Example of an island style living room design in New York

Photo: Elaine Musiwa © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic living room remodel in New York

Photo: Heather Banks © 2015 Houzz
Bathroom - eclectic bathroom idea in Austin

From out dated to high-end hotel, this master suite was brought from the 1980's to date both by look and by function.
Inspiration for a large timeless master carpeted and gray floor bedroom remodel in Chicago with gray walls

This is not just any project. This is not just any house. This is a house of healing. My beloved and infinitely inspiring brother, Yeshaia Blakeney owns and runs this treatment center, The Integrity House. When my brother approached me about decorating this 7000 square foot Mediteranean home in Brentwood, I was thrilled. When he told me we had 2 weeks to complete this mission I was, well, admittedly a little bit freaked out. With the indispensable help of Emily, my brothers’ wife and powerhouse, we scoured LA to find a harmonious blend of vintage & contemporary furnishings and art, that would bring this house to life. But, before this creative process, before the decor and the art, I brought the sage and we all sat down on the living room floor, my mother lead the ceremony and we blessed the house. This house is a house of healing, may all who pass through find peace, love, inspiration and fulfillment. Amen! Photographed by Justina Blakeney

This 1990's home, located in North Vancouver's Lynn Valley neighbourhood, had high ceilings and a great open plan layout but the decor was straight out of the 90's complete with sponge painted walls in dark earth tones. The owners, a young professional couple, enlisted our help to take it from dated and dreary to modern and bright. We started by removing details like chair rails and crown mouldings, that did not suit the modern architectural lines of the home. We replaced the heavily worn wood floors with a new high end, light coloured, wood-look laminate that will withstand the wear and tear from their two energetic golden retrievers. Since the main living space is completely open plan it was important that we work with simple consistent finishes for a clean modern look. The all white kitchen features flat doors with minimal hardware and a solid surface marble-look countertop and backsplash. We modernized all of the lighting and updated the bathrooms and master bedroom as well. The only departure from our clean modern scheme is found in the dressing room where the client was looking for a more dressed up feminine feel but we kept a thread of grey consistent even in this more vivid colour scheme. This transformation, featuring the clients' gorgeous original artwork and new custom designed furnishings is admittedly one of our favourite projects to date!

This luxurious man cave features 12 ft. high ceilings, a spa, hidden doors, a bathroom, A/C, floor heat and more. Spa & pool by Anthony Sullivan, MD.

This 1990's home, located in North Vancouver's Lynn Valley neighbourhood, had high ceilings and a great open plan layout but the decor was straight out of the 90's complete with sponge painted walls in dark earth tones. The owners, a young professional couple, enlisted our help to take it from dated and dreary to modern and bright. We started by removing details like chair rails and crown mouldings, that did not suit the modern architectural lines of the home. We replaced the heavily worn wood floors with a new high end, light coloured, wood-look laminate that will withstand the wear and tear from their two energetic golden retrievers. Since the main living space is completely open plan it was important that we work with simple consistent finishes for a clean modern look. The all white kitchen features flat doors with minimal hardware and a solid surface marble-look countertop and backsplash. We modernized all of the lighting and updated the bathrooms and master bedroom as well. The only departure from our clean modern scheme is found in the dressing room where the client was looking for a more dressed up feminine feel but we kept a thread of grey consistent even in this more vivid colour scheme. This transformation, featuring the clients' gorgeous original artwork and new custom designed furnishings is admittedly one of our favourite projects to date!

This is the addition to a early 1960's split level. The addition encloses a family room and dining room. The dining room is defined by the higher ceiling. Daylighting is brought further into the interior by the use of a light shelf, which bounces the daylighting off of it and reflects it up onto the ceiling of the taller space. The overhang that the light shelf is made from blocks out the high summer sun, while still admitting the low winter sun for passive solar gain. The existing home's exterior was is located at the far left. http://www.kipnisarch.com Kipnis Architecture + Planning

