https://www.lowellcustomhomes.com Photo by www.aimeemazzenga.com Interior Design by www.northshorenest.com Relaxed luxury on the shore of beautiful Geneva Lake in Wisconsin.

123 Remodeling redesigned the space of an unused built-in desk to create a custom coffee bar corner. Wanting some differentiation from the kitchen, we brought in some color with Ultracraft cabinets in Moon Bay finish from Studio41 and wood tone shelving above. The white princess dolomite stone was sourced from MGSI and the intention was to create a seamless look running from the counter up the wall to accentuate the height. We finished with a modern Franke sink, and a detailed Kohler faucet to match the sleekness of the Italian-made coffee machine.

Our client purchased this small bungalow a few years ago in a mature and popular area of Edmonton with plans to update it in stages. First came the exterior facade and landscaping which really improved the curb appeal. Next came plans for a major kitchen renovation and a full development of the basement. That's where we came in. Our designer worked with the client to create bright and colorful spaces that reflected her personality. The kitchen was gutted and opened up to the dining room, and we finished tearing out the basement to start from a blank state. A beautiful bright kitchen was created and the basement development included a new flex room, a crafts room, a large family room with custom bar, a new bathroom with walk-in shower, and a laundry room. The stairwell to the basement was also re-done with a new wood-metal railing. New flooring and paint of course was included in the entire renovation. So bright and lively! And check out that wood countertop in the basement bar!

This Greek Revival row house in Boerum Hill was previously owned by a local architect who renovated it several times, including the addition of a two-story steel and glass extension at the rear. The new owners came to us seeking to restore the house and its original formality, while adapting it to the modern needs of a family of five. The detailing of the 25 x 36 foot structure had been lost and required some sleuthing into the history of Greek Revival style in historic Brooklyn neighborhoods. In addition to completely re-framing the interior, the house also required a new south-facing brick façade due to significant deterioration. The modern extension was replaced with a more traditionally detailed wood and copper- clad bay, still open to natural light and the garden view without sacrificing comfort. The kitchen was relocated from the first floor to the garden level with an adjacent formal dining room. Both rooms were enlarged from their previous iterations to accommodate weekly dinners with extended family. The kitchen includes a home office and breakfast nook that doubles as a homework station. The cellar level was further excavated to accommodate finished storage space and a playroom where activity can be monitored from the kitchen workspaces. The parlor floor is now reserved for entertaining. New pocket doors can be closed to separate the formal front parlor from the more relaxed back portion, where the family plays games or watches TV together. At the end of the hall, a powder room with brass details, and a luxe bar with antique mirrored backsplash and stone tile flooring, leads to the deck and direct garden access. Because of the property width, the house is able to provide ample space for the interior program within a shorter footprint. This allows the garden to remain expansive, with a small lawn for play, an outdoor food preparation area with a cast-in-place concrete bench, and a place for entertaining towards the rear. The newly designed landscaping will continue to develop, further enhancing the yard’s feeling of escape, and filling-in the views from the kitchen and back parlor above. A less visible, but equally as conscious, addition is a rooftop PV solar array that provides nearly 100% of the daily electrical usage, with the exception of the AC system on hot summer days. The well-appointed interiors connect the traditional backdrop of the home to a youthful take on classic design and functionality. The materials are elegant without being precious, accommodating a young, growing family. Unique colors and patterns provide a feeling of luxury while inviting inhabitants and guests to relax and enjoy this classic Brooklyn brownstone. This project won runner-up in the architecture category for the 2017 NYC&G Innovation in Design Awards and was featured in The American House: 100 Contemporary Homes. Photography by Francis Dzikowski / OTTO

Lincoln Barbor

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW The homeowners built their traditional Colonial style home 17 years’ ago. It was in great shape but needed some updating. Over the years, their taste had drifted into a more contemporary realm, and they wanted our help to bridge the gap between traditional and modern. We decided the layout of the kitchen worked well in the space and the cabinets were in good shape, so we opted to do a refresh with the kitchen. The original kitchen had blond maple cabinets and granite countertops. This was also a great opportunity to make some updates to the functionality that they were hoping to accomplish. After re-finishing all the first floor wood floors with a gray stain, which helped to remove some of the red tones from the red oak, we painted the cabinetry Benjamin Moore “Repose Gray” a very soft light gray. The new countertops are hardworking quartz, and the waterfall countertop to the left of the sink gives a bit of the contemporary flavor. We reworked the refrigerator wall to create more pantry storage and eliminated the double oven in favor of a single oven and a steam oven. The existing cooktop was replaced with a new range paired with a Venetian plaster hood above. The glossy finish from the hood is echoed in the pendant lights. A touch of gold in the lighting and hardware adds some contrast to the gray and white. A theme we repeated down to the smallest detail illustrated by the Jason Wu faucet by Brizo with its similar touches of white and gold (the arrival of which we eagerly awaited for months due to ripples in the supply chain – but worth it!). The original breakfast room was pleasant enough with its windows looking into the backyard. Now with its colorful window treatments, new blue chairs and sculptural light fixture, this space flows seamlessly into the kitchen and gives more of a punch to the space. The original butler’s pantry was functional but was also starting to show its age. The new space was inspired by a wallpaper selection that our client had set aside as a possibility for a future project. It worked perfectly with our pallet and gave a fun eclectic vibe to this functional space. We eliminated some upper cabinets in favor of open shelving and painted the cabinetry in a high gloss finish, added a beautiful quartzite countertop and some statement lighting. The new room is anything but cookie cutter. Next the mudroom. You can see a peek of the mudroom across the way from the butler’s pantry which got a facelift with new paint, tile floor, lighting and hardware. Simple updates but a dramatic change! The first floor powder room got the glam treatment with its own update of wainscoting, wallpaper, console sink, fixtures and artwork. A great little introduction to what’s to come in the rest of the home. The whole first floor now flows together in a cohesive pallet of green and blue, reflects the homeowner’s desire for a more modern aesthetic, and feels like a thoughtful and intentional evolution. Our clients were wonderful to work with! Their style meshed perfectly with our brand aesthetic which created the opportunity for wonderful things to happen. We know they will enjoy their remodel for many years to come! Photography by Margaret Rajic Photography

Custom designed bar by Daniel Salzman (Salzman Design Build) and the home owner. Ann sacks glass tile for the upper shelve backs, reclaimed wood blocks for the lower bar and seating area. We used Laminam porcelain slab for the counter top to match the copper sink.

Home bar made from a converted coat closet with a 2-door base cabinet and glass shelving for glassware and bottles.

Photographed by Colin Voigt

The Wood-Mode Custom Cabinetry and Sub-Zero Appliances complement the elegance of this traditional in home wet bar. The Tiffany Recessed Cabinet Doors are finished in a Navy Vintage Opaque. The Glass Door option brings a certain distinction to the room. The copper pull knobs and wire mesh inserts accents add elegance and style to this space. Pair that with the undercounter Sub-Zero Refrigerator & Wine Cooler, plus the Kitchen Aid Ice Maker and you have the perfect setting for entertaining. The undercounter lighting reflects beautifuly on the Alpine Mist white Caesarstone Quartz countertops. The perfect add to any home. Photo by Gage Seaux

Rolfe Hokanson