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

This family has many beautiful and unique Items we integrated in the home design. The pieces from their international travels included furnishings, original artwork, a hand carved wall hanging and wooden elephant, silk, oriental and animal rugs. We created new spaces for their lifestyle with pieces for seating area and a work area. We added some new light fixtures and reupholstered the dining room chairs. Our custom workroom constructed our design for bedding and draperies for the Master Bedroom which was painted a lighter wall color. We reworked the children's rooms with collections they love. The family room got a refresh with new chairs, lights, and a fun print on the pillows. The home is enjoyed by all. Photography: Michael Hunter

Repose Gray (SW 7015) walls accented by Alabaster White (SW 7008) trim creates a clean, inviting kitchen. *Photography by Martin Vecchio
Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Cleveland

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional freestanding desk medium tone wood floor and brown floor study room remodel in Boston with blue walls

Soft muted colors are paired with mixed metallics to create a casual elegance in this Southern home. Various wood tones & finishes provide an eclectic touch to the spaces. Luxurious custom draperies add classic charm by beautifully framing the rooms. A combination of accessories, custom arrangements & original art bring an authentic uniqueness to the overall design. Pops of vibrant hot pink add a modern twist to the otherwise subtle color scheme of neutrals & airy blue tones. By Design Interiors Daniel Angulo Photography.

Fun and feminine are the best words to describe this girls bedroom. The light pink walls and bright pink trim scream playful, along with the matching pink and yellow scalloped light fixture from Stray Dog Designs. A multicolor floral sofa helps to tie in the bright blue coffee and side tables from Worlds Away and Stray Dog Designs respectively. Photography: Vivian Johnson

Dennis and Joe have a large, light-filled house. New construction meant lofted space and open floor plans with traditional styling. Running a busy dental practice by day and engaged in a rich social life by night, this couple needed a professional to take the lead on making their house a home. That’s my cue! They wanted to take risks, and stay away from “matchy-matchy”. We gussied up a plain ol’ TV room and gave it a healthy dose of luxury. Our plan was initially inspired by an abstract painting hanging over their stone fireplace. We brought in their love of the outdoors to make things cozy and used family furniture whenever possible for nostalgia and comfort. I took their love for one-of-a-kind objects and started making a design plan, aiming to solve their biggest frustration: the family room. They had a tortured relationship with a “forgotten family room,” a great space that was spacious and bright, but not at all cozy or joyful, and certainly not “them.” I wanted to create a cozy space functional for everyday curling up with puppies and watching TV after dinner, yet chic enough for hosting the pre-dinner kitchen overflow and cocktails during parties. I went looking for contrasting textures and materials. I wanted to balance patterns and scale, and use non-traditional colors as neutrals to create an overall sense of “BAM!” Dennis and Joe loved the nod to the classics juxtaposed with new and different globally-inspired pieces. For this project our design aesthetic can be described as Middle Eastern/tribal meets mid-century modern. We played to their sensible side with proportion and balance, and stayed as far away from boring/bleh as we could. You could say this room was pretty successful...It was featured in DC Modern Luxury. (#nobigdeal, right?) From there we moved on to other spaces.. We added colorful pillows and sheer drapery to finish off their formal living room. We kept an inherited bedroom set from Dennis’ Mom and added color, draperies, and pillows to overhaul the guest bedroom. Their project was not a rip-and-replace, we weren’t starting from scratch with a blank piece of paper. Rather, our goal was to take what was already there and make it better, more like them. Using functionality first, we focused on giving the house a soothing, joyful aesthetic. We upped the chic factor by a gajillion and helped them find their ‘happy’ at home. See more Safferstone stuff at www.safferstone.com. Connect with us on Facebook, get inspired on Pinterest, and share modern musings on life & design on Instagram. Or, send us a love note at hello@safferstone.com. Photo: Angie Seckinger

Shoot2Sell
Inspiration for a timeless entryway remodel in Dallas with a red front door

