Collaborating with Tineke Triggs and Martin Newman Office, Cook Construction reimagined a 1906 Victorian into a contemporary family home that balances historic character with modern function. Perched on a quiet street in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood in California, the classic painted lady design was thoughtfully restored and expanded into a bright, livable space designed for today’s lifestyle. Cook Construction transformed the tall, narrow footprint into a gracious home with a grander kitchen and family room, a reinvented master suite and a highly functional lower level complete with a laundry…
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Remodel of the Week: Larkspur Builders
In this complete renovation of a 1906 San Francisco, Calif., kitchen, Larkspur Builders collaborated closely with both the client and interior designer Chantal Lamberto to create a space that is both timeless and highly functional. The goal was to modernize a dated layout while preserving the home’s architectural character. With a compact footprint and 11-foot ceilings, the project’s design required careful proportioning. Custom white oak cabinetry, handmade tile and period-inspired lighting created a warm and balanced ambiance. Floor-to-ceiling tile and flush cabinet faces necessitated precise coordination. Read More Photo Credit:…
Read MoreEye-catching kitchen design trends
In 2026, kitchen design is all about blending beauty with purpose: Warm minimalism, mixed materials and layouts that not only work for everyday living, but also elevate it. From statement islands to hidden storage and bold yet balanced color palettes, today’s kitchen renovations are evolving into spaces that feel both elevated and lived-in. A wall of pale wood cabinetry with barely-there hardware and clean, uninterrupted lines creates a calming visual rhythm in kitchen design. This trend leans heavily into simplicity, but not the cold kind. Natural wood tones soften the…
Read MoreNew York City home renovation sparks record-breaking sale
Interior designer Purvi Padia and founder of REVELRY set out to remodel her five-bedroom, 5,840-square-foot duplex penthouse in the exclusive West Village in New York City to make it feel more welcoming. What followed was a two-year, $6 million transformation that led to a $60 million sale, which came in at nearly three times the neighborhood average price per square foot for luxury condos and represented a 106% increase on the $29 million the owner paid for the apartment in 2016. The star attraction of the remodel that led to…
Read MoreMillennials and Gen Z are diving into renovations in 2026
According to Houzz’s 2026 House & Home Study, more than half of U.S. homeowners are pursuing home renovation plans, with a higher share of millennials and Gen Z diving into renovations. The annual report surveyed more than 20,000 users across the nation to figure out how homeowners are budgeting for their projects, their reasons for renovating, the scope and spend of projects. Marine Sargsyan, the head of economic research at Houzz, said home renovation is continuing at historic levels. The report emphasized older clients prioritizing renovations to age in place,…
Read MoreExterior renovations require balance for a lasting look
Home renovation designs require careful planning and execution to ensure that exterior designs will have a lasting, beautiful and sustainable impact on a client’s home. For example, leaving a brick exterior as it is, instead of painting over it, will allow the exterior to age gracefully and balance with nature. While painting over a project might have a fresher presentation, it can risk moisture being trapped beneath the brick. “Brick, on its own, ages gracefully and tolerates Mother Nature much better without paint on the surface,” said Tyler Hull, Founder…
Read MoreBathroom remodels shift to color and smart technology
When it comes to bathroom designs during a remodel, two things are most prominent. First, all white bathrooms are out; color is in. Second, smart technology is being embedded in bathrooms. According to data from Grand View Research, the market for smart technology, specifically smart showers, is expected to expand by 11.7% from 2023 to 2030. The idea behind this rising trend is that integrating digital technology into a shower’s plumbing systems can provide a client with a catered, spa-like experience, making it a modern bathroom upgrade that combines form…
Read MoreBathroom storage design ideas
Bathroom storage is one of the most requested features from a client when remodeling. Sweeten, one of the nation’s largest remodelers with over 2,000 renovations under its belt gives their insight on intelligent ways to increase storage in this area. Recessed wall cabinets are an easy and common solution where a cabinet may not fit physically or aesthetically. Behind doors or next to vanities these built in nooks are simple storage solutions. In a similar vein, linen closets always are a useful addition. These allow for more closed off storage, still…
Read MoreInterior designs taking the spotlight in renovations
Today, clients are looking for interior designs that are both considerable and personal. From reimagined living rooms to sunlit kitchens, the way Americans are thinking about their homes has shifted. Interior design is getting personal in 2026 and the results are striking in renovations. Cool tones and minimal designs dominated the conversation. However, warmth has staged a confident comeback; deep terracottas, aged brass, burnished wood and textiles. Interior designers are being asked to solve real problems beautifully with built-ins that disappear into walls and furniture with hidden storage that does…
Read MoreNew data provides overview of March construction prices
According to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released on April 14, 2026, construction input prices increased 2.2% in March compared to the previous month. However, prices decreased in two of the three energy subcategories last month. Natural gas and unprocessed energy materials prices were down 51.7% and 7.7%, respectively. “Construction materials prices surged in March and are now up 4.8% year over year, the largest annual increase since January 2023,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “This monthly increase…
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