A masterpiece of light and design, this gorgeous Beverly Hills contemporary is filled with incredible moments, offering the perfect balance of intimate corners and open spaces. A large driveway with space for ten cars is complete with a contemporary fountain wall that beckons guests inside. An amazing pivot door opens to an airy foyer and light-filled corridor with sliding walls of glass and high ceilings enhancing the space and scale of every room. An elegant study features a tranquil outdoor garden and faces an open living area with fireplace. A formal dining room spills into the incredible gourmet Italian kitchen with butler’s pantry—complete with Miele appliances, eat-in island and Carrara marble countertops—and an additional open living area is roomy and bright. Two well-appointed powder rooms on either end of the main floor offer luxury and convenience. Surrounded by large windows and skylights, the stairway to the second floor overlooks incredible views of the home and its natural surroundings. A gallery space awaits an owner’s art collection at the top of the landing and an elevator, accessible from every floor in the home, opens just outside the master suite. Three en-suite guest rooms are spacious and bright, all featuring walk-in closets, gorgeous bathrooms and balconies that open to exquisite canyon views. A striking master suite features a sitting area, fireplace, stunning walk-in closet with cedar wood shelving, and marble bathroom with stand-alone tub. A spacious balcony extends the entire length of the room and floor-to-ceiling windows create a feeling of openness and connection to nature. A large grassy area accessible from the second level is ideal for relaxing and entertaining with family and friends, and features a fire pit with ample lounge seating and tall hedges for privacy and seclusion. Downstairs, an infinity pool with deck and canyon views feels like a natural extension of the home, seamlessly integrated with the indoor living areas through sliding pocket doors. Amenities and features including a glassed-in wine room and tasting area, additional en-suite bedroom ideal for staff quarters, designer fixtures and appliances and ample parking complete this superb hillside retreat.

A masterpiece of light and design, this gorgeous Beverly Hills contemporary is filled with incredible moments, offering the perfect balance of intimate corners and open spaces. A large driveway with space for ten cars is complete with a contemporary fountain wall that beckons guests inside. An amazing pivot door opens to an airy foyer and light-filled corridor with sliding walls of glass and high ceilings enhancing the space and scale of every room. An elegant study features a tranquil outdoor garden and faces an open living area with fireplace. A formal dining room spills into the incredible gourmet Italian kitchen with butler’s pantry—complete with Miele appliances, eat-in island and Carrara marble countertops—and an additional open living area is roomy and bright. Two well-appointed powder rooms on either end of the main floor offer luxury and convenience. Surrounded by large windows and skylights, the stairway to the second floor overlooks incredible views of the home and its natural surroundings. A gallery space awaits an owner’s art collection at the top of the landing and an elevator, accessible from every floor in the home, opens just outside the master suite. Three en-suite guest rooms are spacious and bright, all featuring walk-in closets, gorgeous bathrooms and balconies that open to exquisite canyon views. A striking master suite features a sitting area, fireplace, stunning walk-in closet with cedar wood shelving, and marble bathroom with stand-alone tub. A spacious balcony extends the entire length of the room and floor-to-ceiling windows create a feeling of openness and connection to nature. A large grassy area accessible from the second level is ideal for relaxing and entertaining with family and friends, and features a fire pit with ample lounge seating and tall hedges for privacy and seclusion. Downstairs, an infinity pool with deck and canyon views feels like a natural extension of the home, seamlessly integrated with the indoor living areas through sliding pocket doors. Amenities and features including a glassed-in wine room and tasting area, additional en-suite bedroom ideal for staff quarters, designer fixtures and appliances and ample parking complete this superb hillside retreat.

  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

This beautiful, three-story, updated shingle-style cottage is perched atop a bluff on the shores of Lake Michigan, and was designed to make the most of its towering vistas. The proportions of the home are made even more pleasing by the combination of stone, shingles and metal roofing. Deep balconies and wrap-around porches emphasize outdoor living, white tapered columns, an arched dormer, and stone porticos give the cottage nautical quaintness, tastefully balancing the grandeur of the design. The interior space is dominated by vast panoramas of the water below. High ceilings are found throughout, giving the home an airy ambiance, while enabling large windows to display the natural beauty of the lakeshore. The open floor plan allows living areas to act as one sizeable space, convenient for entertaining. The diagonally situated kitchen is adjacent to a sunroom, dining area and sitting room. Dining and lounging areas can be found on the spacious deck, along with an outdoor fireplace. The main floor master suite includes a sitting area, vaulted ceiling, a private bath, balcony access, and a walk-through closet with a back entrance to the home’s laundry. A private study area at the front of the house is lined with built-in bookshelves and entertainment cabinets, creating a small haven for homeowners. The upper level boasts four guest or children’s bedrooms, two with their own private bathrooms. Also upstairs is a built-in office space, loft sitting area, ample storage space, and access to a third floor deck. The walkout lower level was designed for entertainment. Billiards, a bar, sitting areas, screened-in and covered porches make large groups easy to handle. Also downstairs is an exercise room, a large full bath, and access to an outdoor shower for beach-goers. Photographer: Bill Hebert Builder: David C. Bos Homes

