Jeff McNamara
Mid-sized elegant galley ceramic tile and gray floor dedicated laundry room photo in New York with white cabinets, a farmhouse sink, a side-by-side washer/dryer, white countertops and gray walls

Our client’s charming cottage was no longer meeting the needs of their family. We needed to give them more space but not lose the quaint characteristics that make this little historic home so unique. So we didn’t go up, and we didn’t go wide, instead we took this master suite addition straight out into the backyard and maintained 100% of the original historic façade. Master Suite This master suite is truly a private retreat. We were able to create a variety of zones in this suite to allow room for a good night’s sleep, reading by a roaring fire, or catching up on correspondence. The fireplace became the real focal point in this suite. Wrapped in herringbone whitewashed wood planks and accented with a dark stone hearth and wood mantle, we can’t take our eyes off this beauty. With its own private deck and access to the backyard, there is really no reason to ever leave this little sanctuary. Master Bathroom The master bathroom meets all the homeowner’s modern needs but has plenty of cozy accents that make it feel right at home in the rest of the space. A natural wood vanity with a mixture of brass and bronze metals gives us the right amount of warmth, and contrasts beautifully with the off-white floor tile and its vintage hex shape. Now the shower is where we had a little fun, we introduced the soft matte blue/green tile with satin brass accents, and solid quartz floor (do you see those veins?!). And the commode room is where we had a lot fun, the leopard print wallpaper gives us all lux vibes (rawr!) and pairs just perfectly with the hex floor tile and vintage door hardware. Hall Bathroom We wanted the hall bathroom to drip with vintage charm as well but opted to play with a simpler color palette in this space. We utilized black and white tile with fun patterns (like the little boarder on the floor) and kept this room feeling crisp and bright.

  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

© Cindy Apple Photography
Mid-sized transitional galley linoleum floor and blue floor enclosed kitchen photo in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

This pool and spa is built in an affluent neighborhood with many new homes that are traditional in design but have modern, clean details. Similar to the homes, this pool takes a traditional pool and gives it a clean, modern twist. The site proved to be perfect for a long lap pool that the client desired with plenty of room for a separate spa. The two bodies of water, though separate, are visually linked together by a custom limestone raised water feature wall with 10 custom Bobe water scuppers. Quality workmanship as required throughout the entire build to ensure the automatic pool cover would remain square the entire 50 foot length of the pool. Features of this pool and environment that enhance the aesthetic appeal of this project include: -Glass waterline tile -Glass seat and bench tile -Glass tile swim lane marking on pool floor -Custom limestone coping and deck -PebbleTec pool finish -Synthetic Turf Lawn This outdoor environment cohesively brings the clean & modern finishes of the home seamlessly to the outdoors to a pool and spa for play, exercise and relaxation. Photography: Daniel Driensky

Bring texture to your living room without overwhelming the eye by using our Star and Cross tile in a neutral tone on the floor. PHOTOS Margaret Austin Photography, Sara Combs + Rich Combs Tile Shown: Star and Cross in Ivory

To create a unique kitchen, we take inspiration from the personality of our clients; it’s a collaborative effort to develop the exact look and feel that best suits their lifestyles. The challenge of this kitchen was to re-build the existing kitchen and adjoining full bath, creating a much better flow with plenty of storage for this active family (as they often entertain seaside). The two-toned cabinetry in both white and laguna blue reflected a true beach-feel adorned with a terrific choice of starfish and shell shaped hardware to draw attention to this creative and beautifully transformed seaside kitchen. We remind our clients that in order to be unique, do something unique! And this is nicely demonstrated in both the layout, color scheme and backsplash design details. Our client selected several hand painted decorative ocean creatures for the backsplash, drawing from colors in the room, and this created a truly unique conversation piece! A glint of sparkle from the white quartz countertops brings you closer to the beach in this impressive oceanfront home. From flooring to ceiling, we created a picture perfect beautiful beach house kitchen that is not only functional but provides a relaxed and inviting feel for these seaside owners.

