Home office - transitional built-in desk dark wood floor and brown floor home office idea in Baltimore with white walls

This home enjoys stunning views of Sweeney Lake from almost anywhere in the home; however it was in need of repair and a significant reorganization of the plan to take full advantage of site. The project is about the complete restoration and rethinking of this vintage 1965 mid-century gem. The house is deceivingly large with a full finished lower level and an indoor pool room; however it lived cramped and broken up. The entry was uninviting and small, the poolroom unused and poorly heated, the kitchen undersized, and the bedrooms and baths poorly accessed. Our task was to open up the home through the rethinking of the floor plan and the introduction of a new central axis connecting and organizing the homes functions and spaces around view corridors and existing or new focal points. The home had beautiful features to build upon; the central brick fireplace, the raised roofs over the living and pool rooms, and the view to the lake itself. A fully redone exterior and interior preserve the homes proportion and scale, while at the same time bring greater connection to the site and a much needed clarity to the homes organization. Project Team: Ben Awes AIA, Principal-In-Charge Bob Ganser AIA Christian Dean AIA Nate Dodge

Although this Hinsdale home was only about a decade old, the floor plan and finishes already felt dated. The homeowners expressed that the layout wasn’t working—particularly the disconnect between spaces they used and those they didn’t. O’Brien Harris was originally brought in to renovate the kitchen, but it quickly became clear that a more holistic transformation was needed. The formal dining room, located at the front of the house, had long gone unused. Along with design Brynn Olson, O’Brien Harris reimagined the space as a high-gloss wine lounge that now opens onto the front terrace. The adjacent covered porch was enclosed and converted into a light-filled new dining room, making entertaining and everyday meals more inviting and accessible. O’Brien Harris also fully paneled the great room, adding built-in bookcases and reshaping existing arches to bring depth, warmth, and architectural continuity. The galley-style kitchen is now the heart of the home. Designed for a family that loves to cook and entertain, it features a central island and a secondary wall of storage with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry to house refrigeration, freezer drawers, and extensive dish storage, outfitted with a library ladder. The cabinet finishes are a blend of painted surfaces and light oak, offering warmth without heaviness. Icebox-style strap hinges and latches bring refined vintage character to the space while emphasizing functionality with beauty. In the primary bath, O’Brien Harris introduced painted cabinetry beneath a waterfall stone counter to coordinate with upholstered panels and full marble finishes. His-and-hers vanities and custom stone flooring complete the serene, tailored retreat. This was a deeply transformative project, not only in terms of layout, but in the way the spaces now flow and function together—with O’Brien Harris cabinetry anchoring it all in timeless craftsmanship.

J Designs Created this turnkey ski chalet located in Vail Colorado is a house full of primary colors and unique custom pieces. The house is laid out over five stories with a vertical feel and a central staircase connecting everything. To break up the thoroughfare we added a funky striped runner that leads you through the spaces and adds a unique pop of texture and color. Throughout the house each space is full of custom designed furniture pieces by J Designs, mixed with an extensive art collection and a stunning view. + The original architecture and finishes of the chalet were by Interior Design Hall of Fame member Orlando Diaz-Azcuy. J Designs worked to create spaces that were full of color but also played nicely with the white oak paneled walls and the slate floors. + The great room was transformed into the heart of the house, with lounging, dining and a nice area for playing games and relaxing on a custom curving bench, the perfect place for watching skiers come down the mountain through the full height windows overlooking Vail Mountain. + I was inspired by the colors of the bathrooms which helped to create cohesiveness in the bedrooms and to determine the color palette for each room. + In the lower level we transformed an unused workout room into a movie room that has a big enough sofa for the whole family with extra floor cushions for any guests.

An unused portion of the driveway was transformed into a gracious walkway using pea gravel with large thermal bluestone steppers. The surrounding area is designed as a potager garden planted with lavender and herbs. Weathering steel was added to cover the existing wall providing an requested update with more textural interest.

