A stylish and welcoming transition from upper levels to the lower level retreat, this basement staircase remodel is all about details. The elegant iron balusters paired with a warm wooden handrail complement the surrounding This beautifully remodeled basement is the ultimate blend of functionality and refined style. Designed with both entertaining and everyday living in mind, the space features a stunning full bar with quartz countertops, floating wood shelves, and a bold herringbone tile backsplash that adds texture and personality. The bar area opens seamlessly to the game room, complete with a rustic wood pool table, shuffleboard, and direct walkout access through French doors. The entire basement boasts warm wood-look flooring, exposed brick columns, and elegant light fixtures that lend a sophisticated, industrial-chic vibe. The large peninsula with bar seating offers the perfect spot to gather with friends and family, while the open-concept layout keeps everyone connected. In a clever design twist, a hidden bookshelf door adds character and provides access to the home’s HVAC system—tucked discreetly out of view. Opposite, a set of black French doors invites you into a dedicated wine room with custom X-style wine storage and a cozy bistro table. Whether you're hosting guests or enjoying a quiet night in, this basement remodel delivers a perfect balance of comfort, style, and purpose-built spaces that elevate everyday living.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Windsor II Modern Farmhouse in Whitestown, Indiana, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern charm. Inspired by the popular Windsor plan, this layout maximizes spatial volume and natural light on the main level with soaring 10-foot ceilings. The open-concept first floor seamlessly connects the family room, dining area, and kitchen into an expansive heart of the home perfect for hosting gatherings. To blend luxury with practicality, custom built-in shelving is integrated throughout the home, including a dedicated home office featuring organized open shelving paired with premium cabinetry to keep the workspace immaculate.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Windsor Modern Farmhouse in Akron, Ohio, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elements. Designed with an expansive open-concept layout, this floor plan maximizes spatial flow, offering abundant storage and generous proportions to entertain guests and cook simultaneously. The premium kitchen is fully equipped for culinary pursuits, showcasing a large walk-in pantry, extensive counter space, and an optional "messy kitchen" secondary prep zone to keep the main island pristine. To accommodate modern family needs, the massive first-floor flex room has been custom-tailored into an executive home office, featuring premium built-in cabinets and shelving to ensure staying organized while working from home is completely effortless. For added main-level luxury, a beautifully appointed first-floor guest suite provides ultimate comfort and seclusion for out-of-town visitors. The thoughtful design details continue as you head upstairs. The private primary owner’s retreat serves as a quiet upper-level sanctuary, showcasing a double-bowl vanity and independent, separate walk-in closets. This primary suite is conveniently located adjacent to the second-floor laundry room, which has been upgraded with a brilliant, custom-built dog washing station perfect for keeping four-legged family members clean. Overlooking the home's main level, the spacious upstairs loft has been beautifully converted into a versatile bonus room. This adaptive upper lounge area functions as a multi-use flex zone, serving as the perfect design canvas for a children's playroom, a home workout fitness room, or a dedicated media and game room.

This custom backyard features a vibrant multi-sport court designed for basketball and other games, seamlessly integrated into a luxury outdoor setting. Surrounded by natural stone landscaping and lush greenery, the space includes a trampoline and pool slide for added family fun. It creates the perfect balance between active recreation and resort-style relaxation, turning the backyard into a complete entertainment destination.

This stunning basement wet bar perfectly balances sophisticated style with practical entertainment needs. Designed as a seamless extension of the lower-level living area, the space features custom wood cabinetry that anchors the room’s modern aesthetic.

