As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

These clients were looking for a designer/builder that would handle everything from concept to completion, providing peace of mind for themselves! “Working alongside Renovisions was a pleasant experience” said our clients as we cared to understand their vision, needs, wants and desires, enabling us to execute their projects successfully and professionally. During the design phase, our well-organized staff listened to the client’s requests and combined several design elements that produced a beautiful, calming and transitional feel to the new kitchen space. During the remodel phase, the clients had these top 5 items on the list of enhancements: * High- functioning ventilation to clear as much odors as possible (When we first met with the clients, they stated, “Something very fishy was going on in their outdated kitchen. Although they enjoyed cooking fish dinners, they fishy odors often annoyed them)! Renovisions designed and installed a wood hood in matching light gray painted finish with a hood liner that provided the maximum ventilation, while staying within the proper building code of a 350cfm air exchange, without having to add a make -up air system which would have added to the cost of the project. *Better functioning ‘Spinner Storage’ for interior storage. The clients loved them in their old kitchen; we furnished and installed new and better-quality spinners storage units. *A unique opening between the kitchen and family room that allowed homeowners to pass meals through as they enjoyed a movie from the family room. *A Smart-Divide porcelain enamel sink with stainless steel grids allow plenty of room for dirty dishes, pots and pans as well as separate areas to prep and wash dishes as needed. * Anti-glare finishes were a must have for these clients; kitchen cabinetry in a matte gray neutral finish, faucet and cabinet hardware in a matte black finish and stunning Cambria quartz countertops in a suede finish set the stage. At completion phase, homeowners were ensured that they were receiving high-quality products, style and craftmanship in the most efficient time frame and were thrilled with look of their new kitchen that also provided plenty of prep, entertaining and seating space. The clients attributes the success of the design to the emotions it inspired when the job was completed – they simply love everything about it!

This South Shore of Boston client approached the team of Renovisions to remodel her existing basement bathroom. This bath, with an outdated fiberglass shower stall was cracked and leaking into the concrete floor below. The room had inadequate storage, was dark and did not boost this home’s overall market value. It was definitely time for a Renovision and the client was excited to get started! She was looking forward to sharing the new space with guests that stay at her home and use the bathroom often. Working alongside this client was fun and productive as great design and product choices were selected together. In the design process, Renovisions presented a unique idea; using the basement foundation ledge for a shelf that ran into the shower area, gaining extra space for shampoos and soaps, eliminating the need for a niche. Another great idea was to implement a Grohe Smart Control valve which brings this shower experience to another level; they can choose ways to spray with the right degree of warmth. The stunning stream-lined shower trims in brushed nickel finish match the style and finish on the single-lever vanity faucet. The contrasting dark grey, large format porcelain floor tile’s texture resembles a linen-look pattern the client requested while complimenting the darker veining in the quartz curb, shelf and vanity countertop. The Carrera-look porcelain shower wall tiles boast no-maintenance and provides a clean, brighter appeal seen through the beautiful custom shower glass enclosure. We lightened up the bath with a light blue paint color which added a fresh look, giving the illusion of a bigger space. As you can see, with the right colors, textures and accessories, we transformed this basement bath from Drab to Fab. The client was thrilled with her basement Renovision, a true Breath of Fresh Flair’!

We undertook a complete gut renovation and redesign of our client’s home while they enjoyed their summer residence. Working six days a week, we ensured the project was finished in time for their return to Palm Beach for the winter season. Every design detail was meticulously curated to reflect their unique style and needs. When they arrived for the big reveal, they were thrilled to discover a stunning, entirely transformed home tailored specifically for them.

A tiny home on Waiheke Island needed a staircase to access the loft that was not only a space-saving staircase, but also safe for guests to access. Additionally, the owner wanted a balustrade that required craftsmanship with intricate designs and a beach inspired style to match the interior design of this tiny home. The original design included a wooden staircase, however the owner wanted that replaced with steel stairs to save space. A spiral staircase was considered, but was still too big for what she wanted, which led us to design a ladder. Because the owner is an artist, she wanted a more unique balustrade design. This was quite a different style from our usual fabrications, but we welcomed the challenge. We then brought all the pieces to Waiheke Island and completed the installation in a day. The owner was thrilled with the end result and is now renting out the tiny home as holiday rentals.