This project was such an incredible design opportunity, and instilled inspiration and excitement at every turn! Our amazing clients came to us with the challenge of converting their beloved family home into a welcoming haven for all members of the family. At the time that we met our clients, they were struggling with the difficult personal decision of the fate of the home. Their father/father-in-law had passed away and their mother/mother-in-law had recently been admitted into a nursing facility and was fighting Alzheimer’s. Resistant to loss of the home now that both parents were out of it, our clients purchased the home to keep in in the family. Despite their permanent home currently being in New Jersey, these clients dedicated themselves to keeping and revitalizing the house. We were moved by the story and became immediately passionate about bringing this dream to life. The home was built by the parents of our clients and was only ever owned by them, making this a truly special space to the family. Our goal was to revitalize the home and to bring new energy into every room without losing the special characteristics that were original to the home when it was built. In this way, we were able to develop a house that maintains its own unique personality while offering a space of welcoming neutrality for all members of the family to enjoy over time. The renovation touched every part of the home: the exterior, foyer, kitchen, living room, sun room, garage, six bedrooms, three bathrooms, the laundry room, and everything in between. The focus was to develop a style that carried consistently from space to space, but allowed for unique expression in the small details in every room. Starting at the entry, we renovated the front door and entry point to offer more presence and to bring more of the mid-century vibe to the home’s exterior. We integrated a new modern front door, cedar shingle accents, new exterior paint, and gorgeous contemporary house numbers that really allow the home to stand out. Just inside the entry, we renovated the foyer to create a playful entry point worthy of attention. Cement look tile adorns the foyer floor, and we’ve added new lighting and upgraded the entry coat storage. Upon entering the home, one will immediately be captivated by the stunning kitchen just off the entry. We transformed this space in just about every way. While the footprint of the home ultimately remained almost identical, the aesthetics were completely turned on their head. We re-worked the kitchen to maximize storage and to create an informal dining area that is great for casual hosting or morning coffee. We removed the entry to the garage that was once in the informal dining, and created a peninsula in its place that offers a unique division between the kitchen/informal dining and the formal dining and living areas. The simple light warm light gray cabinetry offers a bit of traditional elegance, along with the marble backsplash and quartz countertops. We extended the original wood flooring into the kitchen and stained all floors to match for a warmth that truly resonates through all spaces. We upgraded appliances, added lighting everywhere, and finished the space with some gorgeous mid century furniture pieces. In the formal dining and living room, we really focused on maintaining the original marble fireplace as a focal point. We cleaned the marble, repaired the mortar, and refinished the original fireplace screen to give a new sleek look in black. We then integrated a new gas insert for modern heating and painted the upper portion in a rich navy blue; an accent that is carried through the home consistently as a nod to our client’s love of the color. The former entry into the old covered porch is now an elegant glass door leading to a stunning finished sunroom. This room was completely upgraded as well. We wrapped the entire space in cozy white shiplap to keep a casual feel with brightness. We tiled the floor with large format concrete look tile, and painted the old brick fireplace a bright white. We installed a new gas burning unit, and integrated transitional style lighting to bring warmth and elegance into the space. The new black-frame windows are adorned with decorative shades that feature hand-sketched bird prints, and we’ve created a dedicated garden-ware “nook” for our client who loves to work in the yard. The far end of this space is completed with two oversized chaise loungers and overhead lights…the most perfect little reading nook! Just off the dining room, we created an entirely new space to the home: a mudroom. The clients lacked this space and desperately needed a landing spot upon entering the home from the garage. We uniquely planned existing space in the garage to utilize for this purpose, and were able to create a small but functional entry point without losing the ability to park cars in the garage. This new space features cement-look tile, gorgeous deep brown cabinetry, and plenty of storage for all the small items one might need to store while moving in and out of the home. The remainder of the upstairs level includes massive renovations to the guest hall bathroom and guest bedroom, upstairs master bed/bath suite, and a third bedroom that we converted into a home office for the client. Some of the largest transformations were made in the basement, where unfinished space and lack of light were converted into gloriously lit, cozy, finished spaces. Our first task was to convert the massive basement living room into the new master bedroom for our clients. We removed existing built-ins, created an entirely new walk-in closet, painted the old brick fireplace, installed a new gas unit, added carpet, introduced new lighting, replaced windows, and upgraded every part of the aesthetic appearance. One of the most incredible features of this space is the custom double sliding barn door made by a Denver artisan. This space is truly a retreat for our clients! We also completely transformed the laundry room, back storage room, basement master bathroom, and two bedrooms. This home’s massive scope and ever-evolving challenges were thrilling and exciting to work with, and the result is absolutely amazing. At the end of the day, this home offers a look and feel that the clients love. Above all, though, the clients feel the spirit of their family home and have a welcoming environment for all members of the family to enjoy for years to come.

Our client said she was surprised to find the third bathroom, her son’s, has turned out to be her favorite. Perhaps it’s the subtle but captivating herringbone tile pattern in the shower, the contrasting granite countertop, or the charcoal hex tile floor that makes it so appealing. She also admitted it was hard to pick a favorite. Photographer Greg Hadley

This modern prairie style home in Bloomfield Hills is rock solid with its generous Fond du Lac and limestone exterior. Clear cedar channel lap siding complements the soft tones of the natural stone and warms the façade. A mahogany entry system and garage doors complete the color scheme, while a majestic tapered chimney and wide overhangs add grandeur to this 2015 design. Floor to ceiling windows with divided lite transoms add Craftsman personality and admit an abundance of natural light into the spacious, free flowing open floor plan of the home. A circular window at the back of the house is reminiscent of a ship’s porthole, giving a nautical nod to the home’s lakeside location. Walnut floors run throughout the home, unifying the rooms for a cohesive look. The open concept kitchen and family room features a large stone fireplace wall and opens onto the expansive deck for ultimate lake views. The deck can also be accessed from the dramatic double height dining room, where twin built-in buffets and a table for twelve make large scale entertaining as breezy as a day out on the lake.

This mosaic art tile is from a Houston outdoor kitchen and entertaining area offering a modern take on Mediterranean style. Designed and built by Outdoor Homescapes of Houston, this fully loaded family and entertaining space echoes the stucco, travertine tile patio and Mediterranean style of the existing home while exuding a more modern, transitional style. “This was a high-profile client – both VPs of different oil and gas companies who entertain affluent guests on a regular basis – so they wanted to make sure they had high-end appliances and all the latest amenities they could order,” says Lisha Maxey, senior designer for Outdoor Homescapes and owner of LGH Design Services in Houston. “They also have two kids, ages 7 and 10, and wanted a family gathering space that better accompanied their new, luxurious pool.” What really sets apart this outside kitchen design idea, however, is the way the elements are used throughout the space. “Usually, outdoor kitchen designs for a backyard are grouped into one island or cabinet,” explains Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. “But here, the patio, roof and fireplace were all in place, separated by stucco columns, and the outdoor kitchen elements had to work around them.” A 14-foot-long cooking island houses a built-in Fire Magic grill with a Magic View Window (allows the chef to check on food without lifting the lid and losing valuable heat). The island, the countertop of which is "Carnaval" granite from Lackstone, also features a Fire Magic power burner, warming drawer and trash drawer. On one side of the fireplace, forming an “L” with the cooking island, sits a built-in Primo ceramic grill. On the other side of the fireplace is a 3-foot-long cabinet housing a bar with a wine cooler, ice maker and upper cabinet. And finally, just outside the patio door is a 7-foot-long cabinet with a modern Kohler sink with a high-arc Moen faucet (sink and faucet from Faucets Direct), a trash drawer and another upper cabinet. Outdoor Homescapes of Houston, by the way, outfitted both cabinets with glass inserts, custom pulls and three-way sensor lighting. “At the beginning, this was basically a blank space with a fireplace in the middle,” says Maxey. So Outdoor Homescapes upgraded the fireplace with Austin Stack Stone in white (No. 401) from Colorstonescreenshot vickers mosaic tile rectangle. "The stone added that pop,” notes Maxey. The fireplace’s espresso-colored, distressed wood mantel (from Mantels.com) and upper wood cabinets were both stained with the Minwax color Jacobean. The ceiling fans were also updated with ones featuring similarly espresso-colored, wooden fan blades, to match. The table in the middle - a cast-iron, Mediterranean style gem with hand-forged scrollwork designs from Patio 1 in Houston – seats 10. “We wanted this kind of Mediterranean feel,” says Maxey. “We wanted rustic, but the appliance package was so new, with all its stainless steel, so we kept a the cabinets and the columns stucco instead of stone for a more clean, modern look and then did the custom tile backsplash and mosaic in more of a rustic, Mediterranean look." The backsplash is a 1-inch travertine tile background with 4-inch square metallic insets, both from Floor & Decor. The tile for the 18-by-24-inch rectangle mosaic came from Great Britain Tile Co. and included a Dianno Reale tumbled border and background. The bronze, diamond-shaped insets are tumbled Dark Emperdor tile and the scrolls are tumbled Noce tile. The client, who admits they have high standards, was more than pleased with the project – especially browsing through Outdoor Homescapes’ vast library of patio kitchen design ideas, the 3D virtual video tour that let them preview the project from every angle before construction. They also liked the personalized design consultation. "OH provides a very neat service where one of their designers will either shop/buy for you or shop with you for the more detailed pieces that will finish your home," reads the client's review on Houzz. "This was a very positive, personalized feature ... Lisha helped narrow down an enormous marketplace of materials and finishes to a few we could choose from."