J Designs Created this turnkey ski chalet located in Vail Colorado is a house full of primary colors and unique custom pieces. The house is laid out over five stories with a vertical feel and a central staircase connecting everything. To break up the thoroughfare we added a funky striped runner that leads you through the spaces and adds a unique pop of texture and color. Throughout the house each space is full of custom designed furniture pieces by J Designs, mixed with an extensive art collection and a stunning view. + The original architecture and finishes of the chalet were by Interior Design Hall of Fame member Orlando Diaz-Azcuy. J Designs worked to create spaces that were full of color but also played nicely with the white oak paneled walls and the slate floors. + The great room was transformed into the heart of the house, with lounging, dining and a nice area for playing games and relaxing on a custom curving bench, the perfect place for watching skiers come down the mountain through the full height windows overlooking Vail Mountain. + I was inspired by the colors of the bathrooms which helped to create cohesiveness in the bedrooms and to determine the color palette for each room. + In the lower level we transformed an unused workout room into a movie room that has a big enough sofa for the whole family with extra floor cushions for any guests.

J Designs Created this turnkey ski chalet located in Vail Colorado is a house full of primary colors and unique custom pieces. The house is laid out over five stories with a vertical feel and a central staircase connecting everything. To break up the thoroughfare we added a funky striped runner that leads you through the spaces and adds a unique pop of texture and color. Throughout the house each space is full of custom designed furniture pieces by J Designs, mixed with an extensive art collection and a stunning view. + The original architecture and finishes of the chalet were by Interior Design Hall of Fame member Orlando Diaz-Azcuy. J Designs worked to create spaces that were full of color but also played nicely with the white oak paneled walls and the slate floors. + The great room was transformed into the heart of the house, with lounging, dining and a nice area for playing games and relaxing on a custom curving bench, the perfect place for watching skiers come down the mountain through the full height windows overlooking Vail Mountain. + I was inspired by the colors of the bathrooms which helped to create cohesiveness in the bedrooms and to determine the color palette for each room. + In the lower level we transformed an unused workout room into a movie room that has a big enough sofa for the whole family with extra floor cushions for any guests.

J Designs Created this turnkey ski chalet located in Vail Colorado is a house full of primary colors and unique custom pieces. The house is laid out over five stories with a vertical feel and a central staircase connecting everything. To break up the thoroughfare we added a funky striped runner that leads you through the spaces and adds a unique pop of texture and color. Throughout the house each space is full of custom designed furniture pieces by J Designs, mixed with an extensive art collection and a stunning view. + The original architecture and finishes of the chalet were by Interior Design Hall of Fame member Orlando Diaz-Azcuy. J Designs worked to create spaces that were full of color but also played nicely with the white oak paneled walls and the slate floors. + The great room was transformed into the heart of the house, with lounging, dining and a nice area for playing games and relaxing on a custom curving bench, the perfect place for watching skiers come down the mountain through the full height windows overlooking Vail Mountain. + I was inspired by the colors of the bathrooms which helped to create cohesiveness in the bedrooms and to determine the color palette for each room. + In the lower level we transformed an unused workout room into a movie room that has a big enough sofa for the whole family with extra floor cushions for any guests.

“We could never have envisioned what could be” – Steiner Ranch Homeowner and Client It is an especially fulfilling Project for an Interior Designer when the outcome exceeds Client expectations, and imagination. This remodeling project required instilling modern sensibilities, openness, styles and textures into a dated house that was past its prime. Strategically, the goal was to tear down where it made sense without doing a complete teardown. Starting with the soul of the home, the kitchen, we expanded out room by room to create a cohesiveness and flow that invites, supports and provides the warmth and relaxation that only a home can. In the Kitchen, we started by removing the wooden beams and adding bright recessed lighting. We removed the old limestone accent wall and moved the sink and cooktop from the island on to the countertop – the key goal was to create room for the family to gather around the kitchen. We replaced all appliances with modern Energy Star ones, along with adding a wine rack. The first order of business for the Living Room was to brighten it up by adding more lighting and replacing an unused section with a glass door to the backyard. Multi-section windows were replaced with large no-split glass overlooking the backyard. Once more, the limestone accent was removed to create a clean, modern look. Replacing the dated wooden staircase with the clean lines of a metal, wire and wooded staircase added interest and freshness. An odd bend in the staircase was removed to clean things up. The Master Bedroom went from what looked like a motel room with green carpet and cheap blinds to an oasis of luxury and charm. A section of the wraparound doors were closed off to increase privacy, accentuate the best view from the bedroom and to add usable space. Artwork, rug, contemporary bed and other accent pieces brought together the seamless look across the home. The Master Bathroom remodel started by replacing the standard windows with a single glass pane that enhanced the view of the outdoors. The dated shower was replaced by a walk-in shower and soaking tub to create the ultimate at-home spa experience. Lighted LED mirrors frame His & Hers sinks and bathe them in a soft light. The flooring was upgraded throughout the house to reflect the contemporary color scheme. Each of the smaller bedrooms were similarly upgraded to match the clean and modern décor of the rest of the house. After such a transformation inside, it was only appropriate that the exterior needed an upgrade as well. All of the legacy limestone accents were replaced by stucco and the color scheme extended from the interior of the house to the gorgeous wrap around balconies, trim, garage doors etc. to complete the inside outside transformation.

