Freestanding vanity, vessel sink, chrome faucets, Cultured marble top,
Large elegant powder room photo in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, gray walls and a vessel sink

THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.

Hello powder room! Photos by: Rod Foster
Inspiration for a small coastal beige tile, mosaic tile and gray tile light wood floor and beige floor powder room remodel in Orange County with a vessel sink, travertine countertops and gray walls

Modern Vintage, LLC (photos by Chris Foster). ~Removed structural wall between kitchen and living room. ~New: kitchen cabinets, floors, appliances, countertops, trim, shiplap ceiling detail, paint/stain, electrical, HVAC, plumbing

Peter Dressel Photography
Inspiration for a small contemporary white tile and ceramic tile concrete floor bathroom remodel in New York with a vessel sink and white walls

Transitional gray tile and porcelain tile ceramic tile and brown floor drop-in bathtub photo in Denver with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, a vessel sink, beige walls and white countertops

Modern Vintage, LLC (photos by Chris Foster). ~Removed structural wall between kitchen and living room. ~New: kitchen cabinets, floors, appliances, countertops, trim, shiplap ceiling detail, paint/stain, electrical, HVAC, plumbing

Mirador Builders
Mid-sized cottage u-shaped brick floor open concept kitchen photo in Houston with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, zinc countertops, beige backsplash, custom tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, beige walls and an island

Photo Credit: Michael J Lee
Example of a mid-sized beach style 3/4 black floor and porcelain tile bathroom design in Boston with white walls, a vessel sink, wood countertops, open cabinets and brown countertops

Freestanding bathtub - large transitional master white tile and marble tile beige floor and double-sink freestanding bathtub idea in New York with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, a bidet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Example of a transitional master beige tile multicolored floor freestanding bathtub design in San Francisco

Small stone tile bathroom photo in Chicago with a wall-mount sink

Tony Colangelo Photography. Paul Hofmann Construction Ltd.
Inspiration for an industrial porcelain tile and gray floor bathroom remodel in Vancouver with concrete countertops, white walls, a console sink and gray countertops

Space below the sink is utilized efficiently with extensive roll-outs, shaped to accommodate plumbing and garbage disposal.

Anthony May Photography
Living room - large contemporary loft-style living room idea in Chicago with engineered wood floors and white walls

With the vision for a timeless and luxurious master retreat, the Innovation House design team selected a neutral color palate and white marble floors, countertops, and backsplash for the master bathroom. The inlaid mosaic rug of basket-weaved Carrera marble, centered in front of the oversized soaking tub, adds interest to the floor and helps define the large space. In keeping with the home's sophisticated style, the polished nickel sconces add a masculine counter balance to the elegant and feminine chandelier. An expanse of built-in cabinetry provides abundant storage space for linens and toiletries and visual character with the recessed towers and integrated molding. The polished nickel plumbing fixtures are simple yet striking. The shower is a spa-like oasis with an abundance of shower sprays, chromo therapy lighting, steam, and music options. The master bathroom also provides full functionality with a dressing area and laundry within reach. Sources: Wall paint by Certa Pro Painters, plumbing fixtures (shower faucets and drain, sink faucets and drains, toilet, sinks), robe hooks and paper dispenser by Kohler; cabinetry by Crystal; chandelier and scones by Circa Lighting; artwork by Art Classics, LTD; accessories by Arteriors. Photo Credit: GreinTime Productions

Robyn Wishna Photography
Small trendy multicolored tile bathroom photo in New York with a vessel sink, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops and gray walls

Example of a small trendy multicolored tile bathroom design in New York with dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops and gray walls

Robyn Wishna Photography
Example of a small trendy multicolored tile bathroom design in New York with a vessel sink, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops and gray walls