. We did a remodel and make ready for the homeowner prior to listing so they could take advantage of our hot market. This house is proof that good design can make inexpensive material selections look really good, and that you don't have to spend a fortune on a nice remodel. Floors: Emser Tile 6x24 Heritage Walnut Backsplash: Emser Tile 6x6 Ancient Tumbled Travertine Backsplash Insert: Emser Tile Lucente Grazia Mosaic 5/8" Bath Floors: Emser Tile 18x18 St Moritz Silver Bath Insert: Emser Tile Lucente Grazia Linear Kitchen Granite: Diamond Arrow Master Bath Granite: Diamond Arrow Guest Bath Granite: White Galaxy Wall Paint: PPG Grey Marble Trim Paint: PPG Arctic Cotton Ceiling Paint: PPG Arctic Cotton All Photos by Curtis Lawson

This beautiful Craftsman style Passive House has a carbon footprint 20% that of a typically built home in Oregon. Its 12-in. thick walls with cork insulation, ultra-high efficiency windows and doors, solar panels, heat pump hot water, Energy Star appliances, fresh air intake unit, and natural daylighting keep its utility bills exceptionally low.

These homeowners had a relatively small space and a large wish list. This family of 5 needed some form of mudroom area, while still maintaining the laudry area. Relocationg the washer and dryer from under the window allowed me to give them folding space, a laundry sink, and the boot bench area for all of their coats and backpacks. Their is even a hanging space for clothes to drip dry or get hung before putting away. The powder room was also tiny. We knew we wanted to find something dramatic that worked with the office area that is immediately adjacent to it. That room is painted to most beatiful shade of blue. When we found this Farrow and Ball Lotus wallpaper, we knew we had the perfect starting point.

While we typically focus on high end homes, this small 1980's house in Stafford sold for under $200,000. We did a remodel and make ready for the homeowner prior to listing so they could take advantage of our hot market. This house is proof that good design can make inexpensive material selections look really good, and that you don't have to spend a fortune on a nice remodel. Floors: Emser Tile 6x24 Heritage Walnut Backsplash: Emser Tile 6x6 Ancient Tumbled Travertine Backsplash Insert: Emser Tile Lucente Grazia Mosaic 5/8" Bath Floors: Emser Tile 18x18 St Moritz Silver Bath Insert: Emser Tile Lucente Grazia Linear Kitchen Granite: Diamond Arrow Master Bath Granite: Diamond Arrow Guest Bath Granite: White Galaxy Wall Paint: PPG Grey Marble Trim Paint: PPG Arctic Cotton Ceiling Paint: PPG Arctic Cotton All Photos by Curtis Lawson

Doors conceal both the linen and laundry closet
Small elegant single-wall carpeted home design photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, limestone countertops, beige walls and a stacked washer/dryer

The existing U-shaped kitchen was tucked away in a small corner while the dining table was swimming in a room much too large for its size. The client’s needs and the architecture of the home made it apparent that the perfect design solution for the home was to swap the spaces. The homeowners entertain frequently and wanted the new layout to accommodate a lot of counter seating, a bar/buffet for serving hors d’oeuvres, an island with prep sink, and all new appliances. They had a strong preference that the hood be a focal point and wanted to go beyond a typical white color scheme even though they wanted white cabinets. While moving the kitchen to the dining space gave us a generous amount of real estate to work with, two of the exterior walls are occupied with full-height glass creating a challenge how best to fulfill their wish list. We used one available wall for the needed tall appliances, taking advantage of its height to create the hood as a focal point. We opted for both a peninsula and island instead of one large island in order to maximize the seating requirements and create a barrier when entertaining so guests do not flow directly into the work area of the kitchen. This also made it possible to add a second sink as requested. Lastly, the peninsula sets up a well-defined path to the new dining room without feeling like you are walking through the kitchen. We used the remaining fourth wall for the bar/buffet. Black cabinetry adds strong contrast in several areas of the new kitchen. Wire mesh wall cabinet doors at the bar and gold accents on the hardware, light fixtures, faucets and furniture add further drama to the concept. The focal point is definitely the black hood, looking both dramatic and cohesive at the same time.

Mudrooms are practical entryway spaces that serve as a buffer between the outdoors and the main living areas of a home. Typically located near the front or back door, mudrooms are designed to keep the mess of the outside world at bay. These spaces often feature built-in storage for coats, shoes, and accessories, helping to maintain a tidy and organized home. Durable flooring materials, such as tile or easy-to-clean surfaces, are common in mudrooms to withstand dirt and moisture. Additionally, mudrooms may include benches or cubbies for convenient seating and storage of bags or backpacks. With hooks for hanging outerwear and perhaps a small sink for quick cleanups, mudrooms efficiently balance functionality with the demands of an active household, providing an essential transitional space in the home.

Devil’s darning needles / Clematis virginiana