“Greensboro’s Grandest House” was recently selected as the 2013 ShowHouse presented by the Junior League of Greensboro and national media sponsor Traditional Home. Among the local and national design talent featured in this special fundraising event was design duo Patti Allen and Stephanie James of Furnitureland South, who transformed the estate’s patio into a classic, colorful and cozy space. Built in the early 1920s, the Adamsleigh estate is more than 15,000 square feet and covers 13.5 acres that include pools, a lake, tennis courts, a stone gazebo and a five-car garage. The 30×60 patio presented a special design challenge – the space was in disrepair and sat unevenly on a downward slope. Rising to the challenge, Patti and Stephanie partnered with Outer Space Landscapes to change the elevation of the patio in order to draw attention to the focal point and inspiration of the project: a beautiful canopy sofa by Century Furniture. The addition of 6 tons of landscaping material included Pennsylvania blue stone, pebbles, sand, cherry trees, azaleas and geraniums all blooming in the colors of the latest Sunbrella fabrics featured in the outdoor furnishings: crisp, sandy white, fuchsia and tangerine. Patti and Stephanie wanted to showcase clean and classic outdoor style with an edge of color and unexpected elements. Playful ottomans by Baker float in the space for multiple functions, adding an extra pop of color to the sophisticated setting which includes a dining table by Oscar de la Renta, organic spot tables from Phillips Collection, and daybeds and seating from Century Furniture. Combining their passion for interior spaces with signature designs, Allen and James Designs gave this outdoor space the comfort, color and style it deserved. Patti and Stephanie, co-founders of Allen and James Designs, are committed to inspire and influence unique spaces for home, work, play and relaxation. With over 25 years of experience and a dedication to client relationships, their infusion of international inspiration with style, color, texture and vision make Patti and Stephanie a creative duo capable of exceeding the expectations of any client’s design project. By forming over 400 connections with key manufactures such as Henredon, Century, Lillian August, Dovetail, Maitland Smith and Huntington House, Allen and James Designs can provide a broad range of options that virtually meet any need a client has to create their dream home.

The home elevator serves three landings and the brass digital position indicator tells you exactly where the elevator is located.

Built in 1915, this classic craftsman style home is located in the Capitol Mansions Historic District. When the time came to remodel, the homeowners wanted to continue to celebrate its history by keeping with the craftsman style but elevating the kitchen’s function to include the latest in quality cabinetry and modern appliances. The new spacious kitchen (and adjacent walk-in pantry) provides the perfect environment for a couple who loves to cook and entertain. White perimeter cabinets and dark soapstone counters make a timeless and classic color palette. Designed to have a more furniture-like feel, the large island has seating on one end and is finished in an historically inspired warm grey paint color. The vertical stone “legs” on either side of the gas range-top highlight the cooking area and add custom detail within the long run of cabinets. Wide barn doors designed to match the cabinet inset door style slide open to reveal a spacious appliance garage, and close when the kitchen goes into entertainer mode. Finishing touches such as the brushed nickel pendants add period style over the island. A bookcase anchors the corner between the kitchen and breakfast area providing convenient access for frequently referenced cookbooks from either location. Just around the corner from the kitchen, a large walk-in butler’s pantry in cheerful yellow provides even more counter space and storage ability. Complete with an undercounter wine refrigerator, a deep prep sink, and upper storage at a glance, it’s any chef’s happy place. Photo credit: Fred Donham of Photographerlink

Example of a transitional medium tone wood floor, brown floor, tray ceiling, wainscoting and wallpaper dining room design in Los Angeles with white walls

Home theater - large transitional open concept carpeted and beige floor home theater idea in Omaha with beige walls and a projector screen

Robin Victor Goetz/RVGP
Open concept kitchen - large traditional galley dark wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Cincinnati with a farmhouse sink, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, two islands, white cabinets, black appliances and recessed-panel cabinets

A simple front facade consisting solely of ten-foot shuttered French doors radiates elegance in this new traditional foursquare home in Washington, D.C. Featured in Country Living magazine, the airy plan offers spaciousness in a limited-fronted site of the American foursquare house. The goal for the design was creating a contemporary foursquare style house. The family room and kitchen of this American foursquare interior are separated by a glassy built-in rather than walls, encouraging visual connection between the spaces in the four square house. Though nestled in the city, this American foursquare home feels like a classic country home.

When our clients purchased their Fairfax Station home at the beginning of the pandemic, the main living areas had already been updated. However, three bathrooms were still stuck in the1980s. We tackled the upstairs primary and hall bathrooms first to ensure our clients had a working bathroom while construction was underway. Once the upstairs renovations were completed, we moved on to the main level guest bathroom. Primary Bathroom Transformation: The old primary bathroom had a small dark shower stall, a basic alcove tub, and the original 40-year-old plumbing, vanities, and tile. We completely gutted the space and made some minor layout changes to maximize functionality and create a serene retreat complete with free-standing soaking tub and generous walk-in shower. Expanding the shower’s footprint and replacing the full-height walls with a glass surround opened up the space, making the entire bathroom feel larger and more airy. Marble shelves and a shaving ledge add convenience and style. A large double vanity provides ample storage and a full 7 feet of countertop space. Mixed metal finishes elevate the design, with soft gold accents and brushed nickel fixtures pairing perfectly with the classic gray vanity and muted marble tiles. We reconfigured the dressing area, added custom closet built-ins, and installed new carpet throughout to complete this tailored transformation. Hall Bathroom Update: The hall bathroom did not require any significant layout changes, but the dated fixtures and finishes all had to go. We wanted the new bathroom to feel both classic and fresh, so we opted for a polished finish palette, including sleek white subway tiles on the walls and marble-look hexagonal on the floor. A furniture-style vanity, in dark navy, was paired with a distinctive Carrara marble top and sleek chrome fixtures for a modern twist. The tub+shower combo features both a standard shower head and multi-function handheld for optimum flexibility – great for bathing children and pets alike. This renovation blended classic details with modern functionality, creating a bathroom that’s both timeless and fresh. Guest Bathroom Update: The home’s main level bathroom serves as both powder room and guest bathroom with 2 separate entrances. The in-swing door from the guest bedroom made the already narrow bathroom feel even more cramped. By installing a pocket door at the guest bedroom, we immediately improved the flow and usability of the space. The shower was upgraded with handcrafted white subway tile and contrasting grout, creating a clean, tailored look that elevates the room. Thoughtful details—like discreet grab bars and a handheld shower on a slide bar—make the space adaptable and comfortable for guests of all ages. A marble mosaic floor sets a refined backdrop for the freestanding black vanity, while the cross-bar handles offer a nod to the past on these modern-day fixtures.

Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography
Example of a transitional galley painted wood floor and black floor kitchen design in DC Metro with white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, shaker cabinets and a farmhouse sink

Inspiration for a timeless white two-story mixed siding exterior home remodel in Austin with a shingle roof

Scott Amundson Photography
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized farmhouse l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, blue backsplash, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Laundry room - rustic laundry room idea in Minneapolis

This 4,000-square foot home is located in the Silversand section of Hermosa Beach, known for its fabulous restaurants, walkability and beach access. Stylistically, it’s coastal-meets-traditional, complete with 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, a 3-stop elevator and a roof deck with amazing ocean views. The client, an art collector, wanted bold color and unique aesthetic choices. In the living room, the built-in shelving is lined in luminescent mother of pearl. The dining area’s custom hand-blown chandelier was made locally and perfectly diffuses light. The client’s former granite-topped dining table didn’t fit the size and shape of the space, so we cut the granite and built a new base and frame around it. The bedrooms are full of organic materials and personal touches, such as the light raffia wall-covering in the master bedroom and the fish-painted end table in a college-aged son’s room—a nod to his love of surfing. Detail is always important, but especially to this client, so we searched for the perfect artisans to create one-of-a kind pieces. Several light fixtures were commissioned by an International glass artist. These include the white, layered glass pendants above the kitchen island, and the stained glass piece in the hallway, which glistens blues and greens through the window overlooking the front entrance of the home. The overall feel of the house is peaceful but not complacent, full of tiny surprises and energizing pops of color.

