This cozy lake cottage skillfully incorporates a number of features that would normally be restricted to a larger home design. A glance of the exterior reveals a simple story and a half gable running the length of the home, enveloping the majority of the interior spaces. To the rear, a pair of gables with copper roofing flanks a covered dining area and screened porch. Inside, a linear foyer reveals a generous staircase with cascading landing. Further back, a centrally placed kitchen is connected to all of the other main level entertaining spaces through expansive cased openings. A private study serves as the perfect buffer between the homes master suite and living room. Despite its small footprint, the master suite manages to incorporate several closets, built-ins, and adjacent master bath complete with a soaker tub flanked by separate enclosures for a shower and water closet. Upstairs, a generous double vanity bathroom is shared by a bunkroom, exercise space, and private bedroom. The bunkroom is configured to provide sleeping accommodations for up to 4 people. The rear-facing exercise has great views of the lake through a set of windows that overlook the copper roof of the screened porch below.

Front exterior of a new construction single-level home in Orinda, CA. The composition presents two distinct volumes: a low flat-roofed cedar-clad entry box that transitions from street to sanctuary, and the main residence behind with a signature butterfly shed roofline that peaks at the center - the tectonic uplift that gives the project its name. Warm horizontal cedar cladding wraps both the entry volume and the two-car garage door, set against smooth grey stucco and a darker grey roof fascia.

Classic Entry Door with 2 side lights. Therma Tru Fiber Classic Mahogany grain factory stained Mahogany model FCM914 -3/4 glass Concorde design. EMtouch Emtek handle set. 5 foot opening - replaced 2 x 30" doors. Installed in Mission Viejo, CA home.

Inspiration for a coastal entryway remodel in San Francisco

This growing family of six was struggling with a dysfunctional kitchen design. The center island had been installed at an odd angle that limited accessibility and traffic flow. Additionally, storage space was limited by poor cabinet design. Finally, doorways in and out of the kitchen were narrow and poorly located, especially for children dashing in and out. Other design challenges included how to better use a 10’ x 12’ room for children’s jackets and toys and how to add a professional-quality gas range in a neighborhood were natural gas wasn’t available. The new design would address all of these issues. DESIGN SOLUTIONS The new kitchen design revolves around a more proportional island. Carefully placed in the center of the new space with seating for four, it includes a prep sink, a second dishwasher and a beverage center. The distressed ebony-stained island and hutch provides a brilliant contrast between the white color cabinetry. White Carrera marble countertops and backsplash top both island and perimeter cabinets. Tall, double stacked cabinetry lines two walls to maximize storage space. Across the room there was an unused wall that now contains a 36” tower fridge and freezer, both covered with matching panels, and a tall cabinet that contains a microwave, steam unit and warming drawer. A propane tank was buried in the back yard to provide gas to a new 60” professional range and cooktop. A custom-made wood mantel hood blends perfectly with the cabinet style. The old laundry room was reconfigured to have lots of locker space for all kids and added cabinetry for storage. A double entry door separated the new mudroom from the rest of the back hall. In the back hall the back windows were replaced with a set of French door and added decking to create a direct access to deck and backyard. The end result is an open floor plan, high-end appliances, great traffic flow and pleasing colors. The homeowner calls it the “kitchen of her dreams.”

Classic style 8 foot tall Therma Tru fiberglass double entry doors. Smooth surface painted Cranberry. 3/4 lite Saratoga glass design and Emtek Ares handle sets. Installed in Yorba Linda, CA home.

Rear foyer entry Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography; Interior Design: Kristin Try Interiors; Builder: Harry Braswell, Inc.
Inspiration for a coastal black floor entryway remodel in DC Metro with beige walls and a glass front door

Designed by Interior Designer, A. Lantz Design, this Lake Charlevoix project was featured on the cover of Traditional Home magazine! This home's side entry is in between the home's garage access and laundry room. A perfect location to slip in and kick off one's Sperry's or rain boots. A perfect built-in bench adds functional seating and plenty of storage. We covered the walls with a beautiful navy blue grass cloth wallcovering to add texture to the small space without over powering it. The slate-colored concrete floor tiles cool the space while the rattan circular rug and fluidity and warmth.

David Duncan Livingston For this ground up project in one of Lafayette’s most prized neighborhoods, we brought an East Coast sensibility to this West Coast residence. Honoring the client’s love of classical interiors, we layered the traditional architecture with a crisp contrast of saturated colors, clean moldings and refined white marble. In the living room, tailored furnishings are punctuated by modern accents, bespoke draperies and jewelry like sconces. Built-in custom cabinetry, lasting finishes and indoor/outdoor fabrics were used throughout to create a fresh, elegant yet livable home for this active family of five.

