We really enjoyed consulting and designing this basement project design and I’m very pleased with how it turned out! We did a complimenting color scheme between the wall and base cabinets by using a grey for the base and white for the wall. We did black handle pulls for all the cabinets to bring the two colors together. We went with a white oak style for the floor to really bring the light through the entire basement. This helps carry the light through the space which is always a good idea when you don’t have many windows to play with. For the backsplash we chose a glossy textured/wavy subway tile to add some depth and texture to the kitchens character.I really enjoyed consulting this basement project design and I’m very pleased with how it turned out! We did a complimenting color scheme between the wall and base cabinets by using a grey for the base and white for the wall. We did black handle pulls for all the cabinets to bring the two colors together. We went with a white oak style for the floor to really bring the light through the entire basement. This helps carry the light through the space which is always a good idea when you don’t have many windows to play with. For the backsplash we chose a glossy textured/wavy subway tile to add some depth and texture to the kitchens character.I really enjoyed consulting this basement project design and I’m very pleased with how it turned out! We did a complimenting color scheme between the wall and base cabinets by using a grey for the base and white for the wall. We did black handle pulls for all the cabinets to bring the two colors together. We went with a white oak style for the floor to really bring the light through the entire basement. This helps carry the light through the space which is always a good idea when you don’t have many windows to play with. For the backsplash we chose a glossy textured/wavy subway tile to add some depth and texture to the kitchens character.I really enjoyed consulting this basement project design and I’m very pleased with how it turned out! We did a complimenting color scheme between the wall and base cabinets by using a grey for the base and white for the wall. We did black handle pulls for all the cabinets to bring the two colors together. We went with a white oak style for the floor to really bring the light through the entire basement. This helps carry the light through the space which is always a good idea when you don’t have many windows to play with. For the backsplash we chose a glossy textured/wavy subway tile to add some depth and texture to the kitchens character.

Example of a mountain style living room design in Other

A corner bench, handcrafted from Reclaimed Chestnut, offers storage below and prime seating next to a custom pizza oven painted with chalkboard paint. Photo Credit: Crown Point Cabinetry

THEME Inspired by the Magic Tree House series of children’s books, this indoor tree house provides entertainment, fun and a place for children to read about or imagine adventures through time. A blue sky, green meadows, and distant matching beech trees recreate the magic of Jack and Annie’s Frog Creek, and help bring the characters from the series to life. FOCUS A floor armoire, ceiling swing and climbing rope give the structure a true tree house look and feel. A drop-down drawing and writing table, wheeled work table and recessed ceiling lights ensure the room can be used for more than play. The tree house has electric interior lighting, a window to the outdoors and a playful sliding shutter over a window to the room. The armoire forms a raised, nine-foot-wide play area, while a TV within one of the wall’s floor-to-ceiling cabinets — with a delightful sliding ladder — transforms the room into a family theater perfect for watching movies and holding Wii competitions. STORAGE The bottom of the drawing table is a magnetic chalk board that doubles as a display for children’s art works. The tree’s small niches are for parents’ shoes; the larger compartment stores children’s shoes and school bags. Books, games, toys, DVDs, Wii and other computer accessories are stored in the wall cabinets. The armoire contains two spacious drawers and four nifty hinged storage bins. A rack of handy “vegetable buckets” above the armoire stores crayons, scissors and other useful items. GROWTH The room easily adapts from playroom, to party room, to study room and even to bedroom, as the tree house easily accommodates a twin-size mattress. SAFETY The rungs and rails of the ladder, as well as the grab bars beside the tree house door are wrapped with easy-grip rope for safe climbing. The drawing table has spring-loaded hinges to help prevent it from dropping dangerously from the wall, and the table door has double sets of locks up top to ensure safety. The interior of each storage compartment is carpeted like the tree house floor to provide extra padding.

In New England, mudrooms are essential. Here, classic blue-gray wainscoting, vintage botanical prints, and a bench with basket storage blend function with character.