This custom-designed home movie room with built-in bar blends luxury, comfort, and functionality to create the ultimate entertainment space. Rich deep green walls and blackout drapes set a dramatic tone while optimizing light control for an authentic theater experience. The fully upholstered sectional sofa offers plush, lounge-style seating, complemented by warm leather accent chairs for a refined yet relaxed atmosphere. A custom marble-top coffee table anchors the space, while layered area rugs add warmth and acoustic softness—ideal for a dedicated media room or basement renovation. The integrated wet bar with sink, stone countertops, custom cabinetry, and open shelving elevates the room into a true home entertainment suite. Complete with beverage refrigeration and display storage, this space is designed for seamless hosting—whether for movie nights, game days, or intimate gatherings. Thoughtful lighting design, tailored window treatments, and high-end material selections make this luxury home theater both visually striking and highly functional. Perfect for homeowners seeking a sophisticated basement remodel or custom media room design that balances comfort, performance, and elevated style.

The Gomez floorplan stands out not just for its curb appeal, but for the beauty carried through every angle of the home. Set on an expansive walkout lot, this home features a large composite deck with sleek black railing, a patio below, and a dedicated fire pit area — ideal for gathering with loved ones and friends in all seasons. A 3.5-stall garage includes a side entry, adding functionality without sacrificing the home’s clean, elegant look. The exterior showcases hip-style roofing and modern lines, giving the Gomez a bold and timeless presence. Inside, the luxurious layout boasts over 3,600 sq ft above grade, with an additional 1,500 sq ft of finished space in the walkout basement — totaling just over 5,100 sq ft throughout. From the covered front porch, you’ll step into a grand entryway leading to a large office with beautiful built-ins, and a spacious laundry room equipped with a stackable unit. The great room features soaring 18-foot ceilings, custom trim details, and a stunning tiled fireplace that draws in natural light and warmth. At the heart of the home, the double island kitchen is a dream for entertaining — offering ample prep space, a prep sink, a second stovetop, and a full pantry. The kitchen flows into a bright sunroom and large dining space, with easy access to the deck for indoor-outdoor living. The main floor also includes a private in-law suite, complete with a custom-tiled shower, double vanity, water closet, and walk-in closet — the perfect balance of comfort and privacy. Upstairs, a striking glass wall railing leads to a spacious loft that overlooks the great room. Two bedrooms sit off the loft, along with a stunning primary suite. This suite features a large tiled shower, soaking tub, dual vanities, a separate toilet room, and a huge walk-in closet with its own washer and dryer for added convenience. The finished walkout basement offers two more bedrooms, a full bathroom, a game room, and a large family room with another fireplace. A custom wet bar with premium finishes makes this space perfect for entertaining. Storage rooms are thoughtfully tucked throughout the lower level, and the walkout leads directly to the patio and fire pit area. This home is loaded with character — from custom trim work to the client-selected finishes that brought their vision to life. The Gomez is a 6 bed, 4.5 bath home with over 5,100 square feet of beautifully finished space.

Balancing modern architectural elements with traditional Edwardian features was a key component of the complete renovation of this San Francisco residence. All new finishes were selected to brighten and enliven the spaces, and the home was filled with a mix of furnishings that convey a modern twist on traditional elements. The re-imagined layout of the home supports activities that range from a cozy family game night to al fresco entertaining. Architect: AT6 Architecture Builder: Citidev Photographer: Ken Gutmaker Photography

There are not many things better than a room full of your favourite people. As you gather you smell dinner cooking in the kitchen and music playing in the background, as joyful conversation and laughter fill the room. I feel so grateful that we are inching our way back to these days. How about you? The project I’m sharing with you today has beautiful moments like these at its heart. Spaces that invite people in, foster connection, and make everyday living so simple that it’s impossible not to enjoy... Meet our Delightful Clients: The family behind this 1950s North Vancouver home transformation enjoy entertaining friends just as much as cosying up to watch a movie together. A professional couple (I'll call them Jon and Anna) with two elementary school-aged sons, Anna and Jon approached us with the task of furnishing the main floor living spaces and the basement of their family home. Anna is a busy lawyer who is now working almost full time from home, and Jon works in the film industry. With full careers, two active boys, and a love of gathering, they craved a home that could support their everyday lifestyle. Design and Lifestyle Goals: Our central goal for this project was simple: to uncover the hidden potential in their home and create a family-friendly space that functioned well and flowed seamlessly. On the main floor, our clients tasked us with creating an area for the family to relax and entertain, along with crafting a work and play space for the boys. They also dreamed of a more functional and bright basement, which they envisioned as a dual purpose family room and home office for Anna. Reveal: Comfortable and Welcoming Entryway & Living Room: Imagine you are coming home, and you walk through a bright, sunny front door like this one. You are met by this entryway of calming earth and sea tones, paired with warm, natural wood flooring. You feel instantly welcomed and eager to venture further inside... The same is now true for our clients! The simple details in their entryway are thoughtfully arranged with clean lines and colourful art as the focal point, achieving a timeless and friendly aesthetic. Dried wheat brings movement into the space and plays up the beauty of nature, while the vibrant yet warm colours and textures evoke feelings of comfort and homecoming. The entry flows seamlessly into this connected living area, which is adorned with ample seating strategically arranged to host and accommodate joyful conversations. With the fireplace and wood mantel as the focal point, these natural elements and hues warm up the room to make it feel beautifully lived-in (not like an untouchable museum). Another colourful work of art graces the space above Jon’s and Anna’s sofa, and we used decorative pillows and a throw blanket to tempt those colours into the rest of the room. A simply styled coffee table keeps the space feeling open and engaged. Reading material, anyone? Just beyond this living area, you get a glimpse of the second space our clients requested on their main floor... A Collected Space for Children to Work + Play: When Jon and Anna realised that their formal dining area wasn’t being used to its full potential, they imagined creating a work and play space for their boys instead. We came up with a plan to create a shared desk area with plentiful storage. This timeless natural wood desk was the perfect way to maximise surface area and give the boys plenty of space to do homework during the school year, or spend time crafting or building LEGOs during the summers. The drawers provide storage for all the wonderful items that fuel their productivity or creativity. Or both. I also love how the white floating shelves display a collection of nostalgic toys, providing just the right amount of childhood endearment to this sophisticated and functional space. This workspace now has endless possibilities for the boys, and it helps Jon and Anna keep their minds and spaces clear, too. Which brings us to... Basement Family Room & Home Office: In general, we knew we had to maximise surface area in this ‘50s home, and this was especially true for our clients’ basement. I’m happy to say that we designed an effortlessly comfortable space that focuses on family and makes it simple to settle in and work… or leave the workday behind. Welcome to this dual-function office and family room. Toward the back of the room, we strategically positioned Anna’s wraparound desk facing out into the room and gave her a wallpaper-and-art backdrop for stunning Zoom calls (she has already received glowing compliments). There is plenty of storage for easy organization including a space to store the family’s shared printer near the door… so they don’t have to interrupt “Mom” to get to it. Anna also wanted the freedom to be able to relax in this space with her family and turn her back on the work day — quite literally! The sofa is perfectly positioned backing onto the desk allowing her to do just that. We relocated an existing mustard yellow chair and used pops of the same colour to integrate it into the overall scheme. The wood armrests on this modular sectional provide surfaces for snacks and drinks where there was no room for an end table. The walnut finish carries the theme of natural comfort from the upstairs spaces down into the family room. The view from the sectional is less business and more pleasure, featuring cosy seating and throw pillows in cheerful colours and patterns. The highlight of this space? A wallpapered accent wall where we were able to achieve the high-end feel of custom built-in shelving with a simple IKEA hack. The shelves and cabinetry around the television offer plenty of much needed storage space to house family games and movies at a budget price point. This fun room is the perfect balance of work and play, accommodating and supporting our clients’ daily family adventures. What Our Clients Had to Say... Our clients could not be happier with their warm yet functional new rooms. With thoughtful consideration and a plan of action, we were able to transform two areas of their home into spaces that function well and feel good. In fact, they had this to say: “Lori and her team were everything we were looking for: great listeners, wonderfully creative and highly professional. We couldn't be happier with our interior makeover.” — Clients That is why we do what we do. If you're ready to start your redesign project, we would love to help. Reach out to us here, and let's get to know more about each other.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Windsor II Modern Farmhouse in Columbia, South Carolina, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elegance. Inspired by the popular Windsor plan, this layout maximizes spatial volume and natural light on the main level with soaring 10-foot ceilings. The open-concept first floor seamlessly connects the family room, dining area, and kitchen into an expansive heart of the home perfect for entertaining. To blend luxury with practicality, custom built-in shelving is integrated throughout the home, including a dedicated home office featuring organized open shelving paired with premium cabinetry. For ultimate privacy, the luxurious first-floor owner’s retreat serves as a quiet main-level sanctuary. This primary suite offers abundant organization with two separate, oversized walk-in closets. The spa-like owner's bath is designed for a premium getaway experience, beautifully appointed with a contemporary freestanding soaking tub and a meticulously detailed custom tile shower. Upstairs, 9-foot ceilings maintain an airy, elevated feel across an entertainment-focused second floor. The second-story loft features a show-stopping mini wet bar complete with a custom wine storage piece, serving as the perfect transition into the adjacent media room. Engineered for ultimate comfort, this space is designed as a cozy in-home theater featuring authentic tiered seating, ensuring there isn’t a bad seat in the house for family movie nights or weekend game days.

