The basement bar uses space that would otherwise be empty square footage. A custom bar aligns with the stair treads and is the same wood and finish as the floors upstairs. John Wilbanks Photography

The kitchen's sink area let's the cook talk with his guests. The stainless steel sink is fully integrated with the counter. A higher counter of butcher block is at the end for rolling pasta and cutting cookies. KR+H's Karla Monkevich designed the glass shelving that's framed in the same machine age aesthetic as the other metal components in the kitchen. Our customer wanted large, deep drawers to hold lots of things so top quality, heavy-duty hardware was used and moveable dividers were integrated into the drawers for easy re-organization. Cutouts in the shelving above allow light to flow but keep the kitchen's clutter out of sight from the living room. Builder: DeSimone Brothers / Photography from homeowner

Wet Bar with tiled wall and tiled niche for glassware and floating shelves. This wetbar is in a pool house and the bathroom with steam shower is to the right.

This French country, new construction home features a circular first-floor layout that connects from great room to kitchen and breakfast room, then on to the dining room via a small area that turned out to be ideal for a fully functional bar. Directly off the kitchen and leading to the dining room, this space is perfectly located for making and serving cocktails whenever the family entertains. In order to make the space feel as open and welcoming as possible while connecting it visually with the kitchen, glass cabinet doors and custom-designed, leaded-glass column cabinetry and millwork archway help the spaces flow together and bring in. The space is small and tight, so it was critical to make it feel larger and more open. Leaded-glass cabinetry throughout provided the airy feel we were looking for, while showing off sparkling glassware and serving pieces. In addition, finding space for a sink and under-counter refrigerator was challenging, but every wished-for element made it into the final plan. Photo by Mike Kaskel

Photo- Neil Rashba

This spectacular new beach kitchen was designed for an older couple with the love of the water in mind. The house is not large but the client wanted the kitchen area to be the main aspect of the design and to be comfortable and serene.The windows were optimized for the maximum view from the eat in kitchen area. The large island was designed for grandchildren to enjoy and to use for buffet dining when cooking outside. The laundry also is a “prep” kitchen that has an additional refrigerator and is where small appliances are stored on the counter to keep the main kitchen counters clutter free. The client asked for a fun seaside kitchen with a neutral backdrop of cabinetry so she could showcase her colorful accessories. We chose classic white cabinetry to complement the maple floors and selected soft white for the wall color to keep harmony with the incredible views. She wanted a no fuss kitchen with lots of counterspace for multiple cooks when her adult kids came to visit. Her husband requested a no or low maintenance countertop as well so we chose a ceasarstone top that mimics traditional carerra marble but without the associated issues with marble tops. To emphasize the beach living atmosphere, we chose a glass that has a slight frosted wave in it and then turned it sideways instead of the traditional vertical application. The knobs and handles are a mix of traditional and modern and are satin nickel to match the sink and faucet and appliances. In addition to the large laundry space, one wall is dedicated to storage and features pullout drawers and houses the microwave as well. Small details such as the open shelf under the upper cabinets to showcase colorful pottery and the wine grid help give some dimension the upper cabinetry.

Industrial modern bar in a small beach house. Reclaimed wood siding and glass tile with galvanized steel pendant lighting. A small weekend beach resort home for a family of four with two little girls. Remodeled from a funky old house built in the 60's on Oxnard Shores. This little white cottage has the master bedroom, a playroom, guest bedroom and girls' bunk room upstairs, while downstairs there is a 1960s feel family room with an industrial modern style bar for the family's many parties and celebrations. A great room open to the dining area with a zinc dining table and rattan chairs. Fireplace features custom iron doors, and green glass tile surround. New white cabinets and bookshelves flank the real wood burning fire place. Simple clean white cabinetry in the kitchen with x designs on glass cabinet doors and peninsula ends. Durable, beautiful white quartzite counter tops and yes! porcelain planked floors for durability! The girls can run in and out without worrying about the beach sand damage!. White painted planked and beamed ceilings, natural reclaimed woods mixed with rattans and velvets for comfortable, beautiful interiors Project Location: Oxnard, California. Project designed by Maraya Interior Design. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Malibu, Westlake and Calabasas, across the tri-county areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills- north through Solvang and more.

This formerly small and cramped kitchen switched roles with the extra large eating area resulting in a dramatic transformation that takes advantage of the nice view of the backyard. The small kitchen window was changed to a new patio door to the terrace and the rest of the space was “sculpted” to suit the new layout. A Classic U-shaped kitchen layout with the sink facing the window was the best of many possible combinations. The primary components were treated as “elements” which combine for a very elegant but warm design. The fridge column, custom hood and the expansive backsplash tile in a fabric pattern, combine for an impressive focal point. The stainless oven tower is flanked by open shelves and surrounded by a pantry “bridge”; the eating bar and drywall enclosure in the breakfast room repeat this “bridge” shape. The walnut island cabinets combine with a walnut butchers block and are mounted on a pedestal for a lighter, less voluminous feeling. The TV niche & corkboard are a unique blend of old and new technologies for staying in touch, from push pins to I-pad. The light walnut limestone floor complements the cabinet and countertop colors and the two ceiling designs tie the whole space together.

