Our clients had lovingly cared for their home for 16 years. In this small home, space was at a premium and the couple wanted to update this poorly functioning kitchen to match the rest of their Arts & Crafts style home. Key requirements of this kitchen remodel design included: - Improved lighting - Better traffic pattern - More storage - Incorporating the Pewabic tile the clients loved IMPROVED LIGHTING A new lighting plan for the kitchen included: - Three pendants over the new island - Pendant lighting over the sink - Recessed lights throughout - Under cabinet lighting BETTER TRAFFIC PATTERN The refrigerator was moved from the main walkway to a perimeter wall. Its new location creates one point in the now smaller working triangle. Prep space was previously scarce and the new island allows two to work in the kitchen without one getting trapped in the corner. MORE STORAGE A new island supplies storage that was non-existent before and it creates a place for people to sit and connect. Although we replaced a slider with a door, we added a pantry cabinet which was also new storage the kitchen did not previously have. Bulkheads were removed allowing cabinets to extend to the ceiling. INCORPORATING PEWABIC TILE Pewabic tile is handcrafted stoneware clay tile that is made in Detroit with a history dating back to 1903. Our clients fell in love with this tile years ago and used it on the landing of their staircase and wanted to incorporate it into the kitchen design. We decided to let this gorgeous tile take center stage by creating an eye-catching backsplash. The flooring also incorporates details that connect back to the Pewabic tiles used on the walls. OVERALL RESULTS The remodeled kitchen has improved the feel of the whole first floor. A clear pathway runs from the living room through the kitchen and from the kitchen into the dining room. A new island supplies much-needed storage and provides a place for people to eat casual meals and hang out. The new lighting plan brightened not only the kitchen, but also the adjacent rooms. Now, with the kitchen completed, the whole house has a cohesive Arts & Crafts aesthetic – Mission Accomplished! “The kitchen design is everything we hoped it would be. It’s a reflection of our tastes – it’s us. Our designer really understood what we liked and how to make the kitchen fit with the look of the rest of the house.” “What do we love? Lighting, lighting, lighting! The Pewabic backsplash! The storage additions. The overall look – it’s new, but it looks & feels like it could have been original to the house.” – Homeowner

Our clients had lovingly cared for their home for 16 years. In this small home, space was at a premium and the couple wanted to update this poorly functioning kitchen to match the rest of their Arts & Crafts style home. Key requirements of this kitchen remodel design included: - Improved lighting - Better traffic pattern - More storage - Incorporating the Pewabic tile the clients loved IMPROVED LIGHTING A new lighting plan for the kitchen included: - Three pendants over the new island - Pendant lighting over the sink - Recessed lights throughout - Under cabinet lighting BETTER TRAFFIC PATTERN The refrigerator was moved from the main walkway to a perimeter wall. Its new location creates one point in the now smaller working triangle. Prep space was previously scarce and the new island allows two to work in the kitchen without one getting trapped in the corner. MORE STORAGE A new island supplies storage that was non-existent before and it creates a place for people to sit and connect. Although we replaced a slider with a door, we added a pantry cabinet which was also new storage the kitchen did not previously have. Bulkheads were removed allowing cabinets to extend to the ceiling. INCORPORATING PEWABIC TILE Pewabic tile is handcrafted stoneware clay tile that is made in Detroit with a history dating back to 1903. Our clients fell in love with this tile years ago and used it on the landing of their staircase and wanted to incorporate it into the kitchen design. We decided to let this gorgeous tile take center stage by creating an eye-catching backsplash. The flooring also incorporates details that connect back to the Pewabic tiles used on the walls. OVERALL RESULTS The remodeled kitchen has improved the feel of the whole first floor. A clear pathway runs from the living room through the kitchen and from the kitchen into the dining room. A new island supplies much-needed storage and provides a place for people to eat casual meals and hang out. The new lighting plan brightened not only the kitchen, but also the adjacent rooms. Now, with the kitchen completed, the whole house has a cohesive Arts & Crafts aesthetic – Mission Accomplished! “The kitchen design is everything we hoped it would be. It’s a reflection of our tastes – it’s us. Our designer really understood what we liked and how to make the kitchen fit with the look of the rest of the house.” “What do we love? Lighting, lighting, lighting! The Pewabic backsplash! The storage additions. The overall look – it’s new, but it looks & feels like it could have been original to the house.” – Homeowner

