This Riverdale semi-detached whole home renovation features some of the most frequently requested upgrades from Carter Fox clients: open-concept living, more light, a new kitchen and a more effective solution for the entry area. To deliver this wish list, we removed most of the interior walls on the main floor, upgraded the kitchen, and added a large sliding glass door across the back wall. We also built a new wall separating the entrance and living room, and built in a custom bench seat and storage area. Upstairs, we expanded one room to create a dedicated laundry room and created a larger 2nd floor bathroom. In the master bedroom we installed a wall of closets. Finally we updated all electrical and plumbing, painted and installed new flooring throughout the house.

Set upon an oversized and highly sought-after creekside lot in Brentwood, this ​two story home and full guest home exude a casual, contemporary farmhouse style and vibe. The main residence boasts 5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, each ensuite with thoughtful touches that accentuate the home’s overall classic finishes. The master retreat opens to a large balcony overlooking the yard accented by mature bamboo and palms. Other features of the main house include European white oak floors, recessed lighting, built in speaker system, attached 2-car garage and a laundry room with 2 sets of state-of-the-art Samsung washers and dryers. The bedroom suite on the first floor enjoys its own entrance, making it ideal for guests. The open concept kitchen features Calacatta marble countertops, Wolf appliances, wine storage, dual sinks and dishwashers and a walk-in butler’s pantry. The loggia is accessed via La Cantina bi-fold doors that fully open for year-round alfresco dining on the terrace, complete with an outdoor fireplace. The wonderfully imagined yard contains a sparkling pool and spa and a crisp green lawn and lovely deck and patio areas. Step down further to find the detached guest home, which was recognized with a Decade Honor Award by the Los Angeles Chapter of the AIA in 2006, and, in fact, was a frequent haunt of Frank Gehry who inspired its cubist design. The guest house has a bedroom and bathroom, living area, a newly updated kitchen and is surrounded by lush landscaping that maximizes its creekside setting, creating a truly serene oasis.

Set upon an oversized and highly sought-after creekside lot in Brentwood, this ​two story home and full guest home exude a casual, contemporary farmhouse style and vibe. The main residence boasts 5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, each ensuite with thoughtful touches that accentuate the home’s overall classic finishes. The master retreat opens to a large balcony overlooking the yard accented by mature bamboo and palms. Other features of the main house include European white oak floors, recessed lighting, built in speaker system, attached 2-car garage and a laundry room with 2 sets of state-of-the-art Samsung washers and dryers. The bedroom suite on the first floor enjoys its own entrance, making it ideal for guests. The open concept kitchen features Calacatta marble countertops, Wolf appliances, wine storage, dual sinks and dishwashers and a walk-in butler’s pantry. The loggia is accessed via La Cantina bi-fold doors that fully open for year-round alfresco dining on the terrace, complete with an outdoor fireplace. The wonderfully imagined yard contains a sparkling pool and spa and a crisp green lawn and lovely deck and patio areas. Step down further to find the detached guest home, which was recognized with a Decade Honor Award by the Los Angeles Chapter of the AIA in 2006, and, in fact, was a frequent haunt of Frank Gehry who inspired its cubist design. The guest house has a bedroom and bathroom, living area, a newly updated kitchen and is surrounded by lush landscaping that maximizes its creekside setting, creating a truly serene oasis.

An empty nester professional woman living in a vintage home in Evanston Il, needed a new kitchen. With 4 doorways, and an adjacent eating area, we kept the existing foot print and updated the sun filled kitchen with custom cabinets, new appliances and gorgeous stone countertops. Adult children and grandchildren were frequent visitors, so we chose quality materials for ease of living. Quartzite counters are natural stone, which looks like marble yet performs like granite. Jill Buckner photography

This Riverdale semi-detached whole home renovation features some of the most frequently requested upgrades from Carter Fox clients: open-concept living, more light, a new kitchen and a more effective solution for the entry area. To deliver this wish list, we removed most of the interior walls on the main floor, upgraded the kitchen, and added a large sliding glass door across the back wall. We also built a new wall separating the entrance and living room, and built in a custom bench seat and storage area. Upstairs, we expanded one room to create a dedicated laundry room and created a larger 2nd floor bathroom. In the master bedroom we installed a wall of closets. Finally we updated all electrical and plumbing, painted and installed new flooring throughout the house.