Our clients had just recently closed on their new house in Stapleton and were excited to transform it into their perfect forever home. They wanted to remodel the entire first floor to create a more open floor plan and develop a smoother flow through the house that better fit the needs of their family. The original layout consisted of several small rooms that just weren’t very functional, so we decided to remove the walls that were breaking up the space and restructure the first floor to create a wonderfully open feel. After removing the existing walls, we rearranged their spaces to give them an office at the front of the house, a large living room, and a large dining room that connects seamlessly with the kitchen. We also wanted to center the foyer in the home and allow more light to travel through the first floor, so we replaced their existing doors with beautiful custom sliding doors to the back yard and a gorgeous walnut door with side lights to greet guests at the front of their home. Living Room Our clients wanted a living room that could accommodate an inviting sectional, a baby grand piano, and plenty of space for family game nights. So, we transformed what had been a small office and sitting room into a large open living room with custom wood columns. We wanted to avoid making the home feel too vast and monumental, so we designed custom beams and columns to define spaces and to make the house feel like a home. Aesthetically we wanted their home to be soft and inviting, so we utilized a neutral color palette with occasional accents of muted blues and greens. Dining Room Our clients were also looking for a large dining room that was open to the rest of the home and perfect for big family gatherings. So, we removed what had been a small family room and eat-in dining area to create a spacious dining room with a fireplace and bar. We added custom cabinetry to the bar area with open shelving for displaying and designed a custom surround for their fireplace that ties in with the wood work we designed for their living room. We brought in the tones and materiality from the kitchen to unite the spaces and added a mixed metal light fixture to bring the space together Kitchen We wanted the kitchen to be a real show stopper and carry through the calm muted tones we were utilizing throughout their home. We reoriented the kitchen to allow for a big beautiful custom island and to give us the opportunity for a focal wall with cooktop and range hood. Their custom island was perfectly complimented with a dramatic quartz counter top and oversized pendants making it the real center of their home. Since they enter the kitchen first when coming from their detached garage, we included a small mud-room area right by the back door to catch everyone’s coats and shoes as they come in. We also created a new walk-in pantry with plenty of open storage and a fun chalkboard door for writing notes, recipes, and grocery lists. Office We transformed the original dining room into a handsome office at the front of the house. We designed custom walnut built-ins to house all of their books, and added glass french doors to give them a bit of privacy without making the space too closed off. We painted the room a deep muted blue to create a glimpse of rich color through the french doors Powder Room The powder room is a wonderful play on textures. We used a neutral palette with contrasting tones to create dramatic moments in this little space with accents of brushed gold. Master Bathroom The existing master bathroom had an awkward layout and outdated finishes, so we redesigned the space to create a clean layout with a dream worthy shower. We continued to use neutral tones that tie in with the rest of the home, but had fun playing with tile textures and patterns to create an eye-catching vanity. The wood-look tile planks along the floor provide a soft backdrop for their new free-standing bathtub and contrast beautifully with the deep ash finish on the cabinetry.

Our clients purchased this 1950 ranch style cottage knowing it needed to be updated. They fell in love with the location, being within walking distance to White Rock Lake. They wanted to redesign the layout of the house to improve the flow and function of the spaces while maintaining a cozy feel. They wanted to explore the idea of opening up the kitchen and possibly even relocating it. A laundry room and mudroom space needed to be added to that space, as well. Both bathrooms needed a complete update and they wanted to enlarge the master bath if possible, to have a double vanity and more efficient storage. With two small boys and one on the way, they ideally wanted to add a 3rd bedroom to the house within the existing footprint but were open to possibly designing an addition, if that wasn’t possible. In the end, we gave them everything they wanted, without having to put an addition on to the home. They absolutely love the openness of their new kitchen and living spaces and we even added a small bar! They have their much-needed laundry room and mudroom off the back patio, so their “drop zone” is out of the way. We were able to add storage and double vanity to the master bathroom by enclosing what used to be a coat closet near the entryway and using that sq. ft. in the bathroom. The functionality of this house has completely changed and has definitely changed the lives of our clients for the better!

The space under the stairs was made useful as a coffee bar and for overflow storage. Ample lighting and a sink make it useful for entertaining as well. Photos: Dave Remple

Jim Westphalen

Farm Ranch Small Bones Replica Kitchen With 7'' wide plank Flooring , Cesar Stone Counter top and Oak Center Island Butcherblock

Heath tile on Backsplash and Kick, Island, Custom Stools Farrow and Ball Inchyra cabinets Vintage stools, Home Bar, Pool House Bar