The owner of a modest 1910's bungalow near Green Lake, wanted to update his home's small and outdated kitchen. Through the thoughtful rearrangement of the home's original kitchen, mudroom, and basement stairs a modern kitchen with an abundance of storage was created. Complementary colors and materials were used to provide a quiet transition from the existing home to the new space. The home's existing Asian furnishings and accessories provide inspiration for subtle details incorporated throughout 350 SF remodel and reflect the homeowner's heritage.

The allure of this Monroe kitchen is in the complementary fresh and warm colors of White Icing and Eagle Rock along with the functional appeal of cabinets that have built-in appliances and great storage options.

Modern Sophistication Meets Everyday Durability Step into a home redefined by clean lines and thoughtful design. This complete interior remodel showcases a seamless blend of modern elegance and practical luxury, designed for those who appreciate the finer details. Elevated Finishes The foundation of the home features 100% waterproof luxury vinyl plank flooring, offering the timeless look of hardwood with unmatched durability. To anchor the space, we installed bold 5-inch modern baseboards, providing a crisp, architectural frame for every room. A Designer’s Palette The home’s character is defined by a sophisticated two-tone color scheme. While the walls offer a warm, inviting backdrop, the doors, trim, and baseboards feature a distinct, complementary hue. This high-contrast approach highlights the custom woodwork and gives the entire home a professionally curated feel. Brilliant Lighting & Privacy We’ve opened up the atmosphere with a comprehensive LED thin-can lighting package. These recessed lights offer a sleek, low-profile look while bathing the home in bright, energy-efficient light. To finish the look, brand-new custom blinds were installed throughout, offering the perfect balance of natural light control and contemporary style.

Advice on interior design is available everywhere—from TV shows and websites to books, magazines and apps. We love seeing people become engaged in design and educated on the wide range of possibilities. But we hope you’ll proceed with caution. It’s not that style errors are a matter of life and death. It’s just that it’s easy to choose designs that aren’t necessarily reflective of your own personality and character. And since you’re typically stuck with your interior design decisions for years, styles that don’t quite fit can tend to grate on you. Interiors that give one person comfort may unleash chaos in someone else. This goes beyond favorite colors or hot trends, right to the heart of interior design, where you find questions of composition, balance, repetition, space and more. The goal is to find that unique combination of design elements that gives you comfort, support and balance. In one home, that perfect balance was struck through the use of symmetry. A pair of comfortable swivel chairs sit beneath matching indigo patterned paintings. Matching bookcases below the paintings contain similar, but not identical, arrangements of books, vases and bowls. Woods and bronzes help warm up the simple white bookcase shelving. Two matching poufs in front of the fireplace provide additional seating. The sofa is accented with a pair of pillows with a blue pattern that echoes the artwork. The effect of the symmetry is to achieve order and simplicity, which I promote at every opportunity. After all, your home interiors should be the setting or the backdrop of your life—not center stage. Antique bronze and blue are complementary colors. Together, they offer a rich palette of richness and depth, which brings out the beauty of wood and stone. In the home office, a unique, whitewash-stained wooden desk rests on metal, Sawhorse-inspired legs for a warm, rustic look. The black leather chair features a contemporary silhouette with an antique brass frame. An adjustable desk lamp has bronze accents. The bookcase combines a sleek, black metal frame with concrete shelves, for another unusual pairing. It’s kept uncluttered for an orderly, peaceful look. Items on the shelves include a bronze-accented lamp and a pair of high gloss-finished wooden bookends. The elegant artwork behind the desk is a simple midnight-blue and bronze with mottled white. Deep blues are again picked up in the rug, which adds a stately vibe with a modern pattern and satisfying texture. Within the framework of symmetry, the living room repeats the blue-and-bronze color scheme. A large midcentury brass clock above the fireplace keeps the natural stone visible, rather than hidden behind a painting or television, while its straight lines and color create a beautiful contrast. The sofa is a soft, neutral blue. The pattern on the round brass side table features echoes the darker blue-patterned rug, as well as the rug in the office, tying the rooms together. Indigo blue books adjacent to bronze vases on the shelves repeat the color scheme. The soapstone-topped coffee table echoes the shape of the fireplace. A pair of tall, matching floor lamps with long wooden bases, brass pulls and simple linen shades combine both the colors and symmetry found throughout the home.

This 4,800 square-foot guesthouse is a three-story residence consisting of a main-level master suite, upper-level guest suite, and a large bunkroom. The exterior finishes were selected for their durability and low-maintenance characteristics, as well as to provide a unique, complementary element to the site. Locally quarried granite and a sleek slate roof have been united with cement fiberboard shingles, board-and-batten siding, and rustic brackets along the eaves. The public spaces are located on the north side of the site in order to communicate with the public spaces of a future main house. With interior details picking up on the picturesque cottage style of architecture, this space becomes ideal for both large and small gatherings. Through a similar material dialogue, an exceptional boathouse is formed along the water’s edge, extending the outdoor recreational space to encompass the lake. Photographer: Bob Manley

Marsh Kitchen & Bath designer Jan Zuccarello started this project as an update to a 1990s kitchen and quickly turned it into the homeowner's dream kitchen. Taking out a pantry and desk area, changing a window, updating appliances, and adding a new color palette with complementary lighting made the new space light and airy with a feeling of openness. Soft gray countertops complement a light patterned quartz on the contrasting gray island. The custom display cabinet with seeded glass and mullion detail repeated in the chair backs, along with the crown molding details, made this a dream come true for the homeowner.

As you walk in, the main floor unfolds into a seamless living experience. Walls and columns were expertly removed to reveal a voluminous, open-concept great room. Natural light filters through generous windows, illuminating layers of sophisticated textures and warm neutral tones. The thoughtfully integrated millwork subtly divides the space without disrupting flow, while elegant sconces above the breakfast nook infuse intimacy—creating a serene yet inviting atmosphere. At the heart of the home sits a striking, oversized kitchen arrangement featuring dual islands: one devoted to food prep, the other to gathering and conversation. The islands are finished in complementary palettes—one light, one dark—mirroring the balance of materials and colors across the open floor plan. This innovative layout fosters community and showcases design depth through thoughtful texture layering, from stone countertops to artisanal hardware. Swatch’s signature layering approach brings dimension and warmth throughout these interconnected rooms. Subtle pops of earthy hues alongside jewel-tone accents are woven through upholstery, decorative lighting, and artwork. Organic elements like wood flooring and natural stone surfaces reinforce the Modern European aesthetic: clean lines with a lived-in elegance, where each material choice feels intentional and inviting . Styled to feel luxurious yet approachable, the space features a discussed blend of classic European elegance and contemporary comfort. Plush fabrics—such as velvet cushions and soft linens—contrast simple, modern furniture silhouettes. Freestanding lantern-style pendants and delicate sconces enhance ambiance throughout, while curated décor from different European influences tells a rich, nuanced design story.

Sebastian Polanski
Example of a mid-sized classic u-shaped limestone floor enclosed kitchen design in Charleston with beaded inset cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This run of the mills 1950 Rambler in Fairfax city area is in a desired need of a facelift. The retiring homeowner wanted to stay in their old neighborhood while desiring to uplift their droopy front elevation and compete with rest of new comers in their neighborhood. Through several design consultation and lots of changes, our design staff has presented her with a final draft. They wanted to hang out in front porch and enjoy their front yard and walking neighbors more their backyard. • We designed implemented a new covered front porch with trex flooring and stone columns with tarped tops, beaded panel ceiling, recess lights and ceiling fan, perfect place for couple rockers to hang outdoor and enjoy the view. • The entire three sides of the house were covered with veneer water table stone and hardie plank siding with a jade green and a complementary shaker siding on the gables. • Adding tow gable over the garage and the left elevation has changed the entire front elevation • The new arts & Craft wooden garage door and front door uplifted the street appearance and given it a much-desired country look • The entire roofing was changed up with Architectural shingles and trimmed and new gable, then painted the old brick walls to compliment the new Hardie sidings. • Rain drop gutters and soft landscaping brought the look together

Modern Sophistication Meets Everyday Durability Step into a home redefined by clean lines and thoughtful design. This complete interior remodel showcases a seamless blend of modern elegance and practical luxury, designed for those who appreciate the finer details. Elevated Finishes The foundation of the home features 100% waterproof luxury vinyl plank flooring, offering the timeless look of hardwood with unmatched durability. To anchor the space, we installed bold 5-inch modern baseboards, providing a crisp, architectural frame for every room. A Designer’s Palette The home’s character is defined by a sophisticated two-tone color scheme. While the walls offer a warm, inviting backdrop, the doors, trim, and baseboards feature a distinct, complementary hue. This high-contrast approach highlights the custom woodwork and gives the entire home a professionally curated feel. Brilliant Lighting & Privacy We’ve opened up the atmosphere with a comprehensive LED thin-can lighting package. These recessed lights offer a sleek, low-profile look while bathing the home in bright, energy-efficient light. To finish the look, brand-new custom blinds were installed throughout, offering the perfect balance of natural light control and contemporary style.

Design tip: mixing patterns is okay as long as you use the same or complementary color schemes. What do you like about this cozy living room scene?
Inspiration for a living room remodel in Charlotte

The Texas Cream Cut Stone (www.buechelstone.com/product/texas-cream-cut-stone/) architecture on this stucco and stone home (www.buechelstone.com/project/texas-cream-cut-stone-archit...) shows how the perfect natural stone color of Architectural Cut Stone can be beautifully paired with other building facade materials. The natural stone color range for Texas Cream Cut Stone consists of neutral light buffs and creams, complementary to the stucco. The cut stone surrounds for the garage doors, window, and main entrance were created with programmable, high-quality stone cutting precision to create the perfect fit for this exquisite residence.

Sip into Style: Maple Latte Remodel Kitchens are often the centerpiece of our homes, a place where culinary creativity meets family gatherings. Yet, many kitchens fall victim to outdated designs and worn-out finishes. If you’re feeling uninspired by your current space, it’s time to consider a remodel that can elevate your kitchen from drab to fab. Let’s explore how we transformed this client’s kitchen into a posh, stylish retreat that featured a combination of stunning materials and thoughtful design choices that truly elevated the space. Creating an Open Concept One of the most significant changes anyone can make in a home remodel is to modify or remove walls. Even though there were two points of entry into this client’s kitchen, the space was closed off. Opening up the wall instantly created a more open and inviting layout that allowed for the installation of a large island. Eliminating the barrier between the kitchen and the adjacent living area, provides a seamless flow that is perfect for entertaining guests or simply keeping an eye on the kids while cooking dinner. A Showstopping Island At the heart of this kitchen remodel is an expansive 9 ft. island, designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The island features a stunning White Pearl natural quartzite countertop that radiates elegance. With its unique veining and shimmering finish, this stone serves as a beautiful focal point and adds a touch of luxury to the space. A beverage cooler and dishwasher are tucked underneath, concealed from the view of the living area. Three 12” deep and 36” wide cabinets line the front of the island providing additional hidden storage. This multifunctional design makes the island an essential part of daily life in the kitchen, making it a cozy spot for casual dining or morning coffee. Complementary Perimeter Countertops To enhance the overall look, the perimeter countertops are topped with Silestone Eternal Charcoal. This material offers a striking contrast to the lighter island, featuring rich, dark hues that ground the space and create depth. The durability and easy maintenance of Silestone make it an ideal choice for busy kitchens, ensuring that the surfaces remain beautiful and functional for years to come. Beautiful Cabinetry The cabinetry in this remodel plays a pivotal role in both style and storage. We opted for Waypoint Cabinetry in a Maple Latte finish, which adds warmth and sophistication to the kitchen. The soft, neutral tones of the cabinetry complement the countertops beautifully and create a cohesive look throughout the space. The cabinets are thoughtfully designed to provide ample storage, with pull-out shelves and organizers that maximize accessibility. Finishing Touches No remodel is complete without the right finishing touches. We chose sleek, modern matte black Top Knobs hardware that enhances the cabinetry's clean lines while adding a touch of contemporary flair. The 2 ½” x 10” San Marcos Tortora stylish backsplash tile, a striking black hood with brushed gold accents and brushed gold large pendant lighting tie together the colors and textures of the room, adding visual interest. The Result: A Dream Kitchen The result of this kitchen remodel is nothing short of spectacular. The combination of the open layout, stunning island, and thoughtful materials creates a space that is both functional and beautiful. Whether you’re considering a full kitchen remodel or simply looking for inspiration, this project highlights the transformative power of thoughtful design and quality materials. If you’re ready to create your dream kitchen, don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can help bring your vision to life. Happy remodeling! Cabinetry: Waypoint Living Spaces: Maple Latte Stain Finish Countertops: Stone Showcase - Atlanta Natural Quartzite White Pearl & Engineered Quart Silestone by Cosentino Eternal Charcoal Tile: San Marcos Tortora B&F Ceramics Design Showroom Inc. Faucets: Delta Faucet