The PentHaus, Gurgaon. (High-End Luxury Interiors- Residential Category) 2013-14 Built Up Area- 12,000 sq feet approx Design Team: RENESA ARCHITECTURE DESIGN INTERIORS,New Delhi • Sanjay Arora - Founder| Principal Architect • Sanchit Arora - Studio Head Architect • Vandana Arora - Interior Designer| Decor Head • Virender Singh- Studio Technical Head| Architectural Assistant Photographer- • Vibhor Yadav - RENESA's Official Photographer. Social Media Connect:- RENESA ARCHITECTURE DESIGN INTERIORS STUDIO, New Delhi www.renesa.in Contact: +91-9953542461 Tel : 011 455 11 211 Tel : 011 457 00 411 Email: renesa91@gmail.com | sanchit.renesa@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/renesa.architecture Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renesa.architects/ Consultants | Contractors: • Site Contractor - Mr. Umesh Mehta (Star Construction) • Mechanical Consultants - TN Engg & Consultants. • Electrial Consultants - Electro Consultants "The PentHaus,Gurgaon" - Design Profile. The Conceptual Design Development- RENESA ARCHITECTURE DESIGN INTERIORS have recently completed an interiors project for a penthouse(The PentHaus) in Gurgaon. The basic design requirement as per the client was to divide the floor plates in the penthouse on the basis of public and private relationship.(With the public interaction and services on the lower level with the private interface on the upper level). The design philosophy as dictated and understood was on the lines of contrast in colors with the play of art and decorative pieces highlighting the depth in the detailing of the accessorization of the whole scale model. The client's interest in art and design pieces worked in favor for RENESA DESIGN STUDIO as it was a value-addition to the whole interior decor design process. Credits need to be given to the client for the right selection of art pieces in terms of the color pallet blending into the design philosophy set by RENESA STUDIO. A mix of contemporary modern with classical essence here and there provides a smooth transition of amalgamation of different design philosophies in a given space model. The play of solid volumes with double height spaces gives the apartment a very expansive and grand look at the entrance. Thus a line of communication is created between the public and private zones via the massive chandelier mass structure in the middle of the entrance foyer. RENESA ARCHITECTURE STUDIO carefully studied and analyzed the given area and the clients requirement for the look and feel for the space (internal decor) and planned the space accordingly. The positioning and placement of art pieces, furniture and furnishings once decided by RENESA was left to the client to decide and they did proper justification to the space with some amazing decor choice to value add to the existing space design by the architects. It is also great to have clients with good design taste as it is always a value addition to the architect's vision. Each and every space has been demarcated with its own essence of design so that they stand out and give a new experience to the visitor while passing through. Also, the toilets have been carefully crafted according to the ambience of the space. Different specialized Italian stones for each different toilets gives a new experience for the viewers. Perhaps the contrasting color pallets of the activity zones change so massively that the eye catching experiential pathway is induced at the lower level of the apartment. The kitchen area has been expansively designed to give a very airy feeling to the household activities. Huge windows with amazing views provide a perfect setup for a good-to-cook ambiance at any time of the day. The deck area for the Penthouse has been carefully crafted in terms of keeping the pallet on the green side with a tinge of hardscaping with the lit backdrop of the penthouse adding character to this external space. Hence, all in all the character of a bling-y yet subtle design space is created at this apartment with more importance given to the transparency of the space transitions with the careful play of the color shade card in the backdrop.

Our clients had lovingly cared for their home for 16 years. In this small home, space was at a premium and the couple wanted to update this poorly functioning kitchen to match the rest of their Arts & Crafts style home. Key requirements of this kitchen remodel design included: - Improved lighting - Better traffic pattern - More storage - Incorporating the Pewabic tile the clients loved IMPROVED LIGHTING A new lighting plan for the kitchen included: - Three pendants over the new island - Pendant lighting over the sink - Recessed lights throughout - Under cabinet lighting BETTER TRAFFIC PATTERN The refrigerator was moved from the main walkway to a perimeter wall. Its new location creates one point in the now smaller working triangle. Prep space was previously scarce and the new island allows two to work in the kitchen without one getting trapped in the corner. MORE STORAGE A new island supplies storage that was non-existent before and it creates a place for people to sit and connect. Although we replaced a slider with a door, we added a pantry cabinet which was also new storage the kitchen did not previously have. Bulkheads were removed allowing cabinets to extend to the ceiling. INCORPORATING PEWABIC TILE Pewabic tile is handcrafted stoneware clay tile that is made in Detroit with a history dating back to 1903. Our clients fell in love with this tile years ago and used it on the landing of their staircase and wanted to incorporate it into the kitchen design. We decided to let this gorgeous tile take center stage by creating an eye-catching backsplash. The flooring also incorporates details that connect back to the Pewabic tiles used on the walls. OVERALL RESULTS The remodeled kitchen has improved the feel of the whole first floor. A clear pathway runs from the living room through the kitchen and from the kitchen into the dining room. A new island supplies much-needed storage and provides a place for people to eat casual meals and hang out. The new lighting plan brightened not only the kitchen, but also the adjacent rooms. Now, with the kitchen completed, the whole house has a cohesive Arts & Crafts aesthetic – Mission Accomplished! “The kitchen design is everything we hoped it would be. It’s a reflection of our tastes – it’s us. Our designer really understood what we liked and how to make the kitchen fit with the look of the rest of the house.” “What do we love? Lighting, lighting, lighting! The Pewabic backsplash! The storage additions. The overall look – it’s new, but it looks & feels like it could have been original to the house.” – Homeowner

Our clients had lovingly cared for their home for 16 years. In this small home, space was at a premium and the couple wanted to update this poorly functioning kitchen to match the rest of their Arts & Crafts style home. Key requirements of this kitchen remodel design included: - Improved lighting - Better traffic pattern - More storage - Incorporating the Pewabic tile the clients loved IMPROVED LIGHTING A new lighting plan for the kitchen included: - Three pendants over the new island - Pendant lighting over the sink - Recessed lights throughout - Under cabinet lighting BETTER TRAFFIC PATTERN The refrigerator was moved from the main walkway to a perimeter wall. Its new location creates one point in the now smaller working triangle. Prep space was previously scarce and the new island allows two to work in the kitchen without one getting trapped in the corner. MORE STORAGE A new island supplies storage that was non-existent before and it creates a place for people to sit and connect. Although we replaced a slider with a door, we added a pantry cabinet which was also new storage the kitchen did not previously have. Bulkheads were removed allowing cabinets to extend to the ceiling. INCORPORATING PEWABIC TILE Pewabic tile is handcrafted stoneware clay tile that is made in Detroit with a history dating back to 1903. Our clients fell in love with this tile years ago and used it on the landing of their staircase and wanted to incorporate it into the kitchen design. We decided to let this gorgeous tile take center stage by creating an eye-catching backsplash. The flooring also incorporates details that connect back to the Pewabic tiles used on the walls. OVERALL RESULTS The remodeled kitchen has improved the feel of the whole first floor. A clear pathway runs from the living room through the kitchen and from the kitchen into the dining room. A new island supplies much-needed storage and provides a place for people to eat casual meals and hang out. The new lighting plan brightened not only the kitchen, but also the adjacent rooms. Now, with the kitchen completed, the whole house has a cohesive Arts & Crafts aesthetic – Mission Accomplished! “The kitchen design is everything we hoped it would be. It’s a reflection of our tastes – it’s us. Our designer really understood what we liked and how to make the kitchen fit with the look of the rest of the house.” “What do we love? Lighting, lighting, lighting! The Pewabic backsplash! The storage additions. The overall look – it’s new, but it looks & feels like it could have been original to the house.” – Homeowner

Our clients had lovingly cared for their home for 16 years. In this small home, space was at a premium and the couple wanted to update this poorly functioning kitchen to match the rest of their Arts & Crafts style home. Key requirements of this kitchen remodel design included: - Improved lighting - Better traffic pattern - More storage - Incorporating the Pewabic tile the clients loved IMPROVED LIGHTING A new lighting plan for the kitchen included: - Three pendants over the new island - Pendant lighting over the sink - Recessed lights throughout - Under cabinet lighting BETTER TRAFFIC PATTERN The refrigerator was moved from the main walkway to a perimeter wall. Its new location creates one point in the now smaller working triangle. Prep space was previously scarce and the new island allows two to work in the kitchen without one getting trapped in the corner. MORE STORAGE A new island supplies storage that was non-existent before and it creates a place for people to sit and connect. Although we replaced a slider with a door, we added a pantry cabinet which was also new storage the kitchen did not previously have. Bulkheads were removed allowing cabinets to extend to the ceiling. INCORPORATING PEWABIC TILE Pewabic tile is handcrafted stoneware clay tile that is made in Detroit with a history dating back to 1903. Our clients fell in love with this tile years ago and used it on the landing of their staircase and wanted to incorporate it into the kitchen design. We decided to let this gorgeous tile take center stage by creating an eye-catching backsplash. The flooring also incorporates details that connect back to the Pewabic tiles used on the walls. OVERALL RESULTS The remodeled kitchen has improved the feel of the whole first floor. A clear pathway runs from the living room through the kitchen and from the kitchen into the dining room. A new island supplies much-needed storage and provides a place for people to eat casual meals and hang out. The new lighting plan brightened not only the kitchen, but also the adjacent rooms. Now, with the kitchen completed, the whole house has a cohesive Arts & Crafts aesthetic – Mission Accomplished! “The kitchen design is everything we hoped it would be. It’s a reflection of our tastes – it’s us. Our designer really understood what we liked and how to make the kitchen fit with the look of the rest of the house.” “What do we love? Lighting, lighting, lighting! The Pewabic backsplash! The storage additions. The overall look – it’s new, but it looks & feels like it could have been original to the house.” – Homeowner

Our clients had lovingly cared for their home for 16 years. In this small home, space was at a premium and the couple wanted to update this poorly functioning kitchen to match the rest of their Arts & Crafts style home. Key requirements of this kitchen remodel design included: - Improved lighting - Better traffic pattern - More storage - Incorporating the Pewabic tile the clients loved IMPROVED LIGHTING A new lighting plan for the kitchen included: - Three pendants over the new island - Pendant lighting over the sink - Recessed lights throughout - Under cabinet lighting BETTER TRAFFIC PATTERN The refrigerator was moved from the main walkway to a perimeter wall. Its new location creates one point in the now smaller working triangle. Prep space was previously scarce and the new island allows two to work in the kitchen without one getting trapped in the corner. MORE STORAGE A new island supplies storage that was non-existent before and it creates a place for people to sit and connect. Although we replaced a slider with a door, we added a pantry cabinet which was also new storage the kitchen did not previously have. Bulkheads were removed allowing cabinets to extend to the ceiling. INCORPORATING PEWABIC TILE Pewabic tile is handcrafted stoneware clay tile that is made in Detroit with a history dating back to 1903. Our clients fell in love with this tile years ago and used it on the landing of their staircase and wanted to incorporate it into the kitchen design. We decided to let this gorgeous tile take center stage by creating an eye-catching backsplash. The flooring also incorporates details that connect back to the Pewabic tiles used on the walls. OVERALL RESULTS The remodeled kitchen has improved the feel of the whole first floor. A clear pathway runs from the living room through the kitchen and from the kitchen into the dining room. A new island supplies much-needed storage and provides a place for people to eat casual meals and hang out. The new lighting plan brightened not only the kitchen, but also the adjacent rooms. Now, with the kitchen completed, the whole house has a cohesive Arts & Crafts aesthetic – Mission Accomplished! “The kitchen design is everything we hoped it would be. It’s a reflection of our tastes – it’s us. Our designer really understood what we liked and how to make the kitchen fit with the look of the rest of the house.” “What do we love? Lighting, lighting, lighting! The Pewabic backsplash! The storage additions. The overall look – it’s new, but it looks & feels like it could have been original to the house.” – Homeowner

Our clients had lovingly cared for their home for 16 years. In this small home, space was at a premium and the couple wanted to update this poorly functioning kitchen to match the rest of their Arts & Crafts style home. Key requirements of this kitchen remodel design included: - Improved lighting - Better traffic pattern - More storage - Incorporating the Pewabic tile the clients loved IMPROVED LIGHTING A new lighting plan for the kitchen included: - Three pendants over the new island - Pendant lighting over the sink - Recessed lights throughout - Under cabinet lighting BETTER TRAFFIC PATTERN The refrigerator was moved from the main walkway to a perimeter wall. Its new location creates one point in the now smaller working triangle. Prep space was previously scarce and the new island allows two to work in the kitchen without one getting trapped in the corner. MORE STORAGE A new island supplies storage that was non-existent before and it creates a place for people to sit and connect. Although we replaced a slider with a door, we added a pantry cabinet which was also new storage the kitchen did not previously have. Bulkheads were removed allowing cabinets to extend to the ceiling. INCORPORATING PEWABIC TILE Pewabic tile is handcrafted stoneware clay tile that is made in Detroit with a history dating back to 1903. Our clients fell in love with this tile years ago and used it on the landing of their staircase and wanted to incorporate it into the kitchen design. We decided to let this gorgeous tile take center stage by creating an eye-catching backsplash. The flooring also incorporates details that connect back to the Pewabic tiles used on the walls. OVERALL RESULTS The remodeled kitchen has improved the feel of the whole first floor. A clear pathway runs from the living room through the kitchen and from the kitchen into the dining room. A new island supplies much-needed storage and provides a place for people to eat casual meals and hang out. The new lighting plan brightened not only the kitchen, but also the adjacent rooms. Now, with the kitchen completed, the whole house has a cohesive Arts & Crafts aesthetic – Mission Accomplished! “The kitchen design is everything we hoped it would be. It’s a reflection of our tastes – it’s us. Our designer really understood what we liked and how to make the kitchen fit with the look of the rest of the house.” “What do we love? Lighting, lighting, lighting! The Pewabic backsplash! The storage additions. The overall look – it’s new, but it looks & feels like it could have been original to the house.” – Homeowner

This meditation bench brings the outside in by featuring a stone as one of the legs to hold up the top, creating a great place to be alone with your thoughts and meditate. This bench is balanced with a hollowed granite leg, ground out by hand with the aid of a diamond drill bit and an angle grinder to provide a more manageable weight. I hand-carved a peek-a-boo opening in the mahogany seat to expose the granite for aesthetic interest while supporting the seat with a custom-fabricated metal bracket underneath for stability. The wooden leg is mortised securely through the top and wedged in place with walnut wedges. The supporting walnut arch spanning from one leg to the underside of the seat is one piece. The arch passes through a mortise in each of the cross braces, which are precisely spaced to provide artistic interest and balance. Each mortise was cut by hand with a mallet and chisel. This silky-smooth bench was built without nails or screws and made from high-quality hardwood, richly-grained African mahogany that begs to be touched. The seat and one leg are African mahogany, and the wedges, arch, and cross braces are walnut. The beautifully placed granite leg is local Colorado granite with natural lichen. The rich reddish-brown mahogany against the subtle soft green color of the lichen provides a sense of stability and harmony. The design inspiration for having the rock poke through the bench top came from an architect friend, who had a granite boulder craned in through the roof of a house and carved into a gas fireplace. The architect’s stories about how challenging the project was to integrate such an organic piece in an otherwise modern home got me thinking about how I could incorporate organic shapes into my furniture. The arch design came from one of my favorite hiking places in the Cascades, a bridge that spans across Multnomah Falls. Since publishing this work, I have been told that the design is stupid as only one person can sit on the bench at a time. Those opinions are the beauty of art, as everyone interprets it differently, and not everyone will get its purpose. However, subconsciously, I think the design spoke well for itself, as its purpose is for one person to be alone and meditate. Its deeper meaning may not be obvious or understood by everyone. However, its design has at least set the stage as only one person can comfortably sit on it at a time. This level of detail is indicative of my work. I try to create a single focal point to catch the viewer’s eye and draw them in. Then, once they get up close to a piece and start interacting with it, they will start to see all the additional details. I like how the bench top is carefully carved so it sits around the stone and how the weight of the stone helps balance the piece. They start to understand how it was built as they see the joinery detail, of how the tenon comes through the top and is wedged in place.

Photo: Kayla Pearson © 2016 Houzz
Dining room - 1960s dining room idea in Chicago

Our clients had lovingly cared for their home for 16 years. In this small home, space was at a premium and the couple wanted to update this poorly functioning kitchen to match the rest of their Arts & Crafts style home. Key requirements of this kitchen remodel design included: - Improved lighting - Better traffic pattern - More storage - Incorporating the Pewabic tile the clients loved IMPROVED LIGHTING A new lighting plan for the kitchen included: - Three pendants over the new island - Pendant lighting over the sink - Recessed lights throughout - Under cabinet lighting BETTER TRAFFIC PATTERN The refrigerator was moved from the main walkway to a perimeter wall. Its new location creates one point in the now smaller working triangle. Prep space was previously scarce and the new island allows two to work in the kitchen without one getting trapped in the corner. MORE STORAGE A new island supplies storage that was non-existent before and it creates a place for people to sit and connect. Although we replaced a slider with a door, we added a pantry cabinet which was also new storage the kitchen did not previously have. Bulkheads were removed allowing cabinets to extend to the ceiling. INCORPORATING PEWABIC TILE Pewabic tile is handcrafted stoneware clay tile that is made in Detroit with a history dating back to 1903. Our clients fell in love with this tile years ago and used it on the landing of their staircase and wanted to incorporate it into the kitchen design. We decided to let this gorgeous tile take center stage by creating an eye-catching backsplash. The flooring also incorporates details that connect back to the Pewabic tiles used on the walls. OVERALL RESULTS The remodeled kitchen has improved the feel of the whole first floor. A clear pathway runs from the living room through the kitchen and from the kitchen into the dining room. A new island supplies much-needed storage and provides a place for people to eat casual meals and hang out. The new lighting plan brightened not only the kitchen, but also the adjacent rooms. Now, with the kitchen completed, the whole house has a cohesive Arts & Crafts aesthetic – Mission Accomplished! “The kitchen design is everything we hoped it would be. It’s a reflection of our tastes – it’s us. Our designer really understood what we liked and how to make the kitchen fit with the look of the rest of the house.” “What do we love? Lighting, lighting, lighting! The Pewabic backsplash! The storage additions. The overall look – it’s new, but it looks & feels like it could have been original to the house.” – Homeowner

