Transitional living room photo in San Francisco

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW For many, extra time at home during COVID left them wanting more from their homes. Whether you realized the shortcomings of your space or simply wanted to combat boredom, a well-designed and functional home was no longer a want, it became a need. Tina found herself wanting more from her Old Irving Park home and reached out to The Kitchen Studio about adding function to her kitchen to make the most of the available real estate. At the end of the day, there is nothing better than returning home to a bright and happy space you love. And this kitchen wasn’t that for Tina. Dark and dated, with a palette from the past and features that didn’t make the most of the available square footage, this remodel required vision and a fresh approach to the space. Lead designer, Stephanie Cole’s main design goal was better flow, while adding greater functionality with organized storage, accessible open shelving, and an overall sense of cohesion with the adjoining family room. The original kitchen featured a large pizza oven, which was rarely used, yet its footprint limited storage space. The nearby pantry had become a catch-all, lacking the organization needed in the home. The initial plan was to keep the pizza oven, but eventually Tina realized she preferred the design possibilities that came from removing this cumbersome feature, with the goal of adding function throughout the upgraded and elevated space. Eliminating the pantry added square footage and length to the kitchen for greater function and more storage. This redesigned space reflects how she lives and uses her home, as well as her love for entertaining. The kitchen features a classic, clean, and timeless palette. White cabinetry, with brass and bronze finishes, contrasts with rich wood flooring, and lets the large, deep blue island in Woodland’s custom color Harbor – a neutral, yet statement color – draw your eye. The kitchen was the main priority. In addition to updating and elevating this space, Tina wanted to maximize what her home had to offer. From moving the location of the patio door and eliminating a window to removing an existing closet in the mudroom and the cluttered pantry, the kitchen footprint grew. Once the floorplan was set, it was time to bring cohesion to her home, creating connection between the kitchen and surrounding spaces. The color palette carries into the mudroom, where we added beautiful new cabinetry, practical bench seating, and accessible hooks, perfect for guests and everyday living. The nearby bar continues the aesthetic, with stunning Carrara marble subway tile, hints of brass and bronze, and a design that further captures the vibe of the kitchen. Every home has its unique design challenges. But with a fresh perspective and a bit of creativity, there is always a way to give the client exactly what they want [and need]. In this particular kitchen, the existing soffits and high slanted ceilings added a layer of complexity to the lighting layout and upper perimeter cabinets. While a space needs to look good, it also needs to function well. This meant making the most of the height of the room and accounting for the varied ceiling features, while also giving Tina everything she wanted and more. Pendants and task lighting paired with an abundance of natural light amplify the bright aesthetic. The cabinetry layout and design compliments the soffits with subtle profile details that bring everything together. The tile selections add visual interest, drawing the eye to the focal area above the range. Glass-doored cabinets further customize the space and give the illusion of even more height within the room. While her family may be grown and out of the house, Tina was focused on adding function without sacrificing a stunning aesthetic and dreamy finishes that make the kitchen the gathering place of any home. It was time to love her kitchen again, and if you’re wondering what she loves most, it’s the niche with glass door cabinetry and open shelving for display paired with the marble mosaic backsplash over the range and complimenting hood. Each of these features is a stunning point of interest within the kitchen – both brag-worthy additions to a perimeter layout that previously felt limited and lacking. Whether your remodel is the result of special needs in your home or simply the excitement of focusing your energy on creating a fun new aesthetic, we are here for it. We love a good challenge because there is always a way to make a space better – adding function and beauty simultaneously.

Powder room - traditional powder room idea in Philadelphia

Jennifer Hughes Photography
Transitional black brick exterior home idea in Baltimore

Amy Bartlam
Bathroom - mid-sized transitional 3/4 blue tile and ceramic tile cement tile floor and gray floor bathroom idea in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and an undermount sink

Entry in Ridgerunner Drive | Room Type: Whole Home Remodel | Project Name: Ridgerunner | Key Feature: A full-home transformation that converted the property from a dated Tuscan style into a modern farmhouse design with a more contemporary edge. Challenge: The home’s original Tuscan style felt dated and did not align with the homeowners’ desired aesthetic. The challenge was to modernize the entire space while creating a design that remained practical and comfortable for a young family with a child. Solution: The home underwent a complete remodel that replaced the heavy Tuscan finishes with a lighter, more modern farmhouse palette. Updated materials, finishes, and design details created a fresh, contemporary look while maintaining a family-friendly environment. Timeline: Completed in 2019.

For a family who believes fitness is not only an essential part of life but also a fun opportunity for the whole family to connect, build and achieve greatness together there is nothing better than a custom designed obstacle course right in your back yard. THEME The theme of this half mile trail through the woods is evident in the fun, creative and all-inclusive obstacles hidden in the natural flow of the land around this amazing family home. The course was created with adults and children, advanced and beginner athletes, competitive and entertaining events all accounted for. Each of the 13 obstacles was designed to be challenging no matter the size, skill or ability of the athlete lucky enough to run the course. FOCUS The focus for this family was to create an outdoor adventure that could be an athletic, social and personal outlet for their entire family while maintaining the natural beauty of the landscape and without altering the sweeping views from the home. The large scale of the challenging obstacles is camouflaged within the landscape using the rolling hills and mature trees as a natural curtain in every season. The beauty of the course does not diminish the functional and demanding nature of the obstacles which are designed to focus on multiple strength, agility, and cardio fitness abilities and intensities. STORAGE The start of the trail includes a raised training area offering a dedicated space clear from the ground to place bags, mats and other equipment used during the run. A small all-terrain storage cart was provided for use with 6 yoga mats, 3 medicine balls of various weights, rings, sprinting cones, and a large digital timer to record laps. GROWTH The course was designed to provide an athletic and fun challenge for children, teens and adults no matter their experience or athletic prowess. This course offers competitive athletes a challenge and budding athletes an opportunity to experience and ignite their passion for physical activity. Initially the concept for the course was focused on the youngest of the family however as the design grew so did the obstacles and now it is a true family experience that will meet their adapting needs for years. Each obstacle is paired with an instructional sign directing the runners in proper use of the obstacle, adaptations for skill levels and tips on form. These signs are all customized for this course and are printed on metal to ensure they last for many years. SAFETY Safety is crucial for all physical activity and an obstacle course of this scale presents unique safety concerns. Children should always be supervised when participating in an adventure on the course however additional care was paid to details on the course to ensure everyone has a great time. All of the course obstacles have been created with pressure treated lumber that will withstand the seasonal poundings. All footer pilings that support obstacles have been placed into the ground between 3 to 4 feet (.9 to 1.2 meters) and each piling has 2 to 3 bags of concrete (totaling over 90 bags used throughout the course) ensuring stability of the structure and safety of the participants. Additionally, all obstacle lumber has been given rounded corners and sanded down offering less splintering and more time for everyone to enjoy the course. This athletic and charismatic family strives to incorporate a healthy active lifestyle into their daily life and this obstacle course offers their family an opportunity to strengthen themselves and host some memorable and active events at their amazing home.

Large transitional master carpeted, multicolored floor and tray ceiling bedroom photo in DC Metro with white walls

Minimalistic living room has a coffee table with sliding underneath ottoman providing additional seating. Cowhide area rug brings another texture to the room and warmth to this modern room.

A modern-meets-vintage farmhouse-style tiny house designed and built by Parlour & Palm in Portland, Oregon. This adorable space may be small, but it is mighty, and includes a kitchen, bathroom, living room, sleeping loft, and outdoor deck. Many of the features - including cabinets, shelves, hardware, lighting, furniture, and outlet covers - are salvaged and recycled.

Image by Peter Rymwid Architectural Photography © 2014
Inspiration for a transitional light wood floor and beige floor dressing room remodel in New York with open cabinets and white cabinets

master bedroom with cozy sitting area
Cottage medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Boston with gray walls

Preliminary architecture renderings were given to Obelisk Home with a challenge. The homeowners needed us to create an unusual but family friendly home, but also a home-based business functioning environment. Working with the architect, modifications were made to incorporate the desired functions for the family. Starting with the exterior, including landscape design, stone, brick and window selections a one-of-a-kind home was created. Every detail of the interior was created with the homeowner and the Obelisk Home design team. Furnishings, art, accessories, and lighting were provided through Obelisk Home. We were challenged to incorporate existing furniture. So the team repurposed, re-finished and worked these items into the new plan. Custom paint colors and upholstery were purposely blended to add cohesion. Custom light fixtures were designed and manufactured for the main living areas giving the entire home a unique and personal feel. Photos by Jeremy Mason McGraw

Haris Kenjar
Example of a beach style open concept medium tone wood floor living room design in Seattle with white walls, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace

Custom wood-look tile flooring in wide width and narrower creates a base for the modern but warm interior in this living and dining area. Stacked stone, wood accents, black frame windows and white walls complete the space.

Richard Leo Johnson Wall Color: Sherwin Williams - Sea Salt 6204 Trim Color: Sherwin Williams - Extra White 7006 Scones: Circa Lighting, Boston Head Light Mirror: West Elm, Parsons Wood Mirror Flooring: Garden State Tile, White Penny w/ Sea Glass 50 Laticrete Grout Bath Mat: Coyuchi - Ano Nuevo - Midnight/Mid Dusty Aqua

Photography by Ron Ruscio
Trendy dark wood floor dining room photo in Denver with blue walls and a standard fireplace

Photograph by Pete Sieger
Mid-sized farmhouse red two-story wood gable roof photo in Minneapolis