Historical Renovation Objective: The homeowners asked us to join the project after partial demo and construction was in full swing. Their desire was to significantly enlarge and update the charming mid-century modern home to meet the needs of their joined families and frequent social gatherings. It was critical though that the expansion be seamless between old and new, where one feels as if the home “has always been this way”. Solution: We created spaces within rooms that allowed family to gather and socialize freely or allow for private conversations. As constant entertainers, the couple wanted easier access to their favorite wines than having to go to the basement cellar. A custom glass and stainless steel wine cellar was created where bottles seem to float in the space between the dining room and kitchen area. A nineteen foot long island dominates the great room as well as any social gathering where it is generally spread from end to end with food and surrounded by friends and family. Aside of the master suite, three oversized bedrooms each with a large en suite bath provide plenty of space for kids returning from college and frequent visits from friends and family. A neutral color palette was chosen throughout to bring warmth into the space but not fight with the clients’ collections of art, antique rugs and furnishings. Soaring ceiling, windows and huge sliding doors bring the naturalness of the large wooded lot inside while lots of natural wood and stone was used to further complement the outdoors and their love of nature. Outside, a large ground level fire-pit surrounded by comfortable chairs is another favorite gathering spot.

This Riverdale semi-detached whole home renovation features some of the most frequently requested upgrades from Carter Fox clients: open-concept living, more light, a new kitchen and a more effective solution for the entry area. To deliver this wish list, we removed most of the interior walls on the main floor, upgraded the kitchen, and added a large sliding glass door across the back wall. We also built a new wall separating the entrance and living room, and built in a custom bench seat and storage area. Upstairs, we expanded one room to create a dedicated laundry room and created a larger 2nd floor bathroom. In the master bedroom we installed a wall of closets. Finally we updated all electrical and plumbing, painted and installed new flooring throughout the house.

This ADA compliant bath is both pretty and functional. The open vanity will allow for future wheelchair use. An open niche with shelves provides easy access for frequently used items, while a nearby cabinet offers storage space to keep TP, towels, and other necessities close at hand. The 7' x 42" roll-in shower is barrier free, and spacious enough to accommodate a caretaker tending to an elderly bather. Shampoo shelves made by the tile installer are incorporated into the liner trim tiles. The herringbone mosaic tiles on the shower border and floor update the traditional elements of the rest of the bath, as does the leather finish countertop. Budget savers included purchasing the tile and prefab countertops at a store close-out sale, and using white IKEA cabinets throughout. Using a hand-held shower on a bracket eliminated the need for a second stationary showerhead and diverter, saving on plumbing costs, as well.

Historical Renovation Objective: The homeowners asked us to join the project after partial demo and construction was in full swing. Their desire was to significantly enlarge and update the charming mid-century modern home to meet the needs of their joined families and frequent social gatherings. It was critical though that the expansion be seamless between old and new, where one feels as if the home “has always been this way”. Solution: We created spaces within rooms that allowed family to gather and socialize freely or allow for private conversations. As constant entertainers, the couple wanted easier access to their favorite wines than having to go to the basement cellar. A custom glass and stainless steel wine cellar was created where bottles seem to float in the space between the dining room and kitchen area. A nineteen foot long island dominates the great room as well as any social gathering where it is generally spread from end to end with food and surrounded by friends and family. Aside of the master suite, three oversized bedrooms each with a large en suite bath provide plenty of space for kids returning from college and frequent visits from friends and family. A neutral color palette was chosen throughout to bring warmth into the space but not fight with the clients’ collections of art, antique rugs and furnishings. Soaring ceiling, windows and huge sliding doors bring the naturalness of the large wooded lot inside while lots of natural wood and stone was used to further complement the outdoors and their love of nature. Outside, a large ground level fire-pit surrounded by comfortable chairs is another favorite gathering spot.

This Riverdale semi-detached whole home renovation features some of the most frequently requested upgrades from Carter Fox clients: open-concept living, more light, a new kitchen and a more effective solution for the entry area. To deliver this wish list, we removed most of the interior walls on the main floor, upgraded the kitchen, and added a large sliding glass door across the back wall. We also built a new wall separating the entrance and living room, and built in a custom bench seat and storage area. Upstairs, we expanded one room to create a dedicated laundry room and created a larger 2nd floor bathroom. In the master bedroom we installed a wall of closets. Finally we updated all electrical and plumbing, painted and installed new flooring throughout the house.

This ADA compliant bath is both pretty and functional. The open vanity will allow for future wheelchair use. An open niche with shelves provides easy access for frequently used items, while a nearby cabinet offers storage space to keep TP, towels, and other necessities close at hand. The 7' x 42" roll-in shower is barrier free, and spacious enough to accommodate a caretaker tending to an elderly bather. Shampoo shelves made by the tile installer are incorporated into the liner trim tiles. The herringbone mosaic tiles on the shower border and floor update the traditional elements of the rest of the bath, as does the leather finish countertop. Budget savers included purchasing the tile and prefab countertops at a store close-out sale, and using white IKEA cabinets throughout. Using a hand-held shower on a bracket eliminated the need for a second stationary showerhead and diverter, saving on plumbing costs, as well.