Inspiration for a large timeless single-wall gray floor dedicated laundry room remodel in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, gray walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and gray countertops

Beach style family room photo in Providence

Example of a transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen design in Salt Lake City with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Beach style kids' room photo in Providence

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW For many, extra time at home during COVID left them wanting more from their homes. Whether you realized the shortcomings of your space or simply wanted to combat boredom, a well-designed and functional home was no longer a want, it became a need. Tina found herself wanting more from her Old Irving Park home and reached out to The Kitchen Studio about adding function to her kitchen to make the most of the available real estate. At the end of the day, there is nothing better than returning home to a bright and happy space you love. And this kitchen wasn’t that for Tina. Dark and dated, with a palette from the past and features that didn’t make the most of the available square footage, this remodel required vision and a fresh approach to the space. Lead designer, Stephanie Cole’s main design goal was better flow, while adding greater functionality with organized storage, accessible open shelving, and an overall sense of cohesion with the adjoining family room. The original kitchen featured a large pizza oven, which was rarely used, yet its footprint limited storage space. The nearby pantry had become a catch-all, lacking the organization needed in the home. The initial plan was to keep the pizza oven, but eventually Tina realized she preferred the design possibilities that came from removing this cumbersome feature, with the goal of adding function throughout the upgraded and elevated space. Eliminating the pantry added square footage and length to the kitchen for greater function and more storage. This redesigned space reflects how she lives and uses her home, as well as her love for entertaining. The kitchen features a classic, clean, and timeless palette. White cabinetry, with brass and bronze finishes, contrasts with rich wood flooring, and lets the large, deep blue island in Woodland’s custom color Harbor – a neutral, yet statement color – draw your eye. The kitchen was the main priority. In addition to updating and elevating this space, Tina wanted to maximize what her home had to offer. From moving the location of the patio door and eliminating a window to removing an existing closet in the mudroom and the cluttered pantry, the kitchen footprint grew. Once the floorplan was set, it was time to bring cohesion to her home, creating connection between the kitchen and surrounding spaces. The color palette carries into the mudroom, where we added beautiful new cabinetry, practical bench seating, and accessible hooks, perfect for guests and everyday living. The nearby bar continues the aesthetic, with stunning Carrara marble subway tile, hints of brass and bronze, and a design that further captures the vibe of the kitchen. Every home has its unique design challenges. But with a fresh perspective and a bit of creativity, there is always a way to give the client exactly what they want [and need]. In this particular kitchen, the existing soffits and high slanted ceilings added a layer of complexity to the lighting layout and upper perimeter cabinets. While a space needs to look good, it also needs to function well. This meant making the most of the height of the room and accounting for the varied ceiling features, while also giving Tina everything she wanted and more. Pendants and task lighting paired with an abundance of natural light amplify the bright aesthetic. The cabinetry layout and design compliments the soffits with subtle profile details that bring everything together. The tile selections add visual interest, drawing the eye to the focal area above the range. Glass-doored cabinets further customize the space and give the illusion of even more height within the room. While her family may be grown and out of the house, Tina was focused on adding function without sacrificing a stunning aesthetic and dreamy finishes that make the kitchen the gathering place of any home. It was time to love her kitchen again, and if you’re wondering what she loves most, it’s the niche with glass door cabinetry and open shelving for display paired with the marble mosaic backsplash over the range and complimenting hood. Each of these features is a stunning point of interest within the kitchen – both brag-worthy additions to a perimeter layout that previously felt limited and lacking. Whether your remodel is the result of special needs in your home or simply the excitement of focusing your energy on creating a fun new aesthetic, we are here for it. We love a good challenge because there is always a way to make a space better – adding function and beauty simultaneously.

Peter McMenamin
Living room - mid-sized traditional formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room idea in Los Angeles with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace