THE SETUP Located in a luxury high rise in Chicago’s Gold Coast Neighborhood, the condo’s existing primary bath was “fine,” but a bit underwhelming. It was a sea of beige, with very little personality or drama. The client is very well traveled, and wanted the space to feel luxe and glamorous, like a bath in a fine European hotel. Design objectives: - Add loads of beautiful high end finishes - Create drama and contrast - Create luxe showering and bathing experiences - Improve storage for toiletries and essentials THE REMODEL Design challenges: - Unable to reconfigure layout due to location in the high rise - Seek out unique, dramatic tile materials - Introduce “BLING” - Find glamorous lighting Design solutions: - Keep existing layout, with change from built in to free-standing tub - Gorgeous Calacatta gold marble was our inspiration - Ornate Art deco marble mosaic to be the focal point, with satin gold accents to create shimmer - Glass and crystal light fixtures add the needed sparkle THE RENEWED SPACE After the remodel began, our client’s vision for her bath took a turn that was inspired by a trip to Paris. Initially, the plan was a modest design to allocate resources for her kitchen’s marble slabs… but then she had a vision while admiring the marble bathroom of her Parisian hotel. She was determined to infuse her bathroom with the same sense of luxury. They went back to the drawing board and started over with all-marble. Her new stunning bath space radiates glamour and sophistication. The “bling” flows to her bedroom where we matched the gorgeous custom wall treatment that mimics grasscloth on an accent wall. With its marble landscape, shimmering tile and walls, the primary bath’s ambiance creates a swanky hotel feel that our client adores and considers her sanctuary.

Designed by Lauren Hunt of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Charlotte, NC this transitional style white and grey kitchen design features Green Forest Cabinetry in the Sierra door style in 2 finishes. The perimeter kitchen cabinets features a White finish and the kitchen island cabinets feature a Summit Grey finish. Kitchen countertops are marble in the color Fantasy Brown. Kitchen appliances are KitchenAid and Whirlpool. Kitchen tile backsplash is Soho Studio Alchimia White 3' x 12". For the customer, "working with Lauren and everyone involved was a pleasure. She was always quick to respond and address any issue I had. It was a relief turning the project over with complete faith in her." Photos courtesy of Six Cents Media LLC.

bianco gioia marble with metro taupe flooring
Example of a large classic master gray tile, white tile and marble tile porcelain tile and beige floor alcove shower design in Dallas with beige cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops, a hinged shower door and recessed-panel cabinets

Stacy Zurin Goldberg
Inspiration for a large transitional galley dark wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in DC Metro with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, black appliances and an island

Example of a transitional l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design in DC Metro with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and gray countertops

Kitchen - cottage l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen idea in Baltimore with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, gray countertops and soapstone countertops

  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

This beautiful kitchen is the perfect take on a modern farmhouse. It's open and spacious with so many thoughtful details. The top of the island is fabricated with Fantasy Brown Marble. One of the focal points of this kitchen is the stunning backsplash made up of 4x12 metallic glass tiles. The beautiful flooring is an engineered 7' plank brushed white oak that was stained.

Robert Reck
Trendy open concept kitchen photo in Albuquerque with flat-panel cabinets, marble countertops, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, white backsplash and an island

Jack Bates Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary master gray tile and white tile marble floor bathroom remodel in Miami with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops

A bold pattern brings excitement to this chic bedroom by acclaimed designer Robert Brown.
Example of a transitional carpeted bedroom design in Atlanta with beige walls and no fireplace

Janine Dowling Design, Inc. www.janinedowling.com Michael J. Lee Photography Bathroom Design by Jodi L. Swartz
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless master white tile and stone tile marble floor bathroom remodel in Boston with gray walls, a one-piece toilet, an undermount sink and a niche

This dreamy master bath remodel in East Cobb offers generous space without going overboard in square footage. The homeowner chose to go with a large double vanity with a custom seated space as well as a nice shower with custom features and decided to forgo the typical big soaking tub. The vanity area shown in the photos has plenty of storage within the wall cabinets and the large drawers below. The countertop is Cedar Brown slab marble with undermount sinks. The brushed nickel metal details were done to work with the theme through out the home. The floor is a 12x24 honed Crema Marfil. The stunning crystal chandelier draws the eye up and adds to the simplistic glamour of the bath. The shower was done with an elegant combination of tumbled and polished Crema Marfil, two rows of Emperador Light inlay and Mirage Glass Tiles, Flower Series, Polished.

Example of a classic alcove shower design in Denver with dark wood cabinets

Michael Partenio
Inspiration for a coastal bathroom remodel in Boston with marble countertops, gray cabinets, shaker cabinets, gray walls and a drop-in sink

Complete bath remodel. Carrera Marble on floors, countertops and walls. Cabinetry in dark brown stain. Bath tub removed to make room for walk-in shower with bench. Stone Creek Furniture

Double sink bathroom with extra storage separating sinks. Lovely granite countertops.
Example of a beach style bathroom design in Atlanta

Fantasy Brown Marble Kitchen. Features a raised bar, island , under mount sinks and a mitered flat edge detail.
Kitchen - medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Other with an undermount sink, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Master bathroom suite in a classic design of white inset cabinetry, tray ceiling finished with crown molding. The free standing Victoria Albert tub set on a marble stage and stunning chandelier. The flooring is marble in a herring bone pattern and walls are subway. Photos by Blackstock Photography