The planning phase of this modern retreat was an intense collaboration that took place over the course of more than two years. While the initial design concept exceeded the clients' expectations, it also exceeded their budget beyond the point of comfort. The next several months were spent modifying the design, in attempts to lower the budget. Ultimately, the decision was made that they would hold off on the project until they could budget for the original design, rather than compromising the vision. About a year later, we repeated that same process, which resulted in the same outcome. After another year-long hiatus, we met once again. We revisited design thoughts, each of us bringing to the table new ideas and options. Each thought simply solidified the fact that the initial vision was absolutely what we all wanted to see come to fruition, and the decision was finally made to move forward. The main challenge of the site was elevation. The Southeast corner of the lot stands 5'6" above the threshold of the rear door, while the Northeast corner dropped a full 2' below the threshold of the door. The backyard was also long and narrow, sloping side-to-side and toward the house. The key to the design concept was to deftly place the project into the slope and utilize the elevation changes, without allowing them to dominate the yard, or overwhelm the senses. The unseen challenge on this project came in the form of hitting every underground issue possible. We had to relocate the sewer main, the gas line, and the electrical service; and since rock was sitting about 6" below the surface, all of these had to be chiseled through many feet of dense rock, adding to our projected timeline and budget. As you enter the space, your first stop is an outdoor living area. Smooth finished concrete, colored to match the 'Leuder' limestone coping, has a subtle saw-cut pattern aligned with the edges of the recessed fire pit. In small spaces, it is important to consider a multi-purpose approach. So, the recessed fire pit has been fitted with an aluminum cover that allows our client to set up tables and chairs for entertaining, right over the top of the fire pit. From here, it;s two steps up to the pool elevation, and the floating 'Leuder' limestone stepper pads that lead across the pool and hide the dam wall of the flush spa. The main retaining wall to the Southeast is a poured concrete wall with an integrated sheer descent waterfall into the spa. To bring in some depth and texture, a 'Brownstone' ledgestone was used to face both the dropped beam on the pool, and the raised beam of the water feature wall. The main water feature is comprised of five custom made stainless steel scuppers, supplied by a dedicated booster pump. Colored concrete stepper pads lead to the 'Ipe' wood deck at the far end of the pool. The placement of this wood deck allowed us to minimize our use of retaining walls on the Northeast end of the yard, since it drops off over three feet below the elevation of the pool beam. One of the most unique features on this project has to be the structure over the dining area. With a unique combination of steel and wood, the clean modern aesthetic of this structure creates a visual stamp in the space that standard structure could not accomplish. 4" steel posts, painted charcoal grey, are set on an angle, 4' into the bedrock, to anchor the structure. Steel I-beams painted in green-yellow color--aptly called "frolic"--act as the base to the hefty cedar rafters of the roof structure, which has a slight pitch toward the rear. A hidden gutter on the back of the roof sends water down a copper rain chain, and into the drainage system. The backdrop for both this dining area , as well as the living area, is the horizontal screen panel, created with alternating sizes of cedar planks, stained to a calm hue of dove grey.

A 90's builder home undergoes a massive renovation to accommodate this family of four who were looking for a comfortable, casual yet sophisticated atmosphere that pulled design influence from their collective roots in Colorado, Texas, NJ and California. Thoughtful touches throughout make this the perfect house to come home to. Featured in the January/February issue of DESIGN BUREAU. Won FAMILY ROOM OF THE YEAR by NC Design Online. Won ASID 1st Place in the ASID Carolinas Design Excellence Competition.

Existing Arts & Crafts Tudor modernized for open concept living - Architecture/Interiors: HAUS | Architecture - Construction Management: WERK | Build - Photo: HAUS | Architecture

