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This retired couple bought a Colonial-style home in Sterling, Massachusetts, on 4 acres to be closer to their growing family and granddaughter. While they loved the classic architecture, they wanted to update the home’s neutral interiors. A big focus was revamping the kitchen and its basic honey oak cabinets, angled two-tier peninsula, standard white appliances and laminate countertops. The husband, a trained chef and former restaurant owner, wanted ample room for prepping and serving. The wife was looking for some color for the cabinets and wanted an elegant look and feel. For help they hired designer Ruth Bergstrom.

Bergstrom replaced the angled two-tier peninsula with a spacious L-shaped peninsula that adds work surface and seating. Updated appliances in a more user-friendly layout enhance function, while a polished marble-look quartz for the countertops and backsplash adds elegance and durability. Gray cabinets with subtle green and blue undertones bring a soft and soothing feel.



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .



Coppercreek LandscapingSave Photo
The team paid close attention to water needs with plant selection, as required by the homeowners association, choosing low-maintenance varieties, pollinator attractors and plants with year-round interest. Two choices were black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia sp.) and coneflower (Echinacea sp.), which are drought-tolerant and attract bees. “We are the Lilac City, so there are some lilacs we planted to nod to that,” Barton says.

They also had to consider some less desirable critters. “There is a lot of wildlife and deer, so we had to plant things that the deer won’t chew on,” Barton says. Lavender and grasses were the team’s top picks.

Outdoor lighting, including tree lights, step lights and lights nestled among the boulders, highlight key features of the home exterior and landscape. Barton notes that the lights are especially welcome in winter, when the yard is more often enjoyed from inside. “It gets you excited for the holidays,” he says. “It’s nice to look out into the landscape and see that depth, and see that snow light up with the landscape lighting.”



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Nestled in the woods of an island on Lake Champlain, Vermont, this 1955 “seasonal camp” home is where empty nesters Lance and Dawn Trigg go to entertain family and friends. But the couple, who live primarily in Florida, didn’t feel the kitchen was party-ready. At issue were aging appliances, an abundance of pine paneling, green linoleum floors, blue-green laminate countertops and a peninsula that cut off traffic flow.

Wanting a brighter and more open space for cooking and entertaining, the homeowners looked at inspiration photos on Houzz. They then hired designer Britt Mee and builder Bill Wockenfuss to help them realize their vision. The remodeling team removed the peninsula setup and replaced an old staircase off the kitchen with a spiral version. Those moves added 141 square feet and created room for extended cabinetry and a new island with seating and storage. The island’s cool blue-green base, white perimeter cabinets and greige paneled walls establish a light and casual yet upbeat look. The refinished pine ceiling and new rustic pine flooring add tremendous warmth. Upgraded appliances and a bar station in the island ensure partygoers stay well stocked with plenty of food and drink.



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .



The owner of this rustic Coupeville, Washington, log house with water views bought the home as an investment property and weekend getaway. Looking to infuse the aging home with a modern lodge look and feel, she first turned her attention to updating the 1980s en suite primary bath before addressing other spaces. Problems included a cramped layout with a bulky built-in corner tub squeezed between a small shower stall and basic vanity. A lack of style was also evident in the dated materials.

For help, she hired designer Kristine Tyler. Tyler eliminated the corner tub, making space for a large curbless shower. River rock tile spans the entire floor, playing off the knotty cedar ceiling and wall portions to create a rustic look. A custom alder floating vanity complements the knotty cedar and includes a handcrafted bronze sink with a layered design. Ribbed copper-tone tiles on the side walls add texture and warmth. And in a twist of fate, an inspirational tile design led the homeowner to reconnect with a high school boyfriend, who’s the brother of the owner of the tile company. The couple married soon after the bathroom project was completed.



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .



Changras & Frey Construction Inc.Save Photo
Here’s the same view with the porch doors open. “This porch makes the main floor really flexible and emphasizes indoor-outdoor living,” Rosenberg says. “Opening the doors takes the interior floor plan from an L shape to a rectangular shape.”

Taking the house down to the studs created the opportunity to replace all the plumbing and electrical systems. Now, the house also meets California’s Title 24 requirements for energy efficiency. The design moves included using low- or no-VOC finishes, adding solar panels, maximizing natural light and choosing double-pane fiberglass windows.

