The original kitchen was disjointed and lacked connection to the home and its history. The remodel opened the room to other areas of the home by incorporating an unused breakfast nook and enclosed porch to create a spacious new kitchen. It features stunning soapstone counters and range splash, era appropriate subway tiles, and hand crafted floating shelves. Ceasarstone on the island creates a durable, hardworking surface for prep work. A black Blue Star range anchors the space while custom inset fir cabinets wrap the walls and provide ample storage. Great care was given in restoring and recreating historic details for this charming Foursquare kitchen.

A great use of space, under the stairway, that would have otherwise gone unused.
Mid-sized elegant basement photo in Other with white walls

This customer expanded the master closet into the unused attic space to make the closet larger. Adding a custom closet incorporating a laundry hamper and jewelry drawers with lots of handing rods tripled the size of the closet overall.

We turned a small unused bedroom into a master bathroom and gave this house a proper master suite.
Large elegant master gray tile and stone tile marble floor corner shower photo in Minneapolis with beaded inset cabinets, gray cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops

This very small square granite island was not functional when the owner moved in to his new, high rise condo in San Francisco. It was basically just a small square without any overhang. We designed and added the glass bar to add height, and an overhang for a more functional and interesting bar. The space was so limited in the room, that the bar stools had to be as compact as possible to provide for easy circulation around the bar..

Photographer: Brendon Pinola Contractor: Lovette Construction This Tanglewood home originally had a very tiny kitchen separated from the family room and dining area. Several walls were removed to create this gorgeous open plan. The laundry was in the back corner by the bay window where ovens are currently located. The laundry was relocated to the front of the house where they had an unused formal sitting room. The laundry is now inside the walk in HIDDEN pantry that is concealed by cabinet doors. The large island is an incredible work surface and social gathering area. The cabinets are Wellborn's shaker door style with Glacier on the perimeter and Shadow Charcoal for the hood and island. This turned out to be one of my favorite projects of all time! Great clients to work with.

Originally an unused library, this room was converted into a bar area that connected the dining room into more of an expandable social place. The fully functional wine and liquor bar also holds a hidden coffee bar. The custom designed island has an industrial feel with exposed steel details and a modern chic look. The well-lit backslash draws attention to the illuminated glass cabinets that are perfect for showcasing bar liquors. Photographer: Michael Alan Kaskel

Photographer: Brendon Pinola Contractor: Lovette Construction This Tanglewood home originally had a very tiny kitchen separated from the family room and dining area. Several walls were removed to create this gorgeous open plan. The laundry was in the back corner by the bay window where ovens are currently located. The laundry was relocated to the front of the house where they had an unused formal sitting room. The laundry is now inside the walk in HIDDEN pantry that is concealed by cabinet doors. The large island is an incredible work surface and social gathering area. The cabinets are Wellborn's shaker door style with Glacier on the perimeter and Shadow Charcoal for the hood and island. This turned out to be one of my favorite projects of all time! Great clients to work with.

Custom desk, shelving and storage built-ins with chalkboard barn door to hide unused area.
Inspiration for a large transitional underground vinyl floor and gray floor basement remodel in Columbus with white walls

Free ebook, CREATING THE IDEAL KITCHEN Download now → http://bit.ly/idealkitchen This Glen Ellyn couple wanted to transform their dated kitchen into a more family-friendly space to use on a daily basis for cooking family meals and for entertaining friends. The existing kitchen was quite chopped up with strange soffits and different ceiling heights. To make the space flow in a more logical manner, we borrowed an unused desk area from the adjoining hallway and reconfigured a neighboring bath. Getting it to work on paper was fairly straightforward, but there was a bit of complicated beam work involved as the new kitchen flows through what was an old exterior wall. The new ceiling is now completely flush as we were able to hide the support in the ceiling joists. A new, larger window was added at the sink, the doorway to the room was widened and the resulting space creates a more easy flow from dining room to family room. The clients chose white inset cabinets, white marble tops and an apron sink to keep the space feeling simple yet original to the home's Colonial styling. Ship lap siding on the back of the island and at the pantry storage ceiling, a walnut butcher block, and antique brass details give the space an updated look. Professional stainless appliances are functional and beautiful. In addition to a large built-in fridge and 36" range, a second oven is housed in the island for flexibility. The pantry area has a convenience station that houses the family's espresso machine along with the microwave drawer. Another large bank of cabinets in the same area serves as pantry storage for dry goods. The bathroom was also remodeled as part of this project. The full bath has a vanity, shower and convenient baby changing area. The floor is encaustic tile, a type of concrete tile recognizable by its bold graphics. The mirror and lighting add a few modern touches to keep it in line with the Owner's personal style. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

