Best of Houzz Kitchen Design 2016 winner. A custom kitchen remodel was one of the final projects for this beautiful Georgian Century Home. All the details were part of the effort to maintain the feel of an old kitchen but with all the most current conveniences. Notice the glass cabinet hung in front of a window, granite counter top repeated as the back splash, porcelain tiles that mimic wood and marble on the floor, a stunning island light and the coffered ceiling. Michael Jacob Photography

Packed with cottage attributes, Sunset View features an open floor plan without sacrificing intimate spaces. Detailed design elements and updated amenities add both warmth and character to this multi-seasonal, multi-level Shingle-style-inspired home. Columns, beams, half-walls and built-ins throughout add a sense of Old World craftsmanship. Opening to the kitchen and a double-sided fireplace, the dining room features a lounge area and a curved booth that seats up to eight at a time. When space is needed for a larger crowd, furniture in the sitting area can be traded for an expanded table and more chairs. On the other side of the fireplace, expansive lake views are the highlight of the hearth room, which features drop down steps for even more beautiful vistas. An unusual stair tower connects the home’s five levels. While spacious, each room was designed for maximum living in minimum space. In the lower level, a guest suite adds additional accommodations for friends or family. On the first level, a home office/study near the main living areas keeps family members close but also allows for privacy. The second floor features a spacious master suite, a children’s suite and a whimsical playroom area. Two bedrooms open to a shared bath. Vanities on either side can be closed off by a pocket door, which allows for privacy as the child grows. A third bedroom includes a built-in bed and walk-in closet. A second-floor den can be used as a master suite retreat or an upstairs family room. The rear entrance features abundant closets, a laundry room, home management area, lockers and a full bath. The easily accessible entrance allows people to come in from the lake without making a mess in the rest of the home. Because this three-garage lakefront home has no basement, a recreation room has been added into the attic level, which could also function as an additional guest room.

Originally built as a modest two-bedroom post-World War II brick and block rambler in 1951, this house has assumed an entirely new identity, assimilating the turn-of-the-century farmhouse and early century Craftsman bungalow aesthetic. The program for this project was tightly linked to aesthetics, function and budget. The owner had lived in this plain brick box for eight years, making modest changes, which included new windows, a new kitchen addition on the rear, and a new coat of paint. While this helped to lessen the stark contrast between his house and the wonderful Craftsman style houses in the neighborhood, the changes weren’t enough to satisfy the owner’s love of the great American bungalow. The architect was called back to create a house that truly fit the neighborhood. The renovated house had to: 1) fit the bungalow style both outside and inside; 2) double the square footage of the existing house, creating new bedrooms on the second floor, and reorganizing the first floor spaces; and 3) fit a budget that forced the total reuse of the existing structure, including the new replacement windows and new kitchen wing from the previous project. The existing front wall of the house was pulled forward three feet to maximize the existing front yard building setback. A six-foot deep porch that stretched across most of the new front elevation was added, pulling the house closer to the street to match the front yard setbacks of other local early twentieth century houses. This cozier relationship to the street and the public made for a more comfortable and less imposing siting. The front rooms of the house became new public spaces, with the old living room becoming the Inglenook and entry foyer, while the old front bedroom became the new living room. A new stairway was positioned on axis with the new front door, but set deep into the house adjacent to the reconfigured dining room. The kitchen at the rear that had been opened up during the 1996 modifications was closed down again, creating clearly defined spaces, but spaces that are connected visually from room to room. At the top of the new stair to the second floor is a short efficient hall with a twin window view to the rear yard. From this hall are entrances to the master bedroom, second bedroom and master bathroom. The new master bedroom located on the centerline of the front of the house, fills the entire front dormer with three exposures of windows facing predominately east to catch the morning light. Off of this private space is a study and walk-in closet tucked under the roof eaves of the new second floor. The new master bathroom, adjacent to the master bedroom with an exit to the hall, has matching pedestal sinks with custom wood medicine cabinets, a soaking tub, a large shower with a round-river-stone floor with a high window facing into the rear yard, and wood paneling similar to the new wood paneling on the first floor spaces. Hoachlander Davis Photography

This 3200 square foot home features a maintenance free exterior of LP Smartside, corrugated aluminum roofing, and native prairie landscaping. The design of the structure is intended to mimic the architectural lines of classic farm buildings. The outdoor living areas are as important to this home as the interior spaces; covered and exposed porches, field stone patios and an enclosed screen porch all offer expansive views of the surrounding meadow and tree line. The home’s interior combines rustic timbers and soaring spaces which would have traditionally been reserved for the barn and outbuildings, with classic finishes customarily found in the family homestead. Walls of windows and cathedral ceilings invite the outdoors in. Locally sourced reclaimed posts and beams, wide plank white oak flooring and a Door County fieldstone fireplace juxtapose with classic white cabinetry and millwork, tongue and groove wainscoting and a color palate of softened paint hues, tiles and fabrics to create a completely unique Door County homestead. Mitch Wise Design, Inc. Richard Steinberger Photography

When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950’s. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the décor with a painting from my client’s father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Grey from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.

