18. Madrid. This contemporary abode can be transported just about anywhere, and its barnlike dimensions are pleasing to the eye.
16. Adelaide, Australia. Handmade from western red cedar, this mini beach house is as cute as a button.
15. San Francisco. We love the use of wood inside and out of this modern teen retreat.
14. Woodside, California. The sliding barn doors open to connect the guesthouse to the outdoors and main house, but when they’re closed, guests can cozy up in absolute privacy.
3. San Francisco. Many people dream of having their own studio into which they can disappear to work on their art, but a studio that itself disappears is one step better. A greenery-covered room of one’s own is definitely worth aspiring to.
2. London. Creativity and productivity are almost guaranteed in a home office as fabulous as this one. Who says a backyard room needs corners?
Photos by Vivian JonesHouse at a GlanceWho lives here: A couple with young twinsLocation: Century City neighborhood of Los AngelesSize: About 3,400 square feet (about 316 square meters)Designer: Taylor Tanimoto of Coddington DesignThe homeowners were reluctant to do any heavy construction on their newly purchased spec house, since the finishes were new and the layout worked fine. But one of them, who loves the bright, playful aesthetic of lifestyle brand Lilly Pulitzer, knew she wouldn’t feel at home until color was injected into all the bland, beige rooms. Designer Taylor Tanimoto says a hot pink sofa previously bought by the homeowners kicked off the design for the living room. The green contrast welt on the sofa inspired the purchase of the kelly green lacquered coffee table, the mirror above the fireplace and the green stripe on the window shade.Tanimoto worked in another bold fabric for the armchair upholstery and then let the family live with its newly furnished space for a few months before finalizing the decor. When the couple decided it wasn’t quite bright enough yet, Tanimoto had the trim painted green. “It made all the difference,” she says.
Other special features. Textured whitewashed melamine base cabinets. White Shaker-style upper cabinets. Double ovens, appliance garage and recessed pantry. Designer secret. “A last-moment design addition to the space was the custom windowsill ledge,” designer Ashlee Richardson says. “A custom-made three-quarter-inch-thick windowsill extends wall-to-wall to create a cute 3-inch-deep ledge along the backsplash. This little ledge gives the clients a space to keep their small kitchen accessory items off of the counter and beautifully displayed.”Marrakesh glossy 8-by-8-inch backsplash tile: Arizona Tile; Diva textured melamine and Iceberg White-painted Shaker-style cabinets: Columbia Cabinetry; countertops in Yukon: Silestone; Swagger pulls in modern bronze: Berenson Hardware: appliances: KitchenAid; Commodore trim paint: Sherwin-WilliamsSee more of this kitchenMoreHow to Add a Kitchen BacksplashFind a professionalBrowse tile
Photo by Dean Zhu 2. Patchwork PowerDesigners: Dorothy Tsui and Kevin Chang of Bobeche InteriorsLocation: TorontoSize: 200 square feet (18.5 square meters)Homeowner’s request. After spending years in this condo townhome, the homeowners decided it was time to update the kitchen and dining area to better accommodate their growing family. They wanted to increase the size, natural light, storage, function and countertop space. Backsplash. Blue hexagonal patchwork ceramic tile with hand-painted Portuguese motifs. “The cabinetry and the rest of the room were neutral and modern, so we felt the backsplash should be a highlight for this kitchen,” designer Dorothy Tsui says. “It added a charming character to the kitchen. What made it work so well was, we also incorporated several pieces of solid white, which provided a visual resting spot. It allows the viewer to pause and see the gorgeous detail of this artistic tile.”
Other special features. Round dining table integrated into the island. Custom drainage grooves on the soapstone island near the sink. Designer secret. “Every well-designed space — whether it’s a bathroom, living room, bedroom, etc. — has a focal point, the thing that draws your eyes to it as soon as you walk into the room,” Castro says. “The paisley tiles are, of course, that element here.”Montblanc Paisley tile: mettro source; Shaker-style MDF perimeter cabinets in Paper White, Shaker-style MDF island cabinets in Seaweed and natural walnut shelves: Miralis; Silestone perimeter countertop in Calacatta Gold: Latitude; Belvedere soapstone island countertop: Greensville; Merurice light fixture by Jonathan Adler: Robert Abbey Lighting Store; Winter Snow wall paint in eggshell finish: Benjamin MooreSee more of this kitchen
1. Paisley PunchDesigners: Frankie Castro and Laura Goard of Square FootageLocation: Brooklin, Ontario, CanadaSize: 266 square feet (24.7 square meters); 13 by 20½ feet (3.9 by 6.2 meters)Homeowners’ request. Fix dysfunctional ergonomics and aesthetics and add a large window to capture backyard views and provide abundant seating for family and guests. Backsplash. Large-format paisley-patterned tile. “We offered the clients a couple different options — the ones you see being the loudest — and they decided they would go for it,” designer Frankie Castro says. “It’s always nice when a client isn’t afraid to do something really unique, eye-catching and fun.”
2. Define or create a hallway. A wood slat wall can break up a large space into a smaller room with an adjoining hallway. Both spaces will benefit from continued airflow and light, but the newly defined room will now have a sense of enclosure that creates a cozy feel. In this home in Russia, the slatted wall on the left provides privacy. This vertical wood slat wall feels contemporary but would work well with traditional or eclectic styles too. Using two different flooring materials also helps to define the spaces as a room and a separate hallway.
Build a backdrop. Words can’t describe the perfection of this bathroom scene, with a subtly stylish background of hexagonal wall tiles showing off a statement sink. What to match with it? A plain, floor that doesn’t vie for attention, black faucets that add a custom contemporary edge and a simple frameless mirror that echoes the shape of the sink.
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