This completed home boasts a HERS index of zero. The most noteworthy energy efficient features are the air tightness of the thermal shell and the use of solar energy. Using a 17.1 kW Photovoltaic system and Tesla Powerwall, the solar system provides approximately 100% of the annual electrical energy needs. In addition, an innovative “pod” floor plan design allows each separate pod to be closed off for minimal HVAC use when unused. A Grand ARDA for Green Design goes to Phil Kean Design Group Designer: Phil Kean Design Group From: Winter Park, Florida

In this basement we took an unused closet and designed an office/ storage space for the family.
Mid-sized elegant closet photo in New York

An unused formal dining room is converted into a warm, cozy hearth room. The fireplace was clad in real stacked ledgestone with a hand-hewn rustic beam mantle. There is no hearth to accommodate both the small size of the room, and to add a bit of a modern touch. Storage flanks the fireplace in the form of white painted cabinetry with stained wood tops, and rustic frameless shelving with recessed LED lighting on dimmers. The ceiling was painted a dark beige, adding to the drama and height of the room. The clients' navy sofa was paired with skirted swivel rockers in a modern patterned fabric. A natural-fiber geometric rug anchors the conversation area. Two raw teak C-tables can move throughout the space. A rustic wood and iron console table faces the foyer. Both entries to the room were enlarged and framed with faux wooden beams. Additional lighting on dimmer switches was also added. Photos by Cameron McMurtrey Photography www.cameronmcmurtrey.com

This growing family was looking for a larger, more functional space to prep their food, cook and entertain in their 1910 NE Minneapolis home. A new floorplan was created by analyzing the way the homeowners use their home. Their large urban garden provides them with an abundance of fresh produce which can now be harvested, brought in through the back door, and then cleaned in the new Kohler prep sink closest to the back door. An old, unusable staircase to the basement was removed to capture more square footage for a larger kitchen space and a better planned back entry area. A mudroom with bench/shoe closet was configured at the back door and the Stonepeak Quartzite tile keeps dirt from boots out of the cooking area. Next in line of function was storage. The refrigerator and pantry areas were moved so they are now across from the prep and cooking areas. New cherry cabinetry in the Waverly door style and floating shelves were provided by Crystal Cabinets. Finally, the kitchen was opened up to the dining room, creating an eat-in area and designated entertainment area. A new Richlin vinyl double-hung pocket window replaced the old window on the southwest wall of the mudroom. The overall style is in line with the style and age of the home. The wood and stain colors were chosen to highlight the rest of the original woodwork in the house. A slight rustic feel was added through a highlight glaze on the cabinets. A natural color palette with muted tones – brown, green and soft white- create a modern fresh feel while paying homage to the character of the home and the homeowners’ earthy style.

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.

Customizing your home to fit your lifestyle is important! These homeowners converted an unused living area into this lovely office. Note how the touches of blue draw your eyes around the room. The simple color palette is both stylish and calming. What a great space to be creative or to complete your next project. There were only a few edits to be done to this space to make it photo ready! Photo by Charles Dickens Photography

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Inquire About Our Design Services This homeowner loved color. In order to bring in more color, I ditched her yellow and orange walls by painting the room gray, with charcoal trim. I often tell folks in order to pump up the color, we have to bring down the backdrop, and Lori’s condo was my case in point. And then we proceeded with construction. Yep, construction. I had to figure out a way around the awkward floor plan, and where to put that TV. We decided to rebuild her fireplace to house her TV - it was great way to utilize the unused space. Marcel Page

Photography: Patrick Brickman
Inspiration for a small transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and gray floor open concept kitchen remodel in Charleston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, blue backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island