Sophisticated basement for casual entertaining

This visually-stunning multi-purpose space does it all! It includes a TV screening area, a separate conversation grouping, kitchenette/bar with seating, a gaming space, a home gym, full bath, workstation area, guest bedroom and loads of closet storage, while also leaving … Continue reading

Serene Bathroom

This calming and tranquil bathroom is a peaceful retreat from end to end. Natural elements of quartz, stone and wood marry seamlessly to create this welcoming oasis. When this homeowner from Newtown Square, PA asked us if we could help … Continue reading

Primary bathroom with character

For this gentleman’s bathroom, we started by selecting a gray and blue tile that he really loved, then used a strong blue color to paint the shiplap wall behind the tub to create an interesting focal point and give the space some contrasting color. Taking out the tub deck enabled us to add more storage, including inside the bench. Clean, simple lines with broad color strokes was the design theme for this space.

Master Bath After
Master Bath Vanity and Tub Before
Master Bath Vanity After
Master Bath Tub Area Before
Flooring After with Inset Tile Work

Shower: After

Contractor: Harlan Custom Contracting

Customized Townhome

Staircase After

Our clients requested a full redesign and remodel this 3980′ sq. townhome in Media, PA. They had a vision in mind, and we completely customized the home to suit their desired contemporary style. In every “after” photo, you see the owner’s love of clean, modern lines, even in the details of interior doors, pillars and moldings.

Upon entering the home, you immediately see a stunning floating staircase designed with a mix of clean lines, modern materials, and warm wood tones, handcrafted in Lancaster, PA. The openness allows more natural light to filter into the long hallway, set aglow at night by a beautiful handmade Italian light fixture.

Handmade Italian Light Fixture

Another striking, hand-made Italian chandelier is the focal point in this 2-story dining room. The small, reflective discs sparkle and bounce light throughout the space. The modern glass table is softened by the upholstered dining chairs. Original artwork is by Audra Weaser.

Dining Room with original artwork: “Blue Pearl” by Audra Weaser. From Merritt Gallery.
Dining Room Chandelier

As with most of our projects, we began this one with space planning. On the first floor, we created a new mudroom space off of the garage entrance, keeping the existing pantry, and adding plenty of hooks for hanging coats, a wall-hung tray for keys and wallets, and a bench with shoe storage. Adding this new wall also allowed for better flow in the kitchen (on the other side), creating more storage and an improved cabinet layout.  We moved the powder room door opening to the mudroom hall instead of the dining room for more privacy.  A beautiful floor-to-ceiling tile accent wall caps off the clean, modern powder room. See plan below for details.  

New Mudroom
Powder Room
Kitchen Before

The re-designed gourmet kitchen space has a better work flow, more counter and storage space, and is accompanied by a serving bar with two wine refrigerators. All countertop surfaces are white quartz with subtle light gray veining. The lower cabinets and large island have slab doors in a beautiful rich blue, appointed with sleek bar pulls. The upper cabinets, refrigerator/pantry wall, and bar/serving area are made from an exotic, gray-stained, Wenge wood, adding warmth and texture. The Wenge pairs well with the frosted glass and metal of the upper vertical-lift cabinets.  The backsplash is a traditional herringbone Carrara marble that seamlessly blends together the colors and textures of the first floor.

Built in microwave drawer in island
Wolf Range with Pot Filler
Bar serving cabinets with two wine fridges
Living Room Before

The living room’s focal point is the fireplace wall which features a light stone, blue cabinets for a color punch, and floating glass shelves. The wire suspension system for the shelves is a subtle nod to the railing system in the foyer. The custom rug pulls together the blues and neutral colors in the space.

Living room after. Original dining room artwork: “Blue Pearl” by Audra Weaser. From Merritt Gallery.
Floating glass shelves suspended with wire system
Upper Landing Before
Upper Landing After

The transformation continues in the upstairs hall bath where Carrara marble, glass and white bathroom fixtures complete the look.

In the Master Suite, the original closet layout consisted of two larger closets and a smaller one. We removed the walls and simplified the layout, creating one large dressing room which was also the perfect spot for a sauna.

The original master bath was ordinary and bland, and the shower was dark and closed-off from the rest of the space.

The first thing you notice in the renovated bathroom is the floor-to-ceiling marble tile. We installed a radiant heat system in the floor, and chose a gray marble hex tile to provide a regular pattern. The clients wanted a curbless, walk-in shower, which we outfitted with a rain shower head, niche, and long bench. Other features include floating vanities (with makeup area) and pocket doors with frosted glass inserts.

