Photo by Seth Hannula

Photos by SpaceCrafting

http://genevacabinet.com, GENEVA CABINET COMPANY, LLC , Lake Geneva, WI., Lake house with open kitchen,Shiloh cabinetry pained finish in Repose Grey, Essex door style with beaded inset, corner cabinet, decorative pulls, appliance panels, Definite Quartz Viareggio countertops

Michael Wamsley

Contemporary cloakroom and laundry room. Fully integrated washing machine and tumble dryer in bespoke cabinetry. Belfast sink. Brass tap. Coat hooks and key magnet. tiled flooring.

Home is where the heart is for this family and not surprisingly, a much needed mudroom entrance for their teenage boys and a soothing master suite to escape from everyday life are at the heart of this home renovation. With some small interior modifications and a 6′ x 20′ addition, MainStreet Design Build was able to create the perfect space this family had been hoping for. In the original layout, the side entry of the home converged directly on the laundry room, which opened up into the family room. This unappealing room configuration created a difficult traffic pattern across carpeted flooring to the rest of the home. Additionally, the garage entry came in from a separate entrance near the powder room and basement, which also lead directly into the family room. With the new addition, all traffic was directed through the new mudroom, providing both locker and closet storage for outerwear before entering the family room. In the newly remodeled family room space, MainStreet Design Build removed the old side entry door wall and made a game area with French sliding doors that opens directly into the backyard patio. On the second floor, the addition made it possible to expand and re-design the master bath and bedroom. The new bedroom now has an entry foyer and large living space, complete with crown molding and a very large private bath. The new luxurious master bath invites room for two at the elongated custom inset furniture vanity, a freestanding tub surrounded by built-in’s and a separate toilet/steam shower room. Kate Benjamin Photography

Emily Jenkins Followill

Christopher Davison, AIA

Steven Begleiter

  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

Joshua Caldwell Photography

Photos by Focus-Pocus