The overhangs from both porches reduce solar heat gain. “This house is very passive, even when the air conditioning is off, due to the orientation, overhangs and natural ventilation,” Rosenberg says.



This article was originally published by a
www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .



This Minneapolis couple and their three kids love cooking and baking together. But the cramped U-shaped kitchen in their 1904 home didn’t exactly feel family-friendly. To help them create a larger, more functional kitchen with improved storage, workspace and a personalized style, they hired designer Kate Roos to spearhead a major remodel.

Roos took over a mudroom to expand the kitchen, adding 45 square feet and freeing up room for an island with seating. A nifty rolling baking cart can tuck away into the island. The walnut island coordinates with a focal point range hood and red oak flooring to add warmth to the light gray perimeter cabinets and white tile. A colorful handmade backsplash design over the range punches up the space with playful personality.



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .



Grant and Angela Morris appreciated the spacious size of their 260-square-foot primary bathroom. Too bad it was overcrowded with bulky elements and dated materials. Angela, a jewelry designer, wanted more efficiency and style. Grant wanted a sauna and other spa-like features for wellness benefits. To achieve their goals, they turned to designer Tara Lenney, who had worked with the couple to update other spaces in their home.

Moving a closet doorway freed up wall space for a new custom white oak double vanity that provides storage and visual warmth. Eliminating a former single-sink vanity made room for a handcrafted infrared sauna. A freestanding cold-plunge tub replaced the overwhelming built-in tub. The shower has a steam function. And pops of blue tile, paint and other details deliver a soothing style to this rejuvenating space.



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .



Site plan: A big part of the design was figuring out walkways and how to create different experiences around the property.

On this plan, the lake is at the top and the driveway is at the bottom. A rectangular paver path leads from the driveway to the entry. A grass path on the left leads to the lake-facing side of the house. Around the far side of the garage, on the right, is a bluestone path. Cutting gardens and edible plantings are represented by the boxes to the right of that path.

Toward the top of the plan, off the back of the house, is a large patio that overlooks the lake. The little nook on the left side of the patio is an art garden. There are two stepped paths leading from the patio down to the lake. The one on the left leads from the playroom down to a playground area. The one in the center leads down to the dock.



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .



With busy jobs and two elementary school kids, Kendra Oxholm and her husband needed a kitchen that could keep up with their hectic lifestyle. Their existing kitchen didn’t come close. It sat closed off behind a wall separating it from the dining room. The space felt cramped. The cabinets lacked storage. And the materials — aging basic white cabinets, laminate countertops, tile flooring and blue wallpaper — felt dated and uninspiring. “I love to cook and knew this kitchen wouldn’t work for me,” Oxholm says.

Wanting more openness, efficiency, color and contemporary materials, the couple hired designer Sean Lewis for help. Lewis got to work knocking down the wall to open the kitchen to the dining room. He added a peninsula with seating that improves connection between the two spaces. Closing off an exterior door to the driveway freed up room to add more cabinetry and improve storage. Gray paint for the cabinets with brass hardware and other brass details creates an elegant style. A graphic black-and-white porcelain tile floor energizes the new kitchen, while a black-painted open pantry brings a dramatic touch.



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .



With busy jobs and two elementary school kids, Kendra Oxholm and her husband needed a kitchen that could keep up with their hectic lifestyle. Their existing kitchen didn’t come close. It sat closed off behind a wall separating it from the dining room. The space felt cramped. The cabinets lacked storage. And the materials — aging basic white cabinets, laminate countertops, tile flooring and blue wallpaper — felt dated and uninspiring. “I love to cook and knew this kitchen wouldn’t work for me,” Oxholm says.

Wanting more openness, efficiency, color and contemporary materials, the couple hired designer Sean Lewis for help. Lewis got to work knocking down the wall to open the kitchen to the dining room. He added a peninsula with seating that improves connection between the two spaces. Closing off an exterior door to the driveway freed up room to add more cabinetry and improve storage. Gray paint for the cabinets with brass hardware and other brass details creates an elegant style. A graphic black-and-white porcelain tile floor energizes the new kitchen, while a black-painted open pantry brings a dramatic touch.



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

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