This backyard patio garden was transformed with the client’s goal of minimizing lawn and creating intimate gathering space. Layered perennial beds are filled with a rich diversity of texture, form and color, enveloping the patio with stunning 3-dimensional views. Take a wander into the planting and you’ll find a meandering exploratory pathway that immerses you in nature’s sounds, movement and smells, up close. This grassy channel also provides the kids fun access from one playing area to the next, hidden from the grown-ups, free to roam and explore.

Large red two-story brick exterior home idea in Baltimore

For this kitchen, designed by Peter Bittner, the client had a very clear idea of what she wanted right from the start. She did her research. The mother of a fast growing, young family, she wanted something as efficient as it was beautiful – on the simple, yet elegant side. Her requests were straightforward: white and light grey Bilotta cabinetry in a transitional style so as not to compete with the detailing inside her 1950s Tudor-style home; a heated tile floor (By Rye Ridge Tile); stainless appliances; white subway tile backsplash by Walker Zanger (again to keep it clean and not compete with its surroundings); and seating at the island for snacks and homework. The “pop” suggested by Peter was done through the satin brass hardware and lighting fixtures. The real challenge with this space was to fit as much as possible into the existing footprint which was overall on the smaller side. The solution was eliminating a doorway (with a swinging door that opened into the kitchen) and stairs from the kitchen to the basement. By moving the stairs and doorway, the usable space increased considerably. The typical working triangle became the focus for one side of the kitchen and the island overhang and seating became available on the other side. To make up for the limited amount of wall cabinets Peter designed shallow pantry-style cabinets along the back wall. Quartz Countertops by Rom Stone Fabrication. Designer: Peter Bittner Photographer: Peter Krupenye

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Inspiration for a modern nursery remodel in Austin

Example of a large formal and open concept marble floor living room design in Baltimore with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Taylor Cole Photography
Mid-sized eclectic gender-neutral medium tone wood floor nursery photo in Orange County with beige walls

Susan Teare
Mountain style home office photo in Burlington

High end, highly custom complete kitchen remodel with amazing details. THE KEY FEATURES IN THIS PHOTO: - 1 of the 3 Work Zones: left of the range, right of the range and the island -Mosaic tile -Custom Hood - Garden Window Relocated and Re-sized. .Photo by Courtney Apple

Elegant u-shaped light wood floor kitchen photo in Other with an undermount sink, white backsplash, white appliances, an island and white countertops

Jacob Snavely
Transitional 3/4 gray tile multicolored floor alcove shower photo in New York with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and beige countertops

Inspiration for a large open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Baltimore with a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace

Inspiration for a mid-sized yellow one-story wood exterior home remodel in Salt Lake City with a gambrel roof

Inspiration for a large ceramic tile open concept kitchen remodel in Baltimore with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Living room - traditional formal dark wood floor living room idea in Atlanta with gray walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2017 Houzz Design: Scandinavian Home Staging
Dining room - 1960s dining room idea in Other

When Charlene’s family of four decided to move out of Manhattan, she reached out to Decor Aid, for assistance in furnishing and decorating the family’s new home in Westchester. Although she had already decorated a few upstairs rooms, Charlene needed help in sourcing and decorating the entire bottom floor of her house, and wanted the new home to feel reflective of her young family. The original goal for the project was to infuse three separate design influences. First and foremost, we had to account for Charlene’s personal taste, which is a contemporary take on the mid-century modernist aesthetic. Second, we had to account for the house’s country-modern stylings. And finally, at the request of Charlene’s two young children, we had to incorporate primary colors, to fit the family’s fun and comfortable vibe. Charlene wanted to furnish her home with a blue and grey color scheme, but didn’t want her new space to be stifled by this preference. To keep the home from feeling sterile, we incorporated heavily-textured accessories, fabrics, and rugs. And to contrast the modern with the familial, primary-colored art pieces were set against larger, neutral furnishings. We sourced a custom-made wood dining-room table, and other wood furniture pieces, to bridge the gap between the house’s country-modern vibe and Charlene’s own personal aesthetic. Because of the home’s open floor plan, all of the rooms had to feel continuous, while being differentiated from each-other. So we added large area rugs, in the dining room, living room, and foyer, to distinguish each room. A large sectional sofa faces away from the kitchen, and is backed by a custom-made wood console table, to further separate the rooms. Colorful accent pillows and decorative geometric objects were added throughout the home, to further distinguish each room, and to offset the tasteful, neutral palette. The final effect is a highly elegant and wholly modern interpretation of the American suburban home.

Inspiration for a large ceramic tile open concept kitchen remodel in Baltimore with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a large ceramic tile open concept kitchen design in Baltimore with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island