This sleek bathroom creates a serene and bright feeling by keeping things simple. The Wetstyle floating vanity is paired with matching wall cabinet and medicine for a simple unified focal point. Simple white subway tiles and trim are paired with Carrara marble mosaic floors for a bright timeless look.

Photo by Stephani Buchman Photography Interior Design www.creatingcontrastdesigns.com

Gulfport 1211 Florida Luxury Custom Design, Mediterranean elevation “T”, open Model for Viewing at Carriage Way in Gainesville, Florida. Visit www.ArthurRutenbergHomes.com to view other Models 5 BEDROOMS / 5.5 Baths / Den / Club room 5,016 square feet Designed with family living in mind, this 2 story home caters to those in pursuit of casual elegance. Plan Features: • The first floor features large open living bathed in natural light from the expansive 10' windows, 90 degree sliding glass doors and curved walls of fixed glass in the living and morning room. • With 12' ceilings, the leisure room soars and then spills out onto the outdoor lanai and cabana towards the pool and spa. • The second floor features a club room with wet bar, a media room and covered balcony off bedroom 4. • 3 bedrooms are designed as suites offering private bathrooms and walk in closets.

Built on Frank Sinatra’s estate, this custom home was designed to be a fun and relaxing weekend retreat for our clients who live full time in Orange County. As a second home and playing up the mid-century vibe ubiquitous in the desert, we departed from our clients’ more traditional style to create a modern and unique space with the feel of a boutique hotel. Classic mid-century materials were used for the architectural elements and hard surfaces of the home such as walnut flooring and cabinetry, terrazzo stone and straight set brick walls, while the furnishings are a more eclectic take on modern style. We paid homage to “Old Blue Eyes” by hanging a 6’ tall image of his mug shot in the entry.

Eric Rorer

This renovation project launched with an immediate bond between designer and client and the shared commitment to create a unique, modern weekend home in the Rocky Mountains. The focus was on the main floor living area. We modernized the existing oak kitchen and gave new life to the corner river rock fireplace by featuring ledgestone running into the ceiling with a custom timber mantel and shelving. The kitchen’s center work island was rotated to create better work and entertaining space and to change the outlook from neigbour’s property to the beautiful mountain views. An addition to the back entrance features updated chrome lighting and plumbing fixtures; the floor was transformed to a warm, buttery maple. The interior doors were changed to a five panel shaker with a contemporary satin nickel knob. Trim and baseboards were painted to match the walls creating a feeling of height and allowing the doors to feature. The ensuite became an oasis of white and grey marble with a sleek toilet and custom shower. Once the renovation was complete, a furniture and accessory package was designed with the clients’ weekend lifestyle in mind.

Landscape Design by Ryan Gates and Joel Lichtenwalter, www.growoutdoordesign.com

Set upon an oversized and highly sought-after creekside lot in Brentwood, this ​two story home and full guest home exude a casual, contemporary farmhouse style and vibe. The main residence boasts 5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, each ensuite with thoughtful touches that accentuate the home’s overall classic finishes. The master retreat opens to a large balcony overlooking the yard accented by mature bamboo and palms. Other features of the main house include European white oak floors, recessed lighting, built in speaker system, attached 2-car garage and a laundry room with 2 sets of state-of-the-art Samsung washers and dryers. The bedroom suite on the first floor enjoys its own entrance, making it ideal for guests. The open concept kitchen features Calacatta marble countertops, Wolf appliances, wine storage, dual sinks and dishwashers and a walk-in butler’s pantry. The loggia is accessed via La Cantina bi-fold doors that fully open for year-round alfresco dining on the terrace, complete with an outdoor fireplace. The wonderfully imagined yard contains a sparkling pool and spa and a crisp green lawn and lovely deck and patio areas. Step down further to find the detached guest home, which was recognized with a Decade Honor Award by the Los Angeles Chapter of the AIA in 2006, and, in fact, was a frequent haunt of Frank Gehry who inspired its cubist design. The guest house has a bedroom and bathroom, living area, a newly updated kitchen and is surrounded by lush landscaping that maximizes its creekside setting, creating a truly serene oasis.

