Behind the unassuming exterior of a 1985 split-level home in Southwest Portland lies a dramatic transformation that celebrates both function and style. This kitchen renovation reimagines a dated footprint as an upscale postmodern gathering space, blending bold material selections with highly personalized storage solutions designed around the homeowners' lifestyle. At the heart of the design is a striking composition of rich Sapele cabinetry, geometric white tile, and sleek contemporary finishes. The strong vertical grain of the wood creates warmth and movement throughout the space, while the dimensional backsplash introduces texture and visual rhythm. Together, these elements establish a distinctly postmodern aesthetic that balances nostalgia with modern sophistication. The renovation began with a common challenge: a kitchen that lacked adequate storage and efficient workflow. Appliances were confined to tight corners, cabinetry was undersized, and valuable space was underutilized. Through strategic space planning, the layout was completely reworked to maximize functionality without sacrificing design. Every cabinet was thoughtfully customized with purpose-built storage, including integrated silverware organization, hidden tip-out trays for cleaning supplies, vertical dividers for baking sheets, and heavy-duty rollouts sized for everyday cookware. The island serves as the functional centerpiece of the kitchen and was designed specifically to support meal preparation and entertaining. Adjustable pullout shelving accommodates oils and vinegars, specialized spice storage keeps ingredients within reach, and a double waste system simplifies composting and daily clean-up. Throughout the kitchen, panel-ready appliances and carefully concealed storage components maintain the clean lines of the design while minimizing visual distractions. A hidden microwave, integrated warming drawer, and counter-depth refrigerator all contribute to the seamless appearance of the space. Entertaining was a primary objective for the homeowners and inspired the creation of a dedicated hospitality zone within a previously overlooked nook. Existing built-in bookcases were removed and replaced with a thoughtfully curated beverage station featuring a kegerator, wine refrigerator, and beverage refrigerator. Custom cabinetry was tailored to display the homeowners' collection of cocktail and pint glasses, while floating shelves with integrated lighting showcase an assortment of spirits, creating an inviting destination for guests before dinner gatherings. What makes this project especially compelling is the balance between bold design expression and everyday livability. Rather than competing for attention, each material was selected to complement the others. High-gloss upper cabinetry quietly recedes into the dimensional backsplash, allowing the Sapele grain to remain the focal point. Chrome fixtures add reflectivity and polish, while waterfall countertops transform the island into a furniture-inspired centerpiece. Even details such as electrical cover plates were carefully selected to blend into the surrounding wood grain and preserve the clean visual composition. The completed kitchen demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform an ordinary floor plan into a highly customized environment tailored to the way homeowners live, cook, and entertain. By combining meticulous storage planning, seamless appliance integration, and a confident postmodern aesthetic, this renovation delivers a sophisticated yet welcoming space where functionality and personality coexist beautifully.

The transitional style of the interior of this remodeled shingle style home in Connecticut hits all of the right buttons for todays busy family. The sleek white and gray kitchen is the centerpiece of The open concept great room which is the perfect size for large family gatherings, but just cozy enough for a family of four to enjoy every day. The kids have their own space in addition to their small but adequate bedrooms whch have been upgraded with built ins for additional storage. The master suite is luxurious with its marble bath and vaulted ceiling with a sparkling modern light fixture and its in its own wing for additional privacy. There are 2 and a half baths in addition to the master bath, and an exercise room and family room in the finished walk out lower level.

My client’s one bedroom, beach front condo lacked furniture, a guest room and adequate storage. I designed a wall unit that houses a Murphy bed, two wardrobe closets, a section for his tv & components and plenty of shelves for displaying his artifacts. Additionally, I created a clothing and storage closet in an unused hallway recess that matches the living room perfectly!

Large cordless shades installed on the windows provide privacy when needed, and still let in adequate sunlight during the day. Photography by Todd Ramsey, Impressia

The client had a finished basement space that was not functioning for the entire family. He spent a lot of time in his gym, which was not large enough to accommodate all his equipment and did not offer adequate space for aerobic activities. To appeal to the client's entertaining habits, a bar, gaming area, and proper theater screen needed to be added. There were some ceiling and lolly column restraints that would play a significant role in the layout of our new design, but the Gramophone Team was able to create a space in which every detail appeared to be there from the beginning. Rustic wood columns and rafters, weathered brick, and an exposed metal support beam all add to this design effect becoming real. Maryland Photography Inc.

