For a client with an enthusiastic appreciation of retro design, this sunny ode to kitchens of the past is a cheerful and comforting retreat for today. The client wanted a kitchen that creatively expressed her fun, unconventional taste while providing all the modern conveniences of a contemporary home. Space was borrowed from an existing office to provide more open area and easier navigation in the kitchen. Bright, optimistic yellow sets the tone in the room, with retro-inspired appliances in buttery yellow chosen as key elements of the design. A generous apron-front farm sink gleams with clean white enameled cast iron and is outfitted with a rare retro faucet with spray and scrub brush attachments. Black trim against the yellow ceramic tile countertops defines the kitchen’s lines. Simple maple cabinetry painted white with black ceramic knobs provides a modern level of storage. Playful positioning of contrasting tiles on the floor presents a modern, quirky interpretation of the traditional checkerboard pattern in this classic kitchen with an original point of view.

Embracing the vintage, and her love for Shabby Chic style, this coastal beach client wanted to retain her original stove, as well as her original kitchen cabinets. We also kept all her vintage china and old appliances. We removed the old tile counter and backsplash, and replaced them with a butcherblock countertop from IKEA, and beadboard backsplash. The farmhouse sink and bridge faucet and vintage style chandelier were also purchased for the new space. Since my client doesn't use the old stove very often, she opted for no hood above the stove. The breakfast nook is quite tiny yet still suitable for morning breakfasts for two.

We transformed a Georgian brick two-story built in 1998 into an elegant, yet comfortable home for an active family that includes children and dogs. Although this Dallas home’s traditional bones were intact, the interior dark stained molding, paint, and distressed cabinetry, along with dated bathrooms and kitchen were in desperate need of an overhaul. We honored the client’s European background by using time-tested marble mosaics, slabs and countertops, and vintage style plumbing fixtures throughout the kitchen and bathrooms. We balanced these traditional elements with metallic and unique patterned wallpapers, transitional light fixtures and clean-lined furniture frames to give the home excitement while maintaining a graceful and inviting presence. We used nickel lighting and plumbing finishes throughout the home to give regal punctuation to each room. The intentional, detailed styling in this home is evident in that each room boasts its own character while remaining cohesive overall.

The light filled laundry room is punctuated with black and gold accents, a playful floor tile pattern and a large dog shower. The U-shaped laundry room features plenty of counter space for folding clothes and ample cabinet storage. A mesh front drying cabinet is the perfect spot to hang clothes to dry out of sight. The "drop zone" outside of the laundry room features a countertop beside the garage door for leaving car keys and purses. Under the countertop, the client requested an open space to fit a large dog kennel to keep it tucked away out of the walking area. The room's color scheme was pulled from the fun floor tile and works beautifully with the nearby kitchen and pantry.

© Deborah Scannell Photography.
Alcove bathtub - small transitional white tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and white floor alcove bathtub idea in Charlotte with an undermount sink, white cabinets, quartz countertops, a two-piece toilet, gray walls and recessed-panel cabinets

Living room - living room idea in San Francisco

Our poster project for The Three P's, this small midcentury home south of campus has great bones but lacked vibrancy - a je ne sais quoi that the clients were searching to savoir once and for all. SYI worked with them to nail down a design direction and furniture plan, and they decided to invest in the big-impact items first: built-ins and lighting and a fresh paint job that included a beautiful deep blue-green line around the windows. The vintage rug was an Etsy score at an awesome price, but only after the client spent months scouring options and sources online that matched the vision and dimensions of the plan. A good year later, the West Elm sofa went on sale, so the client took advantage; some time after that, they painted the kitchen, created the drop zone / bench area, and rounded out the room with occasional tables and accessories. Their lesson: in patience, and details, there is beauty. Photography by Gina Rogers Photography

the client decided to eliminate the bathtub and install a large shower with partial fixed shower glass instead of a shower door
Doorless shower - mid-sized transitional master gray tile and ceramic tile mosaic tile floor, gray floor, double-sink and wainscoting doorless shower idea with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and gray countertops

Jenn Baker
Inspiration for a large industrial open concept concrete floor and gray floor family room remodel in Dallas with gray walls, a ribbon fireplace, a brick fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

A pre-war West Village bachelor pad inspired by classic mid-century modern designs, mixed with some industrial, traveled, and street style influences. Our client took inspiration from both his travels as well as his city (NY!), and we really wanted to incorporate that into the design. For the living room we painted the walls a warm but light grey, and we mixed some more rustic furniture elements, (like the reclaimed wood coffee table) with some classic mid-century pieces (like the womb chair) to create a multi-functional kitchen/living/dining space. Using a versatile kitchen cart with a mirror above it, we created a small bar area, which was definitely on our client's wish list! Photos by Matthew Williams

When my clients purchased this charming 1940's home in the Seattle neighborhood of Wedgwood, they were amazed by how intact the original kitchen was. It was like a perfect time capsule. The color palette was avocado green and buttercream yellow. The highlights were an original retro built-in banquette and vintage oven! The challenge we faced (besides the awesome but dated finishes) was the closed floor plan typical in this era of homes and the lack of storage. So, we opened the kitchen to the adjacent dining and living room, bringing it up to speed with modern-day living. In opening it up, we also walled off a doorway that went from the kitchen to the hallway, but it was completely unnecessary and allowed us to gain an entire wall of cabinets that didn't exist previously. For the finishes, we kept it classic with mostly gray and white but brought in a little flare and interest with the herringbone backsplash and brushed brass finishes because who doesn't love a little gold? Also, we added color with the finishing details like the rug and countertop decor because those things are a great way to add interest and warmth to a space and can be easily changed when it's time for a fresh new look.

Black and white beautifully combined make this bathroom sleek and chic. Clean lines and modern design elements encompass this client's flawless design flair. Photographer: Morgan English @theenglishden

27 Diamonds is an interior design company in Orange County, CA. We take pride in delivering beautiful living spaces that reflect the tastes and lifestyles of our clients. Unlike most companies who charge hourly, most of our design packages are offered at a flat-rate, affordable price. Visit our website for more information: www.27diamonds.com All furniture can be custom made to your specifications and shipped anywhere in the US (excluding Alaska and Hawaii). Contact us for more information.

Staircase - country concrete staircase idea in Orange County with painted risers

The existing kitchen was completely remodeled to create a compact chef's kitchen. The client is a true chef, who teaches cooking classes, and we were able to get a professional grade kitchen in an 11x7 footprint! The new island creates adequate prep space. The bookcases on the front add a ton of storage and interesting display in an otherwise useless walkway. The South wall is the exposed brick original to the 1900's home. To compliment the brick, we chose a warm nutmeg stain in cherry cabinets. The countertops are a durable quartz that look like marble but are sturdy enough for this work horse kitchen. The retro pendants are oversized to add a lot of interest in this small space. Complete Kitchen remodel to create a Chef's kitchen Open shelving for storage and display Gray subway tile Pendant lights

Gibeon Photography
Living room - large rustic open concept light wood floor living room idea with black walls, a stone fireplace and no tv

Our clients wanted to add an ensuite bathroom to their charming 1950’s Cape Cod, but they were reluctant to sacrifice the only closet in their owner’s suite. The hall bathroom they’d been sharing with their kids was also in need of an update so we took this into consideration during the design phase to come up with a creative new layout that would tick all their boxes. By relocating the hall bathroom, we were able to create an ensuite bathroom with a generous shower, double vanity, and plenty of space left over for a separate walk-in closet. We paired the classic look of marble with matte black fixtures to add a sophisticated, modern edge. The natural wood tones of the vanity and teak bench bring warmth to the space. A frosted glass pocket door to the walk-through closet provides privacy, but still allows light through. We gave our clients additional storage by building drawers into the Cape Cod’s eave space.

This new kitchen design was created to eliminate dog pens. An L-shaped design allowed for a dog den base cabinet to be incorporated into the kitchen layout. Photo Credit: Betsy Bassett

The project is located in the heart of Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. The client’s a young family and the husband is a very passionate cook. The kitchen was a gut renovation. The all white kitchen mixes modern and traditional elements with an oversized island, storage all the way around, a buffet, open shelving, a butler’s pantry and appliances that steal the show. Details include: -Subzero refrigerator, Scott custom designed a flip up stainless cabinetry above the side-by-side subzero to create a taller and monolithic look. -The absolute best stone was used- Calacatta Suprema countertops with a honed finish -White cabinetry by Dresner Design private label line with De Angelis -Hardware from Katonah with a burnished nickel finish -Sconces by O’Lampia above the buffet -Backsplash tile is custom dye lot from Artistic Tile, Pratt Larson -Custom sinks by Havens for cleaning fish descaling - Plumbing fixtures from Studio 41- main sink