This spacious, multi-level backyard in San Luis Obispo, CA, once completely underutilized and overtaken by weeds, was converted into the ultimate outdoor entertainment space with a custom pool and spa as the centerpiece. A cabana with a built-in storage bench, outdoor TV and wet bar provide a protected place to chill during hot pool days, and a screened outdoor shower nearby is perfect for rinsing off after a dip. A hammock attached to the master deck and the adjacent pool deck are ideal for relaxing and soaking up some rays. The stone veneer-faced water feature wall acts as a backdrop for the pool area, and transitions into a retaining wall dividing the upper and lower levels. An outdoor sectional surrounds a gas fire bowl to create a cozy spot to entertain in the evenings, with string lights overhead for ambiance. A Belgard paver patio connects the lounge area to the outdoor kitchen with a Bull gas grill and cabinetry, polished concrete counter tops, and a wood bar top with seating. The outdoor kitchen is tucked in next to the main deck, one of the only existing elements that remain from the previous space, which now functions as an outdoor dining area overlooking the entire yard. Finishing touches included low-voltage LED landscape lighting, pea gravel mulch, and lush planting areas and outdoor decor.

This full first-floor renovation transformed a family home in Northwest Indiana, originally built in the early 2000s, into a personalized, highly functional space that better reflects the lifestyle and taste of its four residents. The remodel included the kitchen, living room, a reimagined dining room turned sitting room, office, mudroom, and laundry room. The clients’ main objective was to move beyond dated, builder-grade finishes and create a home that felt curated, warm, and distinctive—infused with layered textures, custom details, and a sense of ease. The living room posed the biggest design challenge, with awkward furniture placement due to two structural columns. We used these features to anchor a revised layout, integrating custom built-ins for storage and balance, and adding mixed metals and refined textures for visual depth. A former dining room was transformed into a moody sitting room—contrasting the neutral palette used throughout the rest of the main floor, while still complementing it. The mudroom was reworked from a tight, underutilized space into a practical, polished drop zone with custom cabinetry and stylish utility. Throughout the renovation, our team focused on improving flow, enhancing functionality, and blending each room’s unique character into a cohesive, elevated whole—resulting in a home that’s as livable as it is beautifully tailored.

This renovation focused on improving functionality, storage, and overall flow while creating a more refined and cohesive aesthetic throughout the primary bathroom, mudroom, laundry area, and powder room. The design introduces custom built-ins, enhanced organization, updated fixtures, and durable materials while replacing dated finishes with a cleaner, more contemporary look. The project also reimagines underutilized spaces to better support the homeowners’ daily routines.

These homeowners relocated to Indianapolis and wanted a traditional home in the Meridian Hills area that offered family living space off the kitchen. “It’s what we were used to, but we had trouble finding exactly what we were looking for.” They spent a lot of time thinking about the possibilities of a remodel. They had space both within and outside the house that were under-utilized and decided to embark on a significant renovation project. We endeavored to completely rework the current floor plan in hopes of addressing all their needs and wants. Plans included relocating the kitchen, moving the exterior walls by a couple of feet, raising the ceiling, and moving the office. The results of these changes were dramatic. Additionally the family now enjoys a larger and updated entrance with storage and closets that is perfect for their two active daughters and two often muddy labs, a beautiful kitchen with improved functionality that is filled with tons of natural light, as well as a cozy hearth room, ideal for relaxing together as a family. The once neglected screened porch is now a unique and inviting office with workspace for everyone. Once these improvements were made the view to the back of the house was now apparent, the couple decided to enhance their outdoor living space as well. We added a new patio, a custom pergola, water feature and a fire pit. “Now it’s a private spot to relax and connect with the outdoors. It really highlights the style of the house and we love it,” says the homeowner.

Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room gave the opportunity to expand the kitchen and rearrange the flow of the home. We took advantage of a underutilized space to create better flow, more natural light, a small seating area for guests, and room for multiple cooks to enjoy the space. Nearly everything on the main floor got a fresh update.

This Leawood, Kansas primary bathroom remodel was designed to support a growing family's changing needs while creating a more functional and timeless retreat. The existing layout was reimagined to improve daily routines, replacing an underutilized bathtub with a spacious walk-in shower featuring dual showerheads and a transom window that fills the space with natural light while maintaining privacy. The renovation extended beyond the bathroom to enhance the adjoining closet. By reclaiming square footage from the former shower location, the design created additional storage and incorporated a dedicated washer and dryer for greater everyday convenience. Thoughtful planning and purposeful design decisions helped maximize functionality without sacrificing style. Completed just before the homeowners welcomed their new baby, this remodel was designed to simplify daily life while providing a beautiful and enduring space that will serve the family for years to come.

Near Downtown Denver, this hayloft above a carriage house, now garage, was an underutilized storage space. Our client wanted to turn it into an office for her at home business. On a fairly tight budget we were able to clean it up. In the process we discovered the beautiful framing of the roof structure that we decided to highlight. The whole team was thrilled with the result.

Designed for Little Sleepies, a family apparel brand, this 10,000-square-foot office renovation in Hollywood, California transformed an empty commercial space into a warm, functional workplace for both staff and visitors. The project was planned as a workplace interior that supports daily operations while creating a more inviting and usable office environment. The design organizes a range of spaces for work, meeting, and informal gathering, including conference rooms, open work areas, communal lunch tables, kitchen amenities, and lounge-style seating. Rather than treating the office as a purely corporate interior, the project was shaped to feel comfortable, collaborative, and adaptable to the rhythms of everyday use. This project reflects experience in office renovation, workplace interiors, and commercial interior design, with an emphasis on turning underutilized space into a cohesive environment that supports both productivity and connection. The result is a workplace designed around flexibility, function, and a more welcoming sense of daily occupancy.

This basement renovation in Foxcroft was designed in partnership with Habitude Interiors to create a comfortable and highly functional extension of the home. The goal of the project was to transform the lower level into a warm, inviting living space that blends seamlessly with the rest of the house while adding practical everyday functionality. The renovation included a custom bathroom, home bar, living room, bedroom, dining space, mudroom, updated staircase, and a thoughtfully designed under-stair built-in nook. Each area was carefully planned to maximize storage, improve flow, and create a cohesive design aesthetic throughout the basement. By combining timeless finishes, custom millwork, and layered textures, this once underutilized basement was transformed into a beautifully finished living environment perfect for relaxing, entertaining, and hosting guests.

H&H, Amy Griffith of Broken Box Designs, and interior designer Vida Shore teamed up to transform a series of chopped up, under-utilized rooms into a open communal space. The team added a substantial beam in the ceiling and removed multiple walls to create a larger kitchen and more connected living space. This first floor remodel included the addition of custom pocket dog gates, a staircase remodel, kitchen remodel, and new built-in shelving. Photos by Jeff Amram Photography.

Our Client decided to renovate and expand her home after living in it for close to 35 years. She had previously worked with John Crawley AIA to remodel her kitchen and dining areas and was ready to undertake the rest of the house. We loved John Crawley's approach of selectively lifting the ceilings and flooding the common areas with light and let this inform our design approach throughout. The addition of the new library and library bath was intended to open up the house to both the interior and the exterior, while maintaining a seamless connection to previous work. The original 1970's house had an outdated master suite with a vanity area outside the tiny bathroom and adjacent tiny closet. Our Client was ready to overhaul the space annexing an adjacent underutilized bedroom for a generous master bath and open it to the beautiful backyard hillside with a private patio. The remainder of the house was given a variety of touches and updates including new windows, bathroom countertops and millwork and new colors throughout. Finally, a brise soleil was added to the front of the house.

This basement remodel transforms an underutilized space into a functional, inviting extension of the home—designed for both everyday living and entertaining. The open layout creates a seamless flow, with expansive living areas that feel bright and comfortable thanks to soft carpeting and a neutral palette. A custom built-in media wall anchors the space, while a textured stone feature wall adds depth and a high-end finish. A fully equipped wet bar serves as a natural gathering point, complete with custom cabinetry, ample counter space, and statement pendant lighting. Throughout the basement, thoughtful details like integrated storage, clean architectural lines, and upgraded stair finishes elevate both form and function. A hidden door discreetly built into the stone wall adds a unique, practical touch, while the finished bathroom features timeless fixtures and classic tilework. The result is a basement that feels cohesive, elevated, and truly livable—designed to be used, not just finished.

From unfinished and underutilized, to finished and a space for the entire family, this basement project was a true transformation. The basement is now seismic retrofitted, finished, and has reconfigured plumbing and ducting to allow for a more optimized floor plan.

We transform under-utilized spaces into secret reading nooks, miniature dollhouses, hidden headquarters, and imaginative hideaways with custom lighting, built-in shelving, and themed finishes. Especially popular in the two-story floor plans common throughout Briargate, Northgate, and Wolf Ranch. No PPRBD permit required — classified as interior finish work.

This custom kitchenette and laundry room transformation blends modern luxury with timeless functionality. Designed with warm light wood cabinetry, sleek flat-panel doors, and stunning full-height porcelain slab surfaces with soft veining, this space feels bright, elegant, and highly functional. The integrated floating shelf, under-cabinet LED lighting, and seamless countertop create a clean contemporary aesthetic while maximizing storage and workspace. The custom workstation sink, minimalist faucet, and floor-to-ceiling slab backsplash bring a high-end designer feel to this compact space. Every detail was carefully planned to turn an underutilized area into a stylish and efficient kitchenette/laundry room perfect for modern living. Designed & built by Sharon Stone Design Build in Silicon Valley, specializing in luxury custom remodeling, space planning, modern cabinetry, and high-end interior transformations.

DJL Builders designed a mudroom between the kitchen and garage as well as a modest basement remodel with an entryway. The space for the mudroom was awkward and a catch-all for clutter. DJL Builders created a mudroom with custom cubbies with seating and a side closet to help bring order and extra storage to seasonal and everyday needs. The basement of the home was underutilized as well, so we came up with a simple, multipurpose design for entertaining and a media room. The addition of the egress door to the basement with its own private entrance gives easy access to the outside and offers a sense of privacy for when guests come to visit. C. J. South Photography

Transforming this long-standing home on Bradgate Rd required more than a simple update—it called for a careful balance between renewal, structure, and respect for what was already there. The existing brick bungalow had strong bones, but the exterior was deteriorating, the carport was underutilized, and key interior spaces no longer supported the homeowners’ needs. Having lived in the home for decades, the goal wasn’t to start over—it was to rework the home into a more functional, comfortable space that could support the years ahead. The scope included a full exterior masonry refresh, where the front layer of brick was removed and replaced while maintaining the integrity of the original structure. The carport was fully enclosed and integrated into the home as a garage, and a new roof tied everything together with consistent detailing and long-term performance in mind. Inside, the layout was carefully reworked to introduce a new primary ensuite and completely renovate the main bathroom. Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems were updated throughout, with a focus on accessibility, ease of use, and everyday comfort. The result is a home that feels both familiar and elevated—where thoughtful construction and refined design come together to support long-term living without compromising character.

Penza Bailey Architects was contacted to update the main house to suit the next generation of owners, and also expand and renovate the guest apartment. The renovations included a new mudroom and playroom to accommodate the couple and their three very active boys, creating workstations for the boys’ various activities, and renovating several bathrooms. The awkwardly tall vaulted ceilings in the existing great room and dining room were scaled down with lowered tray ceilings, and a new fireplace focal point wall was incorporated in the great room. In addition to the renovations to the focal point of the home, the Owner’s pride and joy includes the new billiard room, transformed from an underutilized living room. The main feature is a full wall of custom cabinetry that hides an electronically secure liquor display that rises out of the cabinet at the push of an iPhone button. In an unexpected request, a new grilling area was designed to accommodate the owner’s gas grill, charcoal grill and smoker for more cooking and entertaining options. This home is definitely ready to accommodate a new generation of hosting social gatherings. Mitch Allen Photography

This home had a wood, contemporary kitchen, and a wall separating it from an under-utilized space. For the new Blanco contemporary kitchen, the wall was removed to open up the space and more cabinetry was added, along with updated high-end appliances and quartz countertops.