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Architect: Douglas Wright www.dcwarchitects.com Photography: Costas Picadaz
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I first came to Mary Beth’s home to help with her living room. But that changed when we looked at the office, and started talking about how it wasn’t working. When I stepped it to take a look, I immediately noticed how heavy and cramped it felt. Too many large pieces and clutter created a feeling of overwhelm. It needed to be redone. Since Mary Beth works full time from home, I wanted to help her make this a space where she could be productive, and feel good about being in for long periods of time. The end result is an impressive transformation – and it was done very affordably. “Prior to the re-design, my office was a cluttered, disorganized mess that really said nothing about who I am. I tended to use it as a catch all for things I didn’t know where to put or what to do with,” tells Mary Beth. Now, she says it feels so much better working in there, and even got rave reviews from her family when they visited for the Holidays. “It’s now well-organized, bright and seems to flow in the way it’s laid out”. To remove clutter and the “heavy” feeling, two large bookcases and the couch were removed, and lots of time was spent decluttering. A nicer bookcase was moved to a place that made more sense; together with a cozy rug and upholstered chair we created a lovely reading area, a place she can also relax. A neutral green on the walls is also soothing, and brings an element of nature inside. Groupings of photos from her travels hang on the walls now, and a larger piece of art creates a focal point. A piece I was delighted to help her find – hand-painted but affordably priced – it makes Mary Beth feel happy, “The art above the desk is beautiful, and it showed me that big doesn’t have to be overwhelming”. A new desk, relocated to the “command position” in the room (a more powerful placement) is also less weighty than what she had before, but functionally allows for more workspace. We upgraded her desk chair to a high-back leather one. In total, this setup was intentional, for an enhanced feeling of being in control. Mary Beth notes, “I love the desk and how it sits. I can either work by the window and look out at the garden and at the birds, which I love to do, or look out into the living room and be part of anything going on there”. On the windows we replaced metal blinds with woven roman shades, also with a natural look. They’re cordless, so nothing hangs in front of the beautiful backyard view, and they feel lighter. With the new office design, we also gave Mary Beth plenty of places for storage. Now the things she does use and need don’t need to be out in plain sight, cluttering things up. In the end, we accomplished our goal of creating a space for Mary Beth conducive to work and also enjoyable. She says, “My work attitude and feeling of what the office is has definitely changed – I like to be there even when I’m not working. It doesn’t feel only like an office but is actually a relaxing place to be”.

Inspiration for a transitional master beige tile beige floor and double-sink freestanding bathtub remodel with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink, beige countertops and a freestanding vanity

THE SETUP Once these empty nest homeowners decided to stay put, they knew a new kitchen was in order. Passionate about cooking, entertaining, and hosting holiday gatherings, they found their existing kitchen inadequate. The space, with its traditional style and outdated layout, was far from ideal. They longed for an elegant, timeless kitchen that was not only show-stopping but also functional, seamlessly catering to both their daily routines and special occasions with friends and family. Another key factor was its future appeal to potential buyers, as they’re ready to enjoy their new kitchen while also considering downsizing in the future. Design Objectives: Create a more streamlined, open space Eliminate traditional elements Improve flow for entertaining and everyday use Omit dated posts and soffits Include storage for small appliances to keep counters clutter-free Address mail organization and phone charging concerns THE REMODEL Design Challenges: Compensate for lost storage from omitted wall cabinets Revise floorplan to feature a single, spacious island Enhance island seating proximity for a more engaging atmosphere Address awkward space above existing built-ins Improve natural light blocked by wall cabinet near the window Create a highly functional space tailored for entertaining Design Solutions: Tall cabinetry and pull-outs maximize storage efficiency A generous single island promotes seamless flow and ample prep space Strategic island seating arrangement fosters easy conversation New built-ins fill arched openings, ensuring a custom, clutter-free look Replace wall cabinet with lighted open shelves for an airy feel Galley Dresser and Workstation offer impeccable organization and versatility, creating the perfect setup for entertaining with everything easily accessible. THE RENEWED SPACE The new kitchen exceeded every expectation, thrilling the clients with its revitalized, expansive design and thoughtful functionality. The transformation brought to life an open space adorned with marble accents, a state-of-the-art steam oven, and the seamless integration of the Galley Dresser, crafting a kitchen not just to be used, but to be cherished. This is more than a culinary space; it’s a new heart of their home, ready to host countless memories and culinary adventures.

Minimalist design meets modern living! This Scandinavian-inspired rowhome features geothermal heating, triple-pane windows, a stunning sauna, and a rooftop deck. All within walking distance to Linden Hills, Bde Maka Ska, and Lake Harriet!

  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

Trendy light wood floor living room photo in London with white walls

Living room - contemporary formal and open concept painted wood floor and black floor living room idea in Melbourne with white walls