When buying the house, the homeowners loved the location, but needed to make the space more open and functional for their family. Having three young children, they wanted to make sure adequate sight lines were included between the kitchen and great room since they knew that’s where they would spend most of their time. The homeowners also wanted to update the space to match their modern design tastes. The home was a traditional design, but coming from New York City, these homeowners sought to bring a city vibe to their home while making it more functional for their needs. The opening between the great room and kitchen was enlarged by adding a 13’ beam to the home. The kitchen design was modified to get rid of an awkward and small pantry along with eliminating a window to allow for more cabinetry. The custom island includes a microwave, sink and dishwasher. Outlets were hidden under the upper cabinets to give the backsplash a clean look and feel. The home had two home offices, one of them was converted to a workout space. Custom millwork was completed to modernize the two-way fireplace. Additional hardwood flooring was added to the first floor, and all was refinished to match. New lighting was installed throughout the first floor as well. The small laundry room was reconfigured to allow more storage including adding a pocket door to save on real estate. Removing the kitchen pantry, gave the laundry more storage space for hanging laundry and storing supplies. All these remodeling decisions took place from afar while the homeowners still lived in NYC.

This project is an exhilarating exploration into function, simplicity, and the beauty of a white palette. Our wonderful client and friend was seeking a massive upgrade to a newly purchased home and had hopes of integrating her European inspired aesthetic throughout. At the forefront of consideration was clean-lined simplicity, and this concept is evident in every space in the home. The highlight of the project is the heart of the home: the kitchen. We integrated smooth, sleek, white slab cabinetry to create a functional kitchen with minimal door details and upgraded modernity. The cabinets are topped with concrete-look quartz from Caesarstone; a welcome soft contrast that further emphasizes the contemporary approach we took. The backsplash is a simple and elongated white subway paired against white grout for a modernist grid that virtually melts into the background. Taking the kitchen far outside of its intended footprint, we created a floating island with a waterfall countertop that can house critical cooking fixtures on one side and adequate seating on the other. The island is backed by a dramatic exotic wood countertop that extends into a full wall splash reaching the ceiling. Pops of black and high-gloss finishes in appliances add a touch of drama in an otherwise white field. The entire main level has new hickory floors in a natural finish, allowing the gorgeous variation of the wood to shine. Also included on the main level is a re-face to the living room fireplace, powder room, and upgrades to all walls and lighting. Upstairs, we created two critical retreats: a warm Mediterranean inspired bathroom for the client's mother, and the master bathroom. In the mother's bathroom, we covered the floors and a large accent wall with dramatic travertine tile in a bold Versailles pattern. We paired this highly traditional tile with sleek contemporary floating vanities and dark fixtures for contrast. The shower features a slab quartz base and thin profile glass door. In the master bath, we welcomed drama and explored space planning and material use adventurously. Keeping with the quiet monochromatic palette, we integrated all black and white into our bathroom concept. The floors are covered with large format graphic tiles in a deco pattern that reach through every part of the space. At the vanity area, high gloss white floating vanities offer separate space for his/her use. Tall linear LED fixtures provide ample lighting and illuminate another grid pattern backsplash that runs floor to ceiling. The show-stopping bathtub is a square steel soaker tub that nestles quietly between windows in the bathroom's far corner. We paired this tub with an unapologetic tub filler that is bold and large in scale. Next to the tub, an open shower is adorned with a full expanse of white grid subway tile, a slab quartz shower base, and sleek steel fixtures. This project was exciting and inspiring in its ability to push the boundaries of simplicity and quietude in color. We love the result and are so thrilled that our wonderful clients can enjoy this home for years to come!

Location: Eugene, OR, USA A complete overhaul was in order for this dated kitchen. Despite the sunny yellow walls, this kitchen felt dark and dated. The dividing wall above the counter separating the kitchen from the dining room made the ceilings feel low, and cut the room in half, as did the soffits above the cabinets. The small amount of track lighting did nothing to brighten the space or provide adequate task lighting while cooking. In order to update this space, the kitchen was essentially gutted. Gone are the soffits – replaced with locally sourced solid wood and formaldehyde free plywood cabinets in a light finish, that reach the ceiling. The partial wall between the kitchen and the dining room was removed, opening the space up for task lighting above the bar, where two new modern barstools were placed. The paneling on the walls was removed, and replaced with tile in gray, green, and blue tones, featuring small flecks of brown that pick up on the color of the countertops. The counters themselves are Paperstone – made of recycled paper and resin, making them extremely eco-friendly and non-toxic. Small details such as live edge wood shelves featuring colorful vases, and staggered tile descending down the wall create a fun definition between the kitchen and dining room areas. The fluted edging that finishes off the countertop extending over the eat in bar area adds personality to the space, and also highlights the built in shelving for cookbooks below. By creating the shape and look of a rug, using the Marmoleum flooring, the dining room achieved a beautiful focal point. Delano Designs

This complete Bathroom remodel is located within Corvallis' well-loved College Hill Historic District, therefore, the design sought to keep the beautiful qualities found in Historic homes while meeting the accessibility needs of the owners. Featured within the Bathroom is a low threshold tub, which allows easy accessibility getting in and out of the shower, and also allows children and grandchildren to wash in the tub. The custom vanity cabinet provides adequate storage space but loses the easily bumped-into corners of a rectangular vanity.

