Comprised of two single family semi-detached homes, this project includes roof terraces overlooking river and monument views, gourmet chefs kitchens, and 1,000 sq ft master suites. The master bedroom suites take over the entire second floor and boast fireplaces and beautifully designed built-ins within sizeable walk-in closets. Both units also contain 1,000 sq ft basement in-law suites with their own entrances. Situated amongst historic homes within Old Town Alexandria, this project required approval by the Board of Architectural Review.

Gillian Jackson

This 2,200 sf single family retreat was created to be a complete reflection of its Sea Ranch surrounds. On the edge of a wide open space this home sits on the brow of the meadow in a series of cascading shed forms that deflect the prevailing site breezes. Developed as a series of 3 modules, Master suite & Guest suite bridged by a family common Kitchen/Dining/Living space, each has its own private sea view while feeling as part of a whole. The Music space, separated off on the second floor, provides a release space for the family. A Courtyard along with an enclosed entry court, all clothed in the same cedar board fencing surround, create the classic Sea Ranch Compound for the family to gather in. Radiant heated natural concrete floors, PV arrays, solar hot water panels, ample natural daylighting, xeriscape landscaping and natural materials, inside and out create a truly "green" home in the original spirit of Sea Ranch.

Shingle-style details and handsome stone accents give this contemporary home the look of days gone by while maintaining all of the convenience of today. Equally at home as a main residence or second home, it features graceful pillars at the entrance that lead into a roomy foyer, kitchen and large living room with a long bank of windows designed to capture a view. Not far away is a private retreat/master bedroom suite and cozy study perfect for reading or relaxing. Family-focused spaces are upstairs, including four additional bedrooms. A large screen porch and expansive outdoor deck allow outdoor entertaining.

Traditional Kitchen remodel in Ladue we completed in 2017. We expanded the entrance to the galley kitchen almost 4 feet. This was a complete remodel except the slate floors, which our team protected throughout the remodel. The end result is absolutely stunning. Custom white cabinetry with marble countertops, custom bookcases, floor to ceiling pantry cabinets and Viking appliances are just a few of the upgrades in this kitchen.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Front Exterior

Photo by Bruce Damonte

The Betty at Inglenook’s Pocket Neighborhoods is an open two-bedroom Cottage-style Home that facilitates everyday living on a single level. High ceilings in the kitchen, family room and dining nook make this a bright and enjoyable space for your morning coffee, cooking a gourmet dinner, or entertaining guests. Whether it’s the Betty Sue or a Betty Lou, the Betty plans are tailored to maximize the way we live.

A stunning white contempoary acrylic white gloss kitchen with contrasting dark grey from our Contemporary Collection. The kitchen forms part of a major renovation & extension of an exclusive house in Malahide. 20mm Silestone Quartz countertop completes the look of this modern design with waterfall gable on the island. The kitchen features two sinks, a Faber downdraft extractor and a Quoter fusion boiling water tap. A bespoke light scheme has been incorporated allowing the dynamic of the kitchen to change from day to night. Designer - Lee Dillon Images Infinity Media

Nat Rea Photography

The kitchen is a study in contrasts. All-white perimeter cabinets meld into walls and bulkheads painted the same colour (Benjamin Moore Cloud white), while black areas -- island, sink, table, buffet, and doors -- are strategically placed to draw you into the space. White quartz countertops look sleek and clean, with a stepped edge detail reserved for the island waterfall. The top of the buffet features a unique inlay of diagonal stripes made from remnants of the granite used to make the custom dining table. Aside from being decorative, they hide the fact that a seam was required to construct the countertop. We added loads of glam with gold hardware and plumbing, and a playful brass and marble mosaic backsplash. As a further decorative fluorish, we took advantage of the existing bulkheads and emphasized the tray ceiling zones with a subtle shade of pale blue-grey. Paneling applied to the wall above the banquette adds another layer of detail. A view from the kitchen entrance through to the garden doors, with the veins in the marble-look porcelain tiles directing the flow.

Large, granite topped centre island with lots of storage drawers to all sides along with room for two dining chairs. An elaborate chandelier over the island creates elegant lighting that complements concealed lights in the ceilings. Floor to ceiling cabinets along the far wall house twin ovens and microwave along with a double-door fridge freezer. To the right of the island is the dining area furnished with a six seater dining table and black lacquered chairs. To the left of the island is bespoke cabinetry with drawer and cupboard space, a granite work surface and built in hob with bespoke hood over. Photos by Fraser Marr.

These clients were ready to turn their existing home into their dream home. They wanted to completely gut their main floor to improve the function of the space. Some walls were taken down, others moved, powder room relocated and lots of storage space added to their kitchen. The homeowner loves to bake and cook and really wanted a larger kitchen as well as a large informal dining area for lots of family gatherings. We took this project from concept to completion, right down to furnishings and accessories.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   We went with a minimalist, clean, industrial look that feels light, bright and airy. The island is a dark charcoal with cool undertones that coordinates with the cabinetry and transom work in both the neighboring mudroom and breakfast area. White subway tile, quartz countertops, white enamel pendants and gold fixtures complete the update. The ends of the island are shiplap material that is also used on the fireplace in the next room. In the new mudroom, we used a fun porcelain tile on the floor to get a pop of pattern, and walnut accents add some warmth. Each child has their own cubby, and there is a spot for shoes below a long bench. Open shelving with spots for baskets provides additional storage for the room. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKBD Photography by: LOMA Studios For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com