Our latest project in Harlem involves the transformation of the lower two floors of a four-story brownstone into a vibrant and playful duplex apartment. The design balances functionality with whimsy, creating a bright, welcoming home full of character and personality. The main floor is designed as an open-concept living and kitchen area that maximizes both light and space. The living room is anchored by a striking custom-built floor-to-ceiling unit, which serves as a multifunctional centerpiece, combining a TV entertainment center, a bar, and display shelving. This elegant feature also subtly divides the living area from the staircase leading to the lower level. The kitchen, a focal point of the home, features floor-to-ceiling cabinetry that makes full use of the high ceilings, blending grey tones with walnut finishes. A playful multicolored triangular-tiled backsplash adds an element of fun, while large glass sliding doors lead to a newly constructed deck overlooking the backyard. Above the kitchen sink, a generously sized window allows natural light to flood in, transforming what was once a dimly lit space into a bright and inviting area. At the front of the main floor, a small music studio offers flexibility and creativity. This space can be enclosed with floor-to-ceiling aluminum and glass sliding partitions, maintaining the open flow of the layout while offering privacy when needed. A bold powder room further enhances the personality of the space. It features a custom black wall-mounted concrete sink with an angular design that wraps around the toilet. The sink is set against a fullheight mirrored wall, which reflects the dynamic black-and-white graffiti wallpaper, making the compact space both striking and memorable. The lower level is dedicated to the private quarters, designed with comfort and luxury in mind. The primary bedroom suite is a true sanctuary, boasting a spacious ensuite bath with a luxurious open wet-room concept. At its heart is a freestanding white soaking tub, complemented by dark blue hexagonal tiles that cover the floor and extend up the wall behind the double vanities, creating a dramatic and cohesive effect. The toilet is tucked away in a separate room painted in a matching deep blue, adding to the suite’s serene and cohesive ambiance. This level also includes a second bedroom and a guest bath, each reflecting the playful design theme of the home. The guest bathroom is particularly delightful, with sunny white and yellow hexagonal tiles on the walls and a matching yellow tile floor, creating a cheerful and uplifting space. Every detail of this Harlem duplex reflects the client’s vision for a home that feels modern yet full of personality. From the playful material choices to the thoughtful use of light and space, the design celebrates the character of the historic brownstone while embracing contemporary living.

This lovely transitional home in Minnesota's lake country pairs industrial elements with softer formal touches. It uses an eclectic mix of materials and design elements to create a beautiful yet comfortable family home.

Captivated by South Haven’s natural charm and waterfront beauty, this storybook, waterfront abode is exceptionally true to its lakefront character. Featuring over 3,600 square feet with five bedroom and three-and-a-half baths, the careful design of this open and charming layout paired with grand views from nearly every room, capture all the warmth and playfulness of lakefront living. • A beach friendly fiber cement siding in a cheerful shade of blue blends seamlessly with the water backdrop, while contrasting white trim and darker blue window clad lend definition to the exterior. • An impressive kitchen with stunning Ann Sachs tile backsplash, quartz countertops, richly stained bistro table and Viking Appliances overlook the generous, but clearly defined, living and dining rooms. • Extensive built-ins with extra storage and workspace, such as a distinctive dining serving piece featuring quartz stone and a lake reflecting mirror, maximize space and make entertaining a breeze. • Playful design elements like Thibaut wallpaper, braided hemp cabinet insets and white-washed European white oak floors complement the home’s coastal flair with nautical décor and warm hues. • Fine finishes and rich trim details including wainscot, various painted ceilings, louvered doors on cabinetry, and fireplace surround with kitchen coordinating quartz stone, show off the intricate design gestures. • Skillfully designed upstairs presents a restful master retreat with private balcony, two guest bedrooms, convenient laundry featuring sleek retractable doors and space maximizing built in bunk beds with ultra-clever steps that provide storage. • The lower level’s extra guest quarters, additional laundry, full beach bath with top-to-bottom tiled shower, diligent kitchenette, beach-friendly stained concrete floors, outdoor shower that keeps sand at bay, and direct access to the sugary sands of Lake Michigan. Photography by Chuck Heiney

Brooklyn backyard patio design in Prospect Heights for a young, professional couple who loves to both entertain and relax! This space includes a West Elm outdoor sectional and round concrete outdoor coffee table.

christian garibaldi
Enclosed dining room - large transitional dark wood floor enclosed dining room idea in New York with gray walls and no fireplace

Photos © Anice HoachlanderOur client was drawn to the property in Wesley Heights as it was in an established neighborhood of stately homes, on a quiet street with views of park. They wanted a traditional home for their young family with great entertaining spaces that took full advantage of the site. The site was the challenge. The natural grade of the site was far from traditional. The natural grade at the rear of the property was about thirty feet above the street level. Large mature trees provided shade and needed to be preserved. The solution was sectional. The first floor level was elevated from the street by 12 feet, with French doors facing the park. We created a courtyard at the first floor level that provide an outdoor entertaining space, with French doors that open the home to the courtyard.. By elevating the first floor level, we were able to allow on-grade parking and a private direct entrance to the lower level pub "Mulligans". An arched passage affords access to the courtyard from a shared driveway with the neighboring homes, while the stone fountain provides a focus. A sweeping stone stair anchors one of the existing mature trees that was preserved and leads to the elevated rear garden. The second floor master suite opens to a sitting porch at the level of the upper garden, providing the third level of outdoor space that can be used for the children to play. The home's traditional language is in context with its neighbors, while the design allows each of the three primary levels of the home to relate directly to the outside. Builder: Peterson & Collins, Inc Photos © Anice Hoachlander

Nels Akerlund Photography LLC
Example of a classic dark wood floor mudroom design in Chicago with blue walls

Klopf Architecture and Outer space Landscape Architects designed a new warm, modern, open, indoor-outdoor home in Los Altos, California. Inspired by mid-century modern homes but looking for something completely new and custom, the owners, a couple with two children, bought an older ranch style home with the intention of replacing it. Created on a grid, the house is designed to be at rest with differentiated spaces for activities; living, playing, cooking, dining and a piano space. The low-sloping gable roof over the great room brings a grand feeling to the space. The clerestory windows at the high sloping roof make the grand space light and airy. Upon entering the house, an open atrium entry in the middle of the house provides light and nature to the great room. The Heath tile wall at the back of the atrium blocks direct view of the rear yard from the entry door for privacy. The bedrooms, bathrooms, play room and the sitting room are under flat wing-like roofs that balance on either side of the low sloping gable roof of the main space. Large sliding glass panels and pocketing glass doors foster openness to the front and back yards. In the front there is a fenced-in play space connected to the play room, creating an indoor-outdoor play space that could change in use over the years. The play room can also be closed off from the great room with a large pocketing door. In the rear, everything opens up to a deck overlooking a pool where the family can come together outdoors. Wood siding travels from exterior to interior, accentuating the indoor-outdoor nature of the house. Where the exterior siding doesn’t come inside, a palette of white oak floors, white walls, walnut cabinetry, and dark window frames ties all the spaces together to create a uniform feeling and flow throughout the house. The custom cabinetry matches the minimal joinery of the rest of the house, a trim-less, minimal appearance. Wood siding was mitered in the corners, including where siding meets the interior drywall. Wall materials were held up off the floor with a minimal reveal. This tight detailing gives a sense of cleanliness to the house. The garage door of the house is completely flush and of the same material as the garage wall, de-emphasizing the garage door and making the street presentation of the house kinder to the neighborhood. The house is akin to a custom, modern-day Eichler home in many ways. Inspired by mid-century modern homes with today’s materials, approaches, standards, and technologies. The goals were to create an indoor-outdoor home that was energy-efficient, light and flexible for young children to grow. This 3,000 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom new house is located in Los Altos in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, and Chuang-Ming Liu 
Landscape Architect: Outer space Landscape Architects 
Structural Engineer: ZFA Structural Engineers 
Staging: Da Lusso Design 
Photography ©2018 Mariko Reed 
Location: Los Altos, CA
 Year completed: 2017

Lee Manning Photography
Example of a mid-sized farmhouse 3/4 ceramic tile and blue floor bathroom design in Los Angeles with a trough sink, a two-piece toilet and white walls

Family room - small contemporary porcelain tile family room idea in Miami with white walls

Located in the heart of Victoria Park neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale, FL, this kitchen is a play between clean, transitional shaker style with the edginess of a city loft. There is a crispness brought by the White Painted cabinets and warmth brought through the addition of Natural Walnut highlights. The grey concrete floors and subway-tile clad hood and back-splash ease more industrial elements into the design. The beautiful walnut trim woodwork, striking navy blue island and sleek waterfall counter-top live in harmony with the commanding presence of professional cooking appliances. The warm and storied character of this kitchen is further reinforced by the use of unique floating shelves, which serve as display areas for treasured objects to bring a layer of history and personality to the Kitchen. It is not just a place for cooking, but a place for living, entertaining and loving. Photo by: Matthew Horton

