Margaret Kois Photography
Dining room - cottage dark wood floor dining room idea in New York with white walls

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Small danish galley kitchen photo with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Mid-sized trendy single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Atlanta with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Relaxing in the summertime has never looked more beautiful. Whether you're looking to catch some sun, or cool off from a hot day, you will find plenty of amusement with this project. This timeless, contemporary pool house will be the biggest hit among friends and family.

Custom Cream Colored Paint on Solid Maple Cabinets, Full Custom Kitchen in Weston, FL. Copper hood and copper handles and accents. Photo by: Matthew Horton

Photography: © Anastasia Hockinson
Eclectic patio photo in San Francisco

Inspiration for a mediterranean porch remodel in Atlanta

Inspiration for a small modern 3/4 white tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and gray floor alcove bathtub remodel in Nashville with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and white countertops

Small southwest deck photo in Los Angeles with no cover

A fully renovated kitchen becomes the focal point of this revamped home. Keeping the charm of the original home was essential, while making it more functional for the family to enjoy. I was the project architect for this renovation while working at Kenneth Lynch & Associates. Featured in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. Photo credit: David Christensen

Large coastal gray three-story wood gable roof idea in Charleston

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

On the upper level, this eliminated a small office/bedroom at the back of the house and created a substantial space for a beautifully appointed master suite. Upon entering the bedroom one notices the unique angles of the ceiling that were carefully designed to blend seamlessly with the existing 1920’s home, while creating visual interest within the room. The bedroom also features a cozy gas-log fireplace with a herringbone brick interior. © Bob Narod Photography and BOWA

Design ideas for a coastal full sun backyard stone formal garden in Boston.

Preliminary architecture renderings were given to Obelisk Home with a challenge. The homeowners needed us to create an unusual but family friendly home, but also a home-based business functioning environment. Working with the architect, modifications were made to incorporate the desired functions for the family. Starting with the exterior, including landscape design, stone, brick and window selections a one-of-a-kind home was created. Every detail of the interior was created with the homeowner and the Obelisk Home design team. Furnishings, art, accessories, and lighting were provided through Obelisk Home. We were challenged to incorporate existing furniture. So the team repurposed, re-finished and worked these items into the new plan. Custom paint colors and upholstery were purposely blended to add cohesion. Custom light fixtures were designed and manufactured for the main living areas giving the entire home a unique and personal feel. Photos by Jeremy Mason McGraw

Interior Design: Lori Morris
Example of a large transitional white floor eat-in kitchen design in Toronto with shaker cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island, white cabinets and white backsplash

Contemporary Master Bedroom Ensuite Bath by Heather Segreti
Example of a trendy bathroom design in Toronto

Our poster project for The Three P's, this small midcentury home south of campus has great bones but lacked vibrancy - a je ne sais quoi that the clients were searching to savoir once and for all. SYI worked with them to nail down a design direction and furniture plan, and they decided to invest in the big-impact items first: built-ins and lighting and a fresh paint job that included a beautiful deep blue-green line around the windows. The vintage rug was an Etsy score at an awesome price, but only after the client spent months scouring options and sources online that matched the vision and dimensions of the plan. A good year later, the West Elm sofa went on sale, so the client took advantage; some time after that, they painted the kitchen, created the drop zone / bench area, and rounded out the room with occasional tables and accessories. Their lesson: in patience, and details, there is beauty. Photography by Gina Rogers Photography

The 4415 HO gas fireplace brings you the very best in home heating and style with its sleek, linear appearance and impressively high heat output. With a long row of dancing flames and built-in fans, the 4415 gas fireplace is not only an excellent heater but a beautiful focal point in your home. Turn on the under-lighting that shines through the translucent glass floor and you’ve got magic whether the fire is on or off. This sophisticated gas fireplace can accompany any architectural style with a selection of fireback options along with realistic Driftwood and Stone Fyre-Art. The 4415 HO gas fireplace heats up to 2,100 square feet but can heat additional rooms in your home with the optional Power Heat Duct Kit. The gorgeous flame and high heat output of the 4415 are backed up by superior craftsmanship and quality safety features, which are built to extremely high standards. From the heavy steel thickness of the fireplace body to the durable, welded frame surrounding the ceramic glass, you are truly getting the best gas fireplace available. The 2015 ANSI approved low visibility safety barrier comes standard over the glass to increase the safety of this unit for you and your family without detracting from the beautiful fire view.