This long space needed flexibility above all else. As frequent hosts to their extended family, we made sure there was plenty of seating to go around, but also met their day-to-day needs with intimate groupings. Much like the kitchen, the family room strikes a balance between the warm brick tones of the fireplace and the handsome green wall finish. Not wanting to miss an opportunity for spunk, we introduced an intricate geometric pattern onto the accent wall giving us a perfect backdrop for the clean lines of the mid-century inspired furniture pieces.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Our kitchen is in the perfect harmony of blue and white.
Kitchen - farmhouse kitchen idea in DC Metro

Inspiration for a mid-sized rustic backyard concrete paver patio remodel in Richmond with a fire pit and no cover

Lisa Carroll
Entryway - large cottage entryway idea in Atlanta with white walls and a dark wood front door

Tucked neatly into an existing bay of the barn, the open kitchen is a comfortable hub of the home. Rather than create a solid division between the kitchen and the children's TV area, Franklin finished only the lower portion of the post-and-beam supports. The ladder is one of the original features of the barn that Franklin could not imagine ever removing. Cleverly integrated into the support post, its original function allowed workers to climb above large haystacks and pick and toss hay down a chute to the feeding area below. Franklin's children, 10 and 14, also enjoy this aspect of their home. "The kids and their friends run, slide, climb up the ladder and have a ton of fun," he explains, "It’s a barn! It is a place to share with friends and family." Adrienne DeRosa Photography

This is an example of a mid-sized southwestern drought-tolerant, partial sun and desert side yard brick landscaping in Phoenix.

Jenn Baker
Large urban multicolored two-story mixed siding exterior home photo in Dallas

Deer resistant plantings. This selection of perennials and shrubs are bearing up well under the pressure from a large herd of deer that frequently hang out in this open area. The perennials are astilbe, carex, evergreen autumn fern, hellebore, and variegated solomon's seal. Shrubs include abelia, itea, laurel, mugho pine and oak leaf hydrangea. Note that in different locations, some of these plants will be grazed by deer. Photo by Barbara Katz

Example of a transitional gray floor and wainscoting single front door design in Milwaukee with beige walls and a dark wood front door

The clients approached us to design them a more modern and organic refuge for their second home on the Texas Coast. They did not want the traditional coastal look but rather a clean look that would accentuate the amazing outdoor view. They frequently entertain and wanted a gathering space as well as functional comfortable bedrooms for their quests. The main areas were gutted and the transformation was everything they hoped for......

This long space needed flexibility above all else. As frequent hosts to their extended family, we made sure there was plenty of seating to go around, but also met their day-to-day needs with intimate groupings. Much like the kitchen, the family room strikes a balance between the warm brick tones of the fireplace and the handsome green wall finish. Not wanting to miss an opportunity for spunk, we introduced an intricate geometric pattern onto the accent wall giving us a perfect backdrop for the clean lines of the mid-century inspired furniture pieces.

We created a welcoming and functional home in Tribeca for our client and their 4 children. Our goal for this home was to design and style the apartment to 1/ Maintaining the original elements, 2/ Integrate the style of a downtown loft and 3/ Ensure it functioned like a suburban home. All of their existing and new furniture, fixtures and furnishings were thoughtfully thought out. We worked closely with the family to create a cohesive mixture of high end and custom furnishings coupled with retail finds. Many art pieces were curated to create an interesting and cheerful gallery. It was essential to find the balance of casual elements and elegant features to design a space where our clients could enjoy everyday life and frequent entertaining of extended family and friends.

We created a welcoming and functional home in Tribeca for our client and their 4 children. Our goal for this home was to design and style the apartment to 1/ Maintaining the original elements, 2/ Integrate the style of a downtown loft and 3/ Ensure it functioned like a suburban home. All of their existing and new furniture, fixtures and furnishings were thoughtfully thought out. We worked closely with the family to create a cohesive mixture of high end and custom furnishings coupled with retail finds. Many art pieces were curated to create an interesting and cheerful gallery. It was essential to find the balance of casual elements and elegant features to design a space where our clients could enjoy everyday life and frequent entertaining of extended family and friends.

We created a welcoming and functional home in Tribeca for our client and their 4 children. Our goal for this home was to design and style the apartment to 1/ Maintaining the original elements, 2/ Integrate the style of a downtown loft and 3/ Ensure it functioned like a suburban home. All of their existing and new furniture, fixtures and furnishings were thoughtfully thought out. We worked closely with the family to create a cohesive mixture of high end and custom furnishings coupled with retail finds. Many art pieces were curated to create an interesting and cheerful gallery. It was essential to find the balance of casual elements and elegant features to design a space where our clients could enjoy everyday life and frequent entertaining of extended family and friends.

Example of a transitional kitchen pantry design in Chicago with gray cabinets

We created a welcoming and functional home in Tribeca for our client and their 4 children. Our goal for this home was to design and style the apartment to 1/ Maintaining the original elements, 2/ Integrate the style of a downtown loft and 3/ Ensure it functioned like a suburban home. All of their existing and new furniture, fixtures and furnishings were thoughtfully thought out. We worked closely with the family to create a cohesive mixture of high end and custom furnishings coupled with retail finds. Many art pieces were curated to create an interesting and cheerful gallery. It was essential to find the balance of casual elements and elegant features to design a space where our clients could enjoy everyday life and frequent entertaining of extended family and friends.

Photo: Caroline Sharpnack © 2019 Houzz
Eat-in kitchen - eclectic l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Nashville with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Photo: Sarah Dowlin © 2019 Houzz
Kitchen - eclectic kitchen idea in Cincinnati