Modern master bathroom for equestrian family in Wellington, FL. Freestanding bathtub and plumbing hardware by Waterworks. Limestone flooring and wall tile. Sconces by ILEX. Design By Krista Watterworth Design Studio of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Cabinet color: Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter Photography by Jessica Glynn

Mid century modern feeling in a beach house kitchen. I opened up a wall to give a light and bright feeling to the kitchen. The counter tops are white and the back splash is white marble with blue stone accents. It is reminiscent of a european cafe. I love the mix of textures, styles and color. The floors are reclaimed teak. The cabinets are riff cut white oak stained a golden tone. Don Anderson

Mustard tones, teamed with neutral grey tones and highlighted by energetic shades of green produce this modern interpretation of mid 20th century style. Wall colours Sail White and Mustard Jar available in Matt or Mid Sheen Breatheasy emulsion.

Shelly Harrison Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal and open concept light wood floor living room remodel in Boston with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace and no tv

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling | Nor-Son Inc, Remodel | Troy Thies, Photography Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

This nautical styled bathroom features Sherwin-Williams “Cyberspace” SW 7076 on Dura Supreme’s Craftsman Beaded Panel cabinet door style. This dark navy blue is subtle, neutral, and dramatic all at the same time. This color was selected for Dura Supreme’s 2017-2018 Curated Color Collection. Dura Supreme’s Curated Color Collection is a collection of cabinet paint colors that are always fresh, current and reflective of popular color trends for home interiors and cabinetry. This offering of colors is continuously updated as color trends shift. Painted cabinetry is more popular than ever before and the color you select for your home should be a reflection of your personal taste and style. Our Personal Paint Match Program offers the entire Sherwin-William’s paint palette and Benjamin Moore’s paint palette, over 5,000 colors, for your new kitchen or bath cabinetry. Color is a highly personal preference for most people and although there are specific colors that are considered “on trend” or fashionable, color choices should ultimately be based on what appeals to you personally. Homeowners often ask about color trends and how to incorporate them into newly designed or renovated interiors. And although trends and fashion should be taken into consideration, that should not be the only deciding factor. If you love a specific shade of green, select complementing neutrals and coordinating colors to create an entire palette that will remain an everlasting classic. It could be something as simple as being able to select the perfect shade of white that complements the countertop and tile and works well in a specific lighting situation. Our new Personal Paint Match system makes that process so much easier. Request a FREE Dura Supreme Brochure Packet: http://www.durasupreme.com/request-brochure

This charming kitchen is the centerpiece of this home with the large island as a key gathering space for family and friends. The navy-blue painted cabinets and white countertop bring a simple elegance to the space while the over-sized brass pendants and brass fixtures add warmth. Balancing the cool blue and white palette are warm nutmeg coloured base cabinets with black hardware which are the perfect compliment to the rest of the space. The white countertops are balanced by a simple integrated hood fan and floating shelves, backed by classic off-white subway tiles. A cove crown molding finishes the cabinets to the ceiling while the shaker profile doors is repeated on the back of the island adding a sophisticated quality to this traditional kitchen. Flanked on either side by the stainless-steel fridge and wall oven, there is plenty of room to cook in this kitchen. The island features a deep sink with brass faucet, dishwasher and integrated pull-out garbage bins for easy organization. The induction cooktop is surrounded by deep drawers and ample counterspace; every cook’s dream! The layering of warm and cool tones gives this kitchen an old-world charm with all the comforts of modern-day living.

Colors inspired by the hand painted Talavera Calla Lilies sink and mural. This bath spaces measures about 6 x 7 foot square so a lot of function needed to be included in a small space. Patricia Bean, Expressive Architectural Photography

Example of a large country blue two-story wood exterior home design in Seattle

Designed & Built by Renewal Design-Build. RenewalDesignBuild.com Photography by: Jeff Herr Photography
Living room - mid-century modern formal and open concept living room idea in Atlanta with a tv stand

The front porch of this bungalow is fresh and friendly while being soft and inviting with the swing and casual lighting. Photography by Josh Vick
Classic front porch idea in Atlanta with decking and a roof extension