This Bank Executive / Mom works full time from home. Accounting for this way of life, we began the office design by analyzing the space to accommodate for this individual’s workload and lifestyle. The office nook remains integrated within the rest of the household, with “tweenaged” boys afoot. Still sequestered upstairs, Mom fulfills her role as a professional, while keeping an ear on the household activities. We designed this space with ample lighting both natural and artificial, sufficient closed and open shelving, and supplies cupboards, with drawers and file cabinets. Craftsman Four Square, Seattle, WA - Master Bedroom & Office - Custom Cabinetry, by Belltown Design LLC, Photography by Julie Mannell

Photography by Caryn B. Davis Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

This 10,000 sf townhouse sits on one of Manhattan’s most beautiful Upper East Side streets and so the goal of the project was to return the house to its original grandeur. Previously a Kips Bay designer showcase house, the rooms were each designed in a differing style and therefore the lack of cohesion and flow made the house seem choppy. In addition, much of the interior was superficial in the sense that plumbing fixtures were not all connected, walls were “false walls” built in front of existing and much of the construction had to be rebuilt. The scope included creating a large gourmet kitchen in the rear of the ground floor by closing off the winding corridor and creating a new door opening centered on the main entry hall with a paneled arched pocket door mimicking the original detailing of the parlor floor. The kitchen has a Calacatta Gold stone center island and dinning area flanked by counters that run the length of the east and west walls with glass front upper cabinets. A built-in buffet on the south wall anchors the space. A mud room, with access to the delivery entrance and additional storage space was added off the kitchen. A new slim profile steel and glass French door provides access to a new steel rear deck and stairs to the rear yard. On the second floor, a new tile floor was added throughout and RRA designed new stone mantle pieces fabricated from England in the living and dining rooms. On the 3rd floor, a new wall was constructed in the 11’ wide central hallway to allow a new 135 sf master closet with custom designed built-in storage units and accessories. This concept was carried through to the 4th floor on a smaller scale and 4 new storage closets were added in the hallway. The existing bathroom on the 4th Floor was gutted and redesigned including a new 5’x5’ extra deep soaking tub and new fixtures. Silver travertine tiles were used throughout to give the room a durable, waterproof finish while also providing a warm, luxurious feel. The 5th floor was converted into a playroom and TV room for the family’s two young children and was outfitted with chalkboard paint along the entire east wall in the play area and a bold color block wall treatment in the TV room. A new cork floor was installed for durability and resilience to lots of activity yet providing a soft and sustainable floor treatment for its intended user. A full laundry room was also created floor with new cabinetry, plumbing, and floor and wall tile. Additionally, 3 full baths and a powder room were refitted with tumbled travertine tiles on the top two floors. The exterior of the building was refurbished and new lighting and painted doors and frames were installed in accordance with Landmark designation. An additional challenge on the project was that a previously built extension on the PH level was illegally overbuilt and the property had received a violation. A 9 month process of filing drawings, completing zoning analyses and meetings with the DOB Commissioners ensued to get the extension approved allowing us to obtain a permit for the remainder of the work and complete the Certificate of Occupancy. In spite of the complex process and scattered program, the completed townhouse has a cohesive aesthetic throughout, with upgraded amenities befitting this grand representation of elite New York living.

Photo: Lucy Call © 2016 Houzz
Trendy bedroom photo in Salt Lake City

Transitional entryway photo in Philadelphia

Photography by Caryn B. Davis Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Photography by Caryn B. Davis Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

This 10,000 sf townhouse sits on one of Manhattan’s most beautiful Upper East Side streets and so the goal of the project was to return the house to its original grandeur. Previously a Kips Bay designer showcase house, the rooms were each designed in a differing style and therefore the lack of cohesion and flow made the house seem choppy. In addition, much of the interior was superficial in the sense that plumbing fixtures were not all connected, walls were “false walls” built in front of existing and much of the construction had to be rebuilt. The scope included creating a large gourmet kitchen in the rear of the ground floor by closing off the winding corridor and creating a new door opening centered on the main entry hall with a paneled arched pocket door mimicking the original detailing of the parlor floor. The kitchen has a Calacatta Gold stone center island and dinning area flanked by counters that run the length of the east and west walls with glass front upper cabinets. A built-in buffet on the south wall anchors the space. A mud room, with access to the delivery entrance and additional storage space was added off the kitchen. A new slim profile steel and glass French door provides access to a new steel rear deck and stairs to the rear yard. On the second floor, a new tile floor was added throughout and RRA designed new stone mantle pieces fabricated from England in the living and dining rooms. On the 3rd floor, a new wall was constructed in the 11’ wide central hallway to allow a new 135 sf master closet with custom designed built-in storage units and accessories. This concept was carried through to the 4th floor on a smaller scale and 4 new storage closets were added in the hallway. The existing bathroom on the 4th Floor was gutted and redesigned including a new 5’x5’ extra deep soaking tub and new fixtures. Silver travertine tiles were used throughout to give the room a durable, waterproof finish while also providing a warm, luxurious feel. The 5th floor was converted into a playroom and TV room for the family’s two young children and was outfitted with chalkboard paint along the entire east wall in the play area and a bold color block wall treatment in the TV room. A new cork floor was installed for durability and resilience to lots of activity yet providing a soft and sustainable floor treatment for its intended user. A full laundry room was also created floor with new cabinetry, plumbing, and floor and wall tile. Additionally, 3 full baths and a powder room were refitted with tumbled travertine tiles on the top two floors. The exterior of the building was refurbished and new lighting and painted doors and frames were installed in accordance with Landmark designation. An additional challenge on the project was that a previously built extension on the PH level was illegally overbuilt and the property had received a violation. A 9 month process of filing drawings, completing zoning analyses and meetings with the DOB Commissioners ensued to get the extension approved allowing us to obtain a permit for the remainder of the work and complete the Certificate of Occupancy. In spite of the complex process and scattered program, the completed townhouse has a cohesive aesthetic throughout, with upgraded amenities befitting this grand representation of elite New York living.