Front door is a pair of 36" x 96" x 2 1/4" DSA Master Crafted Door with 3-point locking mechanism, (6) divided lites, and (1) raised panel at lower part of the doors in knotty alder. Photo by Mike Kaskel

Joshua Drake Photography
Transitional double front door photo in Other with a glass front door

Patrick Barta
Trendy single front door photo in Seattle with a medium wood front door

This entryway features a gallery wall set against textured blush-pink wallpaper, creating a bold and inviting backdrop. A dark wood console is styled with two emerald green table lamps, sitting atop a dark red and orange rug. A glass-and-brass chandelier hangs overhead, while white trim and ceiling provide contrast and balance, creating a layered, elegant, and welcoming entry space.

The front entry includes a built-in bench and storage for the family's shoes. Photographer: Tyler Chartier
Mid-sized 1960s dark wood floor entryway photo in San Francisco with a dark wood front door and white walls

Majestic entry with high ceilings, transom over beautiful natural mahogany front door and extra set of windows above. Lots of light and "wow" factor here. Love the poplar buttboard walls and the reclaimed European white oak hardwood flooring - great details for this entry into a beautiful Southern Lowcountry custom home!

Set on the magnificent Long Island Sound, Field Point Circle has a celebrated history as Greenwich’s premier neighborhood—and is considered one of the 10 most prestigious addresses in the country. The Field Point Circle Association, with 27 estate homes, has a single access point and 24 hour security. The Pryory was designed by the eminent architectural firm Cross & Cross in the spirit of an English countryside estate and is set on 2.4 waterfront acres with a private beach and mooring. Perched on a hilltop, the property’s rolling grounds unfold from the rear terrace down to the pool and rippling water’s edge. Through the ivy-covered front door awaits the paneled grand entry with its soaring three-story carved wooden staircase. The adjacent double living room is bookended by stately fireplaces and flooded with light thanks to the span of windows and French doors out to the terrace and water beyond. Most rooms throughout the home boast water views, including the Great Room, which is cloaked in tiger oak and capped with hexagonal patterned high ceilings. One of Greenwich’s famed Great Estates, The Pryory offers the finest workmanship, materials, architecture, and landscaping in an exclusive and unparalleled coastal setting.

Winner of the 2018 Tour of Homes Best Remodel, this whole house re-design of a 1963 Bennet & Johnson mid-century raised ranch home is a beautiful example of the magic we can weave through the application of more sustainable modern design principles to existing spaces. We worked closely with our client on extensive updates to create a modernized MCM gem. Extensive alterations include: - a completely redesigned floor plan to promote a more intuitive flow throughout - vaulted the ceilings over the great room to create an amazing entrance and feeling of inspired openness - redesigned entry and driveway to be more inviting and welcoming as well as to experientially set the mid-century modern stage - the removal of a visually disruptive load bearing central wall and chimney system that formerly partitioned the homes’ entry, dining, kitchen and living rooms from each other - added clerestory windows above the new kitchen to accentuate the new vaulted ceiling line and create a greater visual continuation of indoor to outdoor space - drastically increased the access to natural light by increasing window sizes and opening up the floor plan - placed natural wood elements throughout to provide a calming palette and cohesive Pacific Northwest feel - incorporated Universal Design principles to make the home Aging In Place ready with wide hallways and accessible spaces, including single-floor living if needed - moved and completely redesigned the stairway to work for the home’s occupants and be a part of the cohesive design aesthetic - mixed custom tile layouts with more traditional tiling to create fun and playful visual experiences - custom designed and sourced MCM specific elements such as the entry screen, cabinetry and lighting - development of the downstairs for potential future use by an assisted living caretaker - energy efficiency upgrades seamlessly woven in with much improved insulation, ductless mini splits and solar gain

The front elevation shows the formal entry to the house. A stone path the the side leads to an informal entry. Set into a slope, the front of the house faces a hill covered in wildflowers. The pool house is set farther down the hill and can be seem behind the house. Photo by: Daniel Contelmo Jr.

Please visit my website directly by copying and pasting this link directly into your browser: http://www.berensinteriors.com/ to learn more about this project and how we may work together! A grand entry loggia that declares welcome to all guest who arrive! Robert Naik Photography.