This stunning bespoke built-in media unit features shaker style doors and a break fronted design. The cabinetry mixes a stylish green painted finish with a contrasting rustic oak veneer for a unique nature-inspired look. With tailored shelving and clutter free cupboards the floor to ceiling furniture has added character and makes the perfection feature in our clients’ Surrey home. Timeless shaker style design This made to measure cabinetry has been handmade in solid wood in a shaker style. The understated, yet distinctive design is an enduring centuries-old classic; and the traditional construction is exceptionally strong. The breakfront gives variation to the depth of the media unit, adding interesting and drawing attention to the TV screen. With cabling concealed, nothing distracts from the beauty of this fitted wall to wall unit. Nature-inspired green paired with oak wood The unit has been finished in an eco-friendly, designer paint by Lick in a natural earthy tone of olive green, which is very much on trend. The dusky green with golden undertones makes the room feel restorative and uplifting. The cabinet backs and shelves are crafted from real oak veneer, protected with a dark stain in a satin finish to enhance the natural beauty and character of the wood. The oak veneer was chosen to match the room’s wooden floor and other furniture. Shelving to showcase art and books The open shelving has integrated LED lighting which casts a soft glow over the oak backs, adding ambience and dimension to the furniture. The combination of display shelving and closed lower cupboards achieves an attractive sense of order with only the best items on show and gadgets and other items hidden away. A bespoke carpentry and joinery service from start to finish Bespoke by Acorn took care of every stage of this project, from working with our clients on the original concept right through to the installation. This made the whole process an easy, stress-free, and enjoyable experience for them.

This stunning bespoke built-in media unit features shaker style doors and a break fronted design. The cabinetry mixes a stylish green painted finish with a contrasting rustic oak veneer for a unique nature-inspired look. With tailored shelving and clutter free cupboards the floor to ceiling furniture has added character and makes the perfection feature in our clients’ Surrey home. Timeless shaker style design This made to measure cabinetry has been handmade in solid wood in a shaker style. The understated, yet distinctive design is an enduring centuries-old classic; and the traditional construction is exceptionally strong. The breakfront gives variation to the depth of the media unit, adding interesting and drawing attention to the TV screen. With cabling concealed, nothing distracts from the beauty of this fitted wall to wall unit. Nature-inspired green paired with oak wood The unit has been finished in an eco-friendly, designer paint by Lick in a natural earthy tone of olive green, which is very much on trend. The dusky green with golden undertones makes the room feel restorative and uplifting. The cabinet backs and shelves are crafted from real oak veneer, protected with a dark stain in a satin finish to enhance the natural beauty and character of the wood. The oak veneer was chosen to match the room’s wooden floor and other furniture. Shelving to showcase art and books The open shelving has integrated LED lighting which casts a soft glow over the oak backs, adding ambience and dimension to the furniture. The combination of display shelving and closed lower cupboards achieves an attractive sense of order with only the best items on show and gadgets and other items hidden away. A bespoke carpentry and joinery service from start to finish Bespoke by Acorn took care of every stage of this project, from working with our clients on the original concept right through to the installation. This made the whole process an easy, stress-free, and enjoyable experience for them.

Updated Laundry & Pantry room. This customer needed extra storage for her laundry room as well as pantry storage as it is just off of the kitchen. Storage for small appliances was a priority as well as a design to maximize the space without cluttering the room. A new sink cabinet, upper cabinets, and a broom pantry were added on one wall. A small bench was added to set laundry bins while folding or loading the washing machines. This allows for easier access and less bending down to the floor for a couple in their retirement years. Tall pantry units with rollout shelves were installed. Another base cabinet with drawers and an upper cabinet for crafting items as included. Better storage inside the closet was added with rollouts for better access for the lower items. The space is much better utilized and offers more storage and better organization.

