Bi Fold doors conveniently hide away toaster and Kitchen Aid mixer. It's not often that you can take advantage of a lake view out in the suburbs of Chicago. This previously closed off kitchen now features an updated design with a great sightlines of the marvelous backyard landscape. The PB Kitchens Design team eliminated the formal eating area and instead, created an island with four spaces for seating, a second sink, and an abundance of storage. The outdoors is brought in via the large new windows and the earthy grey cabinet colors. Project specs: Cabinets by Signature Custom Cabinetry. The island features a Peruvian walnut island top from Grothouse Lumber. Dark granite countertop on the perimeter cabinetry. Quarter sawn white oak is used on the perimeter and island cabinets. Both are stained a weathered grey with the island a darker shade. Peruvian walnut island top from Grothouse Lumber are signature elements in this transitional kitchen.

This sitting room + bar is the perfect place to relax and curl up with a good book. Photography: Garett + Carrie Buell of Studiobuell/ studiobuell.com

Powder room - rustic powder room idea in Sacramento with a vessel sink and gray countertops

Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

When the homeowners first purchased the 1925 house, it was compartmentalized, outdated, and completely unfunctional for their growing family. Casework designed the owner's previous kitchen and family room and was brought in to lead up the creative direction for the project. Casework teamed up with architect Paul Crowther and brother sister team Ainslie Davis on the addition and remodel of the Colonial. The existing kitchen and powder bath were demoed and walls expanded to create a new footprint for the home. This created a much larger, more open kitchen and breakfast nook with mudroom, pantry and more private half bath. In the spacious kitchen, a large walnut island perfectly compliments the homes existing oak floors without feeling too heavy. Paired with brass accents, Calcutta Carrera marble countertops, and clean white cabinets and tile, the kitchen feels bright and open - the perfect spot for a glass of wine with friends or dinner with the whole family. There was no official master prior to the renovations. The existing four bedrooms and one separate bathroom became two smaller bedrooms perfectly suited for the client’s two daughters, while the third became the true master complete with walk-in closet and master bath. There are future plans for a second story addition that would transform the current master into a guest suite and build out a master bedroom and bath complete with walk in shower and free standing tub. Overall, a light, neutral palette was incorporated to draw attention to the existing colonial details of the home, like coved ceilings and leaded glass windows, that the homeowners fell in love with. Modern furnishings and art were mixed in to make this space an eclectic haven.

2012 Southern Living Idea House
Example of a classic white gable roof design in Atlanta

Bedroom - contemporary master dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom idea in Austin with black walls and no fireplace

Product: Authentic Limestone for Exterior Living Spaces. Ancient Surfaces Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com The design of external living spaces is known as the 'Al Fresco' design style as it is called in Italian. 'Al Fresco' translates into 'the open' or 'the cool/fresh exterior'. Customizing a fully functional outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, BBQ, fireplace or Jacuzzi pool spa all out of old reclaimed Mediterranean stone pieces is no easy task and shouldn’t be created out of the lowest common denominator of building materials such as concrete, Indian slates or Turkish travertine. The one thing you can bet the farmhouse on is that when the entire process unravels and when your outdoor living space materializes from the architects rendering to real life, you will be guaranteed a true Mediterranean living experience if your choice of construction material was as authentic and possible to the Southern Mediterranean regions. We believe that the coziness of your surroundings brought about by the creative usage of our antique stone elements will only amplify that authenticity. whether you are enjoying a relaxing time soaking the sun inside one of our Jacuzzi spa stone fountains or sharing unforgettable memories with family and friends while baking your own pizzas in one of our outdoor BBQ pizza ovens, our stone designs will always evoke in most a feeling of euphoria and exultation that one only gets while being on vacation is some exotic European island surrounded with the pristine beauty of indigenous nature and ancient architecture...

Custom design by Cynthia Soda of Soda Pop Design Inc. in Toronto, Canada. Photography by Stephani Buchman Photography.
Example of a large transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen design in Toronto with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, beige backsplash, stone tile backsplash and an island

Barry Grossman Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary white tile corner bathtub remodel in Miami with flat-panel cabinets and gray cabinets

Kitchen - large modern porcelain tile and beige floor kitchen idea in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, paneled appliances, two islands and white countertops

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2014 Houzz
Example of an eclectic bathroom design in San Francisco

Kitchen
Open concept kitchen - eclectic painted wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Los Angeles with white cabinets, wood countertops, ceramic backsplash, colored appliances and shaker cabinets

Elliott Johnson Photography
Inspiration for a country gray two-story exterior home remodel in San Luis Obispo

Giovanni Photography
Large transitional open concept dark wood floor and brown floor family room photo in Miami with gray walls, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Having an eye for great interior design yet no clue on where to start or how to narrow down their aesthetic vision, a young family turned to Décor Aid to bring their drab pre-war Upper West Side apartment to life. With two young daughters in tow, our clients were looking for high style décor grounded in practicality and function – namely for their foyer, living room, dining room, and den. Armed with a variety of inspiration from traditional to ultra-modern, they knew that they wanted their apartment’s interior design to look put together and thought through, but were short on a concise design direction. In comes Décor Aid interior designer Gabrielle G. to revive their stark home with inspired design. After their initial in-home consultation, Gabrielle honed in on key decorative touchstones the couple had interest in and compiled a list of must-haves as an aesthetic foundation for the home. Starting with fresh coats of pure white paint to liven up and brighten each room, Gabrielle took advantage of the apartments closed floor plan and gave each room it’s own design signature rather than having to ensure that everything flowed together – in turn, giving her more freedom. Save for a china cabinet and formal dining table, Gabrielle was tasked with sourcing furnishings and accessories and went for clean simplicity as the couple also expressed that they’d like to have pieces that can move with them as their family grows while also being conducive for family life. As you can see, the space is grounded with soothing neutrals so Gabrielle brought in pops of color and texture through accessories and abstract art for a sophisticated yet casual vibe. The end result boasts concise design and pulled together everyday glamor for this modern family home that our clients adore, and so do we.

Jeff Graham
Example of a transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Nashville with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, marble countertops, subway tile backsplash and white countertops

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2014 Houzz
Example of an eclectic living room design in San Francisco

Jeff Roberts Photo
Kitchen - transitional l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen idea in Portland Maine with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island