A hotel inspired master bedroom includes a white duvet and taupe colored headboard with hammered silver nail head and light button tufting. The gathered skirt is from the same headboard fabric. A silk embroidered floral pillow along with a soft blue velvet bolster trimmed with French rope is the height of luxury. A custom made mirror framed vertically suggests height to the bedroom walls. The chandelier with fabric shade can be dimmed for any mood. Polished nickel finishes on the nightstand table lamps and the hardware throughout. Photography By: Grey Crawford

Smooth lines and skilfully carved legs are perfectly combined with its classic style. The Aris desk with hutch features a plenty of storage space with shelves and drawers. Finished in cherry, the Aris will nicely blend with your child's bedroom decor. https://www.theclassicfurniture.com/p/aris-computer-writing-desk-w-hutch-in-cherry-homelegance

Trendy ceramic tile and gray floor eat-in kitchen photo in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, glass tile backsplash, white appliances and no island

Updated Spec Home: Foyer and Great Room In our last post, we introduced you to my mom and sister’s Updated Spec Home; the Foyer and Great Room will be featured in this post. Foyer As you enter their home, to the right is a hall closet and a french door which leads to the Basement. To the left is a long wall which was perfect for an extra long console table in a rustic finish that served as a sofa table in their previous home. I love repositioning furniture, and by using this table in the entry, it makes it feel new. Additionally, we placed a vibrant piece of art previously used in my sister’s Bedroom above the table. This piece not only sets the tone for our color palette, it also makes the kind of statement you want in your Foyer – Wow! We added accessories and an unique lamp to complete the space. Great Room In the Great Room which is open to the Foyer, we installed our inspiration artwork in the place of honor over the mantel. Since the piece was vertical, it did not take up enough space. I do not like a “fussy” mantel with lots of accessories so we found these two vases in a silver leaf finish. They were perfect because they were large enough, but not too deep. Accessorizing mantels can be tricky because the majority of them are not deep. We went to Jan’s Floral Design to add vibrant color and interesting textures to the vases. The original mantel was too small and uninspired. Therefore, we had our contractor Brad Anderson built a new one based on a photo of a mantel we liked. The new mantel has lots of great detail and is the appropriate proportion for the fireplace. We replaced beige 12×12 ceramic tiles with gorgeous large pieces of smoked carrara marble for a striking fireplace surround. Check out this other mantel that we updated. For furniture, we purchased a shorter sofa in a gray tweed fabric. Typically, two throw pillows come with a sofa.We added a fun fringe to the pillows that came with the sofa. I recommend ordering pillows that match your sofa fabric and layering with custom pillows that support your color palette. We added a patterned custom pillow and a striped throw. Next, we got a small scale recliner in a yummy gray leather for my mom and a chair and ottoman in a small scale mint and gray geometric pattern for my sister. We added an accent chair in a fun small scale stripe to fill a corner and add additional seating – which is always a good thing. Remember that this was a Spec Home so there were no built-ins. As a result, we needed a media cabinet for the television and some bookcases to display my mom’s decorative box collection and my sister’s collection of blown colored glass. This set from Ballard Designs fit the bill perfectly. The back is open and airy with nice detail. The wood finish also adds a richness to the space. My mom needed a space for her computer, and this small writing desk fit the space perfectly. Finally, for finishing touches, we added a patterned rug, cornice boards in a mint leaf fabric, and great lamps for ambient lighting. These two rooms are stunning, vibrant and livable. Can’t wait to show you more in our next post! Enjoy! Photo by Tim Furlong Jr.

If you must be home isolating at least have some fun doing it in style! This all in basement brings games and fun for all!
Example of a transitional walk-out carpeted and beige floor basement design in Baltimore with a bar and beige walls

One of the few truly American architectural styles, the Craftsman/Prairie style was developed around the turn of the century by a group of Midwestern architects who drew their inspiration from the surrounding landscape. The spacious yet cozy Thompson draws from features from both Craftsman/Prairie and Farmhouse styles for its all-American appeal. The eye-catching exterior includes a distinctive side entrance and stone accents as well as an abundance of windows for both outdoor views and interior rooms bathed in natural light. The floor plan is equally creative. The large floor porch entrance leads into a spacious 2,400-square-foot main floor plan, including a living room with an unusual corner fireplace. Designed for both ease and elegance, it also features a sunroom that takes full advantage of the nearby outdoors, an adjacent private study/retreat and an open plan kitchen and dining area with a handy walk-in pantry filled with convenient storage. Not far away is the private master suite with its own large bathroom and closet, a laundry area and a 800-square-foot, three-car garage. At night, relax in the 1,000-square foot lower level family room or exercise space. When the day is done, head upstairs to the 1,300 square foot upper level, where three cozy bedrooms await, each with its own private bath. Photographer: Ashley Avila Photography Builder: Bouwkamp Builders

The goal for this entire home was to design everything in black and white and keep each room interesting, well designed, sophisticated and most of all, timeless. In this black and white office, my client wanted the space to be masculine, graphic & unforgettable. Being an owner of a contracting firm, He wanted to be able to work from home and for the room to be functional for that purpose. He wanted a big desk that would be able to hold two extra-large computer monitors and stylish enough to match the rest of house. I immediately thought of using a dining room table as a desk for his office. The Corin trestle dining table makes the perfect focal point that shines with simple sophistication for his office. It also grounded the room with its waits and its masculine flair. All we needed was a good rug, the right accent chairs, wall art and accents pieces to enhance the core design.

Maximize the room by providing more place to store important things of your child. For this, The Phoenix Youth Desk with Hutch will help. Desk features three drawers and a tray with signature beveled wood fronts and accentuating brushed brass hardware. Hutch offers three top sections and four stationary shelves. https://www.theclassicfurniture.com/p/phoenix-pedestal-youth-desk-w-hutch-400187

Updated Spec Home: Foyer and Great Room In our last post, we introduced you to my mom and sister’s Updated Spec Home; the Foyer and Great Room will be featured in this post. Foyer As you enter their home, to the right is a hall closet and a french door which leads to the Basement. To the left is a long wall which was perfect for an extra long console table in a rustic finish that served as a sofa table in their previous home. I love repositioning furniture, and by using this table in the entry, it makes it feel new. Additionally, we placed a vibrant piece of art previously used in my sister’s Bedroom above the table. This piece not only sets the tone for our color palette, it also makes the kind of statement you want in your Foyer – Wow! We added accessories and an unique lamp to complete the space. Great Room In the Great Room which is open to the Foyer, we installed our inspiration artwork in the place of honor over the mantel. Since the piece was vertical, it did not take up enough space. I do not like a “fussy” mantel with lots of accessories so we found these two vases in a silver leaf finish. They were perfect because they were large enough, but not too deep. Accessorizing mantels can be tricky because the majority of them are not deep. We went to Jan’s Floral Design to add vibrant color and interesting textures to the vases. The original mantel was too small and uninspired. Therefore, we had our contractor Brad Anderson built a new one based on a photo of a mantel we liked. The new mantel has lots of great detail and is the appropriate proportion for the fireplace. We replaced beige 12×12 ceramic tiles with gorgeous large pieces of smoked carrara marble for a striking fireplace surround. Check out this other mantel that we updated. For furniture, we purchased a shorter sofa in a gray tweed fabric. Typically, two throw pillows come with a sofa.We added a fun fringe to the pillows that came with the sofa. I recommend ordering pillows that match your sofa fabric and layering with custom pillows that support your color palette. We added a patterned custom pillow and a striped throw. Next, we got a small scale recliner in a yummy gray leather for my mom and a chair and ottoman in a small scale mint and gray geometric pattern for my sister. We added an accent chair in a fun small scale stripe to fill a corner and add additional seating – which is always a good thing. Remember that this was a Spec Home so there were no built-ins. As a result, we needed a media cabinet for the television and some bookcases to display my mom’s decorative box collection and my sister’s collection of blown colored glass. This set from Ballard Designs fit the bill perfectly. The back is open and airy with nice detail. The wood finish also adds a richness to the space. My mom needed a space for her computer, and this small writing desk fit the space perfectly. Finally, for finishing touches, we added a patterned rug, cornice boards in a mint leaf fabric, and great lamps for ambient lighting. These two rooms are stunning, vibrant and livable. Can’t wait to show you more in our next post! Enjoy!

Featuring three surfaces, they are made of glass. Stainless steel round tube frame and aluminum legs. The table provides comfort and durability. https://www.ba-stores.com/product/clear-glass-computer-desk

This custom designed piece uniquely solved the biggest design and function dilemmas that my client proposed on this project. We needed to add a home office space, a homework/craft space and the kitchen didn't have a pantry. The left side of this built in has the computer and a pullout keyboard tray. It can also store all of the paper and crayons for the kids. The right side is her pantry for her kitchen. The center section is the banquette that also has storage under the custom cushion and pillows. We used water and stain resistant fabrics for easy care. The client already had the chairs, so we used a ready made wooden pedestal base and had a custom piece of granite made for the table top since this space was going to be heavily used and she wanted something easy to clean. Mission accomplished and it coordinates beautifully with the cozy and charming family room that it opens up to. Photo credit for Dot Greenlee.

This cozy computer desk adjoins the kitchen area. To delineate itself from the main kitchen, the cabinets were painted blue to match the island. A large casement lets in lots of natural light while working from home or checking the household finances.

The client requested a bridge table and a working desk in the L-shaped living room and dining room. An awkward jog in the wall was expanded so that it aligns with the side of the desk. In order to make the computer monitor less noticeable, it was recessed into the jog and extends on an arm. (The lamp is normally on the other side of the desk.) There are two file drawers below the Audubon print and a third drawer for desk supplies. Anne Gummerson

Ann Kenkel Interiors Gwin Hunt Photography Complete gut of Watergate Penthouse and renovation. Ann Kenkel gutted a very contemporary Penthouse which had no molding and concrete floors. Installed Walnut flooring, redesigned space, designed all built ins, and decorated PH. Space was for a middle aged bachelor who wanted the spaces to have multi function. He wanted the Living Room to function as a library as well as a formal living room. I designed very elegant walnut bookcases with built in sound speakers. The furniture is comfortable yet upholstered in elegant fabrics. The coffee table was a high end custom Minton Spidell coffee table which elevates the space to a more formal look. The entry hall showcases a very fine antique mirror over a console with fine inlaid banding. The living room has rich chenille fabrics, ultra suede pillows with trim and a tapestry chenille on the chairs. Kenkel designed a white wood mantle deep enough that weighty accessories. There needed to be greater division between the living room and dining. AK designed an open etagere to contain large crystal pieces with beautiful lighting. It created enough of a screen to provide some privacy between the rooms in addition to making both rooms appear longer. The dining room needed to serve as a home office with a computer station and two comfortable chairs for the client to hold a business meeting. I also needed to function as a dining room. AK designed a built in unit which housed glass shelf cabinets on either side of an open space. The open space had a counter which was appropriate height for a computer as well as a a serving service at dinner time. Office equipment, printer, fax, router was all housed in a lower cabinet. The pendant chandelier is a very fine antique french piece. AK designed a built in unit for clothes, a flat screen tv and speakers. There was a large roof top patio which had beautiful views of the Washington Monument. AK created a thorough design for extensive entertaining, in her 3d drafting program. The client moved before the patio could be built out. Draperies are made out of Jim Thompson raw silk. Antique bronze dore candelsticks, bronze urn on fireplace, telescope to see city in etagere.

Trendy ceramic tile and gray floor eat-in kitchen photo in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, glass tile backsplash, white appliances and no island

THEME Inspired by the Magic Tree House series of children’s books, this indoor tree house provides entertainment, fun and a place for children to read about or imagine adventures through time. A blue sky, green meadows, and distant matching beech trees recreate the magic of Jack and Annie’s Frog Creek, and help bring the characters from the series to life. FOCUS A floor armoire, ceiling swing and climbing rope give the structure a true tree house look and feel. A drop-down drawing and writing table, wheeled work table and recessed ceiling lights ensure the room can be used for more than play. The tree house has electric interior lighting, a window to the outdoors and a playful sliding shutter over a window to the room. The armoire forms a raised, nine-foot-wide play area, while a TV within one of the wall’s floor-to-ceiling cabinets — with a delightful sliding ladder — transforms the room into a family theater perfect for watching movies and holding Wii competitions. STORAGE The bottom of the drawing table is a magnetic chalk board that doubles as a display for children’s art works. The tree’s small niches are for parents’ shoes; the larger compartment stores children’s shoes and school bags. Books, games, toys, DVDs, Wii and other computer accessories are stored in the wall cabinets. The armoire contains two spacious drawers and four nifty hinged storage bins. A rack of handy “vegetable buckets” above the armoire stores crayons, scissors and other useful items. GROWTH The room easily adapts from playroom, to party room, to study room and even to bedroom, as the tree house easily accommodates a twin-size mattress. SAFETY The rungs and rails of the ladder, as well as the grab bars beside the tree house door are wrapped with easy-grip rope for safe climbing. The drawing table has spring-loaded hinges to help prevent it from dropping dangerously from the wall, and the table door has double sets of locks up top to ensure safety. The interior of each storage compartment is carpeted like the tree house floor to provide extra padding.