The Space:
A large kitchen with
dark oak cabinetry and heavy
tile work from the late 1980s in
a San Francisco residence built
in the 1930s.The room was
defined by a “U” shaped work
area bounded on one side by a
peninsula which doubled as a
work space and a side-by-side
dining area for two people.
While dining at the peninsula
one’s back was turned away from
any natural light and a view of
the beautiful backyard.
The
Need: The client wanted a
lighter, updated look with only
a minor reconfiguration of the
space which, after 15 years of
use, seemed to work well for
him. He asked for a simple
“green” aesthetic design with
clean lines which would
complement the style of the rest
of his home.
Before
Before
Photo: I-1
The Solution: Knowing there was
still sufficient perimeter counter
space for the client’s needs,
InHouse eliminated the peninsula
work station and opened up the
kitchen to allow for the client’s
recently purchased “period” dining
table. The table allowed diners to
face the backyard while permitting
for more than two diners at a time.
Equally important, it was perfect
for informal entertaining in the
kitchen, something that was not
possible with the old configuration.
To address the client’s request for
a “green” solution, many of the oak
cabinets were retained and
refinished a lighter color. Simple
Shaker single panel doors, some with
patterned glass and some solid,
replaced the original doors. Drawers
were replaced, new knobs and pulls
were installed, and pull-out shelves
were added in all cabinets for
maximum accessibility. Where the
former peninsula met the perimeter
cabinetry, new cabinets and drawers
were built to address the need for
general storage, garbage, and
recycling. The walls and ceiling
were finished in painted beadboard.
A stepped crown moulding was added
as an accent to all wall cabinets
but not to the perimeter walls so
that the beadboard could flow
seamlessly from wall to ceiling.
Photo: I-2
Photo: I-3 - Crown Moulding Detail for Wall
Cabinets
A sculptural
stainless steel hood, superimposed
on a full height stainless steel
backsplash, replaced a former
cabinet. The
hood hovers over a new five burner
cooktop and a versatile stainless
steel countertop. The countertops in the
rest of the kitchen were sheathed in
an Italian laminate with a fibrous
texture composed of recycled
cardboard. The linoleum floor, set
in a large checkerboard pattern, was
also a “green” solution. Recessed
lighting was added over the work and
dining spaces. Blown glass pendant
lights were hung over the sink and
an adjacent work area for both
utility and drama. InHouse was
responsible for the entire design
and execution of the renovation
including color consultation,
electrical and lighting design.
The Space:
The only bathroom in a bungalow
from the early part of the last
century. The unheated room, last
renovated in the 1980s, had a
newer sink and toilet as well
as an old claw foot tub.
The Need: Aside
from retaining the existing sink
and toilet, the clients wanted
an entirely new updated look.
They wanted to replace the claw
foot tub with a shower while
maximizing storage in this small
room. They asked for a design
which was sympathetic to the
bungalow style of their home.
Before
Before Original Claw Foot Tub
Photo I-5 New Shower
Photo: I-4
After Photo: I-6 Tile/Beadboard
Detail By New Shower
Photo I-7
Interior of Storage Cabinet by
Shower
Photo I-8 Make-up Drawer
The Solution: The
existing bathroom was demolished
down to the studs. New plumbing, a
new window and a wall heater were
integrated into the design. The
toilet was relocated a few inches to
the right while the claw foot tub
was replaced by a shower balanced on
each side by storage cabinets with
pull out shelves and integrated
laundry baskets. The top of each
cabinet features a lit display niche
while towel racks serve as pulls for
the lower cabinet doors.
By the
owners’ request, the original sink
was retained but the faucets were
replaced. New lighting and a new
medicine cabinet were installed
above the sink and recessed fixtures
were added in the ceiling.
The new
shower plays a prominent design
role. Its frameless glass corners
elegantly extend into the bathroom
while the two adjacent storage
cabinets are recessed to allow the
shower further prominence.
An
unsightly storage cabinet next to
the sink was replaced by a graceful
wall-hung bowed front drawer with a
glass top. Aside from supporting a
towel rack for the adjacent sink,
the drawer provides ample space for
the client’s makeup and other
accessories.
The two entry doors which opened
into the bathroom were replaced by
pocket doors to open up the
previously claustrophobic space. One
of the pocket doors has a decorative
glass panel to allow light from the
bathroom to penetrate into the
adjacent bedroom.
Strategically placed
outlets allow for additional uses
which require power. The walls and
ceiling were covered by painted beadboard and the ceramic tile has
an “Arts and Crafts” color scheme to
complement the style of the home .
Working with a General Contractor,
InHouse was responsible for the
entire design and execution of the
renovation including tile and
fixture selection, color
consultation, electrical and
lighting.
The Space: A
master bedroom in a recently
purchased renovated home
The Need: To design a
warm, welcoming space which
reflected the client’s
personality. New furnishings,
lighting, window and floor
coverings, carpeting, insulation
and a reconfiguration and
redesign of a secondary closet
were all required.
Before
Photo: I-9
The Solution: The
redesign of the wall behind the
bed in mahogany with a harlequin
pattern that plays with grain
direction. The space behind the
new bed was further accented
with a protruding mahogany wall
which reflected the height of
the adjacent clerestory windows
and served as a backdrop for the
new headboard. Furnishings,
window and bed coverings were
designed to complement the new
look.
Before
CONVERSION OF A MASTER BEDROOM CLOSET FROM UTILITARIAN TO ELEGANT
The Space: A master bedroom second closet.
The Need: Rebuild and redesign this secondary closet to reflect the redesign of the rest of the room while adding built-ins for shoes, shirts and pants.
The Solution: InHouse redesigned the closet creating a more compact solution by boxing in the interior pipes which ran through one side of the existing closet closet and eliminating them from the ultimate solution. The result looks as good on the outside as it does on the interior. The doors are mahogany with a harlequin pattern that plays with the direction of the grain. The closet interior is also mahogany with room for shoes, pull out shelves for clothes, and racks for hanging clothes. A full length mirror was inset in each door.
The Space: A recently purchased home less than a year old.
The Need: To redesign some unworkable/poorly design spaces throughout the house with traditionally inspired solutions that reflected the clients’ lifestyle and needs.
The Solutions:
HALLWAY CONVERSION
The lower hall was redesigned to become an extension of the adjacent home office/media room and houses much of the clients’ library. Cherry wood with a distressed finish. InHouse designed the lighting and electrical improvements and consulted on the room color. Electrical, cabinetry and sheetrock improvements were all facilitated by InHouse.
Before
Photo I-11
Before
REDESIGN OF A KITCHEN/FAMILY ROOM BAR
The kitchen/family room entry was bisected by an unattractive counter. InHouse designed a circular bar which softens the entry, directing guests either right towards the kitchen or left into the family room. Incorporated into the bar are shelves for the clients’ cook books. To serve as a focal point when entering the space, a lit arched display niche with glass shelves was added near the redesigned bar area. Cherry stained/finished to match existing kitchen cabinetry. Electrical, cabinetry and sheetrock improvements were all facilitated by InHouse.
The fireplace wall in the family room was utilitarian at best. InHouse redesigned the entire wall, lowered the fireplace, designed a brick hearth and mantle and added open shelving and a closed cabinet with pocket doors to house the flat screen TV and peripherals. A built-in niche for stacked wood (not shown) and crown molding was also part of the solution. Electrical, cabinetry and fireplace improvements were all facilitated by InHouse.
Before
Photo: I-14
Photo: I-15 Cabinet doors open
Photo: I-15 Cabinet doors closed
Before
DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF AN
OVER-MANTLE CABINET
The master bedroom had an inset box for a TV over the existing mantle. The Clients’ asked for a cost effective/easy solution to mask the box. InHouse painted the mantle and built a similarly colored sympathetic cabinet above it which hid the TV and its components. The solution looked like one tall painted unit.
