Richly layered in design, this Chicago Bungalow kitchen was designed by Fred M. Alsen of fma Design; he outwits trends via timeless design. In order to achieve the flexibility & harmony of today & yesterday in this kitchen, the award winning veteran designer had to acknowledge this was a design which would thrive on restrictions. Yet, he conspired with time and materials; and livable luxury unfolded. Lucky, lucky kitchen. Designer: Fred M Alsen | fma Interior Design | Chicago Custom cabinetry by Greenfield Cabinetry Mike Kaskel Photos

Request Free Quote This Urban Naturescape illustrates what can be done in a limited City of Chicago space. The swimming pool measures 9'0" x 31'0" and the hot tub meaures 8'0" x 9'0". The water feature has a 15'6" x 6'0" footprint, and raises 10'0" in the air to provide a beautiful and mellifluous cascase of water. Limestone copings and Natural stone decking along with beautiful stone fascia and wood pergola bring the entire project into focus. Linda Oyama Bryan

This bathroom remodeling project, which took place in one of the private residences at the Waldorf Astoria (formerly the Elysian) in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, was designed to be elegant and functional. We installed gray and white Carrara marble floors and a marble shower, which included a built-in floating bench. The bathroom also features cove lighting, heated floors, and a custom stone frame to hold the gorgeous standalone tub. We used multiple lighting sources around the double-sink vanity to create a sleek, modern look.

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor, brown floor and coffered ceiling eat-in kitchen photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, quartz backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and beige countertops

Bathroom - transitional bathroom idea in Chicago

This sports themed boy's bedroom is simply suffused with light and good cheer.
Inspiration for a mid-sized carpeted bedroom remodel in Orlando with blue walls

Nautical charts of local waters hand-painted by artist Joel Blanco cover one wall of this office. The maritime theme is carried further by the use of snap-ties on the roller shades, mahogany stools with nickel foot rails, and a brass steam gauge.

Chicago Lux, Living Room with Custom Sectional, Ottoman, Large Abstract Art Photographer: Mike Schwartz
Living room - contemporary open concept ceramic tile and beige floor living room idea in Chicago with beige walls and no fireplace

Caddy Shack / Pac-Man Theme Game Room / Bar with Custom Made Jumbotron, Theme Paint, Worlds Largest Pac-Man, Pool Table, Golden Tee and Table Top Touchscreen Arcade.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. 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

Request Free Quote This Urban Naturescape illustrates what can be done in a limited City of Chicago space. The swimming pool measures 9'0" x 31'0" and the hot tub meaures 8'0" x 9'0". The water feature has a 15'6" x 6'0" footprint, and raises 10'0" in the air to provide a beautiful and mellifluous cascase of water. Limestone copings and Natural stone decking along with beautiful stone fascia and wood pergola bring the entire project into focus. Linda Oyama Bryan

Embracing the reclaimed theme in the kitchen and mudroom, the powder room is enhanced with this gorgeous accent wall and unige hanging mirror
Small transitional brown tile dark wood floor, brown floor and wood wall powder room photo in Chicago with furniture-like cabinets, dark wood cabinets, blue walls, an undermount sink, a two-piece toilet, quartz countertops, white countertops and a built-in vanity

A dark, moody bathroom with a gorgeous statement glass bubble chandelier. A deep espresso vanity with a smokey-gray countertop complements the dark brass sink and wooden mirror frame. Home located in Chicago's North Side. Designed by Chi Renovation & Design who serve Chicago and it's surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on the North Side and North Shore. You'll find their work from the Loop through Humboldt Park, Lincoln Park, Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, and all of the way up to Lake Forest.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. 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

A clean and modern entertainment center showcasing floating cabinets and shelves made out of the same man-made porcelain used in the kitchen. The grass paper wall finishing and LED lighting add sophistication and a subtle illumination of decor placed on the shelves. Home located in Chicago's North Side. Designed by Chi Renovations & Design who serve Chicago and it's surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on the North Side and North Shore. You'll find their work from the Loop through Humboldt Park, Lincoln Park, Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, and all of the way up to Lake Forest.

Interior photography of EM Interiors Chicago's spring 2015 One Room Challenge. Calling It Home's One Room Challenge is a biannual design event that challenges 20 design bloggers to transform a space over the course of the month. Photography ©2015 by Kelly Peloza Photo

Inquire About Our Design Services This homeowner loved color. In order to bring in more color, I ditched her yellow and orange walls by painting the room gray, with charcoal trim. I often tell folks in order to pump up the color, we have to bring down the backdrop, and Lori’s condo was my case in point. And then we proceeded with construction. Yep, construction. I had to figure out a way around the awkward floor plan, and where to put that TV. We decided to rebuild her fireplace to house her TV - it was great way to utilize the unused space. Marcel Page

Roy Weinstein and Ken Kast of Roy Weinstein Photographer
Kids' room - mid-sized transitional girl medium tone wood floor and brown floor kids' room idea in New York with pink walls

Glass tiles in colors that enhance the rest of the space, finishes and new lighting added to make this kitchen work with the design of the new open-plan dining and living area. Photography Scott Thompson