This stunning bespoke built-in media unit features shaker style doors and a break fronted design. The cabinetry mixes a stylish green painted finish with a contrasting rustic oak veneer for a unique nature-inspired look. With tailored shelving and clutter free cupboards the floor to ceiling furniture has added character and makes the perfection feature in our clients’ Surrey home. Timeless shaker style design This made to measure cabinetry has been handmade in solid wood in a shaker style. The understated, yet distinctive design is an enduring centuries-old classic; and the traditional construction is exceptionally strong. The breakfront gives variation to the depth of the media unit, adding interesting and drawing attention to the TV screen. With cabling concealed, nothing distracts from the beauty of this fitted wall to wall unit. Nature-inspired green paired with oak wood The unit has been finished in an eco-friendly, designer paint by Lick in a natural earthy tone of olive green, which is very much on trend. The dusky green with golden undertones makes the room feel restorative and uplifting. The cabinet backs and shelves are crafted from real oak veneer, protected with a dark stain in a satin finish to enhance the natural beauty and character of the wood. The oak veneer was chosen to match the room’s wooden floor and other furniture. Shelving to showcase art and books The open shelving has integrated LED lighting which casts a soft glow over the oak backs, adding ambience and dimension to the furniture. The combination of display shelving and closed lower cupboards achieves an attractive sense of order with only the best items on show and gadgets and other items hidden away. A bespoke carpentry and joinery service from start to finish Bespoke by Acorn took care of every stage of this project, from working with our clients on the original concept right through to the installation. This made the whole process an easy, stress-free, and enjoyable experience for them.

Updated Laundry & Pantry room. This customer needed extra storage for her laundry room as well as pantry storage as it is just off of the kitchen. Storage for small appliances was a priority as well as a design to maximize the space without cluttering the room. A new sink cabinet, upper cabinets, and a broom pantry were added on one wall. A small bench was added to set laundry bins while folding or loading the washing machines. This allows for easier access and less bending down to the floor for a couple in their retirement years. Tall pantry units with rollout shelves were installed. Another base cabinet with drawers and an upper cabinet for crafting items as included. Better storage inside the closet was added with rollouts for better access for the lower items. The space is much better utilized and offers more storage and better organization.

Jodi G conceptualized a bright, airy kitchen in which natural wood is stylistically juxtaposed with black accents. Oak floors and beams set the tone for a light California-style design that the client dreamed of. Updated white cabinetry equipped with black hardware was added along with a quartz island, fresh countertops, sleek faucets, and handmade pendants. Woven blinds and a warm tile backsplash seamlessly complement the inviting oak details. A beautiful coffee bar was added in to keep the coffee-loving clients happy. The original dining table, chairs, and bar stools were refinished to match the new and improved kitchen. The entry bathroom was gutted and revitalized with a tribal pattern wallpaper and vintage wood mirror, for an updated look. The office was designed to be a sophisticated and organized space where the client could hold comfortable in-person meetings. Custom cabinets with gold hardware and pullout drawers were installed to keep the space devoid of clutter. Local art and all new furniture were introduced to revive the space, including a custom-designed desk by Jodi G and local master carpenter, Blaine Taylor, that features hand-carved edging—a one-of-a-kind touch. The master suite was redesigned to allow for a bright, zen-like space. The client embraced the ideas of adding unique wall treatments, patterned tile, and organic materials throughout the suite for a dynamic play of patterns and textures. The master bath was gutted to the studs and reconfigured for a more functional and open space, equipped with additional closet space. Coated in marble, the timeless bathroom features a luxe soaking tub, an expansive walk-in shower, a custom oak vanity, and alabaster lighting for an irresistible glow. Crisp interiors are infused with a calming presence provided by the natural materials, textures, and warmth of the Santa Barbara sun. This tranquil home effortlessly captures the essence of California cool.

Robin Stancliff photo credits. My goal for this project was to create a modern, minimalist kitchen that isn’t cold or industrial. The original kitchen was very dark and enclosed, so the first step to enhancing this kitchen was to open it up and create a sense of light and space in the room. By raising the soffit, removing the built-in cabinets, and changing the position of the ovens, microwave, and refrigerator, I was able to create a better layout that maximizes every inch of the kitchen as useful space. I removed the divider wall, tripling the size of the opening from the dining room to the kitchen, and I added natural clear Alder cabinets. My client envisioned a kitchen with two-toned cabinets, so I paired the locally crafted Alder with grey upper cabinets and grey Shaker style cabinets on the island to make it stand out more. I also added wood-look LVT for a stylish yet highly durable kitchen floor. The countertops are Della Terra quartz with a matte finish for a more natural feeling texture that cuts down on glare, and I paired the counters with a grey porcelain subway tile backsplash for easy-cleaning. A unique feature of this kitchen is that the outlets are barely visible, as I hid them underneath the cabinets. I added under-cabinet lighting, and converted the kitchen lights to LED, aside from the Edison lightbulbs in the hanging pendants. The biggest challenge for this project was devising a way to heat and cool the kitchen while working with minimal structural elements. However, by moving the HVAC above the refrigerator the kitchen now has more cooling than it did previously, while having a more modern aesthetic. With natural lighting and abundant storage options, this kitchen is now bright, clean, and de-cluttered.

Updated Laundry & Pantry room. This customer needed extra storage for her laundry room as well as pantry storage as it is just off of the kitchen. Storage for small appliances was a priority as well as a design to maximize the space without cluttering the room. A new sink cabinet, upper cabinets, and a broom pantry were added on one wall. A small bench was added to set laundry bins while folding or loading the washing machines. This allows for easier access and less bending down to the floor for a couple in their retirement years. Tall pantry units with rollout shelves were installed. Another base cabinet with drawers and an upper cabinet for crafting items as included. Better storage inside the closet was added with rollouts for better access for the lower items. The space is much better utilized and offers more storage and better organization.

A little pop of detail can go along way. This baseboard is a great representation of a moulding adding in beautiful detail to the otherwise plain space. Baseboard: 355MUL

This project happens to be in my home. We had a fireplace that didn’t work, and the cabinet was very open, which collected clutter. My boys wanted the new cabinet to accommodate a TV on top. (Previously it was housed in a large cutout area on floor level-a throw back to the 1990’s). We had some parameters to work with, such as an existing window (behind the tv), which did not allow for me to build upward with the fireplace finish. We needed to work with existing flooring footprint and hearth area, as we didn’t want to change out all the flooring. We also wanted to tie this into the kitchen, which was remodeled eight years earlier. I opted for having the cabinet built around the fireplace, and mixed it up a bit with drawers on one side, and cabinets on the other. I also added a black metal grating to the doors for interest, and texture, and to break up the black. We added a black textured granite to tie into the kitchen. Believe it or not, this design took me about two years to come up with. We re-tiled the hearth, added new couches, and the family agrees, it met our needs and wants. We practically live in this room! We decided to also do our small powder room adjacent to the family room. We wrapped the porcelain tile on the wall (same tile as the hearth) and the same custom cabinet and quartz in black to achieve continuity. Photo credit: Jeff Krewson

Robin Stancliff photo credits. My goal for this project was to create a modern, minimalist kitchen that isn’t cold or industrial. The original kitchen was very dark and enclosed, so the first step to enhancing this kitchen was to open it up and create a sense of light and space in the room. By raising the soffit, removing the built-in cabinets, and changing the position of the ovens, microwave, and refrigerator, I was able to create a better layout that maximizes every inch of the kitchen as useful space. I removed the divider wall, tripling the size of the opening from the dining room to the kitchen, and I added natural clear Alder cabinets. My client envisioned a kitchen with two-toned cabinets, so I paired the locally crafted Alder with grey upper cabinets and grey Shaker style cabinets on the island to make it stand out more. I also added wood-look LVT for a stylish yet highly durable kitchen floor. The countertops are Della Terra quartz with a matte finish for a more natural feeling texture that cuts down on glare, and I paired the counters with a grey porcelain subway tile backsplash for easy-cleaning. A unique feature of this kitchen is that the outlets are barely visible, as I hid them underneath the cabinets. I added under-cabinet lighting, and converted the kitchen lights to LED, aside from the Edison lightbulbs in the hanging pendants. The biggest challenge for this project was devising a way to heat and cool the kitchen while working with minimal structural elements. However, by moving the HVAC above the refrigerator the kitchen now has more cooling than it did previously, while having a more modern aesthetic. With natural lighting and abundant storage options, this kitchen is now bright, clean, and de-cluttered.