This backyard for a townhouse in Manhattan’s West Village is made for entertaining and relaxation! Our re-design of the space included artificial turf to replace a failing lawn, updated plantings, overhead string lighting, and new lawn furniture. The existing plantings of boxwoods and birch trees, while healthy, were a little bland and boring looking, so we spiced up the plantings by adding more color, texture, and variety to the space. Our design plans included purple heuchera, gold hakone grass, creeping Jenny, rhododendrons, and a coral-bark maple tree. We picked a high-end, eco-friendly (petroleum free) artificial turf that looks exactly like real grass and is maintenance-free. It’s especially important to choose petroleum free turf for high traffic areas where children and pets may frequently come into contact with the turf. See more of our projects at www.amberfreda.com.

Historical Renovation Objective: The homeowners asked us to join the project after partial demo and construction was in full swing. Their desire was to significantly enlarge and update the charming mid-century modern home to meet the needs of their joined families and frequent social gatherings. It was critical though that the expansion be seamless between old and new, where one feels as if the home “has always been this way”. Solution: We created spaces within rooms that allowed family to gather and socialize freely or allow for private conversations. As constant entertainers, the couple wanted easier access to their favorite wines than having to go to the basement cellar. A custom glass and stainless steel wine cellar was created where bottles seem to float in the space between the dining room and kitchen area. A nineteen foot long island dominates the great room as well as any social gathering where it is generally spread from end to end with food and surrounded by friends and family. Aside of the master suite, three oversized bedrooms each with a large en suite bath provide plenty of space for kids returning from college and frequent visits from friends and family. A neutral color palette was chosen throughout to bring warmth into the space but not fight with the clients’ collections of art, antique rugs and furnishings. Soaring ceiling, windows and huge sliding doors bring the naturalness of the large wooded lot inside while lots of natural wood and stone was used to further complement the outdoors and their love of nature. Outside, a large ground level fire-pit surrounded by comfortable chairs is another favorite gathering spot.

An empty nester professional woman living in a vintage home in Evanston Il, needed a new kitchen. With 4 doorways, and an adjacent eating area, we kept the existing foot print and updated the sun filled kitchen with custom cabinets, new appliances and gorgeous stone countertops. Adult children and grandchildren were frequent visitors, so we chose quality materials for ease of living. Quartzite counters are natural stone, which looks like marble yet performs like granite.

Historical Renovation Objective: The homeowners asked us to join the project after partial demo and construction was in full swing. Their desire was to significantly enlarge and update the charming mid-century modern home to meet the needs of their joined families and frequent social gatherings. It was critical though that the expansion be seamless between old and new, where one feels as if the home “has always been this way”. Solution: We created spaces within rooms that allowed family to gather and socialize freely or allow for private conversations. As constant entertainers, the couple wanted easier access to their favorite wines than having to go to the basement cellar. A custom glass and stainless steel wine cellar was created where bottles seem to float in the space between the dining room and kitchen area. A nineteen foot long island dominates the great room as well as any social gathering where it is generally spread from end to end with food and surrounded by friends and family. Aside of the master suite, three oversized bedrooms each with a large en suite bath provide plenty of space for kids returning from college and frequent visits from friends and family. A neutral color palette was chosen throughout to bring warmth into the space but not fight with the clients’ collections of art, antique rugs and furnishings. Soaring ceiling, windows and huge sliding doors bring the naturalness of the large wooded lot inside while lots of natural wood and stone was used to further complement the outdoors and their love of nature. Outside, a large ground level fire-pit surrounded by comfortable chairs is another favorite gathering spot.

