Example of a large transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen design in Calgary with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, metallic backsplash, metal backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white cabinets and solid surface countertops

Eat-in kitchen - 1950s single-wall eat-in kitchen idea in Toronto with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

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.

Inspiration for a farmhouse l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Matthew Millman
Photo of a large transitional garden path in San Francisco.

Holland Photography - Cory Holland
Inspiration for a transitional open concept light wood floor family room remodel in Seattle with a music area, gray walls, no tv and no fireplace

Inspiration for a transitional formal living room remodel in San Francisco with a standard fireplace

Jason Schmidt
Mid-sized trendy 3/4 gray tile and marble tile bathroom photo in New York with an integrated sink, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, marble countertops, a hinged shower door and gray countertops

This lakefront home's kitchen draws from traditional Swedish design and style. A deep basin sink and calm color palette branch from cabinets to tile backsplash and articulate fixtures. All elements combine and bathe in the gorgeous natural light reflecting off the lake outside. Like a picture frame around a work of art, this kitchen complements, rather than competes, with the element the owners loved most: the view. Photos by: Jeff Roberts Project by: Maine Coast Kitchen Design

Photo by Amanda Kirkpatrick
Inspiration for an industrial medium tone wood floor bedroom remodel in Austin with white walls

Costas Picadas Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary gray floor entryway remodel in New York with white walls and a medium wood front door

Living room - small mid-century modern enclosed wallpaper, dark wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Calgary with a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, white walls and no tv

Photo: Hoi Ning Wong © 2014 Houzz
Example of a classic patio design in San Francisco with a pergola

Nick Smith
Inspiration for a large transitional master white tile and stone tile marble floor freestanding bathtub remodel in London with gray cabinets, gray walls and flat-panel cabinets

A desire for a more modern and zen-like environment in a historical, turn of the century stone and stucco house was the drive and challenge for this sophisticated Siemasko + Verbridge Interiors project. Along with a fresh color palette, new furniture is woven with antiques, books, and artwork to enliven the space. Carefully selected finishes enhance the openness of the glass pool structure, without competing with the grand ocean views. Thoughtfully designed cabinetry and family friendly furnishings, including a kitchenette, billiard area, and home theater, were designed for both kids and adults.

A perfect little seating area next to a heritage orange tree.
Design ideas for a large traditional full sun backyard gravel vegetable garden landscape in San Francisco for spring.

The roman shades go up illuminating the space with natural daylight. The custom window seat bench is the perfect place to relax in this dream closet compete with a tufted cushion and plush custom pillows. Photo Credit: Ginna Gill Photography

Example of a country white two-story exterior home design in Chicago with a mixed material roof

Example of a mid-sized mid-century modern kids' white tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile, gray floor, single-sink and wallpaper drop-in bathtub design in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, a one-piece toilet, a drop-in sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a freestanding vanity