Winner of "HOME OF THE YEAR 2016" San Diego Home and Garden Lifestyles Magazine featuring this great contemporary kitchen remodel in An Irving Gill renovation near Balboa Park stays true to its historic essence. More about the project. This young couple has a creative back ground, one being an actor and the other being a teacher who inspires others. They now enjoy a new historical home with amazing touches of modern styling and comforts. The home was designed by renowned architect Irving Gill in 1905 and is on the historical register but it only applies to the exterior of the home. The brick pillar is an original feature from the home's turn-of-the-century stove. The window casings were built to replicate the original Douglas Fir windows as seen on Gill's original plans, and all the molding was redone in his signature flush style as well. The central feature in this kitchen is the Yellow Italian Bertazzoni Range with a single herringbone tiled back splash. The cabinetry is a light gray paired perfectly with a dark "graphite" gray island, and industrial vents at the toe kick enhance the overall look. Builder Jon Walsh / Kim Grant Architect Kitchen Design Bonnie Bagley Catlin Handle free Cabinetry Signature Designs Kitchen Bath Cabinetry: Modern Cabinetry Floors: Existing Fir Wood Floors Backsplash: Porcelain Tile Countertops: Quartz

This modern coastal living room seamlessly blends comfort with elegance, featuring a spacious lounge space adorned with natural wood elements and plush seating that invites relaxation. The neutral tones of the modern room are anchored by a textured rustic coffee table and layered rugs over light wood flooring, creating a warm, grounded atmosphere. Surrounded by panoramic bright window sitting areas, the room opens effortlessly to the outdoor waterfront, extending the beach house decor aesthetic. Thoughtfully styled with greenery and curated accents, the layout supports open flow into the kitchen and dining space—making it perfect for home interior inspiration or upscale remodeling ideas rooted in nature-inspired interior design.

The main level at this modern farmhouse has a great room and den bookended by stone fireplaces. The kitchen is at the center of the main living spaces where we designed multiple islands for smart base cabinet storage which still allows visual connection from the kitchen to all spaces. The open living spaces serve the owner’s desire to create a comfortable environment for entertaining during large family gatherings. There are plenty of spaces where everyone can spread out whether it be eating or cooking, watching TV or just chatting by the fireplace. The main living spaces also act as a privacy buffer between the master suite and a guest suite. Photography by Todd Crawford.

Small Bedroom decorating ideas! Interior Designer Rebecca Robeson began this Bedroom remodel with Benjamin Moore's 2017 color of the year… “Shadow” 2117-30 Rebecca wanted a bold statement color for this small Bedroom. Something that would say WOW. Her next step was to find a bold statement piece of art to create the color palette for the rest of the room. From the art piece came bedding choices, a fabulous over-died antique area rug (Aja Rugs) randomly collected throw pillows and furniture pieces that would provide a comfortable Bedroom but not fill the space unnecessarily. Rebecca had white linen, custom window treatments made and chose white bedding to ground the space, keeping it light and airy. Playing up the 13' concrete ceilings, Rebecca used modern light fixtures with white shades to pop off the purple wall creating an exciting first... and lasting, impression! Black Whale Lighting Photos by Ryan Garvin Photography

The goal for this Point Loma home was to transform it from the adorable beach bungalow it already was by expanding its footprint and giving it distinctive Craftsman characteristics while achieving a comfortable, modern aesthetic inside that perfectly caters to the active young family who lives here. By extending and reconfiguring the front portion of the home, we were able to not only add significant square footage, but create much needed usable space for a home office and comfortable family living room that flows directly into a large, open plan kitchen and dining area. A custom built-in entertainment center accented with shiplap is the focal point for the living room and the light color of the walls are perfect with the natural light that floods the space, courtesy of strategically placed windows and skylights. The kitchen was redone to feel modern and accommodate the homeowners busy lifestyle and love of entertaining. Beautiful white kitchen cabinetry sets the stage for a large island that packs a pop of color in a gorgeous teal hue. A Sub-Zero classic side by side refrigerator and Jenn-Air cooktop, steam oven, and wall oven provide the power in this kitchen while a white subway tile backsplash in a sophisticated herringbone pattern, gold pulls and stunning pendant lighting add the perfect design details. Another great addition to this project is the use of space to create separate wine and coffee bars on either side of the doorway. A large wine refrigerator is offset by beautiful natural wood floating shelves to store wine glasses and house a healthy Bourbon collection. The coffee bar is the perfect first top in the morning with a coffee maker and floating shelves to store coffee and cups. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring was selected for use throughout the home, offering the warm feel of hardwood, with the benefits of being waterproof and nearly indestructible - two key factors with young kids! For the exterior of the home, it was important to capture classic Craftsman elements including the post and rock detail, wood siding, eves, and trimming around windows and doors. We think the porch is one of the cutest in San Diego and the custom wood door truly ties the look and feel of this beautiful home together.