Updated Laundry & Pantry room. This customer needed extra storage for her laundry room as well as pantry storage as it is just off of the kitchen. Storage for small appliances was a priority as well as a design to maximize the space without cluttering the room. A new sink cabinet, upper cabinets, and a broom pantry were added on one wall. A small bench was added to set laundry bins while folding or loading the washing machines. This allows for easier access and less bending down to the floor for a couple in their retirement years. Tall pantry units with rollout shelves were installed. Another base cabinet with drawers and an upper cabinet for crafting items as included. Better storage inside the closet was added with rollouts for better access for the lower items. The space is much better utilized and offers more storage and better organization.

Updated Laundry & Pantry room. This customer needed extra storage for her laundry room as well as pantry storage as it is just off of the kitchen. Storage for small appliances was a priority as well as a design to maximize the space without cluttering the room. A new sink cabinet, upper cabinets, and a broom pantry were added on one wall. A small bench was added to set laundry bins while folding or loading the washing machines. This allows for easier access and less bending down to the floor for a couple in their retirement years. Tall pantry units with rollout shelves were installed. Another base cabinet with drawers and an upper cabinet for crafting items as included. Better storage inside the closet was added with rollouts for better access for the lower items. The space is much better utilized and offers more storage and better organization.

Robin Stancliff photo credits. My goal for this project was to create a modern, minimalist kitchen that isn’t cold or industrial. The original kitchen was very dark and enclosed, so the first step to enhancing this kitchen was to open it up and create a sense of light and space in the room. By raising the soffit, removing the built-in cabinets, and changing the position of the ovens, microwave, and refrigerator, I was able to create a better layout that maximizes every inch of the kitchen as useful space. I removed the divider wall, tripling the size of the opening from the dining room to the kitchen, and I added natural clear Alder cabinets. My client envisioned a kitchen with two-toned cabinets, so I paired the locally crafted Alder with grey upper cabinets and grey Shaker style cabinets on the island to make it stand out more. I also added wood-look LVT for a stylish yet highly durable kitchen floor. The countertops are Della Terra quartz with a matte finish for a more natural feeling texture that cuts down on glare, and I paired the counters with a grey porcelain subway tile backsplash for easy-cleaning. A unique feature of this kitchen is that the outlets are barely visible, as I hid them underneath the cabinets. I added under-cabinet lighting, and converted the kitchen lights to LED, aside from the Edison lightbulbs in the hanging pendants. The biggest challenge for this project was devising a way to heat and cool the kitchen while working with minimal structural elements. However, by moving the HVAC above the refrigerator the kitchen now has more cooling than it did previously, while having a more modern aesthetic. With natural lighting and abundant storage options, this kitchen is now bright, clean, and de-cluttered.

Updated Laundry & Pantry room. This customer needed extra storage for her laundry room as well as pantry storage as it is just off of the kitchen. Storage for small appliances was a priority as well as a design to maximize the space without cluttering the room. A new sink cabinet, upper cabinets, and a broom pantry were added on one wall. A small bench was added to set laundry bins while folding or loading the washing machines. This allows for easier access and less bending down to the floor for a couple in their retirement years. Tall pantry units with rollout shelves were installed. Another base cabinet with drawers and an upper cabinet for crafting items as included. Better storage inside the closet was added with rollouts for better access for the lower items. The space is much better utilized and offers more storage and better organization.