This custom-designed home movie room with built-in bar blends luxury, comfort, and functionality to create the ultimate entertainment space. Rich deep green walls and blackout drapes set a dramatic tone while optimizing light control for an authentic theater experience. The fully upholstered sectional sofa offers plush, lounge-style seating, complemented by warm leather accent chairs for a refined yet relaxed atmosphere. A custom marble-top coffee table anchors the space, while layered area rugs add warmth and acoustic softness—ideal for a dedicated media room or basement renovation. The integrated wet bar with sink, stone countertops, custom cabinetry, and open shelving elevates the room into a true home entertainment suite. Complete with beverage refrigeration and display storage, this space is designed for seamless hosting—whether for movie nights, game days, or intimate gatherings. Thoughtful lighting design, tailored window treatments, and high-end material selections make this luxury home theater both visually striking and highly functional. Perfect for homeowners seeking a sophisticated basement remodel or custom media room design that balances comfort, performance, and elevated style.

This 1,800 sq ft all-season cottage is designed to make the most of its breathtaking south-facing view of the Ottawa River. Every aspect of the cottage was carefully considered to optimize the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, ensuring the water views are an integral part of daily life. At the heart of the cottage is the expansive open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area, featuring a striking stone fireplace and vaulted ceilings. An abundance of windows along the river-facing side allows natural light to flood the space while offering uninterrupted views of the water. Strategic design elements, including retractable canopies, provide shade during hot summer months while allowing for increased sunlight during the winter to enhance the warmth and comfort of the interiors. Perfect for entertaining, the spacious sunroom serves as a flexible space for both intimate gatherings and larger groups. It includes a second stone fireplace and ample room for dining and lounging, with seamless access to the outdoor deck. For sun lovers, the deck provides the perfect spot to bask in the warmth, while the canopy offers a shady retreat to enjoy the river views during hot days. A cozy firepit patio closer to the water creates an inviting space for evening gatherings, complete with the charm of a crackling fire and views of the river. Off the sunroom, a screened porch offers a shaded escape, providing relief from the heat and bugs during the summer afternoons. This porch is conveniently located next to the BBQ area, allowing for easy outdoor cooking and socializing. The primary bedroom suite includes a bedroom partition wall that allows the bed to face the river while providing unimpeded access to the walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom. The main level also includes a butler’s pantry, office, full bathroom, and a second bedroom ideal for family. The lower level expands the living space further, offering four additional guest bedrooms, a bunk room for the kids, ample storage, a laundry room, and a versatile games room. With thoughtful design and functional spaces, this cottage balances comfort, style, and connection to nature.

When an international client moved from Brazil to Stamford, Connecticut, they reached out to Decor Aid, and asked for our help in modernizing a recently purchased suburban home. The client felt that the house was too “cookie-cutter,” and wanted to transform their space into a highly individualized home for their energetic family of four. In addition to giving the house a more updated and modern feel, the client wanted to use the interior design as an opportunity to segment and demarcate each area of the home. They requested that the downstairs area be transformed into a media room, where the whole family could hang out together. Both of the parents work from home, and so their office spaces had to be sequestered from the rest of the house, but conceived without any disruptive design elements. And as the husband is a photographer, he wanted to put his own artwork on display. So the furniture that we sourced had to balance the more traditional elements of the house, while also feeling cohesive with the husband’s bold, graphic, contemporary style of photography. The first step in transforming this house was repainting the interior and exterior, which were originally done in outdated beige and taupe colors. To set the tone for a classically modern design scheme, we painted the exterior a charcoal grey, with a white trim, and repainted the door a crimson red. The home offices were placed in a quiet corner of the house, and outfitted with a similar color palette: grey walls, a white trim, and red accents, for a seamless transition between work space and home life. The house is situated on the edge of a Connecticut forest, with clusters of maple, birch, and hemlock trees lining the property. So we installed white window treatments, to accentuate the natural surroundings, and to highlight the angular architecture of the home. In the entryway, a bold, graphic print, and a thick-pile sheepskin rug set the tone for this modern, yet comfortable home. While the formal room was conceived with a high-contrast neutral palette and angular, contemporary furniture, the downstairs media area includes a spiral staircase, comfortable furniture, and patterned accent pillows, which creates a more relaxed atmosphere. Equipped with a television, a fully-stocked bar, and a variety of table games, the downstairs media area has something for everyone in this energetic young family.

This house overlooking the Burrard inlet in Port Moody was re-created for homeowners who wished to stay for their love of the Cliffside location. The space is full of intrigue and inspiration for its artistic owners, with yet another piece of oceanic whimsy around each turn. Natural light floods the sitting area and dining room, spilling up into the kitchen of the split level greatroom space. A towering stone fireplace offsets the warm wood floor and white high gloss kitchen cabinets. The circular windows repeated throughout the home bring balance and a softened touch to the marine industry expression of the dark wooden post and beam structure. Downstairs media and games rooms provide space in this family home for everyone to find solace for something they enjoy… when they are not taking in the spectacular views from the home’s ocean facing patio.

A stylish and welcoming transition from upper levels to the lower level retreat, this basement staircase remodel is all about details. The elegant iron balusters paired with a warm wooden handrail complement the surrounding This beautifully remodeled basement is the ultimate blend of functionality and refined style. Designed with both entertaining and everyday living in mind, the space features a stunning full bar with quartz countertops, floating wood shelves, and a bold herringbone wallpaper backsplash that adds texture and personality. The bar area opens seamlessly to the game room, complete with a rustic wood pool table, shuffleboard, and direct walkout access through French doors. The entire basement boasts warm wood-look flooring, exposed brick columns, and elegant light fixtures that lend a sophisticated, industrial-chic vibe. The large peninsula with bar seating offers the perfect spot to gather with friends and family, while the open-concept layout keeps everyone connected. In a clever design twist, a hidden bookshelf door adds character and provides access to the home’s HVAC system—tucked discreetly out of view. Opposite, a set of black French doors invites you into a dedicated wine room with custom X-style wine storage and a cozy bistro table. Whether you're hosting guests or enjoying a quiet night in, this basement remodel delivers a perfect balance of comfort, style, and purpose-built spaces that elevate everyday living.

A contemporary modern cabin located near a geo-thermal hot spring in the mountain town of Sun Valley, Idaho. Photography: Tim Brown/Balance Productions

This project emerged from a personal and urgent need: the owner, a physician treating immuno-compromised cancer patients during theCOVID-19 pandemic, required a safe environment that balanced strict health protocols with meaningful family connection. Isolation was not a luxury—it was essential. The purchase of a neighboring lot provided a rare chance to create a unified family compound that could support both physical health and emotional wellbeing. The goal was to design a flexible, light-filled space supporting guest rooms, work areas, a media zone, and an indoor basketball court—while maintaining privacy and promoting wellness. Skylights above the stair create a poetic sun dial marking the time.

This 1,800 sq ft all-season cottage is designed to make the most of its breathtaking south-facing view of the Ottawa River. Every aspect of the cottage was carefully considered to optimize the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, ensuring the water views are an integral part of daily life. At the heart of the cottage is the expansive open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area, featuring a striking stone fireplace and vaulted ceilings. An abundance of windows along the river-facing side allows natural light to flood the space while offering uninterrupted views of the water. Strategic design elements, including retractable canopies, provide shade during hot summer months while allowing for increased sunlight during the winter to enhance the warmth and comfort of the interiors. Perfect for entertaining, the spacious sunroom serves as a flexible space for both intimate gatherings and larger groups. It includes a second stone fireplace and ample room for dining and lounging, with seamless access to the outdoor deck. For sun lovers, the deck provides the perfect spot to bask in the warmth, while the canopy offers a shady retreat to enjoy the river views during hot days. A cozy firepit patio closer to the water creates an inviting space for evening gatherings, complete with the charm of a crackling fire and views of the river. Off the sunroom, a screened porch offers a shaded escape, providing relief from the heat and bugs during the summer afternoons. This porch is conveniently located next to the BBQ area, allowing for easy outdoor cooking and socializing. The primary bedroom suite includes a bedroom partition wall that allows the bed to face the river while providing unimpeded access to the walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom. The main level also includes a butler’s pantry, office, full bathroom, and a second bedroom ideal for family. The lower level expands the living space further, offering four additional guest bedrooms, a bunk room for the kids, ample storage, a laundry room, and a versatile games room. With thoughtful design and functional spaces, this cottage balances comfort, style, and connection to nature.

This 1,800 sq ft all-season cottage is designed to make the most of its breathtaking south-facing view of the Ottawa River. Every aspect of the cottage was carefully considered to optimize the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, ensuring the water views are an integral part of daily life. At the heart of the cottage is the expansive open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area, featuring a striking stone fireplace and vaulted ceilings. An abundance of windows along the river-facing side allows natural light to flood the space while offering uninterrupted views of the water. Strategic design elements, including retractable canopies, provide shade during hot summer months while allowing for increased sunlight during the winter to enhance the warmth and comfort of the interiors. Perfect for entertaining, the spacious sunroom serves as a flexible space for both intimate gatherings and larger groups. It includes a second stone fireplace and ample room for dining and lounging, with seamless access to the outdoor deck. For sun lovers, the deck provides the perfect spot to bask in the warmth, while the canopy offers a shady retreat to enjoy the river views during hot days. A cozy firepit patio closer to the water creates an inviting space for evening gatherings, complete with the charm of a crackling fire and views of the river. Off the sunroom, a screened porch offers a shaded escape, providing relief from the heat and bugs during the summer afternoons. This porch is conveniently located next to the BBQ area, allowing for easy outdoor cooking and socializing. The primary bedroom suite includes a bedroom partition wall that allows the bed to face the river while providing unimpeded access to the walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom. The main level also includes a butler’s pantry, office, full bathroom, and a second bedroom ideal for family. The lower level expands the living space further, offering four additional guest bedrooms, a bunk room for the kids, ample storage, a laundry room, and a versatile games room. With thoughtful design and functional spaces, this cottage balances comfort, style, and connection to nature.