Our team began the master bedroom design by anchoring the room with a dramatic but simple black canopy bed. The next layer was a neutral but textured area rug with a herringbone "zig zag" design that we repeated again in our throw pillows and nightstands. The light wood of the nightstands and woven window shades added subtle contrast and texture. Two seating areas provide ample comfort throughout the bedroom with a small sofa at the end of the bed and comfortable swivel chairs in front of the window. The long simple drapes are anchored by a simple black rod that repeats the black iron element of the canopy bed. The dresser is also black, which carries this color around the room. A black iron chandelier with wooden beads echoes the casually elegant design, while layers of cream bedding and a textural throw complete the design.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This client was referred to us from a past client. They are a busy 2-career household with young children and enjoy entertaining friends and family in their home. They have a beautiful open concept home but unfortunately the kitchen was not fitting for the rest of the home. They were not quite sure what to do with the space. We talked about trying to refresh it or do more of a minor remodel, but in the end they decided a full gut would get them to where they wanted to be. One problem was there was no place for guests to hang out other than the large and awkward banquette area. The brick wall and tiled hood area were feeling a bit dated and tired. The space was just not functional for their lifestyle. There was no prep space near the cooktop and no landing area for items coming out of the ovens or refrigerator, plus a big dead zone in the center of the room. Banquettes, like the one they previously had in the space, are great for small spaces, but when they get really large like this one, it makes getting in and out of the seating area awkward and uncomfortable. Plus, there was room for a large table, so we eliminated the awkward built in. We started by removing the faux brick wall between the kitchen and back entry. We relocated the entry to the garage over a couple feet in order to get every last inch out of the new kitchen. We also made the decision to close up the primary window that faced the pretty ho hum brick wall of the neighbor’s house. There was plenty of light coming in from the seating area, so we just didn’t feel the window was adding much to the room. Construction went smoothy. There was a bit of rework with electrical, flooring and HVAC, but in the end, we think it was well worth it. The clients really wanted a sleek contemporary look, and we originally had planned for a full height slab backsplash, but due to it’s size, it was a budget buster. Instead, we got creative and settled on large format porcelain tiles that have a similar feel but were a fraction of the cost. We made sure the wall was plumb and level so that the fit and finish would mimic that of slab material. The final space was quite a change. A large prep sink sits directly across from the new pro-style range with plenty additional prep space on the large island. The refrigerator and ovens now have miles of landing space, and a nice tight work triangle makes cooking a breeze. Since we wanted a more contemporary feel, not many wall cabinets were included. Instead, we outfitted some of the drawers for dish storage with a peg system. Two large pantries flanking the refrigerator hold baking supplies and small appliances. Large drawers by the cooktop hold pots and pans, and an appliance garage tucked away to the left of the range hides away miscellaneous items. The large island also houses a microwave drawer and tons of storage, most of which is drawers offering maximum convenience. The island now seats 5-6 people comfortably along with the new table in the seating area which can seat up to 8. Entertaining will be a breeze in this space. With such a clean backdrop, we knew we would need some drama with the lighting, so we chose two sets of staggered pendants, which we adjusted for the right visual balance above the island. We also included a small coffee station to the right of the main kitchen, which helps keep the coffee clutter out of the kitchen proper. Two tones of complimentary gray are featured in this kitchen. The perimeter is a light gray that reads almost white. The island is a gray stain that adds some depth and interest with the visible wood texture. The countertops are clean white quartz, and the hardware, barstools and light fixtures add warm brass tones. I see lots of cooking and entertaining with family and friends in the near future in this bright and airy new space. 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

Hollub Homes | Interior design by Helene Hollub | Ken Hayden Photography
Example of a trendy girl carpeted kids' room design in Miami with white walls

Modern Luxury Black, White, and Wood Kitchen By Darash design in Hartford Road - Austin, Texas home renovation project - featuring Dark and, Warm hues coming from the beautiful wood in this kitchen find balance with sleek no-handle flat panel matte Black kitchen cabinets, White Marble countertop for contrast. Glossy and Highly Reflective glass cabinets perfect storage to display your pretty dish collection in the kitchen. With stainless steel kitchen panel wall stacked oven and a stainless steel 6-burner stovetop. This open concept kitchen design Black, White and Wood color scheme flows from the kitchen island with wooden bar stools to all through out the living room lit up by the perfectly placed windows and sliding doors overlooking the nature in the perimeter of this Modern house, and the center of the great room --the dining area where the beautiful modern contemporary chandelier is placed in a lovely manner.