Master Bathroom After
Master Bedroom Before

The Master Bedroom features serene blue walls and a neutral, soothing color palette. Two chairs by the French doors offer an additional quiet, relaxing space.

Master Bedroom After
Sitting area After
Master Bedroom After

Lower Level:

The clients are Philadelphia Eagles Fans and expressed that fandom in their color choices for the media feature wall, the bar, and the rug under the pool table. The large and comfortable sectional is the perfect size for family and friends to watch the game. We added two large windows, and along with the sliding door, the walkout basement lets in plenty of natural light, making this room perfect for entertaining both day and night.

Basement After
Basement After

Lastly, the client wanted a home office added to the basement for a quiet workspace. The large window panels take advantage of natural light and expand the visual size of the office while maintaining a sound barrier. A powder room was essential to complete this multi-purpose space.

Home Office
3-D Kitchen Image
3-D Living Room Image
New Kitchen/Mud room plan

Photo Credits: Kingdom Works Media

Rustic Master Bath remodel

We were recently asked to redesign a 1990s master bath in West Chester.  Like many of the “newer” homes in this area, this one featured a large soaking tub that was rarely used, a small dark shower, and a cramped … Continue reading

A Fresh Traditional Look

 

 

Fresh traditional

Want to try something new and traditional?  This might seem contradictory but think again. Traditional style elements include dated (not to be confused with outdated) period pieces, along with architectural moldings that frame the elegant symmetry of a room.  While a traditional color pallet usually showcases rich darker colors, it can also feature lighter, fresh, vibrant colors like this powder room renovation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lively colors and pattern of the wallpaper add movement and excitement.  The client especially loved the touch of gold color on the ceiling.  A traditional deep red window treatment pops against the colorful wallpaper. Golden hues of the brass lighting and plumbing fixtures are bright, playful, and trending.  Pure white porcelain fixtures, with their traditional styling, complement the crisp white classic crown and baseboard molding that perfectly frames this updated fresh traditional décor. Everything old is new again with a fresh take on the timeless aesthetic of traditional décor.

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After

 

 

 

 

A fresh, new look

  Gray has been a popular neutral color for decorating as of late, and if a sleek, cool and contemporary look is what you’re after, then using various shades of gray is a no-brainer.   But, if you want to … Continue reading

The new “classic” kitchen

Choosing to renovate a perfectly serviceable kitchen is a huge decision, and that renovation requires many other decisions throughout the entire process.  I was brought into this Malvern, PA kitchen project by Hunter Kitchen and Bath to help the homeowners … Continue reading

Sheer fabric window treatments

With so many options to choose from when it comes to dressing windows, it’s fun to be able to get the privacy and light control needed while doing something a little different and unexpected. In this dressing/closet area, the sheer … Continue reading

Multi-Functional Laundry Room

Redesigning a laundry room may seem like an insignificant project, but this one was certainly complex. The homeowner had a lot of “must-have’s” on her wish list, and we were able to creatively arrange them into one small space. The room is 7’4” by 8’10” and includes a dryer, washer, sink, clothes line, bench, folding table, toilet, multiple laundry baskets, cubbies, and cabinets. Let’s first go through these practicalities and then I’ll give an overview of the design.

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Before

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Before

before

Before

 

The owner of this home recently installed a backyard pool, but because the first floor powder room is on the other side of the house, she hoped to make a toilet more accessible for swimmers. We moved over the original door opening so as to install a pocket door, creating privacy for the bathroom function while saving space by not having to accommodate a door swing. Adjacent to the toilet is the folding table where laundry baskets fit snugly underneath. Included in this table is a drawer that serves as a dryer for delicate clothing. (Nice that you can hide those “unmentionables” while they’re drying, right?)  Between this table and the far wall, is a bench with cubbies underneath–great for putting on winter boots. Directly across the room the dryer is stacked over the washer and a cabinet is included above. Next to this is a serviceable farm sink, with a skirt to soften the hard lines of the room, and hide more “stuff”.  In the last corner of the room is a full height cabinet with a built-in vacuum duct underneath, completing this multi-functional space.

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After

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After

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After

Given the dense and dual nature of the room, we had to think creatively to make it more than just practical. Some design features we added are crown molding around the cabinets, porcelain floor tiles, and a backsplash above the sink.  The walls were painted a soft green and the cabinets stained gray, which both compliment the leathered granite counter-tops. The gray also blends nicely with the washer/dryer.  This room serves as an entry to the backyard, a laundry room, a storage room, and a bathroom. It is attractive, orderly, and modern with many homey final touches.

Cabinets and carpentry by the Renovo Group.

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After

Floor Plan