Monique de la Cruz of Cozy and Candid
Large transitional u-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Vancouver with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, green backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

A classical garage conversion to an ADU (Guest unit). This 524sq. garage was a prime candidate for such a transformation due to the extra 100+sq. that is not common with most detached garage units. This extra room allowed us to design the perfect layout of 1br+1.5bath. The bathrooms were designed in the classical European layout of main bathroom to house the shower, the vanity and the laundry machines while a secondary smaller room houses the toilet and an additional small wall mounted vanity, this layout is perfect for entertaining guest in the small backyard guest unit. The kitchen is a single line setup with room for full size appliances. The main Livingroom and kitchen area boasts high ceiling with exposed Elder wood beam cover and many windows to welcome the southern sun rays into the living space.

We were approached by a San Francisco firefighter to design a place for him and his girlfriend to live while also creating additional units he could sell to finance the project. He grew up in the house that was built on this site in approximately 1886. It had been remodeled repeatedly since it was first built so that there was only one window remaining that showed any sign of its Victorian heritage. The house had become so dilapidated over the years that it was a legitimate candidate for demolition. Furthermore, the house straddled two legal parcels, so there was an opportunity to build several new units in its place. At our client’s suggestion, we developed the left building as a duplex of which they could occupy the larger, upper unit and the right building as a large single-family residence. In addition to design, we handled permitting, including gathering support by reaching out to the surrounding neighbors and shepherding the project through the Planning Commission Discretionary Review process. The Planning Department insisted that we develop the two buildings so they had different characters and could not be mistaken for an apartment complex. The duplex design was inspired by Albert Frey’s Palm Springs modernism but clad in fibre cement panels and the house design was to be clad in wood. Because the sie was steeply upsloping, the design required tall, thick retaining walls that we incorporated into the design creating sunken patios in the rear yards. All floors feature generous 10 foot ceilings and large windows with the upper, bedroom floors featuring 11 and 12 foot ceilings. Open plans are complemented by sleek, modern finishes throughout.

Monique de la Cruz of Cozy and Candid
Inspiration for a transitional bedroom remodel in Vancouver

It's a lego room! The logo was done using legos. The green strip continues around the room to make your own lego designs, and the same for the table. The iCracked CEO said he wanted to conduct interviews in this room to see what the candidates build while their waiting for their interviewer.

A classical garage conversion to an ADU (Guest unit). This 524sq. garage was a prime candidate for such a transformation due to the extra 100+sq. that is not common with most detached garage units. This extra room allowed us to design the perfect layout of 1br+1.5bath. The bathrooms were designed in the classical European layout of main bathroom to house the shower, the vanity and the laundry machines while a secondary smaller room houses the toilet and an additional small wall mounted vanity, this layout is perfect for entertaining guest in the small backyard guest unit. The kitchen is a single line setup with room for full size appliances. The main Livingroom and kitchen area boasts high ceiling with exposed Elder wood beam cover and many windows to welcome the southern sun rays into the living space.

Lichen, moss and other plant-based staining is a common sight on patios exposed to the UK climate. For many property owners, it’s a very difficult task to keep patios looking great in the face of the natural effects of the environment. However always happy to help Tile Doctor is available to provide the professional cleaning and sealing needed on a regular basis. This Sandstone tiled patio in Rushden was certainly a prime candidate for restoration. Not only was it completely covered in lichen and moss, but it was also cracked in parts and missing grout. The patio would therefore need not only cleaning and sealing, but also re-grouting. To begin the restoration, I opted to power jet wash the entire area to remove as much of the initial layers of moss. Then, I mixed a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Pro Clean, which is a powerful and reliable alkaline cleaner suitable for use on both internal and external natural stone tiles. This was applied liberally to the patio and scrubbed into the stone to cut through the particularly stubborn stains. The two photos below show the fantastic result. After completing the cleaning phase, I allowed the patio to dry completely overnight before returning to re-grout the entire area with mortar. To finish off I applied a fresh sealer in the form of Tile Doctor Seal and Go Extra, which an acrylic-based, fully breathable sealer appropriate for outside use. The below pictures show the final result. As you can see, it was a complete transformation – and my very happy customer will agree! With the right products and methods, it’s possible to bring new life back to weathered patios. Phil Vissian Northamptonshire Tile Doctor

Example of a trendy basement design in Other

We were approached by a San Francisco firefighter to design a place for him and his girlfriend to live while also creating additional units he could sell to finance the project. He grew up in the house that was built on this site in approximately 1886. It had been remodeled repeatedly since it was first built so that there was only one window remaining that showed any sign of its Victorian heritage. The house had become so dilapidated over the years that it was a legitimate candidate for demolition. Furthermore, the house straddled two legal parcels, so there was an opportunity to build several new units in its place. At our client’s suggestion, we developed the left building as a duplex of which they could occupy the larger, upper unit and the right building as a large single-family residence. In addition to design, we handled permitting, including gathering support by reaching out to the surrounding neighbors and shepherding the project through the Planning Commission Discretionary Review process. The Planning Department insisted that we develop the two buildings so they had different characters and could not be mistaken for an apartment complex. The duplex design was inspired by Albert Frey’s Palm Springs modernism but clad in fibre cement panels and the house design was to be clad in wood. Because the site was steeply upsloping, the design required tall, thick retaining walls that we incorporated into the design creating sunken patios in the rear yards. All floors feature generous 10 foot ceilings and large windows with the upper, bedroom floors featuring 11 and 12 foot ceilings. Open plans are complemented by sleek, modern finishes throughout.

BiglarKinyan Design - Toronto
Open concept kitchen - 1950s galley vinyl floor open concept kitchen idea in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, metallic backsplash, metal backsplash, paneled appliances and a peninsula

A classical garage conversion to an ADU (Guest unit). This 524sq. garage was a prime candidate for such a transformation due to the extra 100+sq. that is not common with most detached garage units. This extra room allowed us to design the perfect layout of 1br+1.5bath. The bathrooms were designed in the classical European layout of main bathroom to house the shower, the vanity and the laundry machines while a secondary smaller room houses the toilet and an additional small wall mounted vanity, this layout is perfect for entertaining guest in the small backyard guest unit. The kitchen is a single line setup with room for full size appliances. The main Livingroom and kitchen area boasts high ceiling with exposed Elder wood beam cover and many windows to welcome the southern sun rays into the living space.

Due to the pandemic we were unable to take professional photos - candid photos of house remodel throughout the year of the design/ remodel The Carlsbad Home in the Carlsbad Estates Near the Beach had a full redesign and home remodel on the first floor. The home was opened up and the kitchen was moved to the other side of the home. We added a marble island that was a show stopper, within the kitchen that was large open to the outdoors. With new 100 ft windows throughout the living room and the indoor outdoor living was complimented with textured walls, wood floors, amazing show stopping lights, and details of tiles. Located in the prestigious Carlsbad Estates near the beach, this home underwent a complete first-floor redesign and remodel. The transformation that we did with our General Contractor features an open-concept layout with a relocated kitchen, now boasting a stunning marble island that serves as a showpiece. This spacious kitchen seamlessly opens to the outdoors, creating an ideal space for entertaining. Key elements of the remodel include: 100 ft Windows: These expansive windows in the living room enhance the indoor-outdoor living experience, flooding the space with natural light. Textured Walls & Wood Floors: These features add warmth and character, complementing the open layout. Show-Stopping Lighting: Unique lighting fixtures throughout the home create a striking ambiance. Tile Details: Carefully selected tiles add a touch of elegance and individuality. The remodel also introduced: A new guest bathroom A modern laundry room An additional bedroom A built-in bar area in the living room for easy entertaining This beautiful and open space, completed over a year and a half, is now light, bright, and perfect for a young family to grow. The meticulous design and thoughtful details make this Carlsbad home a true masterpiece.

This is what this kitchen looked like before refacing, an outdated 80's oak cabinets. The cabinet boxes were very solid and in excellent condition, a good candidate for a refacing project.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Take your living space to the next level with the Frozen Dreams Brick Glass Mosaic Tile. With its striking combination of white and silver, this captivating glass tile will transform any area of your home into an oasis of beauty and sophistication. The exquisite blend of colors creates a magical aesthetic that is perfect for creating interior designs that stand out from the crowd. Whether you use it as a backsplash in the kitchen or a feature wall in the living room, this exquisite glass tile will bring eye-catching elegance to whatever environment you choose to transform. Are you looking for a neutral tile to build your coastal decor around? This matte glass tile is a sophisticated element to incorporate into your kitchen or bathroom space - be it a breezy backdrop for your beach-themed shower, or a fresh backsplash tile option where you desire simplicity. It can easily be incorporated into your existing scheme, or stand out as a modern design element that looks particularly stylish when paired against darker objects and furniture. Made of superior-quality materials, this tile shows off both strength and durability while maintaining a long-lasting sheen that will last for years to come. The matte finish and added grout lines of the brick pattern make this glass tile an ideal candidate for flooring especially in wet areas including shower pans, spas, pools and more. Who doesn’t want their home to feel relaxing, fresh and carefree? If that sounds like you, this white and silver mosaic tile will transform your space with that easy breezy style you will love for many years!

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Monique de la Cruz of Cozy and Candid
Living room - large transitional formal and open concept dark wood floor living room idea in Vancouver with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace and no tv

Monique de la Cruz of Cozy and Candid
Large transitional dark wood floor bedroom photo in Vancouver with beige walls and no fireplace

Anita Lang - IMI Design - Scottsdale, AZ
Entryway - contemporary slate floor and black floor entryway idea in Orange County with beige walls