Photos by Brian Threlkeld
Patio - mid-sized contemporary side yard stone patio idea in Portland Maine with no cover

When Irvine designer, Richard Bustos’ client decided to remodel his Orange County 4,900 square foot home into a contemporary space, he immediately thought of Cantoni. His main concern though was based on the assumption that our luxurious modern furnishings came with an equally luxurious price tag. It was only after a visit to our Irvine store, where the client and Richard connected that the client realized our extensive collection of furniture and accessories was well within his reach.

“Richard was very thorough and straight forward as far as pricing,” says the client. "I became very intrigued that he was able to offer high quality products that I was looking for within my budget.” The next phases of the project involved looking over floor plans and discussing the client’s vision as far as design. The goal was to create a comfortable, yet stylish and modern layout for the client, his wife, and their three kids. In addition to creating a cozy and contemporary space, the client wanted his home to exude a tranquil atmosphere. Drawing most of his inspiration from Houzz, (the leading online platform for home remodeling and design) the client incorporated a Zen-like ambiance through the distressed greyish brown flooring, organic bamboo wall art, and with Richard’s help, earthy wall coverings, found in both the master bedroom and bathroom. Over the span of approximately two years, Richard helped his client accomplish his vision by selecting pieces of modern furniture that possessed the right colors, earthy tones, and textures so as to complement the home’s pre-existing features. The first room the duo tackled was the great room, and later continued furnishing the kitchen and master bedroom. Living up to its billing, the great room not only opened up to a breathtaking view of the Newport coast, it also was one great space. Richard decided that the best option to maximize the space would be to break the room into two separate yet distinct areas for living and dining. While exploring our online collections, the client discovered the Jasper Shag rug in a bold and vibrant green. The grassy green rug paired with the sleek Italian made Montecarlo glass dining table added just the right amount of color and texture to compliment the natural beauty of the bamboo sculpture. The client happily adds, “I’m always receiving complements on the green rug!” Once the duo had completed the dining area, they worked on furnishing the living area, and later added pieces like the classic Renoir bed to the master bedroom and Crescent Console to the kitchen, which adds both balance and sophistication. The living room, also known as the family room was the central area where Richard’s client and his family would spend quality time. As a fellow family man, Richard understood that that meant creating an inviting space with comfortable and durable pieces of furniture that still possessed a modern flare. The client loved the look and design of the Mercer sectional. With Cantoni’s ability to customize furniture, Richard was able to special order the sectional in a fabric that was both durable and aesthetically pleasing. Selecting the color scheme for the living room was also greatly influenced by the client’s pre-existing artwork as well as unique distressed floors. Richard recommended adding dark pieces of furniture as seen in the Mercer sectional along with the Viera area rug. He explains, “The darker colors and contrast of the rug’s material worked really well with the distressed wood floor.” Furthermore, the comfortable American Leather Recliner, which was customized in red leather not only maximized the space, but also tied in the client’s picturesque artwork beautifully. The client adds gratefully, “Richard was extremely helpful with color; He was great at seeing if I was taking it too far or not enough.” It is apparent that Richard and his client made a great team. With the client’s passion for great design and Richard’s design expertise, together they transformed the home into a modern sanctuary. Working with this particular client was a very rewarding experience for Richard. He adds, “My client and his family were so easy and fun to work with. Their enthusiasm, focus, and involvement are what helped me bring their ideas to life. I think we created a unique environment that their entire family can enjoy for many years to come.” https://www.cantoni.com/project/a-contemporary-sanctuary

Project by Wiles Design Group. Their Cedar Rapids-based design studio serves the entire Midwest, including Iowa City, Dubuque, Davenport, and Waterloo, as well as North Missouri and St. Louis. For more about Wiles Design Group, see here: https://www.wilesdesigngroup.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://wilesdesigngroup.com/dramatic-family-home

Builders special living room given personality by painting some of the white trim a neutral to blend in with fireplace more smoothly. The brick surround on the gas fireplace needed paint to make it go away, as the look was too cluttered before. Unecessary curves were erased from the millwork because they didn't relate to anything else architecturally. A brutalist 60's C. Jere sculpture was the perfect accent to the fireplace wall. Custom trapezoidal chow tables are in front of the Roche Bobois sofa.

-Two toned custom cabinets, -Quartz countertops, -Subway tile splash, -Farmhouse sink, -New appliances, -Under cabinet lights, -Deleted soffits, -Garden window, -& more!

Mid-sized trendy open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in San Diego with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Living Room in Bronco | Key Feature: A Scottsdale new-build rooted in sculptural modernism, Bronco Revival balances bold black-and-white contrast with organic textures, natural wood elements, and statement lighting. As a groundbreaking “Live Lab” designer residence, it’s a first-of-its-kind space where luxury furnishings are tested in real-world conditions before being introduced into high-profile client homes. Challenge: Because Bronco Revival was the designer’s personal residence, the project carried a unique level of pressure and intention. The challenge was creating a Scottsdale new-build that felt elevated and editorial while still functioning as a true family home. Every selection had to balance bold sculptural modernism (high contrast, statement lighting, architectural furnishings) with durability, comfort, and day-to-day livability. In addition, the home served as a “Live Lab,” meaning new vendors, materials, and luxury furnishings needed to be tested in real-life conditions before being trusted for future high-profile client projects. Solution: We approached the project with a highly curated, test-and-refine design strategy, treating each space as both a finished interior and a real-world evaluation environment. Key furnishings, textiles, and materials were selected to support the modern organic vision while also standing up to the demands of everyday family life. We worked through selections intentionally, layering in bold contrast, natural woods, and sculptural statement pieces, while prioritizing performance materials, pet-friendly durability, and timeless foundational elements. By using the home as a lived-in showroom, we were able to validate what truly performs beautifully, refine our vendor relationships, and confidently carry those proven selections into future client designs. Materials: MadeGoods: Sculptural Davion coffee tables | Loloi: Custom performance rug collection | Schumacher: Bespoke drapery fabrication | Aesthetic Wall Coverings: Pioneering wallpaper application on ceiling beams | Zac + Fox: Exclusive textile collaboration via Made Resource Group | Budget ($ Range): $300K | Timeline (Duration): 4 MONTHS

Maximizing every inch, while adding interest through design elements, were key in this project. This full gut-rehab was a complete change from the original space, adding silk wall covering, soft sheers, and bold trim colors helped blend all the elements, located in the heart of South End in Boston, MA.

The modern architectural ensemble is characterized by a bold interplay of materials and forms. It features a minimalist aesthetic with clean lines and a strong geometrical influence, while the juxtaposition of raw concrete and weathered copper panels offers a textural contrast. The structure integrates open spaces and large glass panels, which blur the boundaries between interior and exterior, enhancing the connection with the surrounding landscape.

Example of a transitional basement design in DC Metro

In the media room, our clients asked for a warm and comfortable space that could be darkened for TV watching. The client also asked that we incorporate their existing sectional sofa and cocktail table into the new design. Our design and construction team completely transformed the previously all white space by installing a floor-to-ceiling geometric wood wall behind the sectional sofa. The textured feature wall provides a "wow moment" upon entering the space. An adjacent wall of sliding glass doors is covered by fully functional blackout drapes for light control, while the facing wall showcases large-scale abstract art to balance the visual weight of the wood accent wall. Our design team finished off the modern space by adding a channel backed swivel chair, sumptuous throw pillows, accent tables, bold floor lamps and a few modern accessories.

A mix of coziness with exciting visual impact is what we wanted for this two story high family room. Starting with the bold area rug as a design focus, we added colorful paintings by Starlie Sokol-Hohne, to balance and complement our new black granite fireplace surround. Eighteen feet high draperies have neutral fabric on top, with the lower portion in the cherry red accent material. The sectional sofa allows people to either watch tv or look at the fireplace and art.

This family room design features a sleek and modern gray sectional with a subtle sheen as the main seating area, accented by custom pillows in a bold color-blocked combination of emerald and chartreuse. The room's centerpiece is a round tufted ottoman in a chartreuse hue, which doubles as a coffee table. The window is dressed with a matching chartreuse roman shade, adding a pop of color and texture to the space. A snake skin emerald green tray sits atop the ottoman, providing a stylish spot for drinks and snacks. Above the sectional, a series of framed natural botanical art pieces add a touch of organic beauty to the room's modern design. Together, these elements create a family room that is both comfortable and visually striking.

Jourieh Hage
Family room - contemporary family room idea in Boston

Jourieh Hage
Example of a trendy family room design in Boston

JANE BEILES
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional loft-style carpeted and beige floor family room library remodel in New York with gray walls, no fireplace and no tv

Gender-neutral carpeted teen room photo in Kansas City with gray walls

The new owners of this 1974 Post and Beam home originally contacted us for help furnishing their main floor living spaces. But it wasn’t long before these delightfully open minded clients agreed to a much larger project, including a full kitchen renovation. They were looking to personalize their “forever home,” a place where they looked forward to spending time together entertaining friends and family. In a bold move, we proposed teal cabinetry that tied in beautifully with their ocean and mountain views and suggested covering the original cedar plank ceilings with white shiplap to allow for improved lighting in the ceilings. We also added a full height panelled wall creating a proper front entrance and closing off part of the kitchen while still keeping the space open for entertaining. Finally, we curated a selection of custom designed wood and upholstered furniture for their open concept living spaces and moody home theatre room beyond. This project is a Top 5 Finalist for Western Living Magazine's 2021 Home of the Year.

This is the main hangout spot for our client's family. The sectional is deep and comfy, and the ottoman is great for putting your feet up and relaxing. The gallery wall includes vintage and new original art and a commissioned watercolor of the client's children. The rug is inexpensive and super pet and family friendly too!