For this siding renovation, the new exterior features of the townhouse are made of deep earthy accent stucco that highlights the brown wood used as a siding panel extending to the back of the house. The house was also designed with a torch-down type of roof complementary to the stucco-Brownwood siding panel.

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.

A bathroom /shower tucked under the roof line. Originally built in 1835, years of deferred maintance and a failing foundation rendered this home in need of a serious help. The home had poorly constructed additions removed, it's core historic structure was raise out of the flood zone, and the angled walls were brought to plumb. The interior was then crafted for contemporary living while maintaining the windows and details of the original home. A complementary addition was added to create an inviting kitchen and master suite. Now re-built and strengthened, it is ready to add to the city's charm for another 150 years. photos by www.newport653.com

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.

We redesigned this livingroom with a more contemporary design style with a few custom pieces to complete the look. New furnishings throughout with new custom wall to wall carpeting, to create a beautiful foundation. We added this gorgeous porcelain tile fireplace facade with complementary hearth. This beautiful custom designed/built mantle by Total Home was a gorgeous addition to this facade as it adds some warmth and grounds the fireplace overall. All the original art was reframed for a more modern look. We updated the paint colours and window treatment, and painted the railing black.

Location was a key factor for the developer of these 72 luxury beachfront condominiums in New Rochelle, NY, offering prime real estate with spectacular water views, all within a short commute to New York City. An unusual aspect of this project was the developer’s commitment to offer prospective buyers completely customizable interior buildouts. The architect and developer teamed with Bilotta to devise a program offering 17 stains, 17 paint finishes and a variety of door styles, giving homeowners total control of their kitchen and bathroom details and accessories, a significant and successful selling point. In this particular unit, sand, surf, and sunshine are transported indoors with light-reflecting white cabinetry atop natural oak flooring, punctuated by a slate blue island that seats five. Practical blue-gray quartz countertops are a complementary echo of the island’s hue. A generous molding treatment emphasizes the tall ceiling height. There’s plenty of room for two pantry cabinets, as well as a wine refrigerator in the island. “Flying Saucer” island pendants and a cubist dining chandelier add contemporary flair. The stunning highlight of each residence is a 30-foot-long wall of glass facing the water. With 2,400- 2,700 square feet apiece, the proportions of the open plan kitchen, dining and family room live like a gracious freestanding home. Written by Paulette Gambacorta, adapted for Houzz WatermarkPointe was the vision of National Realty & Development, a Westchester-based real estate owner and developer. Bilotta Designer: Paula Greer Builder: National Realty & Development National Realty & Development

Modern Warm Bathroom Remodel | Boulder, Colorado This Boulder bathroom remodel blends modern design with warm, natural elements to create a cohesive, spa-like environment across both the primary and guest bathrooms. Designed in collaboration with Boulder Design Group and built by Veron Builders, the project focuses on clean lines, layered textures, and thoughtful material selection. The primary bathroom features a custom wood vanity, vertical tile detailing, floating shelving, and warm brass fixtures that bring depth and warmth to a clean, modern layout. A frameless glass shower enhances the open, airy feel of the space. The guest bathroom carries a complementary design language, maintaining visual continuity while offering its own refined details and layout. Together, both spaces balance function and elevated design through consistent materials and intentional contrast. Design Highlights Custom wood vanities Vertical tile accent walls Warm brass fixtures Floating wood shelving Frameless glass showers Layered natural textures

Your backyard has untapped potential. While lush lawns and colorful flower beds create a beautiful foundation, it's the hardscaping elements that truly define how you use and enjoy your outdoor space. For homeowners looking to elevate their property, understanding the art and function of hardscaping is the first step toward creating a backyard that works as hard as it looks.
What Is Hardscaping, Really?
Hardscaping refers to the non-living, structural components of landscape design. Think stone patios, retaining walls, fire pits, walkways, pergolas, and outdoor kitchens. These elements provide the bones of your outdoor living area, creating flow, function, and visual interest that softscaping alone cannot achieve.
Unlike planting beds that change with the seasons, hardscaping offers permanence. A well-designed stone walkway or paver patio will last decades with minimal maintenance, making it one of the smartest investments a homeowner can make in their property.
Defining Your Outdoor Lifestyle
Before breaking ground, consider how you actually want to live outdoors. Do you envision hosting summer dinner parties? A built-in outdoor kitchen and dining patio might be your priority. Prefer quiet evenings by the fire? A custom fire pit with built-in seating becomes your focal point. Families with children often gravitate toward expansive patios that leave room for play while maintaining sophisticated design.
The best hardscaping designs start with a clear purpose. Every wall, walkway, and surface should serve the way you intend to use the space. When function leads, beauty follows naturally.
Materials That Last
Choosing the right materials matters. Natural stone offers timeless elegance and unique character but comes at a premium. Concrete pavers provide versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness, with styles that convincingly mimic stone or brick. For modern aesthetics, porcelain pavers deliver sleek lines and exceptional weather resistance.
Regardless of material, proper installation is non-negotiable. A poorly laid patio will shift, sink, and crack within a few seasons. That's why experienced homeowners know that hardscaping services from a qualified professional protect both the investment and the result.
Creating Visual Flow
Successful hardscaping connects your home to its surroundings. The transition from indoor to outdoor should feel intentional, not abrupt. Using complementary materials, repeating design motifs, and establishing clear pathways helps your backyard feel like a natural extension of your living space.
Retaining walls can terrace sloped yards into usable, dramatic spaces. Stepping stones can guide visitors through garden areas. A pergola can define an outdoor room without closing it off. Each element plays a role in the overall composition.
Starting Your Project
If you're considering a backyard transformation, begin with a site assessment and a professional design consultation. Experienced hardscaping professionals can identify drainage issues, recommend materials suited to your climate, and create a phased plan that fits your budget and timeline.
Hardscaping isn't just about aesthetics — it's about creating an outdoor environment that enhances how you live. With thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship, your backyard becomes the best room in the house.

Tucked into the hillsides of Marin, the environment played a predominant role in defining the contemporary yet exotic style of this home. In the master bedroom, a fireplace adds a cozy design element, while an inconspicuous home theater system can be elegantly tucked away when not in use. In the master bathroom, pebbled stone tile adorn the walls of the double shower that overlooks the hillsides of Marin. A guest bathroom was designed to compliment the eclectic aesthetic of the home. While in the center of the residence, a spiral acrylic staircase climbs 3 floors acting as a consistent element, tying together the varied yet complementary styles.

We renovated the dining area to match the new and improved kitchen aesthetic. Two stained glass windows were installed, bringing in more sunlight and creating symmetry. Accents of teal, bursts of wood, and contemporary pendant lighting match the features in the kitchen, ensuring a complementary and cohesive design. One of the most unique features of the dining room is the secret door. The teal bookshelf is actually a doorway that leads to an old staircase that was previously walled off - it is now used as a nifty (and impressive) closet. Designed by Chi Renovations & Design who serve Chicago and it's surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on the North Side and North Shore. You'll find their work from the Loop through Lincoln Park, Skokie, Wilmette, and all the way up to Lake Forest. For more about Chi Renovation & Design, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/portfolio/roscoe-village-renovation/

This was a commission in a private residence. The customer wished to add color to a plain room in an interesting way. The colors chosen were a mix of what she was naturally drawn to, while I added complementary colors. The phrase painted was a reminder for her not to take life too seriously.

Textured carpet and modern tile add a contemporary touch.
Example of a mid-sized beach style formal and open concept carpeted living room design in Chicago with blue walls

A complementary coloured granite sink for Blanco was installed. The new lighting both recessed in the ceiling and under cabinet not only brightens the space, but it also makes it feel more contemporary.

This coastal home, inspired by the serene surroundings of St. Augustine Beach, is thoughtfully designed with a palette of white and blue hues, perfectly capturing the breezy beach vibe. Patterns on rugs and complementary decor add a sense of dynamism and texture, while carefully curated artwork enhances the character and individuality of each room. Our team at Interiors by Maite Granda meticulously crafted every detail, striving to achieve excellence and create a harmonious, inviting space that reflects the beauty of its coastal setting.

This house and guest house design fits the rolling Hill Country site it commands along the Blanco River in Texas. The somewhat triangular shape of the site grows wider towards the limestone-based river that arcs through the hills. Every space in the house naturally wanted a view of the river and the forest hills beyond. To achieve this, the house arcs to fit the site, expanding the view and personalizing each space's relationship to the water and woods, as each view is slightly different. Materials and colors in the house reflect the site: limestone, olive (which matches the water!) stained concrete floors, wood of reminiscent of the woods, and the complementary silvery permanence of galvanized steel. The 3-layered complex (rendered in stone+metal+glass) is approached downhill from the west through a break in a limestone wall between the main house and the guest house. Upon crossing this threshold, visitors are drawn into the mutually compatible relationship between building and site,

Our client wanted to open up the kitchen into the dining and living area, allowing the first floor to feel more open and inviting. They were seeking a kitchen that would suit their needs but also feel modern and fresh. To accomplish a more spacious look and feel we added a large window, removed all the wall cabinets and incorporated natural maple floating shelves with LED track type undercabinet lighting. Custom built cabinets in this rich contemporary blue color along with 2 cm Silestone Blanco Maple countertop transformed this space into a modern style kitchen. The Modern Dimensions 2x4 backsplash tile in tan add a nice complementary accent color. Photos by The Vine Studios

The original brown sandstone coping was not complementary to the home. Poor construction led to an unsafe structure.
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional full sun front yard stone walkway in Milwaukee for summer.

Transform your shower with a complete renovation, showcasing stunning blue tile and complementary hues.
Blue tile porcelain tile and blue floor bathroom photo in Dallas with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite countertops and white countertops

Travis Knoop
Large beach style master bathroom photo in Seattle with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, an undermount sink and quartzite countertops