Every inch is dedicated to storage. It was common back in the 1920’s to have cutting boards built-in to the millwork. Preparing food is easier with these installed in numerous locations throughout the kitchen thus keeping countertops clear of added clutter.

When meeting with our homeowners for this kitchen renovation project, they presented us with a large wish list. This busy family of five loves to cook and entertain for their large extended family. They felt their current kitchen was not functioning to its fullest potential. It felt cramped, dark, outdated, and had no flair. They wanted more room for storage, and convenient areas to hold their cookware. They had an unorganized pantry that wasn’t working for them, and a desk area that had become a clutter zone. They showed us examples of a cool toned color palette that they loved and asked us to bring in some farmhouse style elements with a modern aesthetic. We could not wait to transform this room! We began by reimagining the flow of the kitchen. In order to give them more counter space to use for food preparation, we moved the fridge to the wall where the desk was. We eliminated the messy pantry closet, and installed a tall cabinet to house an additional oven and built-in microwave. We added a large pantry cabinet to the right of the refrigerator to give them plenty of organized storage space, allowing easy access to snacks from the family room. On the left side of the fridge, we incorporated a drop zone area where they can leave their keys and mail when coming in from the garage. In the island we included a pull-out trash easily accessible from both the sink and the cooking areas, and added a vegetable sink to create an extended area for food prep. For the perimeter of the kitchen, we moved the range down to allow for a corner lazy susan and drawer bank for pots and pans, and provided them with a deep farmhouse sink to aid in washing larger items. By running the cabinetry up to the ceiling, we were able to provide them with additional storage space. We finished the cabinetry off with a beautiful decorative hood surround and capped the cabinets with a large stacked crown molding. The finishes we chose for the kitchen help modernize the space while keeping the room feeling warm and inviting. We used a soft grey paint on the perimeter cabinets and infused a warm chestnut stain on the island and decorative hood. We incorporated corbel details at both the hood and island to add some depth to the design. We included a very unique focal point to the ceiling above the island; it is a custom trim detail in the shape of an X, with dark paint as an accent. We topped the cabinetry with a luxurious calacatta quartz counter that created movement with large beautiful veining details. Hand-cut high gloss white subway tiles added brightness and sophistication to the space. Touches of silver were brought in with cabinet hardware and gooseneck faucets. We added an abundance of lighting including recessed lights, a farmhouse style silver pendant over the sink, two vintage style pendants at the island with ribbed glass, and a large wood and silver chandelier over the table, giving ample light and making the room feel bright. Adding under cabinet lighting provided our client with much needed task lighting while doing food prep. We finished the room off by using four comfortable upholstered counter stools with distressed white painted legs, adding to the farmhouse feel. New hand scraped oak plank hardwood flooring was added throughout the first floor along with large baseboard trim to tie the rest of the house in with the new kitchen design. Our client now has a large, updated, modernized kitchen to conjure up delicious meals for their family and friends.

Two inconspicuous wall niches deliver convenient storage without adding clutter to the streamlined shower design. Touch-latch doors with matching tile fronts open to reveal stainless-lined cubbies for shower supplies.

This couple loved everything about the Prior Lake home they recently purchased, the size, view, amenities, but not the way the kitchen looked or worked. Who knew a bold color and a keg of Guinness would fix everything. “They had a catch-all desk area in the kitchen that added clutter, not usefulness and a very traditional white glazed cabinetry that didn’t fit their style,” recalls Murphy Bros. design/build consultant Courtney Cartee. “The island was an issue as well. So I designed a new larger “T” shaped island with Vicostone countertops to better utilize a lot of wasted space. This will serve as a more generous gathering point for their family of four,” explains Cartee. Design/Build Consultant — Courtney Cartee Photography — Alyssa Lee

A collection of vases and florals finish the kitchen without adding clutter to workspaces.
Example of a classic home design design in DC Metro

This spa-inspired bathroom renovation transforms a compact footprint into a serene wellness retreat through the thoughtful use of texture, lighting, and material contrast. Large-format porcelain tile wraps the walls and integrated millwork, creating a seamless architectural backdrop that emphasizes simplicity and calm. A rich green textured tile feature wall anchors the bathing area, introducing depth and visual interest while complementing the warm neutral palette. Recessed niches and concealed LED lighting provide both functionality and ambiance, highlighting carefully curated details without adding clutter. Matte black fixtures and a built-in soaking tub reinforce the contemporary aesthetic while maintaining a sense of understated luxury. Designed as a quiet escape within the home, the space balances modern functionality with timeless materials, creating an inviting environment for relaxation, restoration, and everyday living.

This spa-inspired bathroom renovation transforms a compact footprint into a serene wellness retreat through the thoughtful use of texture, lighting, and material contrast. Large-format porcelain tile wraps the walls and integrated millwork, creating a seamless architectural backdrop that emphasizes simplicity and calm. A rich green textured tile feature wall anchors the bathing area, introducing depth and visual interest while complementing the warm neutral palette. Recessed niches and concealed LED lighting provide both functionality and ambiance, highlighting carefully curated details without adding clutter. Matte black fixtures and a built-in soaking tub reinforce the contemporary aesthetic while maintaining a sense of understated luxury. Designed as a quiet escape within the home, the space balances modern functionality with timeless materials, creating an inviting environment for relaxation, restoration, and everyday living.

This spa-inspired bathroom renovation transforms a compact footprint into a serene wellness retreat through the thoughtful use of texture, lighting, and material contrast. Large-format porcelain tile wraps the walls and integrated millwork, creating a seamless architectural backdrop that emphasizes simplicity and calm. A rich green textured tile feature wall anchors the bathing area, introducing depth and visual interest while complementing the warm neutral palette. Recessed niches and concealed LED lighting provide both functionality and ambiance, highlighting carefully curated details without adding clutter. Matte black fixtures and a built-in soaking tub reinforce the contemporary aesthetic while maintaining a sense of understated luxury. Designed as a quiet escape within the home, the space balances modern functionality with timeless materials, creating an inviting environment for relaxation, restoration, and everyday living.

The Linear armoire offers all the beauty and function of large-scale storage within a unique, efficient design. You can detach the top cabinet from the bottom, making it easy to move or fit anywhere in your home. Each side of the armoire features two adjustable shelves and a removable hanging bar for storage personalization. Linear's combination of natural wood and steel, functionality and timeless design has made it a cornerstone of the Room & Board collection. Its refined, yet durable design, features details like dovetail joinery and handcrafted hardware, all indicative of expert technique.

When meeting with our homeowners for this kitchen renovation project, they presented us with a large wish list. This busy family of five loves to cook and entertain for their large extended family. They felt their current kitchen was not functioning to its fullest potential. It felt cramped, dark, outdated, and had no flair. They wanted more room for storage, and convenient areas to hold their cookware. They had an unorganized pantry that wasn’t working for them, and a desk area that had become a clutter zone. They showed us examples of a cool toned color palette that they loved and asked us to bring in some farmhouse style elements with a modern aesthetic. We could not wait to transform this room! We began by reimagining the flow of the kitchen. In order to give them more counter space to use for food preparation, we moved the fridge to the wall where the desk was. We eliminated the messy pantry closet, and installed a tall cabinet to house an additional oven and built-in microwave. We added a large pantry cabinet to the right of the refrigerator to give them plenty of organized storage space, allowing easy access to snacks from the family room. On the left side of the fridge, we incorporated a drop zone area where they can leave their keys and mail when coming in from the garage. In the island we included a pull-out trash easily accessible from both the sink and the cooking areas, and added a vegetable sink to create an extended area for food prep. For the perimeter of the kitchen, we moved the range down to allow for a corner lazy susan and drawer bank for pots and pans, and provided them with a deep farmhouse sink to aid in washing larger items. By running the cabinetry up to the ceiling, we were able to provide them with additional storage space. We finished the cabinetry off with a beautiful decorative hood surround and capped the cabinets with a large stacked crown molding. The finishes we chose for the kitchen help modernize the space while keeping the room feeling warm and inviting. We used a soft grey paint on the perimeter cabinets and infused a warm chestnut stain on the island and decorative hood. We incorporated corbel details at both the hood and island to add some depth to the design. We included a very unique focal point to the ceiling above the island; it is a custom trim detail in the shape of an X, with dark paint as an accent. We topped the cabinetry with a luxurious calacatta quartz counter that created movement with large beautiful veining details. Hand-cut high gloss white subway tiles added brightness and sophistication to the space. Touches of silver were brought in with cabinet hardware and gooseneck faucets. We added an abundance of lighting including recessed lights, a farmhouse style silver pendant over the sink, two vintage style pendants at the island with ribbed glass, and a large wood and silver chandelier over the table, giving ample light and making the room feel bright. Adding under cabinet lighting provided our client with much needed task lighting while doing food prep. We finished the room off by using four comfortable upholstered counter stools with distressed white painted legs, adding to the farmhouse feel. New hand scraped oak plank hardwood flooring was added throughout the first floor along with large baseboard trim to tie the rest of the house in with the new kitchen design. Our client now has a large, updated, modernized kitchen to conjure up delicious meals for their family and friends.

This walnut lined drawer provides custom storage for cutlery and utensils. The modern and sleek design keep added clutter out of sight.
Eat-in kitchen - transitional dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in New York with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

The key to creating a desirable bedroom which inspires a blissful night’s sleep was not just down to the bed and giant custom designed headboard, it came with all the added extras. The over bed storage, all in white was created to reflect our client’s taste and to suit her individual requirement for additional space. We incorporated spotlights and adjustable lamps within the storage space to provide her with greater flexibility. A druzy quartz knobs with gem-like shine were handpicked by our client for a natural finishing touch.

Large Master Bedroom Suite.
Inspiration for a large transitional master dark wood floor bedroom remodel in Philadelphia with gray walls and no fireplace

kyle caldwell
Country single-wall brick floor utility room photo in Boston with a farmhouse sink, open cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

This space is perfect for entertaining! When the owners originally moved in, this deck was not here. There were several steps down from the kitchen door, and the stone slabs were a toe-stubbing minefield. We added the deck and designed it perfectly for entertaining. Since we had several large pine trees removed from the property, we increased sun exposure creating a need for more shade. We had this awning custom made by PJ Canvas in Santa Rosa, CA. The awning tucks neatly under the roof of the house during the rainy months.

  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

Robyn Hayley
Example of a trendy master medium tone wood floor bedroom design in Dallas with white walls

Kitchen
Example of a beach style painted wood floor and multicolored floor kitchen design in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, quartz countertops, ceramic backsplash, an island and colored appliances

All photos courtesy of Havenly. Full article here: http://blog.havenly.com/design-story-amys-600-square-feet-of-eclectic-modern-charm/