Our clients already had a cottage on Torch Lake that they loved to visit. It was a 1960s ranch that worked just fine for their needs. However, the lower level walkout became entirely unusable due to water issues. After purchasing the lot next door, they hired us to design a new cottage. Our first task was to situate the home in the center of the two parcels to maximize the view of the lake while also accommodating a yard area. Our second task was to take particular care to divert any future water issues. We took necessary precautions with design specifications to water proof properly, establish foundation and landscape drain tiles / stones, set the proper elevation of the home per ground water height and direct the water flow around the home from natural grade / drive. Our final task was to make appealing, comfortable, living spaces with future planning at the forefront. An example of this planning is placing a master suite on both the main level and the upper level. The ultimate goal of this home is for it to one day be at least a 3/4 of the year home and designed to be a multi-generational heirloom. - Jacqueline Southby Photography

This Beautiful 5,931 sqft home renovation was completely transformed from a small farm bungalow. This house is situated on a ten-acre property with extensive farmland views with bright open spaces. Custom beam work was done on site to add the “rustic” element to many of the rooms, most specifically the bar area. Custom, site-built shelving and lockers were added throughout the house to accommodate the homeowner’s specific needs. Space saving barn doors add style and purpose to the walk-in closets in the ensuite, which includes walk-in shower, private toilet room, and free standing jet tub; things that were previously lacking. A “great room” was created on the main floor, utilizing the previously unusable living area, creating a space on the main floor big enough for the family to gather, and take full advantage of the beautiful scenery of the acreage.

This project is a great example of how small changes can have a huge impact on a space. ​ Our clients wanted to have a more functional dining and living areas while combining his modern and hers more traditional style. The goal was to bring the space into the 21st century aesthetically without breaking the bank. We first tackled the massive oak built-in fireplace surround in the dining area, by painting it a lighter color. We added built-in LED lights, hidden behind each shelf ledge, to provide soft accent lighting. By changing the color of the trim and walls, we lightened the whole space up. We turned a once unused space, adjacent to the living room into a much-needed library, accommodating an area for the electric piano. We added light modern sectional, an elegant coffee table, and a contemporary TV media unit in the living room. New dark wood floors, stylish accessories and yellow drapery add warmth to the space and complete the look. ​ The home is now ready for a grand party with champagne and live entertainment.

Our customers wanted a new larger shower replacing an unused tub. The custom vanity includes specialty storage and a sit down makeup space. Brian Covington, Photographer

Abstract mirrors create the art in the room and help to finish a space that is oversized but generally unusable. So for this design element to work we chose to add the mirrors which typically add depth to room and in this case give the illusion that the extra space is from the mirrors. Good design 101.

Something we at SteveBuilt love to do is to help Niagara Region homeowners take advantage of unused spaces in their homes – specifically their unfinished or dated basements. This project turned out great. We kept it super simple on this one. This space was entirely finished when we walked in, but it was a priority of our clients’ to create a new, fresh, bright and USABLE collection of rooms. We would say we certainly hit the mark on this one. We gutted this space down to the studs and rebuilt the entire thing with new floors, windows, doors, hardware, baseboard and trim, a fresh coat of paint and some built-ins. What a transformation.

Our clients already had a cottage on Torch Lake that they loved to visit. It was a 1960s ranch that worked just fine for their needs. However, the lower level walkout became entirely unusable due to water issues. After purchasing the lot next door, they hired us to design a new cottage. Our first task was to situate the home in the center of the two parcels to maximize the view of the lake while also accommodating a yard area. Our second task was to take particular care to divert any future water issues. We took necessary precautions with design specifications to water proof properly, establish foundation and landscape drain tiles / stones, set the proper elevation of the home per ground water height and direct the water flow around the home from natural grade / drive. Our final task was to make appealing, comfortable, living spaces with future planning at the forefront. An example of this planning is placing a master suite on both the main level and the upper level. The ultimate goal of this home is for it to one day be at least a 3/4 of the year home and designed to be a multi-generational heirloom. - Jacqueline Southby Photography

This room as an unused dining room. This couple loves to entertain so we designed the room to be dramatic to look at, and allow for movable seating, and of course, a very sexy functional custom bar.

Van Auken Akins Architects LLC designed and facilitated the complete renovation of a home in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Areas of work include the living and dining spaces on the first floor, and bedrooms and baths on the second floor with new wall coverings, oriental rug selections, furniture selections and window treatments. The third floor was renovated to create a whimsical guest bedroom, bathroom, and laundry room. The upgrades to the baths included new plumbing fixtures, new cabinetry, countertops, lighting and floor tile. The renovation of the basement created an exercise room, wine cellar, recreation room, powder room, and laundry room in once unusable space. New ceilings, soffits, and lighting were installed throughout along with wallcoverings, wood paneling, carpeting and furniture.

This Medford, MA attic renovation transformed unused attic space into a bright home office with skylight natural light, sloped ceilings, built-in shelving, warm wood flooring, and a cozy desk area. The finished attic design creates a functional bonus room for working, reading, and creative use while preserving the character of the home’s upper level.

A cramped and dated kitchen becomes a light, bright, and spacious great room through the removal of a wall dividing the kitchen from the living and dining rooms. The new cabinet plan is expanded into an unused breakfast nook enlarging the functional space. Efficient storage is designed with the addition of a tall pantry cabinet fitted with roll-out shelves, ample use of convenient drawer storage, trash and recycling pull-out, and an appliance garage designed to hide away an assortment of countertop appliances. Pro-style appliances by Jennair make this kitchen a chef’s dream and thoughtful design details complete the overall look.

This galley kitchen was opened up to the dining room and extended back into an unused breakfast nook to create more space. The coffee bar fits nicely with drawers for mug storage.

Our Seattle studio designed this stunning 5,000+ square foot Snohomish home to make it comfortable and fun for a wonderful family of six. On the main level, our clients wanted a mudroom. So we removed an unused hall closet and converted the large full bathroom into a powder room. This allowed for a nice landing space off the garage entrance. We also decided to close off the formal dining room and convert it into a hidden butler's pantry. In the beautiful kitchen, we created a bright, airy, lively vibe with beautiful tones of blue, white, and wood. Elegant backsplash tiles, stunning lighting, and sleek countertops complete the lively atmosphere in this kitchen. On the second level, we created stunning bedrooms for each member of the family. In the primary bedroom, we used neutral grasscloth wallpaper that adds texture, warmth, and a bit of sophistication to the space creating a relaxing retreat for the couple. We used rustic wood shiplap and deep navy tones to define the boys' rooms, while soft pinks, peaches, and purples were used to make a pretty, idyllic little girls' room. In the basement, we added a large entertainment area with a show-stopping wet bar, a large plush sectional, and beautifully painted built-ins. We also managed to squeeze in an additional bedroom and a full bathroom to create the perfect retreat for overnight guests. For the decor, we blended in some farmhouse elements to feel connected to the beautiful Snohomish landscape. We achieved this by using a muted earth-tone color palette, warm wood tones, and modern elements. The home is reminiscent of its spectacular views – tones of blue in the kitchen, primary bathroom, boys' rooms, and basement; eucalyptus green in the kids' flex space; and accents of browns and rust throughout.

White kitchens are, truly, not for everyone. These clients, settling in Bloomington with a newborn and collections of quilts, fiestaware and jam band tour posters, were drawn to how bright and clean a white kitchen can be, but reluctant to lose color and interest. At SYI, we agreed! It would have felt like too sudden a drain of intensity to go from so much vibrancy to a complete white out. At the same time, all that vibrancy needed a backdrop that didn't compete. Enter the bright green island! And yellow sconces! And red bird runner! And upstairs, in a complete makeover of an awkward ensuite, the turquoise ceiling and door! (You really can't speak of these things without exclamation marks, we find.) True to its 1960s era colonial bones, the kitchen was formerly a tight U of wood stained cabinetry, adjacent to but cut off from an eating nook (where, if it's like most households, previous occupants likely ate most if not all of their meals, leaving the nearby dining room awfully lonely and unused). The eating nook's picture window became a door to a new deck, and one side of the U went away, leaving room for one of the most functional types of kitchen layouts we know of: an L with big windows to the back yard and a nice big island. Contractor: Loren Wood Builders Cabinetry: Stoll's Woodworking Photography: Gina Rogers and Michiko Owaki

The original kitchen felt undersized for a 4,500-square-foot home, with adjacent formal spaces left unused and disconnected from daily life. The homeowners envisioned a larger, more welcoming kitchen that could better support cooking, entertaining, and gathering. The renovation reworked the layout by incorporating the underutilized sitting room, allowing the kitchen to expand and open directly to the formal dining area. This created a more spacious and highly functional flow between spaces. A 10-foot walnut-stained island anchors the kitchen, complemented by a matching glass-front curio cabinet, chef-grade appliances, and dual sinks designed to support multiple cooks. A large window above the sink brings in natural light and frames views of the backyard, while a dedicated scullery provides additional pantry storage and prep space, keeping the main kitchen organized. The result is a kitchen that feels open, intentional, and well-suited for both everyday living and entertaining.

Check out our latest kitchen transformation of a worn-out kitchen into a fresh and functional space. The main goals were to replace the worn laminate countertop, update the kitchen's color scheme, and creatively utilize previously blocked-off, unused spaces. We embraced a transitional design style, featuring the Lancaster door in the stunning Midnight SuperMatte Blue color, bringing a sophisticated yet timeless look to the kitchen. Beautiful Cambria Quartz Swan Bridge countertops, replacing the old laminate, and added custom cabinets from the Kitchen Solvers Legacy Collection. The kitchen also features a new wine fridge, seamlessly incorporated into the reverse angle wall. We transformed blocked-off areas into custom wine cubbies, adding a touch of elegance and functionality. The kitchen now includes various rollouts and pull-outs, as well as a larger pantry, enhancing the overall storage and usability. The team did an outstanding job on this kitchen remodel.

This secluded single-family home in Great Falls, had a beautiful backyard setting. The owners recently built a gorgeous pool and surround deck on the right side of the house in their backyard. They inherited a rundown deck off of the kitchen patio doors. Our team designed a two-story outdoor living addition which offers the family everything that they can hope for in outdoor living. Our massive plan required excavation to make the lower level patio both attractive and functional for all kinds of outdoor activity. We excavated down two feet to create a nine-foot high patio, cut concrete walls to add French doors from to dark and unused side of the basement bringing improved use for the basement. The entire back wall was covered with matching brick veneer to entire front and side elevations. The roof of this patio was covered with EPDM roofing rolls to make the lower patio stay dry and protected. Steps away from pool sun deck, this flagstone covered patio turned into a prime space for entertainment. The built-in middle bar equipped with under counter beverage fridge and beer tab to make gatherings more exciting. The side steps built in with matching solid stone threads offered access to driveway and the second floor covered porch. The second floor is finished with porcelain floor tiles, stain grade ceiling panels, wrought iron rails, decorative recessed panel columns, hanging gorgeous ceiling fans steps away from the kitchen. Just outside of this covered porch, there is a deck with the same tile floor facing the pool area offering a breath taking view. Carefully selection of soft toned wood looking plank porcelain tiles compliment the knotty soft grey stain ceiling panels making this project one that shines even on rainy days. The custom-made spiral rod iron staircase offers an elegant second set of steps so that the upper level deck can reach into backyard and pool deck.

Van Auken Akins Architects LLC designed and facilitated the complete renovation of a home in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Areas of work include the living and dining spaces on the first floor, and bedrooms and baths on the second floor with new wall coverings, oriental rug selections, furniture selections and window treatments. The third floor was renovated to create a whimsical guest bedroom, bathroom, and laundry room. The upgrades to the baths included new plumbing fixtures, new cabinetry, countertops, lighting and floor tile. The renovation of the basement created an exercise room, wine cellar, recreation room, powder room, and laundry room in once unusable space. New ceilings, soffits, and lighting were installed throughout along with wallcoverings, wood paneling, carpeting and furniture.

Gardner/Fox completed this master suite renovation including a master bathroom expansion and renovation, and the creation of a walk-in closet. The new bathroom was doubled in size, after being combined with an unused walk-in closet. The new bathroom hosts a custom built-in vanity and storage, a 40 square-foot glass enclosed shower, and an Albert and Victoria free standing tub. The new closet was converted from a seldom used living space.