Our clients were living in a Northwood Hills home in Dallas that was built in 1968. Some updates had been done but none really to the main living areas in the front of the house. They love to entertain and do so frequently but the layout of their house wasn’t very functional. There was a galley kitchen, which was mostly shut off to the rest of the home. They were not using the formal living and dining room in front of your house, so they wanted to see how this space could be better utilized. They wanted to create a more open and updated kitchen space that fits their lifestyle. One idea was to turn part of this space into an office, utilizing the bay window with the view out of the front of the house. Storage was also a necessity, as they entertain often and need space for storing those items they use for entertaining. They would also like to incorporate a wet bar somewhere! We demoed the brick and paneling from all of the existing walls and put up drywall. The openings on either side of the fireplace and through the entryway were widened and the kitchen was completely opened up. The fireplace surround is changed to a modern Emser Esplanade Trail tile, versus the chunky rock it was previously. The ceiling was raised and leveled out and the beams were removed throughout the entire area. Beautiful Olympus quartzite countertops were installed throughout the kitchen and butler’s pantry with white Chandler cabinets and Grace 4”x12” Bianco tile backsplash. A large two level island with bar seating for guests was built to create a little separation between the kitchen and dining room. Contrasting black Chandler cabinets were used for the island, as well as for the bar area, all with the same 6” Emtek Alexander pulls. A Blanco low divide metallic gray kitchen sink was placed in the center of the island with a Kohler Bellera kitchen faucet in vibrant stainless. To finish off the look three Iconic Classic Globe Small Pendants in Antiqued Nickel pendant lights were hung above the island. Black Supreme granite countertops with a cool leathered finish were installed in the wet bar, The backsplash is Choice Fawn gloss 4x12” tile, which created a little different look than in the kitchen. A hammered copper Hayden square sink was installed in the bar, giving it that cool bar feel with the black Chandler cabinets. Off the kitchen was a laundry room and powder bath that were also updated. They wanted to have a little fun with these spaces, so the clients chose a geometric black and white Bella Mori 9x9” porcelain tile. Coordinating black and white polka dot wallpaper was installed in the laundry room and a fun floral black and white wallpaper in the powder bath. A dark bronze Metal Mirror with a shelf was installed above the porcelain pedestal sink with simple floating black shelves for storage. Their butlers pantry, the added storage space, and the overall functionality has made entertaining so much easier and keeps unwanted things out of sight, whether the guests are sitting at the island or at the wet bar! The clients absolutely love their new space and the way in which has transformed their lives and really love entertaining even more now!

The client’s request was quite common - a typical 2800 sf builder home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, living space, and den. However, their desire was for this to be “anything but common.” The result is an innovative update on the production home for the modern era, and serves as a direct counterpoint to the neighborhood and its more conventional suburban housing stock, which focus views to the backyard and seeks to nullify the unique qualities and challenges of topography and the natural environment. The Terraced House cautiously steps down the site’s steep topography, resulting in a more nuanced approach to site development than cutting and filling that is so common in the builder homes of the area. The compact house opens up in very focused views that capture the natural wooded setting, while masking the sounds and views of the directly adjacent roadway. The main living spaces face this major roadway, effectively flipping the typical orientation of a suburban home, and the main entrance pulls visitors up to the second floor and halfway through the site, providing a sense of procession and privacy absent in the typical suburban home. Clad in a custom rain screen that reflects the wood of the surrounding landscape - while providing a glimpse into the interior tones that are used. The stepping “wood boxes” rest on a series of concrete walls that organize the site, retain the earth, and - in conjunction with the wood veneer panels - provide a subtle organic texture to the composition. The interior spaces wrap around an interior knuckle that houses public zones and vertical circulation - allowing more private spaces to exist at the edges of the building. The windows get larger and more frequent as they ascend the building, culminating in the upstairs bedrooms that occupy the site like a tree house - giving views in all directions. The Terraced House imports urban qualities to the suburban neighborhood and seeks to elevate the typical approach to production home construction, while being more in tune with modern family living patterns. Overview: Elm Grove Size: 2,800 sf, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Completion Date: September 2014 Services: Architecture, Landscape Architecture Interior Consultants: Amy Carman Design

This backyard for a townhouse in Manhattan’s West Village is made for entertaining and relaxation! Our re-design of the space included artificial turf to replace a failing lawn, updated plantings, overhead string lighting, and new lawn furniture. The existing plantings of boxwoods and birch trees, while healthy, were a little bland and boring looking, so we spiced up the plantings by adding more color, texture, and variety to the space. Our design plans included purple heuchera, gold hakone grass, creeping Jenny, rhododendrons, and a coral-bark maple tree. We picked a high-end, eco-friendly (petroleum free) artificial turf that looks exactly like real grass and is maintenance-free. It’s especially important to choose petroleum free turf for high traffic areas where children and pets may frequently come into contact with the turf. See more of our projects at www.amberfreda.com.

This Riverdale semi-detached whole home renovation features some of the most frequently requested upgrades from Carter Fox clients: open-concept living, more light, a new kitchen and a more effective solution for the entry area. To deliver this wish list, we removed most of the interior walls on the main floor, upgraded the kitchen, and added a large sliding glass door across the back wall. We also built a new wall separating the entrance and living room, and built in a custom bench seat and storage area. Upstairs, we expanded one room to create a dedicated laundry room and created a larger 2nd floor bathroom. In the master bedroom we installed a wall of closets. Finally we updated all electrical and plumbing, painted and installed new flooring throughout the house.