This 1995 Hillsboro bathroom featured an unused bathtub, a toilet that was out in the open with no privacy, and a large window over the tub that felt too exposed. The space was transformed by removing the tub and creating a luxurious walk-in shower with dual showerheads and a bench. A privacy wall now encloses the toilet area, while a custom vanity and tall linen cabinet provide ample storage. The result is a modern, functional primary bathroom that feels like a spa and reflects the homeowners’ style.

J Designs Created this turnkey ski chalet located in Vail Colorado is a house full of primary colors and unique custom pieces. The house is laid out over five stories with a vertical feel and a central staircase connecting everything. To break up the thoroughfare we added a funky striped runner that leads you through the spaces and adds a unique pop of texture and color. Throughout the house each space is full of custom designed furniture pieces by J Designs, mixed with an extensive art collection and a stunning view. + The original architecture and finishes of the chalet were by Interior Design Hall of Fame member Orlando Diaz-Azcuy. J Designs worked to create spaces that were full of color but also played nicely with the white oak paneled walls and the slate floors. + The great room was transformed into the heart of the house, with lounging, dining and a nice area for playing games and relaxing on a custom curving bench, the perfect place for watching skiers come down the mountain through the full height windows overlooking Vail Mountain. + I was inspired by the colors of the bathrooms which helped to create cohesiveness in the bedrooms and to determine the color palette for each room. + In the lower level we transformed an unused workout room into a movie room that has a big enough sofa for the whole family with extra floor cushions for any guests.

J Designs Created this turnkey ski chalet located in Vail Colorado is a house full of primary colors and unique custom pieces. The house is laid out over five stories with a vertical feel and a central staircase connecting everything. To break up the thoroughfare we added a funky striped runner that leads you through the spaces and adds a unique pop of texture and color. Throughout the house each space is full of custom designed furniture pieces by J Designs, mixed with an extensive art collection and a stunning view. + The original architecture and finishes of the chalet were by Interior Design Hall of Fame member Orlando Diaz-Azcuy. J Designs worked to create spaces that were full of color but also played nicely with the white oak paneled walls and the slate floors. + The great room was transformed into the heart of the house, with lounging, dining and a nice area for playing games and relaxing on a custom curving bench, the perfect place for watching skiers come down the mountain through the full height windows overlooking Vail Mountain. + I was inspired by the colors of the bathrooms which helped to create cohesiveness in the bedrooms and to determine the color palette for each room. + In the lower level we transformed an unused workout room into a movie room that has a big enough sofa for the whole family with extra floor cushions for any guests.

Previously unused corner of long family room gets functional update with game table for poker/ bridge/ cocktails; abstract art complements the walls for a minimalist high style vibe.

J Designs Created this turnkey ski chalet located in Vail Colorado is a house full of primary colors and unique custom pieces. The house is laid out over five stories with a vertical feel and a central staircase connecting everything. To break up the thoroughfare we added a funky striped runner that leads you through the spaces and adds a unique pop of texture and color. Throughout the house each space is full of custom designed furniture pieces by J Designs, mixed with an extensive art collection and a stunning view. + The original architecture and finishes of the chalet were by Interior Design Hall of Fame member Orlando Diaz-Azcuy. J Designs worked to create spaces that were full of color but also played nicely with the white oak paneled walls and the slate floors. + The great room was transformed into the heart of the house, with lounging, dining and a nice area for playing games and relaxing on a custom curving bench, the perfect place for watching skiers come down the mountain through the full height windows overlooking Vail Mountain. + I was inspired by the colors of the bathrooms which helped to create cohesiveness in the bedrooms and to determine the color palette for each room. + In the lower level we transformed an unused workout room into a movie room that has a big enough sofa for the whole family with extra floor cushions for any guests. This project was featured on the cover of Luxe Magazine. Location: Vail, Colorado

