photo by www.thephotoseen.net

Plain vanilla 1970's is transformed into a modern and spacious family home. Interior walls were removed to connect living, dining and kitchen spaces. The living room, and an adjacent playroom, may be closed off with sliding doors. As exterior wood deck was replaced with a bluestone terrace, and the dining room floor was dropped down to align with the terrace, connected with large sliding glass doors. Much of the original structure remains intact, but with new windows, doors, siding and interior finishes Photo by Alex Hayden

Jason Flynn Architect Gordon King Photography

Photography by Richard Mandelkorn

Funky remodel of existing kitchen to create a light and airy dining area

When a world class sailing champion approached us to design a Newport home for his family, with lodging for his sailing crew, we set out to create a clean, light-filled modern home that would integrate with the natural surroundings of the waterfront property, and respect the character of the historic district. Our approach was to make the marine landscape an integral feature throughout the home. One hundred eighty degree views of the ocean from the top floors are the result of the pinwheel massing. The home is designed as an extension of the curvilinear approach to the property through the woods and reflects the gentle undulating waterline of the adjacent saltwater marsh. Floodplain regulations dictated that the primary occupied spaces be located significantly above grade; accordingly, we designed the first and second floors on a stone “plinth” above a walk-out basement with ample storage for sailing equipment. The curved stone base slopes to grade and houses the shallow entry stair, while the same stone clads the interior’s vertical core to the roof, along which the wood, glass and stainless steel stair ascends to the upper level. One critical programmatic requirement was enough sleeping space for the sailing crew, and informal party spaces for the end of race-day gatherings. The private master suite is situated on one side of the public central volume, giving the homeowners views of approaching visitors. A “bedroom bar,” designed to accommodate a full house of guests, emerges from the other side of the central volume, and serves as a backdrop for the infinity pool and the cove beyond. Also essential to the design process was ecological sensitivity and stewardship. The wetlands of the adjacent saltwater marsh were designed to be restored; an extensive geo-thermal heating and cooling system was implemented; low carbon footprint materials and permeable surfaces were used where possible. Native and non-invasive plant species were utilized in the landscape. The abundance of windows and glass railings maximize views of the landscape, and, in deference to the adjacent bird sanctuary, bird-friendly glazing was used throughout. Photo: Michael Moran/OTTO Photography

The plan is energized by internal space extending visually and physically into the landscape through the use of large sliding and pocketing glass doors and glass corners. (Photo: Sharon Risedorph)

L+M's ADU is a basement converted to an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with exterior & main level access, wet bar, living space with movie center & ethanol fireplace, office divided by custom steel & glass "window" grid, guest bathroom, & guest bedroom. Along with an efficient & versatile layout, we were able to get playful with the design, reflecting the whimsical personalties of the home owners. credits design: Matthew O. Daby - m.o.daby design interior design: Angela Mechaley - m.o.daby design construction: Hammish Murray Construction custom steel fabricator: Flux Design reclaimed wood resource: Viridian Wood photography: Darius Kuzmickas - KuDa Photography

With enormous rectangular beams and round log posts, the Spanish Peaks House is a spectacular study in contrasts. Even the exterior—with horizontal log slab siding and vertical wood paneling—mixes textures and styles beautifully. An outdoor rock fireplace, built-in stone grill and ample seating enable the owners to make the most of the mountain-top setting. Inside, the owners relied on Blue Ribbon Builders to capture the natural feel of the home’s surroundings. A massive boulder makes up the hearth in the great room, and provides ideal fireside seating. A custom-made stone replica of Lone Peak is the backsplash in a distinctive powder room; and a giant slab of granite adds the finishing touch to the home’s enviable wood, tile and granite kitchen. In the daylight basement, brushed concrete flooring adds both texture and durability. Roger Wade