Geometric Caucasian Tribal Rug Brings Color and Consonance To Contemporary High Rise This tall-ceiling glass and steel urban condominium is powerfully enlivened by the potent natural colors and striking archetypal geometry of 19th century collectible tribal and village rugs. Antique Caucasian rugs have long been appreciated by Modernist architects and designers for their highly complementary artistic approach. Both aesthetics are deeply concerned with a viewer’s direct engagement with the essentials of color and form, unmediated by the distractions of superfluous ornament. Here, the archetypal imagery of an exceptional Caucasian piece from the prized Bidjov Shirvan substyle instantly reveals this affinity. The decorative vertical flanges of the Mies van der Rohe-inspired building next door establish instant parallels with the signature radiating ivory motifs seen in the Caucasian rug: both orient the eye with the fewest possible elements. In a clever juxtaposition, a series of stuffed Caucasian grain bag cushions sit alongside a Le Corbusier-designed LC4 recliner–both examples of form in service of function. Read more: http://www.claremontrug.com/modern-downtown-condo/geometric-caucasian-tribal-rug-brings-color-and-consonance-to-contemporary-high-rise/

We selected matching granite for two kitchen counters, the complementary backsplash, and even the two bathroom counters.
Example of a small minimalist single-sink bathroom design in Los Angeles with granite countertops and white countertops

The eye-catching designs of the Agadir Area Rug Collection make them the perfect addition to any space. Not only can you show off the modern style on the front, but you can also change up the design of the room by flipping it to display the beautiful and complementary pattern on the opposite side. Hand-tufted in India from viscose pile, this reversible rug is as a functional as it is on-trend offering the opportunity to change a room's look at a moment's notice. These versatile and durable rugs combine modernism with abstraction.

This extensive remodel overlooking Lake Austin is a paean to the powerful art it enfolds. Rigorous editing of every distracting, inconsequential element of the original house was critical. So too was the insertion of new complementary components that provide artful ways to move through both interior and exterior rooms. The collection of modern art is arresting. Ranging from a Turrell hologram to a pair of Agnes Martins, the art is framed by the architecture and lighting so that it is experienced in a choreographed, curated way that encourages wandering and an intimate connection to each piece. The mood is set in the entry courtyard. A floating walkway curves down and around a brilliant spiraling blue Clement sculpture. It pauses once, at a moment of surprise, when the first view through the house is filled with the blue water of the lake beyond. Inside, the saturated color of many of the pieces of art are balanced by an absence of other visual clutter in the color palette, furniture, and architecture. A new interior plaster, steel, and bronze stair carves through a space occupied by two small Clement sculptures in niches, a McKay Otto sculpture on a landing and a glass cylinder elevator. This is a very specific place, designed for specific art and for a collector who has a close relationship with each piece.

Appropriately sized turf areas complement the formal walk to the front patio with new walls to enclose a seating area and create some separation but maintain visibility to the streetscape.

This 1956 John Calder Mackay home had been poorly renovated in years past. We kept the 1400 sqft footprint of the home, but re-oriented and re-imagined the bland white kitchen to a midcentury olive green kitchen that opened up the sight lines to the wall of glass facing the rear yard. We chose materials that felt authentic and appropriate for the house: handmade glazed ceramics, bricks inspired by the California coast, natural white oaks heavy in grain, and honed marbles in complementary hues to the earth tones we peppered throughout the hard and soft finishes. This project was featured in the Wall Street Journal in April 2022.