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW A tired primary bathroom, with varying ceiling heights and a beige-on-beige color scheme, was screaming for love. Squaring the room and adding natural materials erased the memory of the lack luster space and converted it to a bright and welcoming spa oasis. The home was a new build in 2005 and it looked like all the builder’s material choices remained. The client was clear on their design direction but were challenged by the differing ceiling heights and were looking to hire a design-build firm that could resolve that issue. This local Glen Ellyn couple found us on Instagram (@kitchenstudioge, follow us ?). They loved our designs and felt like we fit their style. They requested a full primary bath renovation to include a large shower, soaking tub, double vanity with storage options, and heated floors. The wife also really wanted a separate make-up vanity. The biggest challenge presented to us was to architecturally marry the various ceiling heights and deliver a streamlined design. The existing layout worked well for the couple, so we kept everything in place, except we enlarged the shower and replaced the built-in tub with a lovely free-standing model. We also added a sitting make-up vanity. We were able to eliminate the awkward ceiling lines by extending all the walls to the highest level. Then, to accommodate the sprinklers and HVAC, lowered the ceiling height over the entrance and shower area which then opens to the 2-story vanity and tub area. Very dramatic! This high-end home deserved high-end fixtures. The homeowners also quickly realized they loved the look of natural marble and wanted to use as much of it as possible in their new bath. They chose a marble slab from the stone yard for the countertops and back splash, and we found complimentary marble tile for the shower. The homeowners also liked the idea of mixing metals in their new posh bathroom and loved the look of black, gold, and chrome. Although our clients were very clear on their style, they were having a difficult time pulling it all together and envisioning the final product. As interior designers it is our job to translate and elevate our clients’ ideas into a deliverable design. We presented the homeowners with mood boards and 3D renderings of our modern, clean, white marble design. Since the color scheme was relatively neutral, at the homeowner’s request, we decided to add of interest with the patterns and shapes in the room. We were first inspired by the shower floor tile with its circular/linear motif. We designed the cabinetry, floor and wall tiles, mirrors, cabinet pulls, and wainscoting to have a square or rectangular shape, and then to create interest we added perfectly placed circles to contrast with the rectangular shapes. The globe shaped chandelier against the square wall trim is a delightful yet subtle juxtaposition. The clients were overjoyed with our interpretation of their vision and impressed with the level of detail we brought to the project. It’s one thing to know how you want a space to look, but it takes a special set of skills to create the design and see it thorough to implementation. Could hiring The Kitchen Studio be the first step to making your home dreams come to life?

2012 National Best Bath Award, 1st Place Large Bath, and People's Pick Bath Winner NKBA National. Designed by Yuko Matsumoto, CKD, CBD. Photographed by Douglas Johnson Photography

The Bed and Side tables are from EWF Modern in the Pearl District, made form reclaimed wood, adding a rusting contrast to the suites minimalist theme, the deck 45 feet above ground level offer a panoramic view of the northeast. The clients live in a beautiful view home in the northwest hills above Portland, Oregon. Their corridor kitchen had dark “Craftsman” style cabinets with a dark granite tile countertop and “grids” on the two large windows. They wanted was contemporary design that would enhance their enjoyment of the kitchen, as they love to cook and entertain family and friends. We replaced the two large windows to eliminate the “grids”. Selecting the quartered / figured sycamore veneer wood for the custom cabinets provided the light, sleek, contemporary look they wanted. Better recessed lighting for work tasks, under cabinet lighting and ambient up lighting created a softer feel for the space. Two undermount stainless steel sinks in Fieldstone solid surface creates work stations for two cooks. The 2” x 4” glass tiles in four glorious shades of aqua to emerald for the full backsplash continued a ribbon of tiles around the kitchen and nook. Radiant floor heating keeps their tile floor warm in the winter months and provides easy maintenance. Custom curved “floating” glass shelves hold the clients stainless steel pepper mill collection. A custom glass round table built specifically for the nook was the finishing touch to this gourmet kitchen.

This charming Craftsman classic style home has a large inviting front porch, original architectural details and woodwork throughout. The original two-story 1,963 sq foot home was built in 1912 with 4 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Our design build project added 700 sq feet to the home and 1,050 sq feet to the outdoor living space. This outdoor living space included a roof top deck and a 2 story lower deck all made of Ipe decking and traditional custom designed railings. In the formal dining room, our master craftsman restored and rebuilt the trim, wainscoting, beamed ceilings, and the built-in hutch. The quaint kitchen was brought back to life with new cabinetry made from douglas fir and also upgraded with a brand new bathroom and laundry room. Throughout the home we replaced the windows with energy effecient double pane windows and new hardwood floors that also provide radiant heating. It is evident that attention to detail was a primary focus during this project as our team worked diligently to maintain the traditional look and feel of the home

973-857-1561 LM Interior Design LM Masiello, CKBD, CAPS lm@lminteriordesignllc.com https://www.lminteriordesignllc.com/