With a thoughtful use of lighting and carefully curated furniture, this 1,000 sq ft Mid-Levels apartment with unsightly columns and beams is transformed into a cosy Scandinavian home with a Japanese touch. When you think of designing a home, one does not usually put Japanese and Nordic together. But Clifton was inspired by the compatibility of the two cultures, which both emphasise minimalism, to bring out this eye-catching fusion project. Earth tones reminiscent of Scandinavian design are used throughout the apartment, allowing it to look more spacious and comfortable. Upon entering the apartment, one is quickly greeted by the Japanese style living room, which oozes Zen with a faux fur carpet and flatter furniture pieces including a Fritz Hansen sofa in pink, side table from Habitat, dining table from HAY and pendent lamps from Louis Poulsen. The apartment is blessed with a high ceiling, but nonetheless, its columns and beams originally made it appear smaller. But with a clever use of lighting, such as indirect lighting on top of the beams and strategic placement of lamps on the columns, the flaws are concealed and the unit appears taller, bigger and more comfortable. Similarly, the kitchen is transformed into an open one with an island, so the owners, both social butterflies, can invite their friends over for gatherings. Besides catering to the two adult owners, Clifton did not forget about their fur friend Buddy, a Bichon Frise. To ensure that Buddy does not feel left out at night, while ensuring the couple can have some privacy in their bedroom, a small square hole was made in the door for him to freely move in and out.

FineCraft Contractors, Inc. Harrison Design
Small modern gray two-story stucco exterior home idea in DC Metro with a metal roof and a black roof

By Design I WANT THAT Wednesday feature of the week . . . tired of the traditional shower entry options? Clear glass door - done. Glass block - meh. Rain or frosted glass - yawn. Here's one that might ring your bell.

DESIGN BUILD REMODEL | Home Office Transformation | FOUR POINT DESIGN BUILD INC. This space was once a child's bedroom and now doubles as a professional home photography post production office and a dressing room for graceful ballerinas! This completely transformed 3,500+ sf family dream home sits atop the gorgeous hills of Calabasas, CA and celebrates the strategic and eclectic merging of contemporary and mid-century modern styles with the earthy touches of a world traveler! AS SEEN IN Better Homes and Gardens | BEFORE & AFTER | 10 page feature and COVER | Spring 2016 To see more of this fantastic transformation, watch for the launch of our NEW website and blog THE FOUR POINT REPORT, where we celebrate this and other incredible design build journey! Launching September 2016. Photography by Riley Jamison #ballet #photography #remodel #LAinteriordesigner #builder #dreamproject #oneinamillion

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless l-shaped travertine floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with an island, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an undermount sink

Steve Hall, Dave Burk@Hedrich Blessing, Doug Snower Photography
Large minimalist gray two-story mixed siding exterior home photo in Chicago

Ornamental koi can be a peaceful addition to water gardens, but rarely are they seen cascading down a wall inside the home. In the sunroom of the Adamsleigh Estate in Greensboro, N.C., the koi water feature inspired the colors and mood of the spa-like design and serves as the focal point of the room. The designer, Bradshaw Orrell, created a calm ambiance through the use of a symmetrical layout and a custom designed Sunbrella rug from Colonial Mills which adds a layer of softness to the terracotta floor. Two directional chaises with upholstered cushions in Meridian Frost sit on either side of an upholstered ottoman in Savvy Sunset by Joe Ruggiero. Throw pillows in Spectrum Peacock, Canvas Birdseye and Savvy Sunset reflect the colors of a koi pond and add depth and comfort for lounging. The abundant sunshine reveals the subtle asymmetry of the framed prints flanking the koi while a Sunbrella throw by Textillery Weavers adds a soft touch to this relaxing oasis.

Photo: Paula Coldiron © 2014 Houzz
Living room - traditional living room idea in Birmingham

Example of a trendy kitchen design in Boston

Example of a small eclectic kitchen pantry design in Boston

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Sarah Winchester
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Mark Boisclair
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Brian Kellogg
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Livingroom and Dining area in an Oregon Coast beach house. Photo by Nik Johnson and Sam Hyde Evans
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