Rear yard panoramic after install. Reclamation of unused property to create an outdoor play and entertainment area
Inspiration for a landscaping in Atlanta.

Basically designed by the homeowner with my input, this built-in storage unit maximizes the use of previously nearly-unused space in a wide hallway. The tricky part was building around the existing off-centered window. It is 18" deep, so lot's of space for clothes (master closet is across the hall) or whatever. Includes interior shutters that can either completely block off sunlight or the tops open for let light in but maintain privacy.

These are Before, During, and After photos of a recent project we completed in Point Loma. The front yard was a sloped lawn and unusable. We terraced the yard with Keystone Country Manor and installed a concrete walkway to the front door.

This once unused bonus room was transformed into a wonderful new bedroom for a boy with lots of room to grow, play and have sleepovers. We took advantage of the attic space either side of the room by recessing the TV / storage area and also on the opposite side with the double desk unit. The room was separated by the sets of drawers that have custom headboards at the back of them, this helping with the great length of this room. Custom bookcase shelving was made for the window wall to also create not only depth but display as well. The clients as well as their son are enjoying the room!

This client had an unusable back yard with a steep slope going down to the canal. They requested an outdoor entertaining area with a sleek, contemporary fire feature and a smart correction to better utilize the grade challenges. We also incorporated a lush privacy hedge barrier and dog run for their three rescue dogs.

APD was hired to update the kitchen, living room, primary bathroom and bedroom, and laundry room in this suburban townhome. The design brought an aesthetic that incorporated a fresh updated and current take on traditional while remaining timeless and classic. The kitchen layout moved cooking to the exterior wall providing a beautiful range and hood moment. Removing an existing peninsula and re-orienting the island orientation provided a functional floorplan while adding extra storage in the same square footage. A specific design request from the client was bar cabinetry integrated into the stair railing, and we could not be more thrilled with how it came together! The primary bathroom experienced a major overhaul by relocating both the shower and double vanities and removing an un-used soaker tub. The design added linen storage and seated beauty vanity while expanding the shower to a luxurious size. Dimensional tile at the shower accent wall relates to the dimensional tile at the kitchen backsplash without matching the two spaces to each other while tones of cream, taupe, and warm woods with touches of gray are a cohesive thread throughout.

Previously an unused area segregated from the rest of the yard, this area quickly became a favorite spot after the addition of the new walls, pillars and pavers. Don Distel Photography

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.

We always recommend our clients think about how they will use their home in years to come - and that's just what this couple did! They were ready to remodel their master bathroom in their forever home and wanted to make sure they could enjoy it as long as possible. By removing the unused soaking tub, we were able to create a large, curbless walk-in shower with a relaxing area by the window. This master bathroom is the perfect size for this pair to enjoy now and in the future! And they even have extra room to display some of their sentimental art they've collected over the years. We really appreciate the opportunity to serve them and hope they enjoy the space for years to come.

Entertaining friends and family doesn't work well when rooms are small and closed off. So when our clients decided to remodel, they knew they wanted to open up the space to accommodate large gatherings. Also important were ample storage and quality appliances that would hold up to the demands of cooking creative meals several nights a week. As is sometimes the case with remodeling, solving one problem can create another. Opening up the space involved removing a wall, which sacrificed critical square footage for cabinetry and appliances. We knew the wall needed to come down so we were challenged with making sure every available cabinet space in the kitchen was being utilized as thoughtfully and creatively as possible. A tall pantry was added next to the refrigerator to allow for storage of pots and pans, as well as food, while another pantry in the adjacent dining room housed all dishes and silverware. A small bar area was created in an unused section in the back of the home to store coffee and tea accessories and drinkware. Finally, a small island in the center of the kitchen offered the ideal location for the microwave and most-used pots and pans. With the expanded space, smart use of storage options and top-notch appliances, our clients are enjoying working in their new kitchen and have already hosted a ravioli-making class! Matt Villano Photography

A seemingly unusable short narrow attic space becomes a wonderful little playroom.
Inspiration for a contemporary kids' room remodel in Salt Lake City

Inspiration for a modern home design remodel in Other

This older couple residing in a golf course community wanted to expand their living space and finish up their unfinished basement for entertainment purposes and more. Their wish list included: exercise room, full scale movie theater, fireplace area, guest bedroom, full size master bath suite style, full bar area, entertainment and pool table area, and tray ceiling. After major concrete breaking and running ground plumbing, we used a dead corner of basement near staircase to tuck in bar area. A dual entrance bathroom from guest bedroom and main entertainment area was placed on far wall to create a large uninterrupted main floor area. A custom barn door for closet gives extra floor space to guest bedroom. New movie theater room with multi-level seating, sound panel walls, two rows of recliner seating, 120-inch screen, state of art A/V system, custom pattern carpeting, surround sound & in-speakers, custom molding and trim with fluted columns, custom mahogany theater doors. The bar area includes copper panel ceiling and rope lighting inside tray area, wrapped around cherry cabinets and dark granite top, plenty of stools and decorated with glass backsplash and listed glass cabinets. The main seating area includes a linear fireplace, covered with floor to ceiling ledger stone and an embedded television above it. The new exercise room with two French doors, full mirror walls, a couple storage closets, and rubber floors provide a fully equipped home gym. The unused space under staircase now includes a hidden bookcase for storage and A/V equipment. New bathroom includes fully equipped body sprays, large corner shower, double vanities, and lots of other amenities. Carefully selected trim work, crown molding, tray ceiling, wainscoting, wide plank engineered flooring, matching stairs, and railing, makes this basement remodel the jewel of this community.

Our goal with this project was to combine a cramped kitchen and small dining room into an airy, open kitchen which serves many functions for this busy couple with young children. A central island provides plenty of space for food prep, school projects as well as everyday family dinners. We rearranged the large front room to create both an intimate conversation area and a more formal dining area. As the main floor lacked a powder room and closet for coats and boots, we annexed an unused portion of the house's airshaft to create both. The addition also features a skylight which along with the enlarged rear window, floods the new kitchen with sunshine. The richly cool palette of grays and white offers a soothing backdrop in what has become the hub of this family's colorful life...

This client is in the beauty industry, so – in additional to great style – she has more beauty products than most people do. Before the renovation, there were products all over the counters and in temporary roll-in shelving units that got wheeled into the bathroom. It was time for a change. Design objectives: -Add tons of storage -Feature blingy, reflective materials -Improve lighting -Omit unused built-in tub -Create a large luxurious shower -Include large mirrors to the ceiling THE REMODEL With the right storage solutions, a bathroom loaded with products and gadgets can look virtually empty. Elegance and order contribute to living life artfully. Design challenges: -Standard vanities don’t offer much storage -The existing window was in an ideal spot for a shower -The client prefers large mirrors, so we needed an alternative to medicine cabinets Design solutions: -Replace the existing window with a waterproof privacy window -Create dresser-style vanities with u-shaped drawers for maximum storage -Include a tall cabinet with roll-out shelves for maximum storage and organization THE RENEWED SPACE Beauty products and daily needs are organized and out of the way – out of sight but easy to access. With a creative, modern palette of colors, patterns and textures, the bathroom’s aura is inviting, relaxing and luxurious.

Formal Backyard Garden Showcases the Beauty of Natural Gray Concrete This Pacific Northwest project called for a total backyard transformation that required a significant reduction in lawn space, most of which was saturated and mossy. Emily of Emily Russell Landscape Architecture designed this formal backyard garden which was installed by Northwest Construction & Landscape, LLC. Previously unused space was organized through the creation of a courtyard patio which functions as an extension of the house that the homeowner can use for family gatherings, entertaining, or reflection. Budgetary concerns led her to opt for concrete rather than a mortared flagstone patio. “I always let homeowners know that we can do either for them, but to me, going with concrete is an easy choice to make because of the cost savings,” says Colby Brand, President of Northwest of Construction & Landscape, LLC. Ashlar slate stamped concrete was suggested by Colby to mimic the pattern used in Emily’s conceptual design. The final plan featured natural gray, ashlar slate stamped concrete with antique coloring for texture. Colby and his team poured the steps first. Substantial in size – the rise is 4’ with a run of 5,’ and includes a 4’ landing on top – the steps allow an easy and fluid transition from inside to outside. After the steps were completed, the curved walkway on the side of the house was poured, connecting the backyard to the front yard. Instead of a conventional, rectangular shape for the 647 sf courtyard patio area, the formality of the plan called for sections of the concrete to bump out into the garden beds against the back side of the house, tying the contrasting elements together. Granite urns and curved, concrete benches purchased by the homeowner rest atop the rounded portion of the concrete and provide a space for sitting and an inviting view from the house. Regarding the final product, Emily Russell states, “My client and I are extremely happy with the finished patio. It's such an inviting space that is well loved and used on a regular basis.”

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.

The lower level was transformed by repurposing unused storage into a Wine Room, featuring exposed Cream City Brick, a sleek and moody bar, and a traditional tin ceiling that nods to the home’s historic character.

The owners of this lovely 1960s ranch home were over living with an out of date and awkward kitchen, so they enlisted our help to bring their dream kitchen to life. Right off the bat we all agreed that is was best to keep with the era of the home with a sleek modern kitchen featuring slab door cabinets. Our clients also wanted to space to feel brighter and more spacious with room for entertaining friends and family. So we knocked down a wall, filled in an unused door, and shortened a window so we could wrap this kitchen and create an optimal working triangle. We selected a maple cabinet with a medium-light stain, a light neutral porcelain floor tile, bright white glass backsplash with a mid-mod feature tile, and a variety of lighting. To create a space perfect for entertaining, we added a small peninsula for barstool seating. Behind the cabinet doors and drawers are many storage features including a double bin pull-out trash can, full access roll-out trays, pull out base cabinet pantry, super-susan corner cabinet, a wall cabinet for the microwave, and a pantry/fridge enclosure with roll-out trays. The sunroom received a facelift that covered the exterior brick to hide the modifications of walling up a door and raising the window sill height. It also created the sense that this space is an extension of the home, not just an exterior sunroom. We addressed the awkward step into the sunroom and installed new tile flooring. We finished the space of with a warm gray paint and soft sheers. This was such a fun and exciting project!! Cheers to our lovely clients and their gorgeous new kitchen and sunroom.