Photography by Corey Gaffer
Inspiration for a large timeless u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

In Southern California there are pockets of darling cottages built in the early 20th century that we like to call jewelry boxes. They are quaint, full of charm and usually a bit cramped. Our clients have a growing family and needed a modern, functional home. They opted for a renovation that directly addressed their concerns. When we first saw this 2,170 square-foot 3-bedroom beach cottage, the front door opened directly into a staircase and a dead-end hallway. The kitchen was cramped, the living room was claustrophobic and everything felt dark and dated. The big picture items included pitching the living room ceiling to create space and taking down a kitchen wall. We added a French oven and luxury range that the wife had always dreamed about, a custom vent hood, and custom-paneled appliances. We added a downstairs half-bath for guests (entirely designed around its whimsical wallpaper) and converted one of the existing bathrooms into a Jack-and-Jill, connecting the kids’ bedrooms, with double sinks and a closed-off toilet and shower for privacy. In the bathrooms, we added white marble floors and wainscoting. We created storage throughout the home with custom-cabinets, new closets and built-ins, such as bookcases, desks and shelving. White Sands Design/Build furnished the entire cottage mostly with commissioned pieces, including a custom dining table and upholstered chairs. We updated light fixtures and added brass hardware throughout, to create a vintage, bo-ho vibe. The best thing about this cottage is the charming backyard accessory dwelling unit (ADU), designed in the same style as the larger structure. In order to keep the ADU it was necessary to renovate less than 50% of the main home, which took some serious strategy, otherwise the non-conforming ADU would need to be torn out. We renovated the bathroom with white walls and pine flooring, transforming it into a get-away that will grow with the girls.

Styling the dining room mid-century in furniture and chandelier really added the "different" elements the homeowners were looking for. The new pattern in the run tied in to the kitchen without being too matchy matchy.

Headwaters Camp Custom Designed Cabin by Dan Joseph Architects, LLC, PO Box 12770 Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 83001 - PH 1-800-800-3935 - info@djawest.com

Photography by Rebecca Lehde
Large trendy garage photo in Charleston

Example of a minimalist bathroom design in Austin

Example of a huge minimalist single-wall light wood floor kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, solid surface countertops, black appliances and an island

Angle Eye Photography
Mid-sized farmhouse brick floor and red floor sunroom photo in Philadelphia with a skylight

Freestanding bathtub - mid-sized contemporary master beige tile and stone slab marble floor freestanding bathtub idea in Miami with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets and solid surface countertops

This Craftsman lake view home is a perfectly peaceful retreat. It features a two story deck, board and batten accents inside and out, and rustic stone details.

Midcentury modern details make Mandy Moore's Jack & Jill bathroom sleek and streamlined, but it's Fireclay's handmade green bathroom tiles with their high variation and crackled detailing that lend it a luxuriously organic allure. Sample Fireclay's handmade tile colors at fireclaytile.com/samples Tile Shown 3x6 Green Bathroom Tiles in Rosemary

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Example of a classic u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen pantry design in Raleigh with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

1960s l-shaped concrete floor and gray floor kitchen photo in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, an island, an undermount sink, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and white countertops

Photographer: Anice Hoachlander from Hoachlander Davis Photography, LLC Project Architect: Melanie Basini-Giordano, AIA ----- Life in this lakeside retreat revolves around the kitchen, a light and airy room open to the interior and outdoor living spaces and to views of the lake. It is a comfortable room for family meals, a functional space for avid cooks, and a gracious room for casual entertaining. A wall of windows frames the views of the lake and creates a cozy corner for the breakfast table. The working area on the opposite end contains a large sink, generous countertop surface, a dual fuel range and an induction cook top. The paneled refrigerator and walk-in pantry are located in the hallway leading to the mudroom and the garage. Refrigerator drawers in the island provide additional food storage within easy reach. A second sink near the breakfast area serves as a prep sink and wet bar. The low walls behind both sinks allow a visual connection to the stair hall and living room. The island provides a generous serving area and a splash of color in the center of the room. The detailing, inspired by farmhouse kitchens, creates a warm and welcoming room. The careful attention paid to the selection of the finishes, cabinets and light fixtures complements the character of the house.

Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Oklahoma City

Living room - coastal open concept medium tone wood floor, brown floor and vaulted ceiling living room idea in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Added small mud room space in Laundry Room. Modern wallcovering Graham and Brown. Porcelain Tile Floors Fabrique from Daltile. Dash and Albert rug, Custom shelving with hooks. Baldwin Door handles. Cabinet custom white paint to match previous trim.

Inspiration for an industrial u-shaped light wood floor kitchen remodel with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, red backsplash, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops