Example of a mid-sized urban underground medium tone wood floor and brown floor basement design in DC Metro with gray walls

Small elegant galley marble floor and gray floor enclosed kitchen photo in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and yellow countertops

Example of a large trendy galley dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen design in Detroit with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, white appliances, an island and white countertops

Because of the 2 windows and a door, we couldn’t put cabinets there without it looking weird. The homeowners needed storage but didn’t want to lose light, so we came up with this open shelving plan. Also, adding historic elements like the antique gold lights over the windows and the subway tile paid just the right homage to the home.

[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.

Freestanding bathtub - huge transitional master brown tile marble floor and gray floor freestanding bathtub idea in Salt Lake City with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, beige walls, an integrated sink, marble countertops and gray countertops

Inspiration for a large transitional ceramic tile and white floor dedicated laundry room remodel in Indianapolis with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

We started the new design with the cement tile floor and then built the color scheme. Once we nailed the floor, everything else fell into place.
Enclosed kitchen - mid-sized 1950s u-shaped vinyl floor and multicolored floor enclosed kitchen idea in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

Matthew Niemann Photography
Example of a transitional u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design in Austin with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, gray backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, white countertops, quartz countertops, white cabinets and stone tile backsplash

Inspiration for a small transitional built-in desk dark wood floor and brown floor home office remodel in Philadelphia with beige walls

Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor, brown floor, exposed beam and vaulted ceiling eat-in kitchen remodel in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and green countertops

Bathroom - transitional master marble tile marble floor, gray floor and double-sink bathroom idea in Los Angeles with medium tone wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops, a hinged shower door, gray countertops, a built-in vanity and flat-panel cabinets

Example of a mid-sized urban white tile and porcelain tile bathroom design in San Francisco

Transitional freestanding desk dark wood floor and brown floor home office photo in New York with gray walls

More subway tile with a twist. (new shape)
Mid-sized 1960s 3/4 white tile and subway tile blue floor bathroom photo in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and white countertops

Meghan Beierle O'Brien
Inspiration for a transitional multicolored floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

Goals While their home provided them with enough square footage, the original layout caused for many rooms to be underutilized. The closed off kitchen and dining room were disconnected from the other common spaces of the home causing problems with circulation and limited sight-lines. A tucked-away powder room was also inaccessible from the entryway and main living spaces in the house. Our Design Solution We sought out to improve the functionality of this home by opening up walls, relocating rooms, and connecting the entryway to the mudroom. By moving the kitchen into the formerly over-sized family room, it was able to really become the heart of the home with access from all of the other rooms in the house. Meanwhile, the adjacent family room was made into a cozy, comfortable space with updated fireplace and new cathedral style ceiling with skylights. The powder room was relocated to be off of the entry, making it more accessible for guests. A transitional style with rustic accents was used throughout the remodel for a cohesive first floor design. White and black cabinets were complimented with brass hardware and custom wood features, including a hood top and accent wall over the fireplace. Between each room, walls were thickened and archway were put in place, providing the home with even more character.

Open kitchen with two islands, green cabinets, iron ore island, floating iron shelving, white oak vent hood, double oven, brass hardware.
Large cottage brown floor kitchen photo in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, two islands and white countertops

The creamy texture of the floor tile contrasts with the alder cabinets in the best way, drawing the eye directly to the cabinets with their oil rubbed brass hardware. The recycled beams add a rustic touch to the country theme and the homeowners love the fact that Caves Millwork crafted the cabinets to incorporate the beam while still providing maximum storage space. -Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens