When Casework first met this 550 square foot attic space in a 1912 Seattle Craftsman home, it was dated and not functional. The homeowners wanted to transform their existing master bedroom and bathroom to include more practical closet and storage space as well as add a nursery. The renovation created a purposeful division of space for a growing family, including a cozy master with built-in bench storage, a spacious his and hers dressing room, open and bright master bath with brass and black details, and a nursery perfect for a growing child. Through clever built-ins and a minimal but effective color palette, Casework was able to turn this wasted attic space into a comfortable, inviting and purposeful sanctuary.

Designer: Vanessa Cook Photographer: Tom Roe
Inspiration for a large industrial master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile, gray floor and single-sink bathroom remodel in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink, quartz countertops, medium tone wood cabinets, white countertops, a niche and a floating vanity

[Our Clients] We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldn’t wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. [Kitchen] The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. [Dining Room] The dining room had once been the home’s living room, but we had other plans in mind. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. [Living Room] We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs you’ve ever sat in. [Master Suite] This home didn’t originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that you’d never want to leave. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. [Hall Bathroom] The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. [Office] We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. And voila! We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood.

Bathroom - transitional 3/4 gray tile, white tile and subway tile gray floor bathroom idea in Other with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink and gray countertops

An outdated 1920's kitchen in Bayside Queens was turned into a refreshed, classic and timeless space that utilized the very limited space to its maximum capacity. The cabinets were once outdated and a dark brown that made the space look even smaller. Now, they are a bright white, accompanied by white subway tile, a light quartzite countertop and brushed brass hardware throughout. What made all the difference was the use of the dark porcelain floors as a great contrast to all the white. We were also diligent to keep the hold extractor a clear glass and stainless steel.

Transitional brown tile and mosaic tile brown floor alcove shower photo in Portland with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, beige walls and brown countertops

This master spa bath has a soaking tub, steam shower, and custom cabinetry. The cement tiles add pattern to the shower walls. The porcelain wood look plank flooring is laid in a herringbone pattern.

photo by Read Mckendree
Bathroom - small traditional 3/4 gray tile and marble tile multicolored floor and mosaic tile floor bathroom idea in Other with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and gray countertops

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary guest carpeted bedroom remodel in Miami with white walls

Sean Litchfield
Inspiration for a transitional master gray floor bedroom remodel in Boston with gray walls

Master bathroom with subway tiles, wood vanity, and concrete countertop. Photographer: Rob Karosis
Large country master white tile and subway tile slate floor and black floor freestanding bathtub photo in New York with flat-panel cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, concrete countertops, black countertops and dark wood cabinets

Photo by Kolanowski Studio
Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal 3/4 beige tile pebble tile floor and beige floor bathroom remodel in Houston with a wall-mount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls and white countertops

Bathroom - country white tile white floor bathroom idea in Chicago with recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with beige cabinets, colored appliances, a peninsula, beige countertops, a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash

Photography by William Quarles
Large elegant master stone tile and gray tile pebble tile floor and gray floor bathroom photo in Charleston with beaded inset cabinets, beige cabinets, beige walls, quartz countertops and white countertops

Alcove shower - mid-sized transitional master white tile ceramic tile and gray floor alcove shower idea in Philadelphia with white cabinets, marble countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops, pink walls, an undermount sink and beaded inset cabinets

Bathroom - transitional master black and white tile, gray tile and white tile mosaic tile floor and beige floor bathroom idea in Nashville with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and beige walls

Marco Ricca
Example of a mid-sized trendy 3/4 mosaic tile, gray tile and white tile marble floor and white floor bathroom design in New York with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, white countertops, gray walls and an undermount sink

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The homeowners came to us looking to update the kitchen in their historic 1897 home. The home had gone through an extensive renovation several years earlier that added a master bedroom suite and updates to the front façade. The kitchen however was not part of that update and a prior 1990’s update had left much to be desired. The client is an avid cook, and it was just not very functional for the family. The original kitchen was very choppy and included a large eat in area that took up more than its fair share of the space. On the wish list was a place where the family could comfortably congregate, that was easy and to cook in, that feels lived in and in check with the rest of the home’s décor. They also wanted a space that was not cluttered and dark – a happy, light and airy room. A small powder room off the space also needed some attention so we set out to include that in the remodel as well. See that arch in the neighboring dining room? The homeowner really wanted to make the opening to the dining room an arch to match, so we incorporated that into the design. Another unfortunate eyesore was the state of the ceiling and soffits. Turns out it was just a series of shortcuts from the prior renovation, and we were surprised and delighted that we were easily able to flatten out almost the entire ceiling with a couple of little reworks. Other changes we made were to add new windows that were appropriate to the new design, which included moving the sink window over slightly to give the work zone more breathing room. We also adjusted the height of the windows in what was previously the eat-in area that were too low for a countertop to work. We tried to keep an old island in the plan since it was a well-loved vintage find, but the tradeoff for the function of the new island was not worth it in the end. We hope the old found a new home, perhaps as a potting table. 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