Huge transitional l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen photo in New York with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, quartz countertops and a farmhouse sink

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in San Diego

Inspiration for a coastal laundry room remodel in Seattle

Custom dining table in whitewashed oak with vintage slingback chairs. Roll & Hill Superordinate Antler chandelier. Flat woven wool carpet. Photography by Aboudi Kabbani

The materials used for this space include white washed brushed oak, taj mahal granite, custom shaker style cabinets, original pine ceiling, slate backsplash, slate & metal mosiac at the island, a custom cast concrete sink, and a Wolf range. | While the flow of the kitchen worked for the family, the focus was on updating the look and feel. The old cabinets were replaced with new shaker-style custom cabinets painted in a soothing grey, to compliment the new white-washed, brushed oak floor. Taj Mahal granite counter tops replaced the old dark ones. The refrigerator was replaced with a wider 48” Sub-Zero. The built-in pantry in the kitchen was replaced, with pull-out shelving specific to the family’s food storage needs. A 48” dual fuel Wolf range replaced the outdated cooktop and oven. The tones of the new slate backsplash and slate and metal mosaic on the face of the island created cohesion between the pine hues of the remaining original ceiling and the new white-washed floor. Task and under bar lighting also brightened the space. The kitchen is finished out with a unique concrete apron sink. Capitalizing on the natural light from the existing skylight and glass doors, the upgraded finishes in the kitchen and living area brightened the space and gave it an up-to-date feel. | Photos by Tre Dunham

Photo by Shanna Hickman
Transitional master porcelain tile porcelain tile and double-sink freestanding bathtub photo in Austin with light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops, a niche and flat-panel cabinets

Design and construction by USI. Elements of multi-room renovation include: -Curated design theme -Managing flow -Appliance re-assignments -Plumbing relocations -Tub to shower conversions

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

This lovely kitchen has vaulted white wood ceilings with wood beams. The light hardwood floor adds to the open airy feeling of this space. Photo by Jim Bartsch

Beach style kitchen photo in Portland Maine

A quintessential 1925 bungalow located in the charming neighborhood of Virginia Highland in Atlanta, this project included a renovation of the kitchen, family room and powder room on the first floor, and the laundry and primary bath on the second. The Copper Sky Design + Remodel team reconfigured the first floor to better accommodate additional cabinetry and an island in the kitchen by borrowing space from what was a full bathroom and converting it to a half bath. Upstairs, unfinished attic space was converted to a roomy laundry room while the 200 square foot primary bath remained in its original footprint.

Brady Architectural Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in San Diego with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island, solid surface countertops and white backsplash

Inspiration for a coastal home design remodel in Portland Maine

Our client desired a bespoke farmhouse kitchen and sought unique items to create this one of a kind farmhouse kitchen their family. We transformed this kitchen by changing the orientation, removed walls and opened up the exterior with a 3 panel stacking door. The oversized pendants are the subtle frame work for an artfully made metal hood cover. The statement hood which I discovered on one of my trips inspired the design and added flare and style to this home. Nothing is as it seems, the white cabinetry looks like shaker until you look closer it is beveled for a sophisticated finish upscale finish. The backsplash looks like subway until you look closer it is actually 3d concave tile that simply looks like it was formed around a wine bottle. We added the coffered ceiling and wood flooring to create this warm enhanced featured of the space. The custom cabinetry then was made to match the oak wood on the ceiling. The pedestal legs on the island enhance the characterizes for the cerused oak cabinetry. Fabulous clients make fabulous projects.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary master brown tile and stone tile slate floor and gray floor double shower remodel in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Our client desired a bespoke farmhouse kitchen and sought unique items to create this one of a kind farmhouse kitchen their family. We transformed this kitchen by changing the orientation, removed walls and opened up the exterior with a 3 panel stacking door. The oversized pendants are the subtle frame work for an artfully made metal hood cover. The statement hood which I discovered on one of my trips inspired the design and added flare and style to this home. Nothing is as it seems, the white cabinetry looks like shaker until you look closer it is beveled for a sophisticated finish upscale finish. The backsplash looks like subway until you look closer it is actually 3d concave tile that simply looks like it was formed around a wine bottle. We added the coffered ceiling and wood flooring to create this warm enhanced featured of the space. The custom cabinetry then was made to match the oak wood on the ceiling. The pedestal legs on the island enhance the characterizes for the cerused oak cabinetry. Fabulous clients make fabulous projects.

Troy Thies Photography
Trendy home design photo in Minneapolis

Our client desired a bespoke farmhouse kitchen and sought unique items to create this one of a kind farmhouse kitchen their family. We transformed this kitchen by changing the orientation, removed walls and opened up the exterior with a 3 panel stacking door. The oversized pendants are the subtle frame work for an artfully made metal hood cover. The statement hood which I discovered on one of my trips inspired the design and added flare and style to this home. Nothing is as it seems, the white cabinetry looks like shaker until you look closer it is beveled for a sophisticated finish upscale finish. The backsplash looks like subway until you look closer it is actually 3d concave tile that simply looks like it was formed around a wine bottle. We added the coffered ceiling and wood flooring to create this warm enhanced featured of the space. The custom cabinetry then was made to match the oak wood on the ceiling. The pedestal legs on the island enhance the characterizes for the cerused oak cabinetry. Fabulous clients make fabulous projects.

Joe Fletcher
Dining room - modern light wood floor and white floor dining room idea in San Francisco with white walls