A Houseful of Cabinets and Built-ins

This article highlights an innovative design solution for a challenging bathroom space in an expensive custom home. The primary issue was the placement of a sink directly in front of a large window, which traditionally would prevent the installation of a mirror above it. The design team successfully integrated both mirrors and medicine cabinets into the space without obstructing the window. This custom solution involved several specialized firms collaborating to achieve the desired outcome. The project was spearheaded by NS Builders, a Massachusetts-based company known for its work on high-end residential properties. The architectural design was provided by Of Possible, a firm based in Brooklyn. They were tasked with devising a way to incorporate essential bathroom elements like mirrors and storage into a layout constrained by a prominent window. The design cleverly integrates these features, indicating a custom-built approach rather than off-the-shelf components. The fabrication of the cabinets and millwork, crucial for this integrated design, was handled by two specialized companies: Robern, based in Philadelphia, and Materia Millwork, located in Massachusetts. Robern is recognized for its bathroom cabinetry and mirrored solutions, often providing custom or high-end options that can be adapted to unique spatial requirements. Materia Millwork, on the other hand, specializes in detailed millwork, suggesting a bespoke approach to the wooden elements and built-in components of the bathroom. The collaboration between these firms underscores the complexity and custom nature of the design. NS Builders was responsible for the execution of the build, bringing the architectural and fabrication plans to life. This involved precise installation and integration of the custom cabinets and mirrored units into the existing structural framework, ensuring both functionality and aesthetic appeal. The success of the project demonstrates how specialized expertise from different companies can converge to solve unique design challenges in luxury home construction. The final result is a bathroom that maintains its connection to the outdoors through the large window while also providing all necessary amenities, such as mirrors and storage, in an elegant and unobtrusive manner. This specific case illustrates a thoughtful approach to interior design where constraints are transformed into opportunities for creative and integrated solutions. #InteriorDesign #BathroomDesign #CustomHomes #ArchitecturalDesign #Millwork #Cabinetry #SpaceSaving #InnovativeDesign

This comprehensive guide explores 31 popular architectural house styles found throughout the United States, providing detailed descriptions and historical context for each. The article begins by outlining key factors to consider when identifying a home's style, such as materials, window and door details, roof style, facade structures, number of stories, and construction era. It then delves into a diverse range of styles, starting with the iconic Cape Cod, characterized by its story-and-a-half structure, dormers, symmetrical windows, and central doorway. Originating in the late 17th century from English settlers, Cape Cods became particularly popular in the 1950s. The Victorian style, spanning the early 1800s to early 1900s, is presented as an era of design rather than a single style, known for its ornate gables, steeply pitched roofs, turrets, and intricate details. Colonial homes, dating back to the 17th century, are discussed in their various forms, emphasizing their rectangular shape, symmetry, and features like gabled roofs, window grids, and brick facades. The American Craftsman style, emerging in the early 20th century, highlights front porches, wide eaves, exposed beams, and open floor plans, with a strong focus on natural materials and earthy color palettes. Prairie-style homes, inspired by nature and Frank Lloyd Wright's innovative designs, are noted for handcrafted details, simple woodwork, stained glass, and built-in furniture, primarily found in the Midwest. Ranch homes, popular from the 1930s onwards, are described as single-story or split-level houses with open floor plans, large front windows, and low-pitched roofs. Tudor-style homes are easily identifiable by their dark timber details against light stucco and ornate brickwork, often found in colder northern climates. Mediterranean-style homes feature warm tones, stucco exteriors, and ornamental details in tile and woodwork, designed to be open and airy, gaining popularity in warmer U.S. regions. Modern architecture, influenced by the 1930s modernism movement, emphasizes clean lines, functional design, modern materials like concrete and steel, and minimal ornamentation. Contemporary architecture is presented as an overarching term for current trendy building styles, focusing on connecting indoor and outdoor spaces, sustainability, and energy efficiency. The article continues to describe farmhouse styles, cottages, cabins, and rowhouses, each with their unique characteristics and historical origins. It then explores more historically inspired styles like Greek Revival, French Country, Saltbox, and Art Deco, highlighting their distinctive features and prevalence in different regions or periods. Further architectural styles covered include Queen Anne, Italianate, Eastlake, Romanesque Revival, Gothic Revival, Tudor Revival, Midcentury Modern, Federal, Neoclassical, French Provincial, Asian, Pueblo Revival, and Bungalow. Each description details the key visual elements, historical context, and geographical prevalence of these architectural styles across the United States. The article concludes by addressing frequently asked questions about the most common, newest, and timeless house styles in America, emphasizing the diversity and evolution of residential architecture. #ArchitecturalStyles #HomeDesign #HouseStyles #InteriorDecorating #HistoricHomes #ModernArchitecture #ResidentialDesign #CraftsmanHomes #VictorianHomes

Full Circle Design Works, a St. Louis-based builder, specializes in the renovation and restoration of historic properties, focusing on integrating modern, frameless cabinetry into these century-old structures. The company operates its own modern shop, producing contemporary cabinets, man doors, trim, specialty mouldings, and custom furniture. While 75% of their work involves residential renovations and additions, the remaining 25% is new construction. A key differentiator for Full Circle is its in-house shop facility, allowing them to handle a wide range of custom millwork and cabinet needs, making them a preferred choice for architects seeking highly detailed work. The majority of Full Circle's projects involve extensive gut rehabs, where everything except some original walls is removed and then rebuilt. Some of these rehabs qualify for historic tax credits, necessitating the restoration of interiors to match original millwork details. The company frequently undertakes kitchen and bath renovations within these historic settings. Renovation work is particularly prevalent in various historic areas of St. Louis City, as well as wealthier suburban towns like Clayton and Ladue, where century-old homes are well-maintained. A notable project involved creating a 1¾-inch thick door with distinct designs on each side: a five-panel configuration for the dining room and five equal horizontal panels on the other side, showcasing the company's ability to tackle complex custom fabrication. Despite working with 100-year-old buildings, Full Circle's cabinetry aesthetic is distinctly contemporary and frameless. They construct cabinet boxes using melamine and maple on MDF or particleboard, with custom veneers for doors, drawer fronts, and finished ends. Maple veneer is treated with a post-catalyzed conversion varnish, consistent with the finish on doors and drawer fronts. This contemporary style is Full Circle's niche, standing apart from the traditional five-piece doors and crown mouldings common in St. Louis. The blend of contemporary cabinets with original running trim, base, casing, and doors creates a harmonious and visually appealing contrast. Matching the original look often requires creating new elements, as original casing and baseboards are rarely in good condition after a century. Full Circle specializes in fabricating new pieces that meticulously match original profiles and materials. Their commitment to precision is evident in their 2mm tolerance for cabinet reveals, a tighter standard than many other shops. As a general contractor, Full Circle also supplies its job sites with matching sills and plinths, ensuring consistency and helping to maintain project schedules. Collaborative work with architects allows them to contribute to initial project development, offer samples, and identify potential issues early on. Full Circle employs 10 people, with three dedicated to the shop, which moved to a larger 10,000-square-foot facility (a former dairy) two years prior. They utilize KCD software for design and EnRoute to feed work to their CNC router. The shop's workflow encompasses edgebanding, veneering, cutting, sanding, a spray booth, and assembly. A separate solid wood section handles jambs and other components. Equipment includes a Streibig Compact Plus vertical panel saw, a C.R. Onsrud 145M12 Mate series CNC router, Biesse Artech Levia 220 widebelt sander, and Biesse Polymac Akron 420ER edgebander. They also have two veneer presses, a Felder AD 41 planer-jointer, Felder KF7X combination machines, and a Casadei 24-inch surface planer. Finishing is done in-house using Chem-Craft post-catalyzed conversion varnish in a Col-Met spray booth. The company primarily uses Blum hardware, including the Legrabox metal drawer system, and some Grass hardware. The new facility is largely powered by solar panels, significantly reducing electricity costs. Future plans include acquiring an edgebander with premill capabilities and a widebelt sander with advanced technology to improve veneer sanding. Full Circle also aims to expand its specialty low-volume part production via CNC and custom cabinetwork for other general contractors, fostering collaborations with metal fabricators for wood components. #HistoricRenovation #ModernCabinetry #CustomMillwork #WoodworkingShop #HomeDesign #ArchitecturalDesign #CNCManufacturing #SustainablePractices #RenovationProjects

This article explores the unique interior design challenges and solutions for the residence of Lindenwood University president, Jim Evans, and his wife, Lois. The 9,200-square-foot house in St. Charles functions simultaneously as a comfortable private home and a sophisticated venue for entertaining university dignitaries and donors. Mitchell Wall Architecture and Design, along with senior designer Colleen Ertl of Diane Breckenridge Interiors, were tasked with creating a space that could seamlessly transition between these two distinct purposes. The design approach involved essentially creating "two houses in one." The formal areas, intended for university events, boast an elegant and traditional aesthetic. The dining room, for instance, seats 14 people and features a coffered ceiling, a grand fireplace, and French doors opening to a balcony. Its design evokes a modern interpretation of "Downton Abbey" style, balancing formality with comfort. The color palette in this space incorporates browns, greens, blues, cream, and touches of gold, aiming for a timeless yet contemporary feel that avoids being perceived as old or stuffy. This room is routinely used for formal occasions, donor engagements, alumni gatherings, and meetings with the university's board of directors. Adjacent to the dining room, the living room is designed in the style of a grand hall, complete with a dark, wood-beamed ceiling and an elegant fireplace. An inlaid floor visually connects the two formal spaces, with the color scheme from the dining room echoed in an area rug in the living room. Ertl emphasized the importance of the furniture being comfortable and inviting, despite the room's formal function as a receiving area for events. The goal was to create an atmosphere where guests could feel at ease and "just plop down." In contrast to these public and formal spaces, the residence also includes private, more casual living areas. These are primarily located on the lower level and feature a cozy kitchen, a breakfast nook, a hearth room, and a master-bedroom suite. The overall house comprises four bedrooms and eight bathrooms, demonstrating the extensive scale of the property. A key aspect of the design strategy was to ensure the house felt like a personal home rather than merely a showroom. This was achieved by incorporating personal touches throughout the space. For example, large bookshelves, standing 15 feet tall, display photographs and other items personal to the Evanses and Lindenwood University. The article also mentions an antique piano, a focal point in one of the rooms, which has a long history with Lindenwood University. However, the designers acknowledge that the house, particularly its cream-colored sofa, is not designed to be pet-friendly, highlighting a practical consideration in maintaining the pristine environment required for official functions. The architectural style of the house is described as "Collegiate Gothic" by Carol Wall of Mitchell Wall, a style often seen on Ivy League campuses, further reinforcing its connection to the university environment. This dual-purpose design successfully merges the requirements of a high-profile public residence with the need for a comfortable private dwelling, creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment for its occupants and their guests. #InteriorDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #HomeDecor #LindenwoodUniversity #StCharles #MitchellWallArchitecture #DianeBreckenridgeInteriors #CollegiateGothic

Nest Studio's Profile Series, developed in collaboration with interior designer Laura Jenkins, draws inspiration from Bauhaus design principles. This collection emphasizes simplicity and sculptural forms in its hardware offerings. The foundational piece of the series is the Disc pull, characterized by its clean lines and minimalist aesthetic. The available finishes for the hardware include Blackened Bronze, Polished Brass Unlacquered, and Polished Nickel. Additionally, Nest Studio offers custom finishes, providing flexibility for designers and homeowners to match specific design schemes and preferences. This product is categorized under Decorative Cabinet Hardware, indicating its primary function as an aesthetic and functional element for cabinetry. The article is part of a broader platform dedicated to kitchen and bath design news and products, offering information on various components and systems relevant to home interior design. The platform categorizes products into several main areas, including Appliances, Bath Accessories, Bath Fixtures, Business Assistance, Cabinet Components, Cabinetry, Countertops & Surfacing Materials, Decorative Tile, Electrical Systems & HVAC, Faucets & Fittings, Flooring & Flooring Materials, Hardware - Decorative & Functional, Kitchen & Home Accessories, Lighting, Paints & Stains, Shower Components, and Sinks. Under Appliances, a wide range of kitchen equipment is listed, from coffee systems and cooktops to refrigerators, ovens, and specialty items like pizza ovens and wine/beverage refrigeration. The Bath Accessories section covers items such as ADA-compliant accessories, decorative towel bars, robe hooks, paper holders, medicine cabinets, mirrors, and spa amenities like towel warmers. Bath Fixtures include toilets, bidets, tubs, saunas, and ADA-compliant options. Cabinet Components delve into the specifics of cabinet construction and organization, including boxes, door frames, inserts, drawer organizers, finishes, pullouts, and closet systems. Cabinetry focuses on complete units such as bath vanities, kitchen cabinets, outdoor cabinetry, and wine storage solutions, available in custom, semi-custom, or ready-to-assemble options. Countertops & Surfacing Materials cover various materials like cement, glass, laminate, natural stone, porcelain, quartz, recycled materials, sintered stone, and wood, as well as wall panels and decorative surfaces. Decorative Tile includes diverse styles such as ceramic, glass, metal, mosaic, natural stone, porcelain, and wood tiles, along with different patterns, textures, and eco-friendly options. Electrical Systems & HVAC address lighting controls, power systems, bath fans, and floor heating. Faucets & Fittings encompass bath, kitchen, bar/prep, and outdoor faucets, along with smart/touchless options and water filtration systems. Flooring & Flooring Materials list cement, ceramic, natural stone, porcelain, luxury vinyl, and wood flooring types. The Decorative & Functional Hardware category, where the Bauhaus-inspired hardware is featured, also includes appliance hardware, countertop and shelf hardware, and shower door hardware, with a focus on both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality. Kitchen & Home Accessories feature items like cutting boards, fireplaces, furniture, shelving, and indoor gardens. Lighting covers various types from pendant and puck lighting to smart lighting, strip lights, and sconces, emphasizing both ambiance and utility. Paints & Stains section includes interior, exterior, and wood stains. Shower Components detail drains, doors, enclosures, pans, systems, showerheads, and smart/digital showers, highlighting features like accessibility and water efficiency. Lastly, Sinks include bar/prep, bath, kitchen, outdoor, and utility/laundry sinks, available in materials such as concrete, copper, granite, fireclay, and stainless steel, often with workstation capabilities. The comprehensive listing reflects the breadth of products and design considerations for modern kitchen and bath environments. #BauhausDesign #CabinetHardware #InteriorDesign #HomeDecoration #KitchenDesign #BathDesign #DecorativeHardware #NestStudio #ProductDesign