Our clients had lovingly cared for their home for 16 years. In this small home, space was at a premium and the couple wanted to update this poorly functioning kitchen to match the rest of their Arts & Crafts style home. Key requirements of this kitchen remodel design included: - Improved lighting - Better traffic pattern - More storage - Incorporating the Pewabic tile the clients loved IMPROVED LIGHTING A new lighting plan for the kitchen included: - Three pendants over the new island - Pendant lighting over the sink - Recessed lights throughout - Under cabinet lighting BETTER TRAFFIC PATTERN The refrigerator was moved from the main walkway to a perimeter wall. Its new location creates one point in the now smaller working triangle. Prep space was previously scarce and the new island allows two to work in the kitchen without one getting trapped in the corner. MORE STORAGE A new island supplies storage that was non-existent before and it creates a place for people to sit and connect. Although we replaced a slider with a door, we added a pantry cabinet which was also new storage the kitchen did not previously have. Bulkheads were removed allowing cabinets to extend to the ceiling. INCORPORATING PEWABIC TILE Pewabic tile is handcrafted stoneware clay tile that is made in Detroit with a history dating back to 1903. Our clients fell in love with this tile years ago and used it on the landing of their staircase and wanted to incorporate it into the kitchen design. We decided to let this gorgeous tile take center stage by creating an eye-catching backsplash. The flooring also incorporates details that connect back to the Pewabic tiles used on the walls. OVERALL RESULTS The remodeled kitchen has improved the feel of the whole first floor. A clear pathway runs from the living room through the kitchen and from the kitchen into the dining room. A new island supplies much-needed storage and provides a place for people to eat casual meals and hang out. The new lighting plan brightened not only the kitchen, but also the adjacent rooms. Now, with the kitchen completed, the whole house has a cohesive Arts & Crafts aesthetic – Mission Accomplished! “The kitchen design is everything we hoped it would be. It’s a reflection of our tastes – it’s us. Our designer really understood what we liked and how to make the kitchen fit with the look of the rest of the house.” “What do we love? Lighting, lighting, lighting! The Pewabic backsplash! The storage additions. The overall look – it’s new, but it looks & feels like it could have been original to the house.” – Homeowner

This meditation bench brings the outside in by featuring a stone as one of the legs to hold up the top, creating a great place to be alone with your thoughts and meditate. This bench is balanced with a hollowed granite leg, ground out by hand with the aid of a diamond drill bit and an angle grinder to provide a more manageable weight. I hand-carved a peek-a-boo opening in the mahogany seat to expose the granite for aesthetic interest while supporting the seat with a custom-fabricated metal bracket underneath for stability. The wooden leg is mortised securely through the top and wedged in place with walnut wedges. The supporting walnut arch spanning from one leg to the underside of the seat is one piece. The arch passes through a mortise in each of the cross braces, which are precisely spaced to provide artistic interest and balance. Each mortise was cut by hand with a mallet and chisel. This silky-smooth bench was built without nails or screws and made from high-quality hardwood, richly-grained African mahogany that begs to be touched. The seat and one leg are African mahogany, and the wedges, arch, and cross braces are walnut. The beautifully placed granite leg is local Colorado granite with natural lichen. The rich reddish-brown mahogany against the subtle soft green color of the lichen provides a sense of stability and harmony. The design inspiration for having the rock poke through the bench top came from an architect friend, who had a granite boulder craned in through the roof of a house and carved into a gas fireplace. The architect’s stories about how challenging the project was to integrate such an organic piece in an otherwise modern home got me thinking about how I could incorporate organic shapes into my furniture. The arch design came from one of my favorite hiking places in the Cascades, a bridge that spans across Multnomah Falls. Since publishing this work, I have been told that the design is stupid as only one person can sit on the bench at a time. Those opinions are the beauty of art, as everyone interprets it differently, and not everyone will get its purpose. However, subconsciously, I think the design spoke well for itself, as its purpose is for one person to be alone and meditate. Its deeper meaning may not be obvious or understood by everyone. However, its design has at least set the stage as only one person can comfortably sit on it at a time. This level of detail is indicative of my work. I try to create a single focal point to catch the viewer’s eye and draw them in. Then, once they get up close to a piece and start interacting with it, they will start to see all the additional details. I like how the bench top is carefully carved so it sits around the stone and how the weight of the stone helps balance the piece. They start to understand how it was built as they see the joinery detail, of how the tenon comes through the top and is wedged in place.

Our clients had lovingly cared for their home for 16 years. In this small home, space was at a premium and the couple wanted to update this poorly functioning kitchen to match the rest of their Arts & Crafts style home. Key requirements of this kitchen remodel design included: - Improved lighting - Better traffic pattern - More storage - Incorporating the Pewabic tile the clients loved IMPROVED LIGHTING A new lighting plan for the kitchen included: - Three pendants over the new island - Pendant lighting over the sink - Recessed lights throughout - Under cabinet lighting BETTER TRAFFIC PATTERN The refrigerator was moved from the main walkway to a perimeter wall. Its new location creates one point in the now smaller working triangle. Prep space was previously scarce and the new island allows two to work in the kitchen without one getting trapped in the corner. MORE STORAGE A new island supplies storage that was non-existent before and it creates a place for people to sit and connect. Although we replaced a slider with a door, we added a pantry cabinet which was also new storage the kitchen did not previously have. Bulkheads were removed allowing cabinets to extend to the ceiling. INCORPORATING PEWABIC TILE Pewabic tile is handcrafted stoneware clay tile that is made in Detroit with a history dating back to 1903. Our clients fell in love with this tile years ago and used it on the landing of their staircase and wanted to incorporate it into the kitchen design. We decided to let this gorgeous tile take center stage by creating an eye-catching backsplash. The flooring also incorporates details that connect back to the Pewabic tiles used on the walls. OVERALL RESULTS The remodeled kitchen has improved the feel of the whole first floor. A clear pathway runs from the living room through the kitchen and from the kitchen into the dining room. A new island supplies much-needed storage and provides a place for people to eat casual meals and hang out. The new lighting plan brightened not only the kitchen, but also the adjacent rooms. Now, with the kitchen completed, the whole house has a cohesive Arts & Crafts aesthetic – Mission Accomplished! “The kitchen design is everything we hoped it would be. It’s a reflection of our tastes – it’s us. Our designer really understood what we liked and how to make the kitchen fit with the look of the rest of the house.” “What do we love? Lighting, lighting, lighting! The Pewabic backsplash! The storage additions. The overall look – it’s new, but it looks & feels like it could have been original to the house.” – Homeowner