This 1990's home, located in North Vancouver's Lynn Valley neighbourhood, had high ceilings and a great open plan layout but the decor was straight out of the 90's complete with sponge painted walls in dark earth tones. The owners, a young professional couple, enlisted our help to take it from dated and dreary to modern and bright. We started by removing details like chair rails and crown mouldings, that did not suit the modern architectural lines of the home. We replaced the heavily worn wood floors with a new high end, light coloured, wood-look laminate that will withstand the wear and tear from their two energetic golden retrievers. Since the main living space is completely open plan it was important that we work with simple consistent finishes for a clean modern look. The all white kitchen features flat doors with minimal hardware and a solid surface marble-look countertop and backsplash. We modernized all of the lighting and updated the bathrooms and master bedroom as well. The only departure from our clean modern scheme is found in the dressing room where the client was looking for a more dressed up feminine feel but we kept a thread of grey consistent even in this more vivid colour scheme. This transformation, featuring the clients' gorgeous original artwork and new custom designed furnishings is admittedly one of our favourite projects to date!

For a shared space, hooks on the back of the door are a key way to add additional hanging room for towels, robes, etc.
Home design - small traditional home design idea in New York

Example of an arts and crafts kitchen design in New York

Published in Coastal Lifestyle Magazine, March 2021 www.coastallifestylemagazine.com/alys-beach-home Photography by Colleen Duffley When Marianne Temple and Robyn Prince, the principals of Home Design Group of Atlanta and Santa Rosa Beach, were brought in to work their magic on a home in Alys Beach, the design phase and much of the construction was complete. They welcomed the opportunity to get involved in the important final stage and to bring fun and whimsy along with casual elegance to the project. The owners – a young family with children and dogs – knew what they were looking for in a long-term vacation destination. They had engaged the services of Domin Bock Architects of Rosemary Beach and general contractor Hufham Farris Construction of Santa Rosa Beach to design and build a home that is child-friendly and low maintenance, but timeless and welcoming at the same time. When Temple and Prince came aboard, their mission was to make the Alys Beach home a reflection of the owners’ personality and lifestyle. “I like to think we were successful,” says Temple. “We were able to source all the bedding, draperies, and other soft goods, and to assist in selecting lighting, art, and accessories throughout the home.” The home is located on the south side of 30A and enjoys access to all of the Alys Beach amenities. In addition, it has a pool, which quite literally seems to be the center – and the heart – of the home. The square pool can be accessed directly by steps from the private courtyard patio and is anchored by a stunning water wall and oversize stepping stones along one side. The expansive great room has unobstructed views of the pool through floor-to-ceiling glass panels. The room is furnished with low, plush upholstered pieces with rich blue accents, and an oval dining table with a stunning chandelier above. The bleached pecky cypress ceilings by E.F. San Juan are punctuated with substantial white-painted beams. Set apart by a sleek oversized island with a farmhouse sink, the open kitchen provides plenty of room for gathering or dining and is topped off by three matching gold-trimmed white pendant lights. The restaurant-quality six-burner cooktop in the arched wall opposite is flanked by tall cabinets and topped by four clerestory windows that admit wonderful light to the entire space. There is one guest bedroom on the main level, with a full bath, spacious closet, and a private sitting area. E. F. San Juan of Youngstown, Florida, supplied all the woodwork details that provide finishing touches to the residence’s crisp white canvas in this quintessential courtyard home. Like many of the community’s buildings, this private residence contains minimal woodwork, maintaining the clean, elegant Alys Beach vision; still, the interior and exterior trim and brackets offer a sleek yet natural feel reflecting the beaches that are steps away from the front door. Their team worked with Weather Shield to provide stunning and functional custom impact-rated windows and Loewen to create custom doors that protect the house from the Gulf Coast elements. “We have had the privilege of creating wood parts and custom doors, railings, and gates for many of the gorgeous homes in Alys Beach,” says E. F. San Juan president Edward A. San Juan. “This home’s minimal trim makes the other wood elements stand out, like the pecky cypress ceilings. The windows and doors are often-overlooked elements that we love collaborating on with our vendors like Loewen and Weather Shield because they make such good-looking products. They open up this home to the beautiful natural light, the courtyard pool, and the stunning views of the town just outside while also protecting from high winds, rain, and U.V. rays.” The broad wooden staircase with open metal handrails leads to the sleeping quarters. The second floor houses the master suite with custom barn doors, also by E.F. San Juan, leading into the master bathroom with its luxurious bath and unique freestanding tub. A second guest room with a king-size bed and full bath also occupy the second floor. “The master bath is definitely my favorite feature of the home,” says Temple. “It is beyond all expectation – a true luxury.” The adult bedrooms are serene and sophisticated, with sleek lines and restful blue hues throughout. Cathedral ceilings, arched openings for the beds, sun-drenched sitting areas, plenty of natural light, and luxurious baths contribute to the feeling of peaceful elegance. The children’s areas are in direct and happy contrast to the adults’ retreats. The bunk room, also on the second level, is just plain fun, with two sets of custom-built marine blue bunks piled high with pillows and whimsical stuffed animals, flanking a tall set of shelves full of toys and books. Oversize baskets provide storage for more toys, and colorful throw rugs provide plenty of sitting space for floor playtime. This kid-friendly space can grow and change with the children who occupy it – it will work well for tweens, teens, and beyond. “We designed the bunk room,” says Prince, “and I think it is a huge success. It may be my favorite feature of the home.” The top floor is dedicated to the children’s den/playroom/media room and the dramatic rooftop lounge. The children’s space is furnished with beanbag chairs, a low game table, a big-screen television mounted on a custom-fabricated aqua wall, and arched French doors leading to the rooftop lounge area. “This area is, quite literally, the icing on the cake,” says Temple. “It boasts a view of the Gulf and great views down South Charles Street.” This secluded deck features a gas fireplace and comfy furnishings for enjoying beautiful evenings year-round. HOME DESIGN GROUP (229) 347-6052 homedesigngrp.com E.F. SAN JUAN (850) 722-4830 efsanjuan.com

Photo: Caroline Sharpnack © 2019 Houzz
Cottage chic living room photo in Nashville

One of the keys to visually striking contemporary design is the reliance on traditional architectural ideals such as symmetry to ground the space, allowing the modern element to impressively spring forward. In the contemporary foyer created for this Bloomfield Hills home in 2015, the imposing nine foot tall mahogany entry door, set into the drywall to create depth and heft, is flanked by symmetrical side lights and topped with transom windows to admit light and friends into the welcoming entry. The vignette does double duty creating a solid foundation from which the eye can travel to the captivating spiral staircase that dominates the space. The two story corkscrew design has horizontal spindles that echo the lines of the front door, creating visual synergy and continuity of form within the space. Walnut floors offer a cool counterpoint to the warm mahogany and integrate the foyer seamlessly into the rest of the home.