Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW A tired primary bathroom, with varying ceiling heights and a beige-on-beige color scheme, was screaming for love. Squaring the room and adding natural materials erased the memory of the lack luster space and converted it to a bright and welcoming spa oasis. The home was a new build in 2005 and it looked like all the builder’s material choices remained. The client was clear on their design direction but were challenged by the differing ceiling heights and were looking to hire a design-build firm that could resolve that issue. This local Glen Ellyn couple found us on Instagram (@kitchenstudioge, follow us ?). They loved our designs and felt like we fit their style. They requested a full primary bath renovation to include a large shower, soaking tub, double vanity with storage options, and heated floors. The wife also really wanted a separate make-up vanity. The biggest challenge presented to us was to architecturally marry the various ceiling heights and deliver a streamlined design. The existing layout worked well for the couple, so we kept everything in place, except we enlarged the shower and replaced the built-in tub with a lovely free-standing model. We also added a sitting make-up vanity. We were able to eliminate the awkward ceiling lines by extending all the walls to the highest level. Then, to accommodate the sprinklers and HVAC, lowered the ceiling height over the entrance and shower area which then opens to the 2-story vanity and tub area. Very dramatic! This high-end home deserved high-end fixtures. The homeowners also quickly realized they loved the look of natural marble and wanted to use as much of it as possible in their new bath. They chose a marble slab from the stone yard for the countertops and back splash, and we found complimentary marble tile for the shower. The homeowners also liked the idea of mixing metals in their new posh bathroom and loved the look of black, gold, and chrome. Although our clients were very clear on their style, they were having a difficult time pulling it all together and envisioning the final product. As interior designers it is our job to translate and elevate our clients’ ideas into a deliverable design. We presented the homeowners with mood boards and 3D renderings of our modern, clean, white marble design. Since the color scheme was relatively neutral, at the homeowner’s request, we decided to add of interest with the patterns and shapes in the room. We were first inspired by the shower floor tile with its circular/linear motif. We designed the cabinetry, floor and wall tiles, mirrors, cabinet pulls, and wainscoting to have a square or rectangular shape, and then to create interest we added perfectly placed circles to contrast with the rectangular shapes. The globe shaped chandelier against the square wall trim is a delightful yet subtle juxtaposition. The clients were overjoyed with our interpretation of their vision and impressed with the level of detail we brought to the project. It’s one thing to know how you want a space to look, but it takes a special set of skills to create the design and see it thorough to implementation. Could hiring The Kitchen Studio be the first step to making your home dreams come to life?

Cottage 3/4 white tile gray floor alcove shower photo in Boston with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and gray countertops

Photos by Holly Lepere
Example of a large beach style master white tile and subway tile marble floor corner shower design in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, gray cabinets, an undermount tub, blue walls, marble countertops and recessed-panel cabinets

ACCESSORIES: Unison Home Unison Home Black Band Hamper, Logan Towel and Black Band Basket When it comes to accessories, for a bathroom I look to Unison Home. They carry all of the final touches for a modern bathroom. The quality is great and the collection feels curated but not exclusive. The elevated every day items, like my favorite, the Ribbon Black Shelves and the Stitch black and white towel that have amazing quality at a reasonable price.

JW Construction
Example of a transitional basement design in Boston

AquaTerra Outdoors was hired to bring life to the outdoors of the new home. When it came time to design the space we were challenged with the tight space of the backyard. We worked through the concepts and we were able to incorporate a new pool with spa, custom water feature wall, Ipe wood deck, outdoor kitchen, custom steel and Ipe wood shade arbor and fire pit. We also designed and installed all the landscaping including the custom steel planter. Photography: Wade Griffith

PLUMBING: Ferguson, Delta and DXV For the shower set and toilet, I worked with Helen from Ferguson. We finalized the Delta Trinsic Collection in matte black for the shower and the DXV Equility toilet with a custom matte black flush handle. The finish and style compliment the Watermark pieces at a lower price point. When looking for toilets, the Equility is a great option in that it’s skirted (it doesn’t have the flat piece at the bottom that is a dust trap) and has a modern look and high efficiency flush. DXV - Equility Toilet