Our clients had lovingly cared for their home for 16 years. In this small home, space was at a premium and the couple wanted to update this poorly functioning kitchen to match the rest of their Arts & Crafts style home. Key requirements of this kitchen remodel design included: - Improved lighting - Better traffic pattern - More storage - Incorporating the Pewabic tile the clients loved IMPROVED LIGHTING A new lighting plan for the kitchen included: - Three pendants over the new island - Pendant lighting over the sink - Recessed lights throughout - Under cabinet lighting BETTER TRAFFIC PATTERN The refrigerator was moved from the main walkway to a perimeter wall. Its new location creates one point in the now smaller working triangle. Prep space was previously scarce and the new island allows two to work in the kitchen without one getting trapped in the corner. MORE STORAGE A new island supplies storage that was non-existent before and it creates a place for people to sit and connect. Although we replaced a slider with a door, we added a pantry cabinet which was also new storage the kitchen did not previously have. Bulkheads were removed allowing cabinets to extend to the ceiling. INCORPORATING PEWABIC TILE Pewabic tile is handcrafted stoneware clay tile that is made in Detroit with a history dating back to 1903. Our clients fell in love with this tile years ago and used it on the landing of their staircase and wanted to incorporate it into the kitchen design. We decided to let this gorgeous tile take center stage by creating an eye-catching backsplash. The flooring also incorporates details that connect back to the Pewabic tiles used on the walls. OVERALL RESULTS The remodeled kitchen has improved the feel of the whole first floor. A clear pathway runs from the living room through the kitchen and from the kitchen into the dining room. A new island supplies much-needed storage and provides a place for people to eat casual meals and hang out. The new lighting plan brightened not only the kitchen, but also the adjacent rooms. Now, with the kitchen completed, the whole house has a cohesive Arts & Crafts aesthetic – Mission Accomplished! “The kitchen design is everything we hoped it would be. It’s a reflection of our tastes – it’s us. Our designer really understood what we liked and how to make the kitchen fit with the look of the rest of the house.” “What do we love? Lighting, lighting, lighting! The Pewabic backsplash! The storage additions. The overall look – it’s new, but it looks & feels like it could have been original to the house.” – Homeowner

In the serene landscape of Newcastle, WA, this kitchen project stands as a beacon of refined taste, where the warmth of traditional design meets the sleekness of modern aesthetics. Dubbed "The Newcastle Elegance," this kitchen is the heart of a new luxury home, designed to offer both beauty and functionality for a family that values culinary exploration and intimate gatherings. Design Concept: Our goal was to craft a space that exudes the timeless charm of traditional designs while incorporating the clean, efficient lines of modern living. This kitchen is a testament to the idea that elegance and practicality can coexist, providing a welcoming space for cooking, entertaining, and everyday life. Features: Cabinetry: Featuring custom, hand-painted cabinetry with classic detailing and soft-close technology, offering a seamless blend of old-world charm and modern convenience. Countertops: Luxurious marble countertops provide a durable yet elegant surface, with a large central island offering additional prep and socializing space. Appliances: State-of-the-art stainless steel appliances, including a chef-grade range and oven, integrate seamlessly, offering modern functionality without disrupting the kitchen’s traditional aesthetic. Lighting: Strategically placed pendant lighting above the island, alongside under-cabinet lights, ensures a warm, inviting glow, enhancing the kitchen's ambiance. Backsplash: A handcrafted tile backsplash adds texture and interest, bridging the gap between the kitchen’s modern amenities and its traditional roots. Flooring: Hardwood flooring in a herringbone pattern adds depth and character to the space, grounding the modern elements in tradition. Design Challenges: Balancing the distinct styles of modern and traditional within the unique context of a Newcastle home presented a delightful challenge. It required a meticulous selection of materials and a keen eye for design to ensure the kitchen felt both timeless and contemporary. Outcome: "The Newcastle Elegance" kitchen is a masterpiece of design, embodying the spirit of modern traditional living. It stands as a central hub in the home, inviting and functional, where the family can come together in a space that is as beautiful as it is practical. Client Testimonial: "From the initial design phase to the final touches, the team understood our vision for a kitchen that blended tradition with modernity. The result is beyond what we imagined - a stunning, efficient space that is the true heart of our home. We're deeply thankful for the creativity and craftsmanship that brought this kitchen to life." This project in Newcastle, WA, encapsulates the essence of modern traditional design, creating a kitchen that is not just a place for culinary endeavors but a sanctuary for warmth, family, and timeless elegance.

See "5-Year Kitchen in Elgin" for the kitchen featured in this description. Bud Kane has remodeled nearly every room in his own home over many years. Now reaching his 70’s, he contemplated heading up a major kitchen and laundry room renovation himself, planning on doing the carpentry work with his own hands. “I was not convinced I would ever meet anyone who could do it as well as I could do it myself”, said Bud. Ruth and Bud spent 5 years visiting kitchen firms and interviewing designers. They couldn’t however bring themselves to pull the trigger on the project, until they met Advance Design Studio in 2015. “No one understood what I wanted”, said Ruth. She was continually frustrated by experiences with designers who weren’t hearing what was important to her. “Everyone kept designing my kitchen with what they thought it should look like; I couldn’t find anyone who would listen to me”! When they met designer Scott Christensen from Advance Design Studio, they liked him right away. He listened to Ruth and designed a kitchen that she loved, all the while interjecting years of wisdom and design expertise that Ruth appreciated. “The finished product is better than I expected”, says Ruth. “I respected Scott’s opinions and together we created the perfect place for me to bake with my grandkids and truly enjoy the kitchen and laundry room I’ve been dreaming of for many years!” The kitchen transformation began with removing the home’s soffits, and extending new painted maple cabinetry to the ceiling with the addition of an elegant crown molding. Ruth’s new Vita Mix holds a coveted place on her counter, and adjustments were planned to size the cabinets in conjunction with the under cabinet decorative light molding to fit this appliance just right. “This one small detail was really important to me”, says Ruth smiling. An elegant new island replaced the original island, complete with room for 3 stools where her grandchildren will sit to make home-made pasta every Thanksgiving, and cookies at Christmas time. “Traditions are very important in my family, and making my kitchen work to suit cherished activities with my family was the number one reason this renovation was so desired”, replied Ruth when asked about the island. A picture perfect new tea station replaced a cluttered unused desk area, creating a wonderful place to prepare hot drinks for sipping any season of the year while overlooking the couple’s wonderfully manicured gardens from the lovely 3 season’s room just off the kitchen. The soft sage island bead panel detail was repeated on the backsplash, replicating the feel of a fine old piece of furniture. The biggest problem with the laundry room was 3 doors, one from the garage, one from the closet, and one to the hallway. “Scott designed a pocket door, and oh what a dream it is now to bring groceries in from the garage!” exclaims Bud who grew to disdain this task! Doing laundry is now a breeze in this attractive new space that doubles as a wonderful pantry for the kitchen with room to store food items that didn’t have a home in the poorly designed original space. New Hickory distressed wood flooring was laid both in the kitchen and leading to the hall foyer. Soft gray wood-replicating porcelain was placed in the laundry area, making for an easily cleanable surface for what doubles as a mud room from the garage. Creamy tumbled marble graces an unobtrusive backsplash spilling onto shiny granite counter tops in a rich earthy pattern of fall colors that mimic colors throughout the home. Advance is known details that included custom crafted furniture toe kicks, luxurious crown moldings, and beaded under cabinet moldings. The kitchen is complete with a glass display cabinet showing Ruth’s treasured china tea collection. Early on, it was initially only their intention of purchasing cabinets for the new design. They were so impressed however with Advance Design’s complete program for budgeting, design, installation and management that it became clear to them both that they wanted Advance to handle the entire project from start to finish. “After seeing the quality work they did, coupled with the in-house team completely dedicated to our satisfaction, it became apparent there was no other choice but to hire them to handle everything. And we’re so glad we did, we have not one regret”, says Bud. “The attention to detail by the carpentry crew more than satisfied my perfectionist expectations of the finished carpentry,” exclaimed Bud. “Every one of Advance Design’s people we encountered from design through construction was wonderful. We’ve never met a group of people so dedicated to making sure we were happy with every single detail, and every single part of this experience”, said Ruth and Bud. Designer: Scott Christensen Photographer: Joe Nowak

Bud Kane has remodeled nearly every room in his own home over many years. Now reaching his 70’s, he contemplated heading up a major kitchen and laundry room renovation himself, planning on doing the carpentry work with his own hands. “I was not convinced I would ever meet anyone who could do it as well as I could do it myself”, said Bud. Ruth and Bud spent 5 years visiting kitchen firms and interviewing designers. They couldn’t however bring themselves to pull the trigger on the project, until they met Advance Design Studio in 2015. “No one understood what I wanted”, said Ruth. She was continually frustrated by experiences with designers who weren’t hearing what was important to her. “Everyone kept designing my kitchen with what they thought it should look like; I couldn’t find anyone who would listen to me”! When they met designer Scott Christensen from Advance Design Studio, they liked him right away. He listened to Ruth and designed a kitchen that she loved, all the while interjecting years of wisdom and design expertise that Ruth appreciated. “The finished product is better than I expected”, says Ruth. “I respected Scott’s opinions and together we created the perfect place for me to bake with my grandkids and truly enjoy the kitchen and laundry room I’ve been dreaming of for many years!” The kitchen transformation began with removing the home’s soffits, and extending new painted maple cabinetry to the ceiling with the addition of an elegant crown molding. Ruth’s new Vita Mix holds a coveted place on her counter, and adjustments were planned to size the cabinets in conjunction with the under cabinet decorative light molding to fit this appliance just right. “This one small detail was really important to me”, says Ruth smiling. An elegant new island replaced the original island, complete with room for 3 stools where her grandchildren will sit to make home-made pasta every Thanksgiving, and cookies at Christmas time. “Traditions are very important in my family, and making my kitchen work to suit cherished activities with my family was the number one reason this renovation was so desired”, replied Ruth when asked about the island. A picture perfect new tea station replaced a cluttered unused desk area, creating a wonderful place to prepare hot drinks for sipping any season of the year while overlooking the couple’s wonderfully manicured gardens from the lovely 3 season’s room just off the kitchen. The soft sage island bead panel detail was repeated on the backsplash, replicating the feel of a fine old piece of furniture. The biggest problem with the laundry room was 3 doors, one from the garage, one from the closet, and one to the hallway. “Scott designed a pocket door, and oh what a dream it is now to bring groceries in from the garage!” exclaims Bud who grew to disdain this task! Doing laundry is now a breeze in this attractive new space that doubles as a wonderful pantry for the kitchen with room to store food items that didn’t have a home in the poorly designed original space. New Hickory distressed wood flooring was laid both in the kitchen and leading to the hall foyer. Soft gray wood-replicating porcelain was placed in the laundry area, making for an easily cleanable surface for what doubles as a mud room from the garage. Creamy tumbled marble graces an unobtrusive backsplash spilling onto shiny granite counter tops in a rich earthy pattern of fall colors that mimic colors throughout the home. Advance is known details that included custom crafted furniture toe kicks, luxurious crown moldings, and beaded under cabinet moldings. The kitchen is complete with a glass display cabinet showing Ruth’s treasured china tea collection. Early on, it was initially only their intention of purchasing cabinets for the new design. They were so impressed however with Advance Design’s complete program for budgeting, design, installation and management that it became clear to them both that they wanted Advance to handle the entire project from start to finish. “After seeing the quality work they did, coupled with the in-house team completely dedicated to our satisfaction, it became apparent there was no other choice but to hire them to handle everything. And we’re so glad we did, we have not one regret”, says Bud. “The attention to detail by the carpentry crew more than satisfied my perfectionist expectations of the finished carpentry,” exclaimed Bud. “Every one of Advance Design’s people we encountered from design through construction was wonderful. We’ve never met a group of people so dedicated to making sure we were happy with every single detail, and every single part of this experience”, said Ruth and Bud. Designer: Scott Christensen Photographer: Joe Nowak

See "5-Year Kitchen in Elgin" for the kitchen featured in this description. Bud Kane has remodeled nearly every room in his own home over many years. Now reaching his 70’s, he contemplated heading up a major kitchen and laundry room renovation himself, planning on doing the carpentry work with his own hands. “I was not convinced I would ever meet anyone who could do it as well as I could do it myself”, said Bud. Ruth and Bud spent 5 years visiting kitchen firms and interviewing designers. They couldn’t however bring themselves to pull the trigger on the project, until they met Advance Design Studio in 2015. “No one understood what I wanted”, said Ruth. She was continually frustrated by experiences with designers who weren’t hearing what was important to her. “Everyone kept designing my kitchen with what they thought it should look like; I couldn’t find anyone who would listen to me”! When they met designer Scott Christensen from Advance Design Studio, they liked him right away. He listened to Ruth and designed a kitchen that she loved, all the while interjecting years of wisdom and design expertise that Ruth appreciated. “The finished product is better than I expected”, says Ruth. “I respected Scott’s opinions and together we created the perfect place for me to bake with my grandkids and truly enjoy the kitchen and laundry room I’ve been dreaming of for many years!” The kitchen transformation began with removing the home’s soffits, and extending new painted maple cabinetry to the ceiling with the addition of an elegant crown molding. Ruth’s new Vita Mix holds a coveted place on her counter, and adjustments were planned to size the cabinets in conjunction with the under cabinet decorative light molding to fit this appliance just right. “This one small detail was really important to me”, says Ruth smiling. An elegant new island replaced the original island, complete with room for 3 stools where her grandchildren will sit to make home-made pasta every Thanksgiving, and cookies at Christmas time. “Traditions are very important in my family, and making my kitchen work to suit cherished activities with my family was the number one reason this renovation was so desired”, replied Ruth when asked about the island. A picture perfect new tea station replaced a cluttered unused desk area, creating a wonderful place to prepare hot drinks for sipping any season of the year while overlooking the couple’s wonderfully manicured gardens from the lovely 3 season’s room just off the kitchen. The soft sage island bead panel detail was repeated on the backsplash, replicating the feel of a fine old piece of furniture. The biggest problem with the laundry room was 3 doors, one from the garage, one from the closet, and one to the hallway. “Scott designed a pocket door, and oh what a dream it is now to bring groceries in from the garage!” exclaims Bud who grew to disdain this task! Doing laundry is now a breeze in this attractive new space that doubles as a wonderful pantry for the kitchen with room to store food items that didn’t have a home in the poorly designed original space. New Hickory distressed wood flooring was laid both in the kitchen and leading to the hall foyer. Soft gray wood-replicating porcelain was placed in the laundry area, making for an easily cleanable surface for what doubles as a mud room from the garage. Creamy tumbled marble graces an unobtrusive backsplash spilling onto shiny granite counter tops in a rich earthy pattern of fall colors that mimic colors throughout the home. Advance is known details that included custom crafted furniture toe kicks, luxurious crown moldings, and beaded under cabinet moldings. The kitchen is complete with a glass display cabinet showing Ruth’s treasured china tea collection. Early on, it was initially only their intention of purchasing cabinets for the new design. They were so impressed however with Advance Design’s complete program for budgeting, design, installation and management that it became clear to them both that they wanted Advance to handle the entire project from start to finish. “After seeing the quality work they did, coupled with the in-house team completely dedicated to our satisfaction, it became apparent there was no other choice but to hire them to handle everything. And we’re so glad we did, we have not one regret”, says Bud. “The attention to detail by the carpentry crew more than satisfied my perfectionist expectations of the finished carpentry,” exclaimed Bud. “Every one of Advance Design’s people we encountered from design through construction was wonderful. We’ve never met a group of people so dedicated to making sure we were happy with every single detail, and every single part of this experience”, said Ruth and Bud. Designer: Scott Christensen Photographer: Joe Nowak