2013 PROFESSIONAL REMODELER, SILVER AWARD WINNER, RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN Located in the new Trump International Golf Course Community, this contemporary home has a great location overlooking the golf course. The current layout, however, prevented the owners from taking advantage of its breathtaking view. Goals of the remodel were to open up the first floor layout by taking down the partition walls between the kitchen and dining room. The homeowner also wanted to update the home’s galley kitchen, replacing its dark cabinets and counters. Once the walls were removed, major obstacles because they were load bearing, the new design could evolve. The ten foot ceilings provided the opportunity to stack up decorative glass cabinetry and highly crafted crown moldings on top, while maintaining a considerable amount of cabinetry right below it. The custom made brush stroke finished cabinetry with bells and whistles such as corbels and chimney style wood hood surrounded with leaded glass cabinetry. Pillars were all part of detailed craftsmanship of this project. A large 5’ x 14’ island is the focal point of the design. The island consists of main sink with a pedal style control disposal, dishwasher, microwave, second bar sink, beverage center refrigerator and still has room to sit five to six people. Its darker cabinetry provides a beautiful contrast to the opaque white cabinets on the surrounding walls. White marble counters and backsplash brighten up the kitchen and two crystal chandeliers create a timeless yet elegant feel. High-end Thermador appliances covered in custom inset panels are part of this featured project to implement the classic look the homeowner wanted for this kitchen. Finally, a featured cabinet arch with leaded glass separates the kitchen from the dining room and displays the homeowner’s fine china. Finally, large windows and French doors offer beautiful golf course views from multiple vantage points.

David Duncan Livingston

Glass Front Doors, Entry Doors that Make a Statement! Your front door is your home's initial focal point and glass doors by Sans Soucie with frosted, etched glass designs create a unique, custom effect while providing privacy AND light thru exquisite, quality designs! Available any size, all glass front doors are custom made to order and ship worldwide at reasonable prices. Exterior entry door glass will be tempered, dual pane (an equally efficient single 1/2" thick pane is used in our fiberglass doors). Selling both the glass inserts for front doors as well as entry doors with glass, Sans Soucie art glass doors are available in 8 woods and Plastpro fiberglass in both smooth surface or a grain texture, as a slab door or prehung in the jamb - any size. From simple frosted glass effects to our more extravagant 3D sculpture carved, painted and stained glass .. and everything in between, Sans Soucie designs are sandblasted different ways creating not only different effects, but different price levels. The "same design, done different" - with no limit to design, there's something for every decor, any style. The privacy you need is created without sacrificing sunlight! Price will vary by design complexity and type of effect: Specialty Glass and Frosted Glass. Inside our fun, easy to use online Glass and Entry Door Designer, you'll get instant pricing on everything as YOU customize your door and glass! When you're all finished designing, you can place your order online! We're here to answer any questions you have so please call (877) 331-339 to speak to a knowledgeable representative! Doors ship worldwide at reasonable prices from Palm Desert, California with delivery time ranges between 3-8 weeks depending on door material and glass effect selected. (Doug Fir or Fiberglass in Frosted Effects allow 3 weeks, Specialty Woods and Glass [2D, 3D, Leaded] will require approx. 8 weeks).

Jeff Herr

This 900 square foot historic row house in Foggy Bottom is intended to be a "boutique hotel away from home" for the Atlantic-hopping client and his family. Since the house is only 11' wide the over-riding goal was to maximize open space and create built-in storage and furniture, using the floor area as efficiently as possible. The main floor is completely open between front and rear in an effort to visually expand the space from interior to garden. The two long walls define the space. On the right a "warm" wall of wood which houses storage needs (including a built-in desk) accentuates the main sitting area, with the wood flooring sliding up the wall and across the ceiling. The opposite "cool" wall is defined by porcelain "steel" textured tiles around the fireplace, black and stainless steel stair and railings, and plate steel cladding around the powder room (including a custom steel door that disappears into the wall). The kitchen on this side also boasts stainless steel and high gloss laminate finishes. The main floor is covered in a blood-wood flooring which creates a rich backdrop against the dark steel and light ash cabinetry. The rear ipe deck, stained to match the blood-wood, steps down onto a simple red brick patio lined with white Mexican river stones. The upper level is more subdued and tranquil. Warm maple flooring replaces the blood-wood, which emerges only in the finish of the custom master bed (an echo of the finish on the floor below). Two bedrooms and a high-end bathroom with a shower TV, 24" radius "rain" showerhead, and skylight complete the second floor.

Before the remodel, this was a t typical 1950's hall bath with tub and small vanity with formica counters. We replaced it with a contemporary bath in southing blues, aquas, grey and white. The countertop is BioGlass -- recycled, fused glass countertop, large above counter sink, and triple medicine cabinet. Custom alder floating cabinets span the length of the wall. The 4x12 glass tile is is graduated vertically in color from dark aqua to light blue. With a row of 1x4 dark aqua tile on the floor under the floating vanity.

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.