Example of a classic multiuse home gym design in Grand Rapids with beige walls

Our clients had been in their home since the early 1980’s and decided it was time for some updates. We took on the kitchen, two bathrooms and a powder room. The primary objectives for the powder room were to update the materials and provide some storage in the small space. It was also important to the homeowners to have materials that would be easy to maintain over the long term. A Kohler tailored vanity and coordinating medicine cabinet provide ample storage for the small room. The dark wood vanity and textured wallpaper add contrast and texture to the home’s soft gray pallet. The integrated sink top and ceramic floor tile were budget-friendly and low maintenance. The homeowners were not too sure about the patterned floor tile but once installed it became one of their favorite elements of the project! Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Amanda Sneddon
Example of a small trendy l-shaped vinyl floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Calgary with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, black appliances, an island and white countertops

The outdoor space features Fiberon composite decking and composite railing. Fiberon 'Symmetry' rail has a flat, drink-friendly top rail profile, in a matte finish and comes in multiple colors: Tranquil White, Serene Black, and Simply Brown. The hardware is hidden, keeping the look clean and uncluttered. This sturdy rail never needs painting or staining, and is backed by a 20-year limited warranty.

Tim Abramowitz
Example of a huge mountain style u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen pantry design with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, beige cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photo Credits: Electric Film - Darin Holiday Wellborn cabinets on the perimeter paired with Walker Woodworking custom island and hood, create this amazing kitchen remodel which happens to be an above garage apartment. Budget was a huge factor in this remodel, but the homeowner also did not want to sacrifice beauty and function. Mixing cabinet choices was the perfect solution for this remodel.

From the doorway of the master bedroom, the entertainment loft appears to hover over the living space below. Franklin took advantage of the existing hay track in the peak of the ceiling, using it to conceal wiring needed to run the fan and lights. In order to preserve the quality of the ceiling, the architect covered the original slats with 6" insulated panels (SIP's). While his children were younger, Franklin recognized the need to child-proof the space. "I installed Plexiglas on all the railings so the kids couldn’t climb over them when they were very small," he explains. While some of the sheeting was removed over time, Franklin laughs, " The Plexiglas on the railings by the pool table will always stay since we are so bad at pool! Too many balls fly off the table and could injure someone in the gathering room below." Adrienne DeRosa Photography

Sometimes gathering is more about small groups standing around a bar catching up. In the basement, I wanted the bar to float so that it was easy to slide up a stool or simply stand without legs or walls getting in the way. Luckily we had two great steel lolly columns we were able to leverage as supports for the bar. Working with a local artisan we created industrial deco clamps, incorporating the same curve from the other custom made elements in the space, to clamp the reclaimed wood top to the steel columns. Photos by Keith Isaacs

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This client was referred to us from a past client. They are a busy 2-career household with young children and enjoy entertaining friends and family in their home. They have a beautiful open concept home but unfortunately the kitchen was not fitting for the rest of the home. They were not quite sure what to do with the space. We talked about trying to refresh it or do more of a minor remodel, but in the end they decided a full gut would get them to where they wanted to be. One problem was there was no place for guests to hang out other than the large and awkward banquette area. The brick wall and tiled hood area were feeling a bit dated and tired. The space was just not functional for their lifestyle. There was no prep space near the cooktop and no landing area for items coming out of the ovens or refrigerator, plus a big dead zone in the center of the room. Banquettes, like the one they previously had in the space, are great for small spaces, but when they get really large like this one, it makes getting in and out of the seating area awkward and uncomfortable. Plus, there was room for a large table, so we eliminated the awkward built in. We started by removing the faux brick wall between the kitchen and back entry. We relocated the entry to the garage over a couple feet in order to get every last inch out of the new kitchen. We also made the decision to close up the primary window that faced the pretty ho hum brick wall of the neighbor’s house. There was plenty of light coming in from the seating area, so we just didn’t feel the window was adding much to the room. Construction went smoothy. There was a bit of rework with electrical, flooring and HVAC, but in the end, we think it was well worth it. The clients really wanted a sleek contemporary look, and we originally had planned for a full height slab backsplash, but due to it’s size, it was a budget buster. Instead, we got creative and settled on large format porcelain tiles that have a similar feel but were a fraction of the cost. We made sure the wall was plumb and level so that the fit and finish would mimic that of slab material. The final space was quite a change. A large prep sink sits directly across from the new pro-style range with plenty additional prep space on the large island. The refrigerator and ovens now have miles of landing space, and a nice tight work triangle makes cooking a breeze. Since we wanted a more contemporary feel, not many wall cabinets were included. Instead, we outfitted some of the drawers for dish storage with a peg system. Two large pantries flanking the refrigerator hold baking supplies and small appliances. Large drawers by the cooktop hold pots and pans, and an appliance garage tucked away to the left of the range hides away miscellaneous items. The large island also houses a microwave drawer and tons of storage, most of which is drawers offering maximum convenience. The island now seats 5-6 people comfortably along with the new table in the seating area which can seat up to 8. Entertaining will be a breeze in this space. With such a clean backdrop, we knew we would need some drama with the lighting, so we chose two sets of staggered pendants, which we adjusted for the right visual balance above the island. We also included a small coffee station to the right of the main kitchen, which helps keep the coffee clutter out of the kitchen proper. Two tones of complimentary gray are featured in this kitchen. The perimeter is a light gray that reads almost white. The island is a gray stain that adds some depth and interest with the visible wood texture. The countertops are clean white quartz, and the hardware, barstools and light fixtures add warm brass tones. I see lots of cooking and entertaining with family and friends in the near future in this bright and airy new space. 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

Example of a mid-sized classic backyard stone patio design in Philadelphia with no cover

A pair of brass mirrors hang over the double vanity.
Example of a transitional master bathroom design in New York with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, black walls, an integrated sink and a hinged shower door

Our clients wanted to add an ensuite bathroom to their charming 1950’s Cape Cod, but they were reluctant to sacrifice the only closet in their owner’s suite. The hall bathroom they’d been sharing with their kids was also in need of an update so we took this into consideration during the design phase to come up with a creative new layout that would tick all their boxes. By relocating the hall bathroom, we were able to create an ensuite bathroom with a generous shower, double vanity, and plenty of space left over for a separate walk-in closet. We paired the classic look of marble with matte black fixtures to add a sophisticated, modern edge. The natural wood tones of the vanity and teak bench bring warmth to the space. A frosted glass pocket door to the walk-through closet provides privacy, but still allows light through. We gave our clients additional storage by building drawers into the Cape Cod’s eave space.

Visit NKBA.org/ProSearch to find an NKBA professional near you- turn your dreams into reality! Budget Friendly Kitchen & 2nd Place- Medium Kitchen 'Beach Ball' by Cheryl Kees Clendenon Here’s a perfect rendition of a contemporary twist on a classic beach cottage. This kitchen in a rental was designed for the easy navigation of a large number of guests. The island offers generous seating areas and plenty of counter space aptly crafted to serve multiple cooks. Photo: Greg Riegler Photography

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Atlanta

Gorgeous renovation of existing fireplace with new mantle, new built-in custom cabinetry and painted brick.
Family room - mid-sized transitional enclosed medium tone wood floor family room idea in Dallas with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a media wall

Inspiration for a transitional white tile gray floor bathroom remodel in Minneapolis with medium tone wood cabinets, gray walls, a vessel sink, wood countertops and brown countertops

This home located in Thiensville, Wisconsin was an original 1950's ranch with three bedrooms and one and one half baths. The remodel consisted of all new finishes throughout with a new kitchen matching the existing kitchen layout. The main bath was completely remodeled with new fixtures and finishes using the existing cabinetry. The original half bath was converted into a full bath by using an adjoining closet for more space. The new bathroom consists of new custom shower, fixtures and cabinets. This project is a good example of how to fix up an outdated house with a low budget.

This single family home was needing some spark to set it apart from all of the other homes on the market in the area. We staged it to inspire the buyer to see its potential and comfort. They did! Under contract in first week on the market! Come inside!

Home design - transitional home design idea in Seattle