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Carolina Coastal in Wilmington, North Carolina, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elements. Specifically engineered for premium waterfront living, this custom house plan features a structural raised piling foundation designed to elevate the home, address regional rising tide concerns, and maximize panoramic vistas. Embodying elite coastal architecture, the layout incorporates a unique upside-down floor plan where the primary common living spaces are strategically elevated to the top level of the home. This upper level features an open great room, a private owner's retreat, and a chef-ready kitchen equipped with a huge central island. The main living zones open up to sweeping double porches on both the front and rear of the home, offering effortless indoor-outdoor flow and unmatched access to beautiful coastal views. The entry level of the residence offers exceptional functional space, accommodating three additional bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a large, versatile flex room conveniently located right off the foyer. Expanding the estate's footprint for private guest hosting or flexible family arrangements, the property features an attached, multi-generational casita. Connected directly to the main home by a scenic covered walkway, this independent guest cottage is fully appointed with its own dedicated kitchen, bedroom, and full bathroom, providing ultimate comfort, independence, and seclusion for long-term visitors.

All necessary office equipment is hidden but easily accessible. See the case study at http://carolinaclosetsplus.com/homeofficecases2.html

Notice how the vanity is open along the bottom. This allows for easy access and space. Photography by Patricia Bean
Mid-sized transitional master ceramic tile and white tile porcelain tile and beige floor walk-in shower photo in San Diego with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an integrated sink, tile countertops and green countertops

Ms. Homeowner’s townhome Primary Bathroom was a cookie-cutter, builder-grade space that she wanted upgraded and updated. The shower tile was discolored and mildewed; the traditional vanity tile floor and tub deck were also outdated. Our client wanted an accessible bathroom she could age in place in featuring an updated, modern yet timeless and elegant design, with better storage all within a conservative budget. The main challenge in this project was to transform the space and raise the design quotient within the requested budget. We kept the basic footprint, preserved the existing maple doors and trim, saved and re-used the bathtub, purchased a sleek pre-fabricated, vanity which included the countertop and sinks. We reserved some of the budget for high impact items, upgrading fixtures and finishes in every area. We made the shower safer and more visually open by installing a curbless, barrier-free floor, and a frameless glass shower door and panels. We extended the tub deck into the shower area which is a functioning bench and product shelf. We replaced all of the tile, faucets, hardware and accessories with sleek chrome components. A client-requested, high quality commode with a remote controlled Toto washlet seat was installed. The eye-catching color scheme, based on the new vanity and countertop is a balance of rich, dark neutrals paired with crisp whites, bright chrome fixtures, and turquoise wall paint which beautifully coordinates with the existing natural maple doors and trim.

Photography by Patricia Bean
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless master ceramic tile and white tile porcelain tile and beige floor walk-in shower remodel in San Diego with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an integrated sink, tile countertops and green countertops

Photography by Patricia Bean
Walk-in shower - mid-sized transitional master ceramic tile and white tile porcelain tile and beige floor walk-in shower idea in San Diego with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an integrated sink, tile countertops and green countertops

An elongated comfort height toilet was installed with a bidet to aid in personal hygiene. Vertical bran bars were installed on both sides of the toiler to provide balance and safety when transferring on and off the toilet.

Ms. Homeowner’s townhome Primary Bathroom was a cookie-cutter, builder-grade space that she wanted upgraded and updated. The shower tile was discolored and mildewed; the traditional vanity tile floor and tub deck were also outdated. Our client wanted an accessible bathroom she could age in place in featuring an updated, modern yet timeless and elegant design, with better storage all within a conservative budget. The main challenge in this project was to transform the space and raise the design quotient within the requested budget. We kept the basic footprint, preserved the existing maple doors and trim, saved and re-used the bathtub, purchased a sleek pre-fabricated, vanity which included the countertop and sinks. We reserved some of the budget for high impact items, upgrading fixtures and finishes in every area. We made the shower safer and more visually open by installing a curbless, barrier-free floor, and a frameless glass shower door and panels. We extended the tub deck into the shower area which is a functioning bench and product shelf. We replaced all of the tile, faucets, hardware and accessories with sleek chrome components. A client-requested, high quality commode with a remote controlled Toto washlet seat was installed. The eye-catching color scheme, based on the new vanity and countertop is a balance of rich, dark neutrals paired with crisp whites, bright chrome fixtures, and turquoise wall paint which beautifully coordinates with the existing natural maple doors and trim.

A thoughtfully remodeled bathroom combining clean, contemporary finishes with practical accessibility features. The walk-in shower features large-format, marble-look wall tile, a built-in tiled bench, handheld shower fixture, and strategically placed grab bar for added comfort and convenience. A textured privacy glass shower panel keeps the space feeling open while providing separation from the vanity area. Warm wood-look flooring balances the crisp white finishes, while the white vanity and streamlined fixtures complete the bright, polished design. The result is a functional, attractive bathroom designed for comfortable everyday living.

This kitchen remodel in Minneapolis neighborhood, nestled in a quiet pocket of mid-century homes near the river trails, embraces its compact footprint with smart, space-efficient design. Rather than default to an open-concept layout, the kitchen remains enclosed - enhanced by a custom operable vertical shutter that allows the kitchen to be closed off for focused cooking or opened to share light and conversation. Warm flush wood panels on the living room side blend seamlessly with the home’s original character. Reconfigured window openings with H windows establish sightlines from the front door to the backyard, framing a shared community garden beyond and a mature pine from the kitchen space. Brown ash cabinetry, neutral quartz counters, and a handmade ceramic tile backsplash nods to the home’s mid-century character balancing utility with beauty. Double-sided reeded glass uppers filter additional natural light into the kitchen while allowing tableware access from both the kitchen and dining room. New wood floors tie it all together, uniting the main level and reinforcing the feeling that this home, while modest in scale, is filled with light, warmth, and purpose.

This Sherman Oaks walk-in shower remodel was designed to balance modern aesthetics with everyday accessibility. A clean white tile palette brings a bright, refreshed feel to the space, while sleek glass enclosure details keep the design open and minimal. Thoughtfully integrated accessibility features, including a fold-down shower bench and built-in grab bars, provide added safety and comfort without compromising the overall look.

This Sherman Oaks walk-in shower remodel was designed to balance modern aesthetics with everyday accessibility. A clean white tile palette brings a bright, refreshed feel to the space, while sleek glass enclosure details keep the design open and minimal. Thoughtfully integrated accessibility features, including a fold-down shower bench and built-in grab bars, provide added safety and comfort without compromising the overall look.

Custom architectural feature wall designed to conceal the condominium’s HVAC system while maintaining full access for maintenance through discreet push-to-open panels. Fluted millwork detailing, integrated wall sconces, and curated artwork transform a necessary building component into a refined architectural feature. The solution balances aesthetics and functionality, contributing to the seamless, uncluttered character of this luxury retirement residence in Unionville.

Inspiration a Wedgewood collectible. Huge closets: fully accessible and space saving over a walk in arrangement The wall of white balanced the deep Wedgwood blue paint. LaurieB

Designing a home that caters to the needs of the entire family is so important, as it fosters harmony, encourages bonding, and creates a welcoming sanctuary where each member, including pets, feels valued and content. Designing for families involves creating spaces that facilitate togetherness and encourage shared activities. Open floor plans that seamlessly connect living areas, dining spaces, and kitchens promote interaction among family members. A home should not only be aesthetically pleasing, but it should also be comfortable, family-friendly, and pet-friendly. This home truly reflects the people and pets who reside within it. Each space has carefully chosen artwork and furniture pieces to enhance the living experience. The indoor-outdoor flow maximizes the penetration of natural light into the home. The glazed areas not only brighten the interior but also create a sense of openness and spaciousness. The extended deck becomes an extension of the interior, providing additional areas for relaxation, entertaining guests, or engaging in various activities. Being able to easily access and enjoy outdoor spaces promotes a sense of tranquility, relaxation, and well-being. It also encourages outdoor activities, such as outdoor dining, or simply unwinding in nature, fostering a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.