This 10,000 sf townhouse sits on one of Manhattan’s most beautiful Upper East Side streets and so the goal of the project was to return the house to its original grandeur. Previously a Kips Bay designer showcase house, the rooms were each designed in a differing style and therefore the lack of cohesion and flow made the house seem choppy. In addition, much of the interior was superficial in the sense that plumbing fixtures were not all connected, walls were “false walls” built in front of existing and much of the construction had to be rebuilt. The scope included creating a large gourmet kitchen in the rear of the ground floor by closing off the winding corridor and creating a new door opening centered on the main entry hall with a paneled arched pocket door mimicking the original detailing of the parlor floor. The kitchen has a Calacatta Gold stone center island and dinning area flanked by counters that run the length of the east and west walls with glass front upper cabinets. A built-in buffet on the south wall anchors the space. A mud room, with access to the delivery entrance and additional storage space was added off the kitchen. A new slim profile steel and glass French door provides access to a new steel rear deck and stairs to the rear yard. On the second floor, a new tile floor was added throughout and RRA designed new stone mantle pieces fabricated from England in the living and dining rooms. On the 3rd floor, a new wall was constructed in the 11’ wide central hallway to allow a new 135 sf master closet with custom designed built-in storage units and accessories. This concept was carried through to the 4th floor on a smaller scale and 4 new storage closets were added in the hallway. The existing bathroom on the 4th Floor was gutted and redesigned including a new 5’x5’ extra deep soaking tub and new fixtures. Silver travertine tiles were used throughout to give the room a durable, waterproof finish while also providing a warm, luxurious feel. The 5th floor was converted into a playroom and TV room for the family’s two young children and was outfitted with chalkboard paint along the entire east wall in the play area and a bold color block wall treatment in the TV room. A new cork floor was installed for durability and resilience to lots of activity yet providing a soft and sustainable floor treatment for its intended user. A full laundry room was also created floor with new cabinetry, plumbing, and floor and wall tile. Additionally, 3 full baths and a powder room were refitted with tumbled travertine tiles on the top two floors. The exterior of the building was refurbished and new lighting and painted doors and frames were installed in accordance with Landmark designation. An additional challenge on the project was that a previously built extension on the PH level was illegally overbuilt and the property had received a violation. A 9 month process of filing drawings, completing zoning analyses and meetings with the DOB Commissioners ensued to get the extension approved allowing us to obtain a permit for the remainder of the work and complete the Certificate of Occupancy. In spite of the complex process and scattered program, the completed townhouse has a cohesive aesthetic throughout, with upgraded amenities befitting this grand representation of elite New York living.

Photo by Jody Dole This charming farmhouse sits atop a grassy hill overlooking a serene Connecticut River Estuary. The new design reformulated the first floor plan making it much more functional and visually exciting. It encompassed the reorganization of multiple spaces including the Mudroom, Kitchen, Dining Room, Family Room, Sun Room, Laundry, Bathroom, and Master Closet. The design also added, deleted, and relocated windows and French doors to greatly enhance exterior views, draw in more natural light, and seamlessly upgrade the articulation of exterior elevations. Improvements to the plumbing and mechanical systems were also made. The overall feeling is both sophisticated and yet very much down to earth. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