Premium American Crafted Aluminum Cabinets. Durable, Weatherproof, Customizable, Easy Maintenance.
Patio kitchen - large transitional l-shaped and backyard stamped concrete patio kitchen idea with brown cabinets and a roof extension

Ribes malvaceum / Pink chaparral currant Photo: Pete Veilleux, East Bay Wilds

PLUMBING: Ferguson, Delta and DXV DXV - Equility Toilet For the shower set and toilet, I worked with Helen from Ferguson. We finalized the Delta Trinsic Collection in matte black for the shower and the DXV Equility toilet with a custom matte black flush handle. The finish and style compliment the Watermark pieces at a lower price point. When looking for toilets, the Equility is a great option in that it’s skirted (it doesn’t have the flat piece at the bottom that is a dust trap) and has a modern look and high efficiency flush

HGTV
Example of a mid-sized trendy home design design

Stephen Long Photography
Patio kitchen - rustic backyard patio kitchen idea in Nashville with decking and a roof extension

The owners of this very small master bath called JeanE in to give them more storage and make the room feel larger. This was a big challenge because we could not move any walls to gain more space! Before, the original face frame vanity cabinets had very little storage. They were lower in height and had large fillers and center stiles limiting the functionality. Reflected in the mirror, you can see that the door swung into the room making it feel smaller.

Trendy concrete patio photo in Los Angeles with no cover

To create a unique kitchen, we take inspiration from the personality of our clients; it’s a collaborative effort to develop the exact look and feel that best suits their lifestyles. The challenge of this kitchen was to re-build the existing kitchen and adjoining full bath, creating a much better flow with plenty of storage for this active family (as they often entertain seaside). The two-toned cabinetry in both white and laguna blue reflected a true beach-feel adorned with a terrific choice of starfish and shell shaped hardware to draw attention to this creative and beautifully transformed seaside kitchen. We remind our clients that in order to be unique, do something unique! And this is nicely demonstrated in both the layout, color scheme and backsplash design details. Our client selected several hand painted decorative ocean creatures for the backsplash, drawing from colors in the room, and this created a truly unique conversation piece! A glint of sparkle from the white quartz countertops brings you closer to the beach in this impressive oceanfront home. From flooring to ceiling, we created a picture perfect beautiful beach house kitchen that is not only functional but provides a relaxed and inviting feel for these seaside owners.

Eric Roth Photography
Inspiration for a small timeless medium tone wood floor hallway remodel in Boston with brown walls

Premium American Crafted Aluminum Cabinets. Durable, Weatherproof, Customizable, Easy Maintenance.
Large transitional l-shaped and backyard stamped concrete patio kitchen photo with a roof extension

Small 1950s master mosaic tile floor and blue floor bathroom photo in San Francisco with medium tone wood cabinets, flat-panel cabinets, white walls and an undermount sink

Located on farmland in McLean, Virginia, the American Farmhouse balances the expected comforts of a new home with the bucolic beauty of an old farmhouse. The final site plan still has evidence showing parallel courses of the barn’s destiny. The house mass is broken and lowered so that the home can remain secondary to the monolithic barn structure. Earthy and elemental materials are selected for the home that reference the barn without directly mimicking it. Wooden members found inside the barn and from other barns bridge ceilings and are used in floors along with rustic slate adding to a sense of simplicity to the farmhouse design. The age and patina of the barn is reflected in the house’s textural use of board and batten and field stone layered similar to stone foundations. The original development plan was to demolish the existing barn and construct three suburban homes. Part of an endangered breed, as one of the few remaining barns in the area, it was originally viewed as a challenge in a luxury home construction with several difficulties posed to the impending project: it would be expensive to renovate, vulnerable to demolition, and threatened by urban sprawl. However, instead of trying to alter or destroy the barn, the structure was fully embraced into the traditional architecture project as a centerpiece and was used as the inspiration for the home. The new house was sited parallel to the barn so that views to the barn gable were accessible.