TEXTURAL VIBES Time Frame: 2 Months // Design Fee: $1,875 Evan and his wife Karen were looking for professional help in designing/decorating their master bedroom in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. I was not referred to them, but they were impressed by my website, reviews and pictures of past projects. I’m always excited to work with new clients who were drawn to me by my style of past projects and online presence. When I first met with them, I immediately felt comfortable and knew this was going to be a great project. They were very open to suggestions and requested only a few things – TEXTURE, a seating area for TV viewing/gaming, a clean design without clutter and an overall well-put-together feeling. They told me not to hold back on my design vision, so we just went for it! I had a custom ceiling height headboard constructed in a velvet for drama. We splurged on luxurious bedding with tons of layers and texture. On that same wall I had shimmery, grey grass cloth installed for added texture. Custom, black out, silk Roman shades, layered with pleated sheers were hung. Grey-washed hardwood flooring was installed. I had a custom grey built-in installed in the niche to serve as a dresser and TV storage. Recessed lighting, reading lights and crystal pendants were added. A soft grey was painted on the walls with a contrasting darker slate on the ceiling. An over-sized wall mirror, wool rugs, metal-wrapped furniture, a custom sofa and ottoman with nailhead trim and professional photos of the couple framed in silver with linen mats tied everything together.

Custom walnut vanity sits next to a wall of white Thassos marble and a double shower. John Wilbanks Photography
Inspiration for a craftsman master alcove shower remodel in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets and medium tone wood cabinets

Example of a trendy home design design in Minneapolis

THE SETUP Sam’s client had lived in her downtown townhome home for less than a year when she decided to remodel the spacious second level. This open area consisted of three sections: a TV and fireplace zone, a sparsely furnished dining area, and a dominant central kitchen. The kitchen featured a long back wall with three segmented sections and a massive island housing the cooktop. She found the kitchen’s functionality lacking and its presence overwhelming – it dominated the entire floor, regardless of where you stood. Design objectives: - Reconfigure key kitchen elements (sink, cooktop, oven) while minimizing the kitchen’s visual impact - Optimize the kitchen’s back wall, eliminating existing dead space - Create a purposeful, well-defined dining area - Establish a distinct, comfortable living area - Reuse existing appliances and flooring - Maintain an overall modern design aesthetic THE REMODEL Design challenges to be solved: - Redesign the island to reduce its overwhelming presence - Create a comfortable, dedicated living room within the available space - Establish a distinct, inviting dining area within spatial constraints - Enhance kitchen functionality and style without dominating the entire floor THE RENEWED SPACE Design solutions: - Sam created raised end caps for the island. This separated the kitchen from adjacent living and dining areas while focusing the kitchen’s functionality. The new sink location offers ample workspace, allowing the cook to interact with guests seated at the island. The redesigned island also provides additional storage. - For the living area, Sam opted for a functional-yet-minimalist approach. Large-format tile creates a natural stone look for the fireplace and TV wall. The recessed TV and extended fireplace shelf maintain a sleek profile. - Artistic wallpaper adds depth and texture, while the intentional lack of extensive shelving keeps the space open and distinct. - Sam transformed the dining area’s blank wall into a feature, adding a unique dry bar with counter space, open shelves, cabinet storage and a beverage fridge. - - - Wallpaper behind and above the bar contributes to the area’s personality. A mirror adds depth while pendant lights add style and visual interest. Relocating the cooktop to the back wall facilitates hidden ventilation, reducing visual clutter. Sam balanced transitional and modern elements for a contemporary yet comfortable feel. The digital control panel on the convection cooktop maintains a sleek look, while the wall oven is now at an easy-to-use height. ----- Mirrored base cabinet fronts and a paneled fridge prevent cabinetry monotony. The redesign has delighted Sam’s client, achieving her main goal of creating a more inviting and visually appealing space. Each section now has its own visual personality and functionality while harmonizing within a monochromatic palette. The entire floor offers wow-factor pop upon first glance, with each area maintaining its distinct character while contributing to a cohesive, modern aesthetic.