From Plain to Fabulous A great thing about building a new home is that you are starting fresh. Being a Florida decorator, many of our clients are moving from the Northern or Mid-West states. We advise them to leave their often dark, large pieces of traditional furniture behind and just bring pieces that have value to them whether sentimental or monetary. This dining room was a pleasure because it was a clean slate with large windows letting in the morning sun. The floors are hand-scraped engineered wood in Brazilian walnut which give the entire home a warm feel to counteract the stark white walls. The home owners have a large art collection and specifically chose the white paint so that the paintings can be seen at their best and moved around the home easily. The owners host many dinner parties throughout the year and wanted a table that was virtually indestructible, and that visitors didn’t have to be careful with. This long Mango wood trestle table comfortably seats between eight and ten and has an antique grey, distressed look that is similar to driftwood. We alternated turquoise and light blue dining chairs for some contrast. An outstanding centerpiece for the room is a dazzling grey chandelier with an outstanding display of brilliant graphite crystals. Hundreds of faceted crystals are suspended from ten fluted glass arms. Wall sconces in chrome with grey linen shades were added and all the lighting is on dimmers for a choice of bright or mood lighting depending on the required ambience. To control the harsh Florida sunlight that can leech color out of furnishings within weeks, we installed light grey Silhouette window shades which keep approximately 97% of harmful UV rays out but still let in light even when fully closed. Traversing draperies were installed floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall providing a spectacular color wall of cream, green, purple and turquoise. The hardware is hidden behind the crown moulding for a clean, modern look. The best part of this design story lies in the large-scale artwork. The home owner had been given the painting years ago when she lived in Philadelphia but the colors didn’t suit her Northern palette. The painting was hidden in the attic but during the move was crated and sent to Florida. After not seeing it for sixteen years she had forgotten what it looked like and when she saw the crate about to be off-loaded asked the removal crew to take it away. At the last minute she decided to look in the crate and was surprised and delighted to find the perfect artwork for her dining room! Lastly, hand-torn wallpaper was installed in a custom color in the tray ceiling. As this room is used for dinner parties, games and even casual dining we decided not to install a rug for ease of use and movement around the table. Photographer: Rolando Diaz

Transitional eat-in kitchen photo in Seattle with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, stone slab backsplash and stainless steel appliances

This classic farmhouse kitchen is a perfect expression of timeless design, blending warm, natural elements with a refined modern farmhouse interior. Custom wood cabinets anchor the space with rich texture and craftsmanship, while exposed wood beams overhead add architectural character and an inviting sense of authenticity. Light countertops brighten the kitchen, creating a soft contrast against the cabinetry and enhancing the open, airy feel. At the center, a green kitchen island serves as both a functional prep space and a striking focal point, bringing depth and personality to the room.

Dan Patterson
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized contemporary l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Cincinnati with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Instead of a typical glass front, the upper cabinet doors were designed with metal inserts to accommodate the client’s treasured magnet collection. This innovative solution satisfied the client’s dual desires for displaying her collection and having a cleaner, less cluttered kitchen.

The warm wood and textured walls make this spec home remodel feel so much more comfortable and inviting. And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the client's magnet collection!

Photo by: Leonid Furmansky
Kitchen - small transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and orange floor kitchen idea in Austin with an undermount sink, soapstone countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, shaker cabinets and blue cabinets

The warm wood and textured walls make this spec home remodel feel so much more comfortable and inviting. And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the client's magnet collection!

Family room library - eclectic family room library idea in Boston

Thoughtful design and details create multiple functional spaces that add purpose to a small room • Adriatic Mist finish creates a neutral, textural backdrop. • Modern miter door fronts add a polished look that is both elegant and contemporary • Brushed nickel hardware refines the design • Puck lighting illuminates work spaces and highlights display items • Glass shelves showcase collectibles and tools • Wrapping paper rails provide easy access and an orderly display • Fusion Track Wall System with accessory hooks offer storage for supplies • A magnetic marker board allows easy access to notes • An aluminum door frame with etched linear glass adds design interest

Photography: Julie Soefer
Example of a transitional living room library design in Houston with purple walls

The warm wood and textured walls make this spec home remodel feel so much more comfortable and inviting. And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the client's magnet collection!

Photo Credit: Unknown

The warm wood and textured walls make this spec home remodel feel so much more comfortable and inviting. And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the client's magnet collection!

Transitional galley light wood floor and beige floor kitchen pantry photo with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash and white countertops

Calista Chandler Photography
Mid-sized eclectic concrete floor enclosed dining room photo in San Francisco with no fireplace

Our Urbio® Magnetic Modular System puts an entire wall of office supplies at your fingertips. Magnetic bins in a variety of sizes hold everything you need and can be removed from the back plates for easy access. Our Mesh Desktop Collection completes the picture.

A stunning white and bright kitchen by ARTium Design Build Inc. Featuring white shaker cabinets, maple hardwood plank flooring, granite and butcher block counters, reclaimed wood beams and skylights