Not surprising, mudrooms are gaining in popularity, both for their practical and functional use. This busy Lafayette family was ready to build a mudroom of their own. Riverside Construction helped them plan a mudroom layout that would work hard for the home. The design plan included combining three smaller rooms into one large, well-organized space. Several walls were knocked down and an old cabinet was removed, as well as an unused toilet. As part of the remodel, a new upper bank of cabinets was installed along the wall, which included open shelving perfect for storing backpacks to tennis rackets. In addition, a custom wainscoting back wall was designed to hold several coat hooks. For shoe changing, Riverside Construction added a sturdy built-in bench seat and a lower bank of open shelves to store shoes. The existing bathroom sink was relocated to make room for a large closet. To finish this mudroom/laundry room addition, the homeowners selected a fun pop of color for the walls and chose easy-to-clean, durable 13 x 13 tile flooring for high-trafficked areas.

A tiny kitchen and large unused dining room were combined to create a welcoming, eat in kitchen with the addition of a powder room, and space left for the doggies.

Upstairs, a hall bath was updated with fresh fixtures and surfaces blending the traditional with the contemporary. A cramped corner shower stall was expanded, easing every day use for the family of three. Unused space in the bathroom was given to the adjacent bedroom closet - which currently serves as a primary suite but will eventually be given to their daughter after a planned second phase dormer addition is completed!

My client’s one bedroom, beach front condo lacked furniture, a guest room and adequate storage. I designed a wall unit that houses a Murphy bed, two wardrobe closets, a section for his tv & components and plenty of shelves for displaying his artifacts. Additionally, I created a clothing and storage closet in an unused hallway recess that matches the living room perfectly!

Jonn Spradlin
Sunroom - transitional sunroom idea in Dallas

The original deck was nearly the same shape and size of the new sunroom but was completely unusable because the sun made it unbearable to sit and relax. Chris Malacarne Photography

Our brick potting and storage shed built to replace a decrepit garage that was unusable. The bricks are recycled original 80 year old brick from the previous structure. The trim is PVC for rot resistance, the roof gutters are connected a rain barrel reservoir for the garden. The custom made mini barn doors allow for easy access to bicycles and lawn equipment.

City living often means that you need to make the most of inch of space. In this recent project for a high-rise condo in Chicago, we helped the owners maximize their square footage by installing a a built-in desk with storage in an unused nook in their home. With a high-gloss white finish and base molding, this built-in workspace is stylish and fully integrated with the surrounding space. Push release doors and drawers eliminate the need for hardware, giving the custom storage system and even sleeker look.

Raised paver patio in a tight space. Our client came to use with a very small side yard space and a very unusable slope. They were looking for an outdoor living space with a gas fire pit as a central sitting area. Allan Block "classic" retaining wall blocks were used for the supporting structure and Allan Block "courtyard" blocks were used as the free standing walls and pillars.

The owners of this South Minneapolis home, best described as a cross between a bungalow and foursquare, needed a larger kitchen to accommodate their expanding family. Typical of 1920s kitchens this one served as a hallway to all other spaces including basement, outdoor entrance, pantry, and dining so there were doors everywhere. Besides committing the pantry and cramped entrance, the key to making this a functional kitchen was moving two stairs. The new stairs to the side entrance and basement are now in an unused corner of the living room.

The majority of our customers want to remove their unused tub and use the gained spaced for a larger shower. We gave these incredible clients what they wanted while saving money by not moving any walls & keeping the existing window. The reclaimed wood is from a barn in Tennessee. Cabinets are KCD Brooklyn Slate. -Tony Pescho

The Bar: This area was originally smaller due to a wall on the left and the cabinets had large, unusable filler space. Taking the small wall out allowed us to bring in wine cubes and a 24" mini fridge. Now there is plenty of space to store/display wines as well as coffee!

We recently completed a vintage bathroom renovation. The homeowners were looking to add a shower to their second floor bathroom, which only had a clawfoot tub. It was also the only bathroom on the second floor of the home. Space was an issue in the bathroom, and a traditional shower over the tub wasn't an option, as the eve created a low ceiling. Instead, we suggested taking out the adajcent closet in the master bedroom, to provide shower space in the bathroom, and replaced the bedroom closet with a custom built-in. The built-in shelves next to the clawfoot tub can be used books, a glass of wine, or bath salts. Additional built-ins, across from the sink, take advantage of the previously unused space under the eve and provide flexible storage solutions. The subway tile in the shower, octogonal tile flooring, and traditional beadboard, gives the bathroom a feel that is in-keeping with the rest of the house. Using the frameless glass shower door, gives the illusion of more space.

Built in 2023 by Cutuli Homes, this custom detached accessory dwelling unit was designed as a true mother-in-law home—a private, beautifully finished residence that allows three generations of one family to live close together while maintaining their own individual spaces. The DADU was built as a companion to the homeowners' main residence, which Cutuli Homes had extensively remodeled and expanded two years earlier. Rather than treating the new structure as an afterthought, the goal was to create a home that felt architecturally connected to the existing property. Its traditional exterior, white siding, steeply pitched roof, generous windows and carefully proportioned trim give the small residence the character of an established home. The project was created for the homeowners' mother, who downsized from her large lakefront home in the Midwest to move closer to her family and young grandchild. The result captures one of the greatest advantages of multigenerational living: family and shared community just steps away, balanced with the independence, privacy and comfort of a home of her own. Inside, every inch was carefully considered. The compact footprint feels remarkably open thanks to a vaulted, white-paneled ceiling, abundant natural light, tall windows and an open vertical design that draws the eye upward. A loft level expands the usable living space without sacrificing the airy feeling of the main floor. Traditional white Shaker-style cabinetry provides extensive built-in storage throughout the home and gives the interior a clean, timeless architectural character. In the kitchen, cabinetry extends upward to take advantage of the available height, while warm neutral countertops and a textured herringbone-pattern backsplash introduce subtle depth and contrast. Stainless-steel appliances are thoughtfully incorporated into the compact layout, creating a highly functional kitchen without overwhelming the living space. One of the home's most charming features is the intimate living area tucked beneath custom built-in cabinetry. A built-in upholstered window-seat-style sofa with drawers below transforms what could have been unused space into a comfortable place to read, relax or visit. Across from it, a contemporary fireplace is integrated into a compact feature wall, with a wood display ledge above providing space for artwork, plants and personal collections. Warm wood accents soften the predominantly white interior. Natural wood ledges, shelving, flooring and the loft ladder bring warmth and texture to the rooms, while greenery and personal furnishings give the home the comfortable character of a full-size residence rather than a conventional accessory dwelling unit. The private sleeping area demonstrates the same emphasis on intelligent space planning. Built-in cabinetry surrounds the bed and continues overhead, providing substantial storage without requiring bulky freestanding furniture. A softly textured wall treatment, warm wood shelving and abundant natural light make the compact bedroom feel inviting and finished. Above, the loft takes advantage of the dramatic roofline with a white tongue-and-groove style paneled ceiling extending from wall to wall. Built-in storage is incorporated beneath the sloped portions of the ceiling, turning otherwise difficult spaces into useful cabinetry while preserving an open central area for a desk, music, hobbies or additional flexible living space. Even the exterior reflects the home's attention to detail. Large windows bring daylight deep into the interior, while the private patio extends the living space outdoors. Traditional siding and trim allow the DADU to complement the architecture of the main residence while still having an identity of its own. At every turn, this project demonstrates that downsizing does not have to mean compromising on craftsmanship, beauty, storage or individuality. Through custom cabinetry, creative built-ins, vertical space planning and carefully considered architectural details, Cutuli Homes transformed a modest footprint into an elegant and highly personalized residence. More than simply a DADU, this is a thoughtfully designed multigenerational home—close enough for grandparents, parents and grandchildren to share everyday life, while giving everyone the privacy and independence of having a place of their own.

We added a desk with plenty of storage for the husband in the previously unused dinette. The cork backsplash is functional yet blends seamlessly with the backsplash.

This project was a portion of a larger remodeling of a classic mid-century deck house in Weston, MA. The primary areas of focus for the landscape were an interior courtyard and rear terrace, both of which were overgrown and unused. In order to keep within budget limitations, our strategy consisted largely of editing the existing plants on site and reusing the best ones, maintaining existing groupings where appropriate. In keeping with the arts and crafts style of the home with its exposed beams and attention to detail, we implemented a simpler palette of rich materials with well-articulated detailing for a more pared-down contemporary aesthetic. Scott Carman

Basements & Cellars. Finishing Ideas! Turn your basement spaces into smart areas dedicated to leisure, hobbies, play areas, or entertainment. Unfinished basements are usually a headache for home and business owners, not just because of the waste of space and precious square footage, but because unused basements are more likely to deteriorate, accumulate humidity, mold, allergens, and endanger the overall foundations and structures when there is lack of maintenance. Improve and transform your space into an additional guest room, a custom-designed home office, a bar or an an entertainment room; add closets and storage space or contact us to help you with more ideas to give your basement a good make over!

This beautiful 1881 Alameda Victorian cottage, wonderfully embodying the Transitional Gothic-Eastlake era, had most of its original features intact. Our clients, one of whom is a painter, wanted to preserve the beauty of the historic home while modernizing its flow and function. From several small rooms, we created a bright, open artist’s studio. We dug out the basement for a large workshop, extending a new run of stair in keeping with the existing original staircase. While keeping the bones of the house intact, we combined small spaces into large rooms, closed off doorways that were in awkward places, removed unused chimneys, changed the circulation through the house for ease and good sightlines, and made new high doorways that work gracefully with the eleven foot high ceilings. We removed inconsistent picture railings to give wall space for the clients’ art collection and to enhance the height of the rooms. From a poorly laid out kitchen and adjunct utility rooms, we made a large kitchen and family room with nine-foot-high glass doors to a new large deck. A tall wood screen at one end of the deck, fire pit, and seating give the sense of an outdoor room, overlooking the owners’ intensively planted garden. A previous mismatched addition at the side of the house was removed and a cozy outdoor living space made where morning light is received. The original house was segmented into small spaces; the new open design lends itself to the clients’ lifestyle of entertaining groups of people, working from home, and enjoying indoor-outdoor living. Photography by Kurt Manley. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/artists-victorian/

This three-room renovation took a 35-year old kitchen, a cramped dining area and a non-functional den and transformed them into clean, contemporary spaces for this family of four. The kitchen was a complete gut and renovation, with revised traffic patterns providing easy access to the den, more storage and a contemporary island. The large, unused fireplace was removed from the dining room, providing much-needed space. The den was renovated with two sliding glass doors providing light and improved access to the picturesque backyard. New LED lighting and light colors brightened the entire space, taking the drab, dated space to airy, functional and beautiful.