This compact condominium guest bathroom does dual duty as both a bath and laundry room. In an effort to provide guests with a welcoming environment, considerable attention was made in the color palette and features selected. A petit sink provides counterspace for grooming and guest toiletry travel bags. Frequent visits by young grandchildren and the slender depth of the vanity precipitated the decision to place the faucet on the side of the sink rather than in the back. Multiple light sources in this windowless room provides adequate illumination for both grooming and cleaning. The tall storage cabinet has doors that are hinged in opposite directions. The bottom door is hinged on the right to provide easy access to laundry soap while the top door is left hinged to provide easy access to towels and toiletries. The tile shower and wainscoting give this bathroom a truly special look and feel.

The living area was relocated into the addition. Now, the front of the house is open to provide adequate space for entertaining. Photo: S. Lang
Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped vinyl floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Beautiful rustic kitchen with modern touches. The floating shelves were handmade out of white oak and stained to match the floors. An open floor-plan and adequate storage were important to this family.

Set against the superb modernist architecture of Moto Designshop, and within the existing COR-TEN steel rain troughs by Studio | Bryan Hanes, this terraced garden frames and maximizes views from the rear facade to the pond below. The garden design focused on verging wild, intermingled plant communities with the floor-to-ceiling windows of the family's living space to provide ongoing seasonal interest and visual diversity. Working closely with agronomists, aggregate substrates, calcium and humates were incorporated to ensure adequate drainage and soil health. Rapid stabilization of the very wet, narrow spaces was achieved with freely seeding Eupatorium coelestinum and plantings of stoloniferous and rhizomatous plants, such as Carex muskingumensis and Iris fulva, among cespitose clumps.

Lacking adequate space for their growing family, the homeowners hired DJL Builders to add on to the side of their home and update the existing layout. DJL Builders built a master bedroom retreat with an en suite bathroom, updated windows and flooring throughout the home as well as creating a custom-built desk and mudroom off the garage to help keep everyday necessities organized. The kitchen was rejuvenated with new countertops, backsplash and cabinetry. Photo by: Natalie Cooper

Beautiful rustic kitchen with modern touches. The floating shelves were handmade out of white oak and stained to match the floors. An open floor-plan and adequate storage were important to this family.

Tired of the traditional browns and the typically familiar bed designs? Heave a sigh, for your search ends here. This ravishing canopy bed is a sight to behold! It boasts of premium fabric upholstery and vertical tufted panels immaculately running all the way down to the side rails and the footboard . A mid-century winged headboard in a lovely soft pink hue is certainly a class apart. Also, beauty and practicality have been integrated equally in each of our designs. Deep foam padding offers adequate neck support at any angle while you rest your head and lounge against the headboard. The sleek wooden canopy overhead has an appealing simplicity which can be adorned with sheer drapes for some quiet drama. Finally, the bed is complimented with cozy linen bedding and throw pillows in neutral white to complete the elegant decor.

We were engaged to give this small lounge a bit of TLC; our clients wanted to make the room feel inviting to sit in. A bit lost, it was acting more like a corridor than a room, as it connects the front door and hallway, to the inner hall and the kitchen. One of a number of reception rooms, this room in the stunning Georgian property was more of a relaxing space for TV watching and reading for her. It was important that this space had a feminine and homely feel, one that would invite you to sit and relax, whilst being in keeping with the age and location of this country home. To do this we added warm tones such as muted pinks and warm neutrals with delicate patterns, such as florals and damasks. Keen not to close the room down but have adequate seating, we made the footstool/ottoman the same height as the sofa, so it could be used either as a coffee table, chaise end to the sofa, or as additional seating. We are reliably informed that this is now the go to room in the house for relaxing, which is fantastic.

The client wanted to have an uncluttered, highly functional, and very bright kitchen with a classic and timeless style. We created the plans with a lengthened counter reaching all the way to where the microwave tower was previously positioned. She now has a much larger food prep working surface. We also re-configured her walk-in food pantry with retractable shelves and adequate lighting. We recommended the colour palette, the custom cabinetry design and finish, the low-maintenance Quartz counters, and roomy commercial-style stainless steel sink. The client is very happy and very motivated to cook for herself and her friends! Materials used: Quartz countertops, white convex tile backsplash, charcoal grey ceramic 12 x 24 floor tile, white high-gloss lacquered flat-panel kitchen cabinets, matte black door and drawer pulls, built-in fridge cabinetry. Deep stainless-steel sink, pull-out kitchen faucet.

The ‘Concrete’ sideboard is one of Dall’Agnese’s most popular designs. It is made of high-quality MDF, and it is also available in 2, 3 and 4-door varieties. The doors have an etched design that is unique to the ’Concrete’ model. Sophisticated and elegant aesthetic. Adequate storage and display space. Doors have push-pull hinges. Comes with a resin effect. Interior is shelved. The product is priced at £2454.