Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The new galley style configuration features a simple work triangle of a Kitchenaid refrigerator, Wolf range and Elkay sink. With plenty of the seating nearby, we opted to utilize the back of the island for storage. In addition, the two tall cabinets flanking the opening of the breakfast room feature additional pantry storage. An appliance garage to the left of the range features roll out shelves. The tall cabinets and wall cabinets feature simple white shaker doors while the base cabinets and island are Benjamin Moore “Hale Navy”. Hanstone Campina quartz countertops, walnut accents and gold hardware and lighting make for a stylish and up-to-date feeling space. The backsplash is a 5" Natural Stone hex. Faucet is a Litze by Brizo in Brilliant Luxe Gold. Hardware is It Pull from Atlas in Vintage Brass and Lighting was purchased by the owner from Schoolhouse Electric. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKBD Photography by: LOMA Studios For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Builder: J. Peterson Homes Interior Designer: Francesca Owens Photographers: Ashley Avila Photography, Bill Hebert, & FulView Capped by a picturesque double chimney and distinguished by its distinctive roof lines and patterned brick, stone and siding, Rookwood draws inspiration from Tudor and Shingle styles, two of the world’s most enduring architectural forms. Popular from about 1890 through 1940, Tudor is characterized by steeply pitched roofs, massive chimneys, tall narrow casement windows and decorative half-timbering. Shingle’s hallmarks include shingled walls, an asymmetrical façade, intersecting cross gables and extensive porches. A masterpiece of wood and stone, there is nothing ordinary about Rookwood, which combines the best of both worlds. Once inside the foyer, the 3,500-square foot main level opens with a 27-foot central living room with natural fireplace. Nearby is a large kitchen featuring an extended island, hearth room and butler’s pantry with an adjacent formal dining space near the front of the house. Also featured is a sun room and spacious study, both perfect for relaxing, as well as two nearby garages that add up to almost 1,500 square foot of space. A large master suite with bath and walk-in closet which dominates the 2,700-square foot second level which also includes three additional family bedrooms, a convenient laundry and a flexible 580-square-foot bonus space. Downstairs, the lower level boasts approximately 1,000 more square feet of finished space, including a recreation room, guest suite and additional storage.

Large Mudroom with Mahogany Ski Lockers and stained concrete floors. Photo Credit: Corey Hendrickson
Huge mountain style concrete floor mudroom photo in Boston

This 1920's kitchen was remodeled to add color and whimsy in addition to better function and a little extra space. The stair and rear entry is reconfigured to offer a better layout. A built-in booth conserves space and provides additional storage. Colorful accents add happy energy to the space. Photography: Shane Quesinberry Contractor: Architectural Building Arts

Photographer: Shue Photography The existing home built in the 1890’s experienced several remodels over the decades which include enclosing the front porch, addition of a brick fireplace to the east wall and installation of metal siding on the entire house. Windows have also been replaced with vinyl and metal at various locations. The owner and our team wanted to bring it back to more of the Queen Anne style it was initially built as. We changed the siding materials, modification of window details, change of rear yard landscaping, and replacement of the existing storage shed with a new art studio/storage building. The modification of siding materials and window details was for the purpose of creating a historic hierarchy between structures. The new rear yard design incorporates a more organic landscape scheme which includes reducing the pool size and lowering the pool deck. The new design reduced the impact on adjacent property owners. The art studio/storage building met the need of the owner and ties into the house addition through both materials and style.

An 8-foot-wide addition to the end of this mid-century modern gem of a home designed by the well-known local modernist architect Robert Metcalf allowed the former galley kitchen to be enlarged and modernized. The eating nook and the kitchen were flipped, moving the kitchen closer to the garage and the eating area to the end of the house to take advantage of the gorgeous view. Clean lines, glass tile backsplashes, and a glass breakfast counter give the home an update that fits beautifully with the original architect’s design. The breezeway between the garage and the house was partially filled in to become a small mud room and a walk-in pantry. Contractor: D.A. Haig Contracting LLC Photos: Emily Rose Imagery

This mudroom off the garage allows for lots of space for coats and shoes while also allowing light to fill the space in such a way that the space is still bright and full of life like the rest of the house.

Large trendy entryway photo in Boston

The breakfast area is flanked on one side by a tall, shallow storage cabinet, and on the other side by deeper base cabinets with a countertop and wall cabinets above. Glass fronts on the center upper cabinets provide additional interest and display opportunities. A small cabinet in the corner next to the door squeezes additional storage into every available inch of floor space. Keeping the most successful features of the existing kitchen and fine tuning dimensions while updating colors and finishes dramatically transformed this kitchen. These types of respectful, surgical interventions are often the most sustainable, cost effective and appropriate approach for renovating a kitchen in an older home.