Hoping to make better use of their large backyard, these homeowners contacted us for the wooden retreat of their dreams! With an outdoor swim spa, custom outdoor structure, and two fire pits, this luxury landscape provides the perfect "getaway." Features that are unique to this property include a gorgeous palm tree, a crusher cone fire pit, and a custom-designed covered structure. The dog run was also added in such a place to be accessible from the enlarged deck, allowing for easy canine access. Our clients are thrilled with their new backyard space! With it checking off each item on their list, they can now enjoy their outdoor entertaining space for years to come!

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

Two totally refreshed bathroom remodels take center stage in this St. Louis Park home. The homeowners loved their 1968 split level home and its unique period features. It was a well-built custom home with gorgeous maple trim and oak floors throughout. However, the main bathroom had water damage to the sub-floor that needed to be replaced. The owners decided to go ahead and update the rest of the bathroom at the same time, taking care of other items they had long wanted to do. For example, the plumbing was outdated, and the shower didn’t drain well. They also hoped for a wood vanity that would match the rest of the home, in look and era, and wished the previous homeowners hadn’t painted the original. As the couple discussed the remodel, they ultimately decided to take the plunge and take advantage of work being done in the home and update both the main floor bathroom and the master bathroom at the same time. Tackling both projects at once made sense for project efficiency, both in time and budget, and they are thrilled to now each have “their own” new bathroom!

These homeowners were anxiously ready to remodel their dated 80’s kitchen and reached out to Renovisions to handle the transformation. In this new undertaking we met to discuss plans to brighten the dark room with custom painted white inset cabinets, adding more functional storage, better task lighting and GE Monogram appliances, new hardwood flooring throughout and creating a better flow into the adjacent family room. In order to open up the space, Renovisions suggested creating an angle at the peninsula. Continuing with this approach we replaced the rear door with a new one-light door that swings out instead of in to accommodate new bar stools and a better flow of traffic in and out to the deck outside. Silestone’s quartz countertops in ‘Merope’ were the perfect choice adding a nice contrast yet truly durable and low maintenance. Creating a beautifully unique subway tile niche in linen color at cooktop area and backsplash added an elegant touch to the overall look and homeowners were thrilled with this refreshing look after the Renovision. Now their newly renovated kitchen is a showcase and nicely outfitted for family and friends.

Our returning customer looked to E. D. Enterprises, Inc. to again work in their home. This time, the owner's dream was to add an island and open the kitchen. So, we started by removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room. A support header was installed. Plumbing for the sink, was removed from the pre-existing wall and relocated into the eye-catching island. Electric and curio lighting was added to enhance the glass door cabinets. Under cabinet lights direct your eye to the unique tile design above the range, and to the brick pattern tile back splash above the counter top. Two new pendant lights were installed to illuminate the island. Cabinet crown molding was added around the perimeter at the ceiling. A new hardwood Oak floor was installed and finished. The project was a joy to build; and the owners were thrilled. General Contractor / Remodel: ED Enterprises, Inc. Michael Alan Kaskel Photography

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

This architecturally designed home in Austinmer blends timeless design with natural, unique materials, perfectly capturing the beauty of its elevated location. CKS Projects was thrilled to bring this family’s dream home to life, maximising both the stunning South Coast ocean views and the leafy Illawarra escarpment.

2011 CAPITAL COTY AWARD GRAND AWARD WINNER Having just purchased this new home, the owners did not like the disconnection between kitchen and breakfast area. The garden window over the sink was in disrepair, the cabinetry was dark and the room’s flow had no rhyme or reason. The kitchen, however, had a lot of potential. A new design was put together which involved reframing the garden window to create panoramic viewing. Two skylights were added which really brightened up the space. All of the previous bulkheads were removed to allow stacked cabinetry and upper display cupboards. A new larger cooking island with angular wings and seating space around it is now the focal point of this kitchen. An additional countertop built on decorative columns offers space for the couple’s children to do their homework or have a snack. Entire kitchen and breakfast area now has a larger porcelain tile floor laid in a pattern to make the place even larger. Honey-colored maple cabinetry with a slightly rubbed chocolate glaze finish gives a classic but sophisticated look to this kitchen. The marriage of faux painting and brick fascia introduced a unique look into the space. The homeowners are so thrilled with the outcome, they are considering remodeling the rest of the home.

An 1800’s carriage house sets the stage for this classic kitchen remodel. The homeowners wanted to be true to the architecture of their home while incorporating top quality, cutting edge appliances and modern day conveniences. They are discerning cooks who entertain often. The original kitchen, done in the 1990’s, had built-out walls covering the original stone of the house. Once exposed and repointed, the stone served as an amazing backsplash in the space, and we were able to gain almost 12” in the width of the room! The fabulous matte black BlueStar range is topped off with a unique antique fireback and is complimented by hand-pegged, hand-planed custom cabinetry that are scribed to the stone walls with precision. The distressed soapstone counters bring warmth to the space that makes you want to cozy up and stay a while. Since the kitchen does not allow for an island, the unused dining room was turned into a combined bar area and butler’s pantry. This small room packs a lot in with antique heart pine countertops, beadboard backsplash, and cabinetry backs, which provide a warm, casual feel. An additional refrigerator and dishwasher, as well as an icemaker, all hidden behind cabinetry panels, provide everything they need, and more, for entertaining family and friends. Suffice it to say, our clients are thrilled with their new ‘old’ kitchen! Matt Villano Photography

The homeowners collaborated with Schulte Design Build to design and transform their kitchen into a more functional standout space for their family’s growing needs. This large multi-space was designed to be a light, open, and vibrant space for cooking, eating, and studying, as well as an easy place for family and friends to gather. The dark wood cabinets were replaced with ceiling-height white shaker cabinets, a long island was added to the length of the space, and the lighting was reconfigured to highlight the new task areas. A black countertop that now lines the walls to create contrast for the perimeter, while the new marble herringbone backsplash adds a unique spin on the traditional subway tile. The clients are thrilled with the results!

This South Shore of Boston client approached the team of Renovisions to remodel her existing basement bathroom. This bath, with an outdated fiberglass shower stall was cracked and leaking into the concrete floor below. The room had inadequate storage, was dark and did not boost this home’s overall market value. It was definitely time for a Renovision and the client was excited to get started! She was looking forward to sharing the new space with guests that stay at her home and use the bathroom often. Working alongside this client was fun and productive as great design and product choices were selected together. In the design process, Renovisions presented a unique idea; using the basement foundation ledge for a shelf that ran into the shower area, gaining extra space for shampoos and soaps, eliminating the need for a niche. Another great idea was to implement a Grohe Smart Control valve which brings this shower experience to another level; they can choose ways to spray with the right degree of warmth. The stunning stream-lined shower trims in brushed nickel finish match the style and finish on the single-lever vanity faucet. The contrasting dark grey, large format porcelain floor tile’s texture resembles a linen-look pattern the client requested while complimenting the darker veining in the quartz curb, shelf and vanity countertop. The Carrera-look porcelain shower wall tiles boast no-maintenance and provides a clean, brighter appeal seen through the beautiful custom shower glass enclosure. We lightened up the bath with a light blue paint color which added a fresh look, giving the illusion of a bigger space. As you can see, with the right colors, textures and accessories, we transformed this basement bath from Drab to Fab. The client was thrilled with her basement Renovision, a true Breath of Fresh Flair’!

