Stephani Buchman

Living Room

New home in Santa Fe, NM. A small sitting room is located adjacent to the kitchen and has a built-in custom oak veneer Banco with custom leather cushions.

This home is a bachelor’s dream, but it didn’t start that way. It began with a young man purchasing his first single-family home in Westlake Village. The house was dated from the late 1980s, dark, and closed off. In other words, it felt like a man cave — not a home. It needed a masculine makeover. He turned to his friend, who spoke highly of their experience with us. We had remodeled and designed their home, now known as the “Oak Park Soiree.” The result of this home’s new, open floorplan assured him we could provide the same flow and functionality to his own home. He put his trust in our hands, and the construction began. The entry of our client’s original home had no “wow factor.” As you walked in, you noticed a staircase enclosed by a wall, making the space feel bulky and uninviting. Our team elevated the entry by designing a new modern staircase with a see-through railing. We even took advantage of the area under the stairs by building a wine cellar underneath it… because wine not? Down the hall, the kitchen and family room used to be separated by a wall. The kitchen lacked countertop and storage space, and the family room had a high ceiling open to the second floor. This floorplan didn’t function well with our client’s lifestyle. He wanted one large space that allowed him to entertain family and friends while at the same time, not having to worry about noise traveling upstairs. Our architects crafted a new floorplan to make the kitchen, breakfast nook, and family room flow together as a great room. We removed the obstructing wall and enclosed the high ceiling above the family room by building a new loft space above. The kitchen area of the great room is now the heart of the home! Our client and his guests have plenty of space to gather around the oversized island with additional seating. The walls are surrounded by custom Crystal cabinetry, and the countertops glisten with Vadara quartz, providing ample cooking and storage space. To top it all off, we installed several new appliances, including a built-in fridge and coffee machine, a Miele 48-inch range, and a beautifully designed boxed ventilation hood with brass strapping and contrasting color. There is now an effortless transition from the kitchen to the family room, where your eyes are drawn to the newly centered, linear fireplace surrounded by floating shelves. Its backlighting spotlights the purposefully placed symmetrical décor inside it. Next to this focal point lies a LaCantina bi-fold door leading to the backyard’s sparkling new pool and additional outdoor living space. Not only does the wide door create a seamless transition to the outside, but it also brings an abundance of natural light into the home. Once in need of a masculine makeover, this home’s sexy black and gold finishes paired with additional space for wine and guests to have a good time make it a bachelor’s dream. Photographer: Andrew Orozco

Beckerman Photography

Christopher Stark Photo

Photography by Michael J. Lee

Custom cabinetry at fireplace as well as at opposite end of room. Vaulted ceiling with vgroove paneling, lantern pendant, ceramic tile fireplace surround with limestone hearth. 3 sets of french doors open to covered porch.

Chuck Williams

Bar and TV cabinet.

Darius Kuzmickas- KuDa Photography

My client wanted all light fabrics and was very afraid of anything dark. I went with a theme with soft and white paisley fabrics and tape trim details. The main feature of this room is the beautifully renovated fireplace featuring Italian porcelain. For the custom cabinetry on both sides of the custom designed fireplace, I did the doors with a ripple inset, a touch latch door with no hardware finished with a custom painted metal base

Technical Imagery Studios

This beautiful great hall includes a hearth room setting, dining room and family room all in one. The trusses are stained knotty pine, the ceiling itself is natural cedar with a matte polyurethane finish. The flooring is 5" character hickory with a beautiful Minwax Provincial stain. The dining room light fixture is suspended from one of the trusses. An beautiful testament to a true farmhouse open floor plan! Meyer Design Warner Custom Homes

Family room with large corner gas fireplace, wall mounted tv and floating dark wood cabinets. Sliding glass doors open to outdoor living area, fireplace and pool.

Photosynthesis Studio