Photos by Emily Hagopian
Inspiration for a large contemporary dark wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Santa Barbara with stainless steel appliances, white cabinets, multicolored backsplash, matchstick tile backsplash and an island

Photography by Dan Piassick
Inspiration for a contemporary dark wood floor dining room remodel in Dallas with gray walls

Large elegant galley light wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Other with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

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

Marco Walker
Living room - eclectic light wood floor and beige floor living room idea in New York with white walls

Jane Beiles Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional girl dark wood floor and brown floor kids' room remodel in New York with multicolored walls

Example of a large classic galley light wood floor open concept kitchen design in Other with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Excerpted from Washington Home & Design Magazine, Jan/Feb 2012 Full Potential Once ridiculed as “antipasto on the Potomac,” the Watergate complex designed by Italian architect Luigi Moretti has become one of Washington’s most respectable addresses. But its curvaceous 1960s architecture still poses design challenges for residents seeking to transform their outdated apartments for contemporary living. Inside, the living area now extends from the terrace door to the kitchen and an adjoining nook for watching TV. The rear wall of the kitchen isn’t tiled or painted, but covered in boards made of recycled wood fiber, fly ash and cement. A row of fir cabinets stands out against the gray panels and white-lacquered drawers under the Corian countertops add more contrast. “I now enjoy cooking so much more,” says the homeowner. “The previous kitchen had very little counter space and storage, and very little connection to the rest of the apartment.” “A neutral color scheme allows sculptural objects, in this case iconic furniture, and artwork to stand out,” says Santalla. “An element of contrast, such as a tone or a texture, adds richness to the palette.” In the master bedroom, Santalla designed the bed frame with attached nightstands and upholstered the adjacent wall to create an oversized headboard. He created a television stand on the adjacent wall that allows the screen to swivel so it can be viewed from the bed or terrace. Of all the renovation challenges facing the couple, one of the most problematic was deciding what to do with the original parquet floors in the living space. Santalla came up with the idea of staining the existing wood and extending the same dark tone to the terrace floor. “Now the indoor and outdoor parts of the apartment are integrated to create an almost seamless space,” says the homeowner. “The design succeeds in realizing the promise of what the Watergate can be.” Project completed in collaboration with Treacy & Eagleburger. Photography by Alan Karchmer

Example of a mid-sized transitional formal brown floor living room design in New York with gray walls, a standard fireplace, no tv and a stone fireplace

Great room - contemporary dark wood floor great room idea in DC Metro with white walls

Example of a trendy open concept kitchen design in Philadelphia

Example of a large classic galley light wood floor open concept kitchen design in Other with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Example of a trendy freestanding bathtub design in Omaha with granite countertops

Photography - David Marlow
Trendy blue tile and mosaic tile bathroom photo in Salt Lake City with a trough sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets and beige walls

Grey Crawford
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary master beige tile and porcelain tile beige floor bathroom remodel in Los Angeles with beige walls and a hinged shower door

Dark gray tones are juxtaposed with bright shades of yellow, green, and orange in this funky and fun living room. Framed white windows emphasize the view while nature-inspired patterns and organic décor blur the lines between the indoors and out. A contemporary chandelier serves as a statement piece while a white mantel and stone fireplace create a strong focal point within the room.

Contemporary Master bathroom, clean, light and bright bath with white marble and glass tile for a young, on the go couple. Downtown address with great style. Don Anderson

Dining room - contemporary dining room idea in Los Angeles

Large elegant galley light wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Other with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula