White Rose Residence
With the kitchen as a central part of their new custom home, the homeowners wanted it to serve as the social hub of the house. To create a kitchen that was the center of activity and a natural gathering spot, architect ARBA Studios designed a kitchen that links the living room, breakfast area, dining room and outdoor living area, while also being convenient to the garage and mudroom entry. The design orients the kitchen’s ample windows toward the private backyard.
Residential
Pebble Creek Residence
A home facing the “wrong way” is one of the many issues presented to ARBA Studios Architects by these homeowners. The oldest portions of this home were a caretaker cottage and stables for a nearby estate, and they faced the rear of the property, over a bridge. When the estate was subdivided, the bridge was removed, and the driveway was moved to enter from the new neighborhood. ARBA Studios obtained a variance from the local zoning board that allowed addition of a real “front” porch and entry door facing the road, while converting the existing entryway into the back porch.
On the inside, we sketched out a dramatically lighter and brighter kitchen design. By removing a wall, we were able to capture space for a breakfast nook, and by enlarging the windows and doors facing the pool, we were able to increase visibility and access for modern indoor-outdoor living.
Lafayette Loft
Having purchased an historic bakery building with the intent to move from the suburbs to the City, our clients asked ARBA Studios Architects to help them create an urbane, yet cozy home for entertaining and relaxing.
On the exterior, curb appeal was enhanced with a new metal canopy, and the roof deck was upgraded with a hot tub overlooking a new private courtyard. On the interior, the design called for opening up the kitchen, swapping the location of the living and dining areas, adding a dramatic new fireplace, and creating a fun wine nook and entertainment area.
The overall look is industrial and eclectic, with chic new finishes pairing nicely with time-worn timbers, wabi-sabi brick, and the original concrete floor.
Colonial Hills Residence
Our clients presented us with the following problem: they loved their home but had only two and a half baths to accommodate a large family, especially with out of town guests. Would it be possible, they wondered, to improve the situation without the need to build an addition?
ARBA Studios Architects presented a creative design solution. By judiciously moving only a few walls we were able to create four full baths within the home’s existing footprint: a spa-inspired master bath retreat, an updated hall bath, a small but private second kids’ bath, and a full guest bath in place of the existing powder room. Voila! The morning traffic jam was solved, and guests can be comfortable when they come to visit.
Stifel Residence
These Chesterfield clients first approached ARBA Studios Architects looking for a finished basement design that was a step above ordinary. Our concept created the feel of an upbeat modern loft for hanging out and entertaining. Stained concrete floors and a custom-designed industrial style stair are accented by fun pops of color on the walls.
We returned to assist the same clients in transforming their hearth room upstairs, with a custom-designed stone fireplace surround and lighting.