Example of a trendy basement design in Chicago

This Midcentury Modern Home was originally built in 1964 and was completely over-hauled and a seriously major renovation! We transformed 5 rooms into 1 great room and raised the ceiling by removing all the attic space. Initially, we wanted to keep the original terrazzo flooring throughout the house, but unfortunately we could not bring it back to life. This house is a 3200 sq. foot one story. We are still renovating, since this is my house...I will keep the pictures updated as we progress! Photo by Chuck Williams

Bedroom - transitional bedroom idea in San Francisco

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Photography: Eric Roth Photo

The soaring living room ceilings in this Omaha home showcase custom designed bookcases, while a comfortable modern sectional sofa provides ample space for seating. The expansive windows highlight the beautiful rolling hills and greenery of the exterior. The grid design of the large windows is repeated again in the coffered ceiling design. Wood look tile provides a durable surface for kids and pets and also allows for radiant heat flooring to be installed underneath the tile. The custom designed marble fireplace completes the sophisticated look.

Modern Home Interiors and Exteriors, featuring clean lines, textures, colors and simple design with floor to ceiling windows. Hardwood, slate, and porcelain floors, all natural materials that give a sense of warmth throughout the spaces. Some homes have steel exposed beams and monolith concrete and galvanized steel walls to give a sense of weight and coolness in these very hot, sunny Southern California locations. Kitchens feature built in appliances, and glass backsplashes. Living rooms have contemporary style fireplaces and custom upholstery for the most comfort. Bedroom headboards are upholstered, with most master bedrooms having modern wall fireplaces surounded by large porcelain tiles. Project Locations: Ojai, Santa Barbara, Westlake, California. Projects designed by Maraya Interior Design. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Malibu, Westlake and Calabasas, across the tri-county areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills- north through Solvang and more. Modern Ojai home designed by Maraya and Tim Droney Patrick Price Photography.

Old fixer-uppers often require two competing levels of priorities from their new homeowners. First and foremost is the need to immediately attend to those repairs that ensure the continued functioning and general well being of the house’s structure. By nature, these usually demand “house on fire!” status, especially when compared to other types of remodeling work that simply enhances aesthetics and general comfort. In the case of a Delaware couple, a structural issue with the front of their 125 year old Victorian (it was sinking!), along with some other more pressing challenges, put a 13 year long hold on getting the bathroom for which they had long dreamed. The shower enclosure features a base of hexagon patterned tile, bordered by marble subway tiles. The shower enclosure features a base of hexagon patterned tile, bordered by marble subway tiles. By the time Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers was hired to handle the construction, the couple certainly had put plenty of thought into converting a spare second-floor bedroom into the master bath. Courtney Burnett, Fox’s Interior Design Manager on the project, credits the owners for “having great creative minds, with lots of ideas to contribute.” By the time it came to put a formal design plan into place, the client “drove the look while we devised how the space would function.” It’s worth noting that there are drawbacks in being given too much time for advance planning. Owners’ tastes in design may change, while a steady stream of new fixtures and building products always demand consideration up to the last minute. “We had been collecting ideas for a while…pictures of what we liked, but as it turned out, when it came time to select fixtures, tile, etc., we used little from those pictures,” the owners admit. A framed herringbone pattern of subway tiles provides a perfect focal point for the shower. A framed herringbone pattern of subway tiles provides a perfect focal point for the shower. The finished bath exudes an art deco spirit that isn’t true to the home’s Victorian origins, which Burnett attributes to being more of a reflection of the homeowners’ preferences than the actual era of the structure. Despite that incongruity, everyone feels that they have remained true to the house by selecting vintage style elements, including subway tiles for the walls, hexagonal tile for the floors, and a pedestal sink that served as the focal point for the entire room. But as with all dreams, once one is achieved, a new one soon beckons. With the bathroom’s strikingly beautiful turquoise paint barely dry, the completion of that long-awaited project has served to kick-start plans for finishing off the remainder of the Victorian’s second floor.