This 10,000 sf townhouse sits on one of Manhattan’s most beautiful Upper East Side streets and so the goal of the project was to return the house to its original grandeur. Previously a Kips Bay designer showcase house, the rooms were each designed in a differing style and therefore the lack of cohesion and flow made the house seem choppy. In addition, much of the interior was superficial in the sense that plumbing fixtures were not all connected, walls were “false walls” built in front of existing and much of the construction had to be rebuilt. The scope included creating a large gourmet kitchen in the rear of the ground floor by closing off the winding corridor and creating a new door opening centered on the main entry hall with a paneled arched pocket door mimicking the original detailing of the parlor floor. The kitchen has a Calacatta Gold stone center island and dinning area flanked by counters that run the length of the east and west walls with glass front upper cabinets. A built-in buffet on the south wall anchors the space. A mud room, with access to the delivery entrance and additional storage space was added off the kitchen. A new slim profile steel and glass French door provides access to a new steel rear deck and stairs to the rear yard. On the second floor, a new tile floor was added throughout and RRA designed new stone mantle pieces fabricated from England in the living and dining rooms. On the 3rd floor, a new wall was constructed in the 11’ wide central hallway to allow a new 135 sf master closet with custom designed built-in storage units and accessories. This concept was carried through to the 4th floor on a smaller scale and 4 new storage closets were added in the hallway. The existing bathroom on the 4th Floor was gutted and redesigned including a new 5’x5’ extra deep soaking tub and new fixtures. Silver travertine tiles were used throughout to give the room a durable, waterproof finish while also providing a warm, luxurious feel. The 5th floor was converted into a playroom and TV room for the family’s two young children and was outfitted with chalkboard paint along the entire east wall in the play area and a bold color block wall treatment in the TV room. A new cork floor was installed for durability and resilience to lots of activity yet providing a soft and sustainable floor treatment for its intended user. A full laundry room was also created floor with new cabinetry, plumbing, and floor and wall tile. Additionally, 3 full baths and a powder room were refitted with tumbled travertine tiles on the top two floors. The exterior of the building was refurbished and new lighting and painted doors and frames were installed in accordance with Landmark designation. An additional challenge on the project was that a previously built extension on the PH level was illegally overbuilt and the property had received a violation. A 9 month process of filing drawings, completing zoning analyses and meetings with the DOB Commissioners ensued to get the extension approved allowing us to obtain a permit for the remainder of the work and complete the Certificate of Occupancy. In spite of the complex process and scattered program, the completed townhouse has a cohesive aesthetic throughout, with upgraded amenities befitting this grand representation of elite New York living.

Photo by Jody Dole John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Photo by Jody Dole John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

This 10,000 sf townhouse sits on one of Manhattan’s most beautiful Upper East Side streets and so the goal of the project was to return the house to its original grandeur. Previously a Kips Bay designer showcase house, the rooms were each designed in a differing style and therefore the lack of cohesion and flow made the house seem choppy. In addition, much of the interior was superficial in the sense that plumbing fixtures were not all connected, walls were “false walls” built in front of existing and much of the construction had to be rebuilt. The scope included creating a large gourmet kitchen in the rear of the ground floor by closing off the winding corridor and creating a new door opening centered on the main entry hall with a paneled arched pocket door mimicking the original detailing of the parlor floor. The kitchen has a Calacatta Gold stone center island and dinning area flanked by counters that run the length of the east and west walls with glass front upper cabinets. A built-in buffet on the south wall anchors the space. A mud room, with access to the delivery entrance and additional storage space was added off the kitchen. A new slim profile steel and glass French door provides access to a new steel rear deck and stairs to the rear yard. On the second floor, a new tile floor was added throughout and RRA designed new stone mantle pieces fabricated from England in the living and dining rooms. On the 3rd floor, a new wall was constructed in the 11’ wide central hallway to allow a new 135 sf master closet with custom designed built-in storage units and accessories. This concept was carried through to the 4th floor on a smaller scale and 4 new storage closets were added in the hallway. The existing bathroom on the 4th Floor was gutted and redesigned including a new 5’x5’ extra deep soaking tub and new fixtures. Silver travertine tiles were used throughout to give the room a durable, waterproof finish while also providing a warm, luxurious feel. The 5th floor was converted into a playroom and TV room for the family’s two young children and was outfitted with chalkboard paint along the entire east wall in the play area and a bold color block wall treatment in the TV room. A new cork floor was installed for durability and resilience to lots of activity yet providing a soft and sustainable floor treatment for its intended user. A full laundry room was also created floor with new cabinetry, plumbing, and floor and wall tile. Additionally, 3 full baths and a powder room were refitted with tumbled travertine tiles on the top two floors. The exterior of the building was refurbished and new lighting and painted doors and frames were installed in accordance with Landmark designation. An additional challenge on the project was that a previously built extension on the PH level was illegally overbuilt and the property had received a violation. A 9 month process of filing drawings, completing zoning analyses and meetings with the DOB Commissioners ensued to get the extension approved allowing us to obtain a permit for the remainder of the work and complete the Certificate of Occupancy. In spite of the complex process and scattered program, the completed townhouse has a cohesive aesthetic throughout, with upgraded amenities befitting this grand representation of elite New York living.

Photography by Caryn B. Davis Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Brian Thomas Jones
Mid-sized trendy galley concrete floor and gray floor open concept kitchen photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photography by Caryn B. Davis Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic formal and enclosed dark wood floor living room remodel in Chicago with yellow walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Photography by Caryn B. Davis Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.