Kerry Kirk Photography

Along the fireplace, the existing brick is exposed to save on finishes, but also add a rustic texture to the space, in contrast with the clean, modern white finishes. To warm up the space, warm walnut furnishings are introduced.

We gave this Newburyport, Massachusetts townhouse a second life with a full renovation that built upon the impeccable bones of the old building. Salvaged wood and soapstone elements in the kitchen design complement the existing timber ceiling and brick walls while adding additional texture. We refinished the pine floors throughout and added hidden ceiling lights that provide illumination and ambiance without compromising the architectural lines of the space. Beautifully crafted, handmade cabinetry and molding details added to the bedrooms and baths coordinate with the existing Indian shutters. By maintaining respect for its historic authenticity we were able to create for the owners a very special home that resonates with comfort and warmth.

Photo: Corynne Pless © 2013 Houzz

Closer look of the open shower of the Master Bathroom. Shower pan is Emser Riviera pebble tile, in a four color blend. Shower walls are Bedrosians Barrel 8x48" tile in Harvest, installed in a vertical offset pattern. The exterior wall of the open shower is custom patchwork wood cladding, enclosed by exposed beams. Robe hooks on the back wall of the shower are Delta Dryden double hooks in brilliance stainless. Master bathroom flooring and floor base is 12x24" Bedrosians, from the Simply collection in Modern Coffee, flooring is installed in an offset pattern. Ceiling is painted in Sherwin Williams "Kilim Beige."

Peter Molick

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Barnes Walker Ltd

Luxury master bedroom by Karla Trincanello. Wall paint color: BMoore 198 Cornsilk. Then B. Moore opaque Pearl paint as a strie treatment. Then the pearl paint again to create the stripes and diagonal pattern over the paint treatmen Photo credit: Marisa Pellegrini

2012 KaDa Photography

Gallery-white walls contrast with exposed brick, which lighten the atmosphere and accentuate the volume of high ceilings. A kitschy painted portrait of Dianna the Huntress, complete with her 60’s hairdo, overlooks the dining area with an air of formality and a dash of humor. Photo: Adrienne M DeRosa © 2012 Houzz Design: KEA Design

Brad Peebles

We built this bright sitting room directly off the kitchen. The stone accent wall is actually what used to be the outside of the home! The floor is a striking black and white patterned cement tile. The French doors lead out to the patio. After tearing down this home's existing addition, we set out to create a new addition with a modern farmhouse feel that still blended seamlessly with the original house. The addition includes a kitchen great room, laundry room and sitting room. Outside, we perfectly aligned the cupola on top of the roof, with the upper story windows and those with the lower windows, giving the addition a clean and crisp look. Using granite from Chester County, mica schist stone and hardy plank siding on the exterior walls helped the addition to blend in seamlessly with the original house. Inside, we customized each new space by paying close attention to the little details. Reclaimed wood for the mantle and shelving, sleek and subtle lighting under the reclaimed shelves, unique wall and floor tile, recessed outlets in the island, walnut trim on the hood, paneled appliances, and repeating materials in a symmetrical way work together to give the interior a sophisticated yet comfortable feel. Rudloff Custom Builders has won Best of Houzz for Customer Service in 2014, 2015 2016, 2017 and 2019. We also were voted Best of Design in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 which only 2% of professionals receive. Rudloff Custom Builders has been featured on Houzz in their Kitchen of the Week, What to Know About Using Reclaimed Wood in the Kitchen as well as included in their Bathroom WorkBook article. We are a full service, certified remodeling company that covers all of the Philadelphia suburban area. This business, like most others, developed from a friendship of young entrepreneurs who wanted to make a difference in their clients’ lives, one household at a time. This relationship between partners is much more than a friendship. Edward and Stephen Rudloff are brothers who have renovated and built custom homes together paying close attention to detail. They are carpenters by trade and understand concept and execution. Rudloff Custom Builders will provide services for you with the highest level of professionalism, quality, detail, punctuality and craftsmanship, every step of the way along our journey together. Specializing in residential construction allows us to connect with our clients early in the design phase to ensure that every detail is captured as you imagined. One stop shopping is essentially what you will receive with Rudloff Custom Builders from design of your project to the construction of your dreams, executed by on-site project managers and skilled craftsmen. Our concept: envision our client’s ideas and make them a reality. Our mission: CREATING LIFETIME RELATIONSHIPS BUILT ON TRUST AND INTEGRITY. Photo Credit: Linda McManus Images

Thank you Nancy Borges for this picture of the San Sebastian tiles with wood ashes fired into the clay in a very hot kiln. This gives the brown tone to her brick tiles.