Inspiration for a timeless one-story wood exterior home remodel in Los Angeles

Installation of new kitchen marble countertops; reconditioned exposed ceiling joists; locally custom-fabricated steel floor-to-ceiling bay window. Photographer: Jeffrey Totaro

A simple one-story white clapboard 1920s cottage bungalow sat on a narrow straight street with many older homes, all of which meeting the street with a similar dignified approach. This house was the smallest of them all, built in 1922 as a weekend cottage, near the old East Falls Church rail station which provided direct access to Washington D.C. Its diminutive scale, low-pitched roof with the ridge parallel to the street, and lack of superfluous decoration characterized this cottage bungalow. Though the owners fell in love with the charm of the original house, their growing family presented an architectural dilemma: how do you significantly expand a charming little 1920’s Craftsman style house that you love without totally losing the integrity that made it so perfect? The answer began to formulate after a review of the houses in the turn-of-the-century neighborhood; every older house was two stories tall, each built in a different style, each beautifully proportioned, each much larger than this cottage bungalow. Most of the neighborhood houses had been significantly renovated or expanded. Growing this one-story house would certainly not adversely affect the architectural character of the neighborhood. Given that, the house needed to maintain a diminutive scale in order to appear friendly and avoid a dominating presence. The simplistic, crisp, honest materials and details of the little house, all painted white, would be saved and incorporated into a new house. Across the front of the house, the three public spaces would be saved, connected along an axis anchored on the left by the living room fireplace, with the dining room and the sitting room to the right. These three rooms are punctuated by thirteen windows, which for this house age and style, really suggests a more modern aesthetic. Hoachlander Davis Photography

The front porch of the existing house remained. It made a good proportional guide for expanding the 2nd floor. The master bathroom bumps out to the side. And, hand sawn wood brackets hold up the traditional flying-rafter eaves. Max Sall Photography

Normandy Designer Vince Weber, worked closely with the homeowners to create an open and spacious floorplan with timeless beauty and appeal. “The existing kitchen was isolated from the rest of the house,” says Weber. “One of the redesign goals of the homeowners was to tie the kitchen with the living room to create a ‘living kitchen’ that would function as the central gathering space for the family.” The resulting design paired timeless colors and classic inset cabinetry to give the kitchen a casual elegance. The island was designed to feel like a furniture piece, which creates a visual divide between functioning kitchen, and the informal eating and living space. Learn more about Vince Weber, the award winning designer who created this kitchen and addition: http://www.normandyremodeling.com/designers/vince-weber/ To learn more about this award-winning Normandy Remodeling Kitchen, click here: http://www.normandyremodeling.com/blog/2-time-award-winning-kitchen-in-wilmette

A hip young family moving from Boston tackled an enormous makeover of an antique colonial revival home in downtown Larchmont. The kitchen area was quite spacious but benefitted from a small bump out for a banquette and additional windows. Navy blue island and tall cabinetry matched to Benjamin Moore’s Van Deusen blue is balanced by crisp white (Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace) cabinetry on the perimeter. The mid-century inspired suspended fireplace adds warmth and style to the kitchen. A tile covered range hood blends the ventilation into the walls. Brushed brass hardware by Lewis Dolan in a contemporary T-bar shape offer clean lines in a warm metallic tone. White Marble countertops on the perimeter are balanced by white quartz composite on the island. Kitchen design and custom cabinetry by Studio Dearborn. Countertops by Rye Marble. Refrigerator--Subzero; Range—Viking French door oven--Viking. Dacor Wine Station. Dishwashers—Bosch. Ventilation—Best. Hardware—Lewis Dolan. Lighting—Rejuvenation. Sink--Franke. Stools—Soho Concept. Photography Adam Kane Macchia.

John Evans
Inspiration for a timeless white tile and marble tile bathroom remodel in Columbus with gray walls

Sun Room. Exteiror Sunroom -Photographer: Rob Karosis
Elegant two-story wood exterior home photo in New York

This salvaged kitchen sink was found awhile ago by the client who new she wanted to use it if ever she renovated. Integrated beautifully into the Danby marble countertop and backsplash with new fixtures it is a real joy to clean up. This kitchen was formerly a dark paneled, cluttered, divided space with little natural light. By eliminating partitions and creating an open floorplan, as well as adding modern windows with traditional detailing, providing lovingly detailed built-ins for the clients extensive collection of beautiful dishes, and lightening up the color palette we were able to create a rather miraculous transformation. Renovation/Addition. Rob Karosis Photography

Photo Credit - Katrina Mojzesz topkatphoto.com Interior Design - Katja van der Loo Papyrus Home Design papyrushomedesign.com Homeowner & Design Director - Sue Walter, subeeskitchen.com

Photo by Randy O'Rourke
Inspiration for a timeless living room remodel in Boston with white walls

Window seat with storage
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept carpeted living room remodel in San Francisco with green walls and no fireplace

This house, in eastern Washington’s Kittitas County, is sited on the shallow incline of a slight elevation, in the midst of fifty acres of pasture and prairie grassland, a place of vast expanses, where only distant hills and the occasional isolated tree interrupt the view toward the horizon. Where another design might seem to be an alien import, this house feels entirely native, powerfully attached to the land. Set back from and protected under the tent-like protection of the roof, the front of the house is entirely transparent, glowing like a lantern in the evening. Along the windowed wall that looks out over the porch, a full-length enfilade reaches out to the far window at each end. Steep ship’s ladders on either side of the great room lead to loft spaces, lighted by a single window placed high on the gable ends. On either side of the massive stone fireplace, angled window seats offer views of the grasslands and of the watch tower. Eight-foot-high accordion doors at the porch end of the great room fold away, extending the room out to a screened space for summer, a glass-enclosed solarium in winter. In addition to serving as an observation look-out and beacon, the tower serves the practical function of housing a below-grade wine cellar and sleeping benches. Tower and house align from entrance to entrance, literally linked by a pathway, set off axis and leading to steps that descend into the courtyard.

The goal was to update this 1990's colonial's dated kitchen to improve traffic flow, increase natural light, and create a more functional and integrated connection to the outdoor pool and deck, where the family regularly entertains. The original kitchen had narrow work corridors and poor cabinet storage. Along the back of the kitchen, on the poolside, a 22’ wide by 4’ deep bump out replaced a small existing bump out. A coffered ceiling with crown molding was created, adding elegance and giving the sensation of higher ceilings. The new bump out, which has 9’ ceilings and a wall of large windows, floods the kitchen with light and backyard views. The new bump out features large, passthrough sliding windows, overlooking the pool deck, offering easy access to a floating counter for serving. Screens roll up inside mullion pockets, so the windows do not need to be kept open while serving. The bump out created space for a massive kitchen island with leathered granite counter, anchoring the room. It’s large enough for the kids to do their homework, while Mom and Dad prepare meals. The result is a bright, stylish, more functional kitchen that is better connected to the outdoors and to the rest of the home.

Transitional medium tone wood floor living room photo in New York with gray walls

This home has so many creative, fun and unexpected pops of incredible in every room! Our home owner is super artistic and creative, She and her husband have been planning this home for 3 years. It was so much fun to work on and to create such a unique home!

A traditional house that meanders around courtyards built as though it where built in stages over time. Well proportioned and timeless. Presenting its modest humble face this large home is filled with surprises as it demands that you take your time to experience it.

Example of a transitional medium tone wood floor kitchen design in New York with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, a peninsula and a farmhouse sink

Matthew Niemann Photography
Example of a transitional u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design in Austin with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, gray backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, white countertops, quartz countertops and white cabinets