A living room in the Oakland Hills for a family with two young kids. The goal was simple: sophisticated enough for the adults, relaxed enough for real life. Dark painted built-ins anchor the space with quiet drama, while a fuzzy rug, playful organic lighting, and family-friendly fabrics keep it warm, approachable, and never too precious to use.

Photographer: LA Light Photo
Inspiration for a mediterranean living room remodel in Los Angeles

The goal for this 1939 Tudor-style story-and-a-half home was to create a kitchen that offered the conveniences, storage, and performance of a modern workspace while preserving the warmth, craftsmanship, and vintage charm that made the home special. The client, an avid home cook, wanted the room to feel as though it had always belonged to the house, with thoughtful upgrades that respected the original architecture rather than competing with it. Just as important, she needed a more efficient layout with enough storage for small appliances, so everyday cooking would no longer require carrying items up from the lower level. Several existing conditions shaped the design approach. The kitchen retained original, amber-stained birch woodwork that the client wished to keep, and the compact footprint was interrupted by six doorways and two windows, none of which were to be moved, altered, or replaced. A previous flooring update had left the door casings undercut too short, creating visible gaps where the casing met the floor. The existing vintage 40-inch range also lacked proper ventilation, yet the client wished to accommodate a refrigerator, dishwasher, cooktop, double ovens, built-in microwave, and effective venting above the cooktop into the new kitchen layout. To honor the original millwork, beaded inset-style cherry cabinetry was selected in a soft, hand-rubbed finish that will deepen over time and develop a natural patina. Charcoal-gray soapstone countertops complement the cabinetry while reinforcing the historic character of the home with an organic, timeworn texture. The former breakfast nook was transformed into a butler’s pantry, adding valuable base cabinet storage and expanded work surfaces for frequently used small appliances. Also in the butler’s pantry, a single upper cabinet was paired with open shelves to give an open, airy feeling while adding character and practical storage. A classic single-bowl apron-front workstation sink contributes both period-appropriate character and practical prep and cleanup function. Because the home’s openings were such a defining feature, the design worked within the existing architecture instead of altering it. Custom plinth blocks were created for each doorway to extend the original casing gracefully down to the new natural red oak flooring, resolving the earlier construction issue while adding a detail that feels authentic to the age of the house. Despite the number of door and window openings, the new layout provides a significantly more functional, built-in kitchen with an improved work triangle for serious cooking. Appliance placement was carefully planned to deliver the requested performance without overwhelming the small room. Three cooking functions (double ovens & microwave) were consolidated into one location with a GE Café double oven featuring Advantium Technology, while the client’s compact 31-inch refrigerator was reused to preserve space. A sleek 30-inch induction cooktop provides efficient cooking, and a Vent-A-Hood ARS ductless vent hood supplies needed ventilation without requiring a duct run to the exterior. The finish palette balances richness, texture, and historical sensitivity. A deeply textured navy backsplash tile adds depth and dramatic shadow play against the soapstone, while wallpaper in the back entry echoes the tile’s geometric pattern to visually connect the adjoining spaces. Oil-rubbed bronze cabinet hardware and light fixtures enhance the warmth of the cherry cabinetry and complete the antique-inspired feel. Lighting was layered to make the compact kitchen brighter, more useful, and more inviting. Vintage-style semi-flush ceiling fixtures establish the overall tone, while dimmable puck lights highlight select areas and undercabinet task lighting keeps work surfaces well illuminated. The completed kitchen now feels both highly functional and deeply rooted in the home’s history. Rich cherry cabinetry, velvety soapstone, natural red oak flooring, navy tile, bronze accents, and carefully preserved birch trim work together to create a warm, cohesive space that celebrates timeless craftsmanship. By increasing storage, improving workflow, integrating modern appliances, and respecting the Tudor home’s original character, the design achieves the client’s vision: a kitchen that feels personal, practical, historically appropriate, and as though it has always been there.