This project's final result exceeded even our vision for the space! This kitchen is part of a stunning traditional log home in Evergreen, CO. The original kitchen had some unique touches, but was dated and not a true reflection of our client. The existing kitchen felt dark despite an amazing amount of natural light, and the colors and textures of the cabinetry felt heavy and expired. The client wanted to keep with the traditional rustic aesthetic that is present throughout the rest of the home, but wanted a much brighter space and slightly more elegant appeal. Our scope included upgrades to just about everything: new semi-custom cabinetry, new quartz countertops, new paint, new light fixtures, new backsplash tile, and even a custom flue over the range. We kept the original flooring in tact, retained the original copper range hood, and maintained the same layout while optimizing light and function. The space is made brighter by a light cream primary cabinetry color, and additional feature lighting everywhere including in cabinets, under cabinets, and in toe kicks. The new kitchen island is made of knotty alder cabinetry and topped by Cambria quartz in Oakmoor. The dining table shares this same style of quartz and is surrounded by custom upholstered benches in Kravet's Cowhide suede. We introduced a new dramatic antler chandelier at the end of the island as well as Restoration Hardware accent lighting over the dining area and sconce lighting over the sink area open shelves. We utilized composite sinks in both the primary and bar locations, and accented these with farmhouse style bronze faucets. Stacked stone covers the backsplash, and a handmade elk mosaic adorns the space above the range for a custom look that is hard to ignore. We finished the space with a light copper paint color to add extra warmth and finished cabinetry with rustic bronze hardware. This project is breathtaking and we are so thrilled our client can enjoy this kitchen for many years to come!

Two totally refreshed bathroom remodels take center stage in this St. Louis Park home. The homeowners loved their 1968 split level home and its unique period features. It was a well-built custom home with gorgeous maple trim and oak floors throughout. However, the main bathroom had water damage to the sub-floor that needed to be replaced. The owners decided to go ahead and update the rest of the bathroom at the same time, taking care of other items they had long wanted to do. For example, the plumbing was outdated, and the shower didn’t drain well. They also hoped for a wood vanity that would match the rest of the home, in look and era, and wished the previous homeowners hadn’t painted the original. As the couple discussed the remodel, they ultimately decided to take the plunge and take advantage of work being done in the home and update both the main floor bathroom and the master bathroom at the same time. Tackling both projects at once made sense for project efficiency, both in time and budget, and they are thrilled to now each have “their own” new bathroom!

This project's final result exceeded even our vision for the space! This kitchen is part of a stunning traditional log home in Evergreen, CO. The original kitchen had some unique touches, but was dated and not a true reflection of our client. The existing kitchen felt dark despite an amazing amount of natural light, and the colors and textures of the cabinetry felt heavy and expired. The client wanted to keep with the traditional rustic aesthetic that is present throughout the rest of the home, but wanted a much brighter space and slightly more elegant appeal. Our scope included upgrades to just about everything: new semi-custom cabinetry, new quartz countertops, new paint, new light fixtures, new backsplash tile, and even a custom flue over the range. We kept the original flooring in tact, retained the original copper range hood, and maintained the same layout while optimizing light and function. The space is made brighter by a light cream primary cabinetry color, and additional feature lighting everywhere including in cabinets, under cabinets, and in toe kicks. The new kitchen island is made of knotty alder cabinetry and topped by Cambria quartz in Oakmoor. The dining table shares this same style of quartz and is surrounded by custom upholstered benches in Kravet's Cowhide suede. We introduced a new dramatic antler chandelier at the end of the island as well as Restoration Hardware accent lighting over the dining area and sconce lighting over the sink area open shelves. We utilized composite sinks in both the primary and bar locations, and accented these with farmhouse style bronze faucets. Stacked stone covers the backsplash, and a handmade elk mosaic adorns the space above the range for a custom look that is hard to ignore. We finished the space with a light copper paint color to add extra warmth and finished cabinetry with rustic bronze hardware. This project is breathtaking and we are so thrilled our client can enjoy this kitchen for many years to come!