Our clients on this project already had a beautiful home… We just helped them get the living room and kitchen just like they wanted for their new needs. We reconfigured the entire kitchen footprint to get them a bigger work area and moved the pantry to an unused wall in the eat-in area. This allowed us to get them a larger island and much more wall cabinetry. The glass fronts on the upper cabinets, and the puck lights inside, really warmed the kitchen up. In the living room, we added floating shelves with specialty rope lighting along with new base cabinets on both sides of the fireplace. We also were able to provide a new and fresh look on the fireplace tile surround and trim work to the mantle and wall above. These few changes transformed a formal living room into a comfortable destination that they will enjoy forever. Design: Anna Brown Interiors Cabinetry: Barber Cabinet Company Contractor: Andrew Thompson Construction

J Designs Created this turnkey ski chalet located in Vail Colorado is a house full of primary colors and unique custom pieces. The house is laid out over five stories with a vertical feel and a central staircase connecting everything. To break up the thoroughfare we added a funky striped runner that leads you through the spaces and adds a unique pop of texture and color. Throughout the house each space is full of custom designed furniture pieces by J Designs, mixed with an extensive art collection and a stunning view. + The original architecture and finishes of the chalet were by Interior Design Hall of Fame member Orlando Diaz-Azcuy. J Designs worked to create spaces that were full of color but also played nicely with the white oak paneled walls and the slate floors. + The great room was transformed into the heart of the house, with lounging, dining and a nice area for playing games and relaxing on a custom curving bench, the perfect place for watching skiers come down the mountain through the full height windows overlooking Vail Mountain. + I was inspired by the colors of the bathrooms which helped to create cohesiveness in the bedrooms and to determine the color palette for each room. + In the lower level we transformed an unused workout room into a movie room that has a big enough sofa for the whole family with extra floor cushions for any guests. This project was featured on the cover of Luxe Magazine. Location: Vail, Colorado

Custom built-ins under the stairs in our Newbury Pike Home Plan transform unused space into a stylish and functional bar area. With rich cabinetry, brass accents, and open shelving, this design offers the perfect spot for entertaining while providing clever additional storage for overflow items.

Our busy Silicon Valley clients asked us to convert their tight-quartered 1960’s ranch house to a gracious family home that would meet their long term needs. Ease of living was paramount, both in functionality and in ordered design. The project was completed on a moderate budget.While retaining most of the structure of the existing house to avoid costly structural changes, we opened walls to improve the sight lines and flow of the house and bring in more light. We made small additions at the front and back bedrooms to gain space for the family and relatives. An existing underused patio area was improved with a simple outdoor kitchen and overhang to extend the living space to the outside. Costs were kept down with choices of modest materials. Everything was made to be functional. Ample storage has been built into the right places. The details of the kitchen were carefully worked out to accommodate all the wishes of the various cooks in the family. The house is set up to be easy to keep clean. Acoustic walls separate living from bedroom spaces so adults can enjoy time together while children sleep. The outdoor kitchen has easy access to the indoor kitchen and the garage, and its setup promotes socializing while cooking outdoors. A large part of the narrow back yard was previously unusable space due to a steep slope up to a neighbor’s higher fence. With a new retaining wall and some re-grading we took back more of the yard for the patio and play space on a new lawn. The remodeled house is a mix of contemporary and traditional elements. Cool colors have a calming effect. Traditional items such as prairie style windows, trellis, mosaic tiles, and Shaker style cabinets, break down the scale in an otherwise streamlined, contemporary design. A new gabled roof with a broad arch at the front of the house marks the entry and resolves a challenging form where the central entry is set back from walls on both sides. Photography: Kurt Manley https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-ranch/

J Designs Created this turnkey ski chalet located in Vail Colorado is a house full of primary colors and unique custom pieces. The house is laid out over five stories with a vertical feel and a central staircase connecting everything. To break up the thoroughfare we added a funky striped runner that leads you through the spaces and adds a unique pop of texture and color. Throughout the house each space is full of custom designed furniture pieces by J Designs, mixed with an extensive art collection and a stunning view. + The original architecture and finishes of the chalet were by Interior Design Hall of Fame member Orlando Diaz-Azcuy. J Designs worked to create spaces that were full of color but also played nicely with the white oak paneled walls and the slate floors. + The great room was transformed into the heart of the house, with lounging, dining and a nice area for playing games and relaxing on a custom curving bench, the perfect place for watching skiers come down the mountain through the full height windows overlooking Vail Mountain. + I was inspired by the colors of the bathrooms which helped to create cohesiveness in the bedrooms and to determine the color palette for each room. + In the lower level we transformed an unused workout room into a movie room that has a big enough sofa for the whole family with extra floor cushions for any guests.