An addition inspired by a picture of a butler's pantry. A place for storage, entertaining, and relaxing. Craftsman decorating inspired by the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite. The owners and I, with a bottle of red wine, drew out the final design of the pantry in pencil on the newly drywalled walls. The cabinet maker then came over for final measurements. This was part of a larger addition. See "Yosemite Inspired Family Room" for more photos. Doug Wade Photography

This inviting mudroom inset offers both functionality and style, embodying the essence of French country design. The alcove is painted in a soothing sage green, featuring vertical shiplap that adds depth and texture. A built-in bench with a striped cushion provides a comfortable spot to sit, adorned with decorative pillows that bring a pop of floral color and a touch of coziness with their textured design. Above the bench, brass hooks are mounted for hanging coats or hats, and the space is topped with a shelf that offers additional storage, styled with a woven basket. Below the bench, neatly tucked-in wicker baskets serve as an organized solution for shoes and accessories. The inset's thoughtful design makes it a perfect blend of elegance and practicality, creating a welcoming space to transition from outdoors to indoors.

Wine room at Four Seasons Penthouse condo designed by Cravotta Interiors.
Inspiration for a contemporary wine cellar remodel in Austin

Timeless materials such as soft green tiles, wood cabinetry, warm brass fixtures and black accents were combined with modern functionality to create a calm and spa -like retreat in this main bathroom renovation.

2013 NKBA MEDIUM BATH When this young couple purchased their nearly 25-year-old colonial, the master bathroom was the first thing they wanted to change. Drab looking with worn out cabinets and a shower that was too small, it didn’t fit their modern vision for the space. Working with Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, they came up with a plan to enlarge the bathroom, stealing space from the master bedroom. The new design includes a much larger shower, the addition of a walk-in shower and more. And the results are nothing less than stunning. A new, frameless glass shower stall is equipped with a steam unit, body sprays, rain shower head, and thermostatic valve and control. A double-sided fireplace overlooks a large whirlpool tub (also visible from the master bedroom). Modern wall hanger espresso finish vanities are topped with a marble top and his and her tumbled marble vessel sinks. Two tall linen cabinets bookend the vanity for additional storage. A recessed mirror with back lighting effect was also installed. Large 20” × 20” white marble floor and walls with dark metallic tile were placed on featured walls for added effects. The floors in both the bathroom and closet are heated. An enlarged doorway from bathroom to walk-in closet offers double French glass doors which are pocketed for better traffic flow. Built-in closet systems are his and hers with matching cherry espresso finish cabinetry covered by obscure glass doors and a touch pad lighting system. The middle island features shoe racks and tie and socks storage. Clean, streamlined and functional, the homeowners love this award-winning space.

This modern laundry has a chic, retro vibe with black and white geometric backsplash beautifully contrasting the rich, black cabinetry, and bright, white quartz countertops. A washer-dryer set sits on the left of the single-wall laundry room, enclosed under a countertop perfect for sorting and folding laundry. A brass closet rod offers additional drying space above the sink, while the right side offers additional storage and versatile drying options. Truly a refreshing, practical, and inviting space!

This project was completed for clients who wanted a comfortable, accessible 1ST floor bathroom for their grown daughter to use during visits to their home as well as a nicely-appointed space for any guest. Their daughter has some accessibility challenges so the bathroom was also designed with that in mind. The original space worked fairly well in some ways, but we were able to tweak a few features to make the space even easier to maneuver through. We started by making the entry to the shower flush so that there is no curb to step over. In addition, although there was an existing oversized seat in the shower, it was way too deep and not comfortable to sit on and just wasted space. We made the shower a little smaller and then provided a fold down teak seat that is slip resistant, warm and comfortable to sit on and can flip down only when needed. Thus we were able to create some additional storage by way of open shelving to the left of the shower area. The open shelving matches the wood vanity and allows a spot for the homeowners to display heirlooms as well as practical storage for things like towels and other bath necessities. We carefully measured all the existing heights and locations of countertops, toilet seat, and grab bars to make sure that we did not undo the things that were already working well. We added some additional hidden grab bars or “grabcessories” at the toilet paper holder and shower shelf for an extra layer of assurance. Large format, slip-resistant floor tile was added eliminating as many grout lines as possible making the surface less prone to tripping. We used a wood look tile as an accent on the walls, and open storage in the vanity allowing for easy access for clean towels. Bronze fixtures and frameless glass shower doors add an elegant yet homey feel that was important for the homeowner. A pivot mirror allows adjustability for different users. If you are interested in designing a bathroom featuring “Living In Place” or accessibility features, give us a call to find out more. Susan Klimala, CKBD, is a Certified Aging In Place Specialist (CAPS) and particularly enjoys helping her clients with unique needs in the context of beautifully designed spaces. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel

Wet Bar off the kitchen.
Transitional home bar photo in San Francisco

Example of a transitional bathroom design in Kansas City with medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, white countertops and flat-panel cabinets

Kids' room - large transitional gender-neutral dark wood floor and brown floor kids' room idea in Detroit with beige walls