This guest bathroom was transformed into a whole new configuration. Included was a new soaking tub & shower enclosure. The wall to wall, horizontal, white tile was installed to look like shiplap. This included the painstaking task of two different grout colors to help hide the transitions, and make it look more like true, wood, shiplap.

[Our Clients] We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldn’t wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. [Kitchen] The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. [Dining Room] The dining room had once been the home’s living room, but we had other plans in mind. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. [Living Room] We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs you’ve ever sat in. [Master Suite] This home didn’t originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that you’d never want to leave. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. [Hall Bathroom] The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. [Office] We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. And voila! We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood.

Inspiration for a timeless gray floor laundry room remodel in Orlando with white cabinets and an undermount sink

Clad in Fireclay's hand painted tiles in a custom color palette, Sunset Magazine's 2018 Idea House Bathroom is full of extreme, spa-worthy luxe. Offset bathroom floor tiles tie it all together. TILES SHOWN White Mountains Hand Painted Tiles in a custom color palette 2x8 Bathroom Floor Tiles in Flagstone

Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped porcelain tile and gray floor eat-in kitchen design in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photography by Jared Kuzia
Inspiration for a farmhouse mosaic tile floor bathroom remodel in Boston with blue walls and a trough sink

A young family moving from NYC tackled a lightning fast makeover of their new colonial revival home before the arrival of their second child. The kitchen area was quite spacious but needed a facelift and new layout. Painted cabinetry matched to Benjamin Moore’s Light Pewter is balanced by grey glazed rift oak cabinetry on the island. Shiplap paneling on the island and cabinet lend a slightly contemporary edge. White bronze hardware by Schaub & Co. in a contemporary bar shape offer clean lines with some texture in a warm metallic tone. White Marble countertops in “Alpine Mist” create a harmonious color palette while the pale blue/grey Waterworks backsplash adds a touch of color. Kitchen design and custom cabinetry by Studio Dearborn. Countertops by Rye Marble. Refrigerator, freezer and wine refrigerator--Subzero; Ovens--Wolf. Cooktop--Gaggenau. Ventilation—Best Cirrus Series CC34IQSB. Hardware--Schaub & Company. Sink--Kohler Strive. Sink faucet--Rohl. Tile--Waterworks Architectonics 3x6 in the dust pressed line, Icewater color. Stools--Palacek. Flooring—Sota Floors. Window treatments: www.horizonshades.com in “Northbrook Birch.” Photography Adam Kane Macchia.

We feel this is a great example of a beautiful kitchen remodel that did not require down-to-the-studs renovation. The changes to the cabinetry, countertops, backsplash, lighting and hardware completely transformed the look of the room. It’s now a relaxing space our clients love to use and look at from other rooms.Beautiful new cabinetry made the biggest impact on updating the kitchen. The new cabinet doors and drawer fronts are flat panel with beaded Shaker style. Brass hardware and lighting adds warmth to the space. The beautiful new blue backsplash added a relaxing touch to the room. And the custom vent hood and quartzite countertops are also stunners. We were also able to keep elements that the homeowners loved, including their new refinished hardwood floors and wood wrapped kitchen island. Treating this renovation as a refacing saved our clients a lot of money. It was also more sustainable than a full remodel because refacing limited the amount of construction waste generated from the project.

Partners4Design; Gilbertson Photography Limestone generally has a warm feel and is used in more traditional applications. Here, the limestone, Smoke, was used on the contemporary master bath floor. The larger format adds an architectural, modern dimension.

Cindy Apple Photography with Model Remodel
Example of a mid-sized classic l-shaped porcelain tile kitchen design in Seattle with an undermount sink, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and beaded inset cabinets

Chris Veith
Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Transitional beige tile freestanding bathtub photo in Richmond with shaker cabinets and dark wood cabinets