We didn’t want the floor to be the cool thing in the room that steals the show, so we picked an interesting color and painted the ceiling as well. This bathroom invites you to look up and down equally.

Country white tile and subway tile gray floor alcove shower photo in Seattle with white walls and a hinged shower door

Example of a mid-sized country master white tile and subway tile slate floor, gray floor, double-sink and shiplap wall bathroom design in Boston with medium tone wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Girls bathroom remodel for two sisters from two small separate bathrooms originally to a new larger, "Jack and Jill" style bathroom for better flow. Cesarstone white counter tops, tub deck, and shower bench/curb. Wood look porcelain floor planking. White subway tile with glass bubble mosaic tile accents. Construction by JP Lindstrom, Inc. Bernard Andre Photography

Farmhouse bathroom Photographer: Rob Karosis
Example of a mid-sized country white tile and subway tile ceramic tile and multicolored floor bathroom design in New York with open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white walls, a drop-in sink, wood countertops and brown countertops

Rod Pasibe
Bathroom - traditional master white tile and subway tile bathroom idea in Charleston

Small transitional 3/4 white tile and subway tile vinyl floor and gray floor bathroom photo in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, a two-piece toilet, an undermount sink, marble countertops, gray countertops and white walls

The blue subway tile provides a focal point in the kids bathroom. The ceiling detail conceals an HVAC access panel. Blackstock Photography
Trendy kids' white tile and subway tile ceramic tile and white floor bathroom photo in New York with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and a wall-mount toilet

Bathroom - small contemporary master white tile and subway tile porcelain tile and black floor bathroom idea in Other with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Example of a mid-sized farmhouse subway tile multicolored floor bathroom design in Boise with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

Ensuite bathroom with freestanding tub, medium-light wood cabinetry with black matte hardware and appliances, white counter tops, black matte metal twin mirrors and twin pendants.

Kim Grant, Architect; Gail Owens, Photographer
Inspiration for a transitional white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor bathroom remodel in San Diego with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white walls and an undermount sink

Beach style master white tile and subway tile porcelain tile, white floor, double-sink and wallpaper bathroom photo in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, a drop-in sink, quartz countertops, gray countertops and a built-in vanity

Jason Lindberg
Inspiration for a contemporary white tile and subway tile tub/shower combo remodel in New York with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets and an undermount tub

This bathroom was carefully thought-out for great function and design for 2 young girls. We completely gutted the bathroom and made something that they both could grow in to. Using soft blue concrete Moroccan tiles on the floor and contrasted it with a dark blue vanity against a white palette creates a soft feminine aesthetic. The white finishes with chrome fixtures keep this design timeless.

Example of a mid-sized country 3/4 white tile and subway tile gray floor, ceramic tile and single-sink bathroom design in Denver with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, white countertops, a built-in vanity and marble countertops

Snowberry Lane Photography
Large beach style master green tile and subway tile porcelain tile and gray floor bathroom photo in Seattle with gray cabinets, a vessel sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops, shaker cabinets and green walls

Ken Wyner Photography
Alcove shower - mid-sized transitional 3/4 white tile and subway tile ceramic tile and black floor alcove shower idea in DC Metro with brown cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and flat-panel cabinets

  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