Josh Thornton
Home theater - mid-sized eclectic enclosed carpeted and beige floor home theater idea in Chicago with brown walls and a media wall

When we drove out to Mukilteo for our initial consultation, we immediately fell in love with this house. With its tall ceilings, eclectic mix of wood, glass and steel, and gorgeous view of the Puget Sound, we quickly nicknamed this project "The Mukilteo Gem". Our client, a cook and baker, did not like her existing kitchen. The main points of issue were short runs of available counter tops, lack of storage and shortage of light. So, we were called in to implement some big, bold ideas into a small footprint kitchen with big potential. We completely changed the layout of the room by creating a tall, built-in storage wall and a continuous u-shape counter top. Early in the project, we took inventory of every item our clients wanted to store in the kitchen and ensured that every spoon, gadget, or bowl would have a dedicated "home" in their new kitchen. The finishes were meticulously selected to ensure continuity throughout the house. We also played with the color scheme to achieve a bold yet natural feel.This kitchen is a prime example of how color can be used to both make a statement and project peace and balance simultaneously. While busy at work on our client's kitchen improvement, we also updated the entry and gave the homeowner a modern laundry room with triple the storage space they originally had. End result: ecstatic clients and a very happy design team. That's what we call a big success! John Granen.

Since moving into her Dublin home two and a half years ago, Nancy Sanford has been peeling off the decades—quite literally. Built in the 1980s, the home was “very well-maintained, but very little had been done to it” in terms of updating the finishes or style, Sanford says. Plush white carpet ran from wall-to-wall-to-wall, almond-colored laminate coated the kitchen cabinets and wallpaper ran rampant—even covering some ceilings. Despite her efforts, Sanford knew it was going to take more than cosmetic editing to shake the ‘80s and make the home her own. Although she lives in the traditional-leaning Muirfield community, Sanford adores a minimalist, contemporary style—and admits to devouring design magazines “ad nauseam.” To implement her thoroughly modern vision, Sanford turned to Brigid Norton, an interior designer and family friend, and Kristi Youles, a kitchen designer with The JAE Company. Working together, the trio created a carefully considered contemporary design that’s easy on the eyes, and the body. In addition to improving the flow of the kitchen—by removing a V-shaped peninsula that angled out into the room—and adding appliances like a stainless steel refrigerator, Sanford’s short list of must-haves included clean, uncluttered lines and no wall cabinets over the countertops. “I’ve found as I’ve aged, I’ve gotten shorter and just don’t use the upper cabinets,” Sanford explains. Easy-access, smooth-slide drawers with clean slab fronts were the answer—resulting in strong visual lines, an open, airy feel and enhanced ergonomics. Starting with a “needs assessment,” Youles and Norton designed the space quite literally around Nancy. By looking at factors such as her height and which items she uses most frequently, they were able to determine the optimum placement for everything from canned goods in the pantry to cutlery, pans and plates in the customized drawers, all of which helped to achieve the ultimate kitchen organization. But there’s more to the kitchen cabinets smooth façade than clean-lined storage. Walnut drawer fronts—found on the oven and the base of the island—are book-matched, allowing the grain to continue from drawer to drawer. And even in spaces where drawers weren’t feasible, beneath the sink and in a desk area, the designers continued the look with cabinet doors crafted to resemble drawers. The visual continuity of these lines might not be as impactful if it weren’t for the careful selection of contrasting finishes. The designers filled the space with pure, glossy white—using a specific type of quartz, White Cliff by Cambria, to accent the bold rectangular design of the island. Then, to break up the expanse of accompanying white painted drawers, walnut was selected to bring the contrasting warmth and grain of wood without red undertones. It is commonly found in modern furniture design, as well as current productions of mid-century designs like the iconic Eames Lounge Chair from Herman Miller, Youles says.

Paint by Sherwin Williams Body Color - City Loft - SW 7631 Trim Color - Custom Color - SW 8975/3535 Master Suite & Guest Bath - Site White - SW 7070 Girls' Rooms & Bath - White Beet - SW 6287 Exposed Beams & Banister Stain - Banister Beige - SW 3128-B Wall & Floor Tile by Macadam Floor & Design Counter Backsplash by Bedrosians Tile & Stone Backsplash Product Verve Cloud Nine Shower Niche & Bathroom Floor Tile by Florida Tile Shower Niche & Bathroom Floor Product MosaicArt Epic in Glossy White Penny Round Shower Wall Tile by Emser Tile Shower Wall Product Vertigo in White Chevron Windows by Milgard Windows & Doors Window Product Style Line® Series Window Supplier Troyco - Window & Door Window Treatments by Budget Blinds Lighting by Destination Lighting Fixtures by Crystorama Lighting Interior Design by Tiffany Home Design Custom Cabinetry & Storage by Northwood Cabinets Customized & Built by Cascade West Development Photography by ExposioHDR Portland Original Plans by Alan Mascord Design Associates

Inspiration for a transitional dining room remodel in Dublin

Whole house interior renovation. Living room used to be sunken. Large closet was removed from front entry to provide large open area with one continuous level. All ceilings original popcorn scraped and new light knockdown texture applied. All walls and ceilings painted. New marble look rectified porcelain tile installed throughout the home for one continuous flow. All chair rail mouldings and wall mirrors removed. All new lighting throughout. Re-organized kitchen layout with new transitional design white shaker cabinetry, new stainless steel appliances, and island for gathering with range and island hood. Master Bath renovated with new arabesque accent tile, floor to ceiling porcelain shower, new glass sliding door, with custom laminated edge granite counter-top. APRIL MONDELLI

Hallway design - Contemporary Twilight Residential Interior Design Project in Aventura, Florida by DKOR Interiors / Photos by Alexia Fodere
Example of a trendy hallway design in Miami

Subway tile continues in the tucked away sink area. The peninsula offers an outstanding continuous work space.
Small transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, green backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Andy Goldsworthy installation art piece at Storm King, New York. Photo by Jay Sifford.
Eclectic home design photo in Charlotte

The owners of this home, purchased it from an architect, who converted an old factory, in downtown Jersey City, into a house. When the family grew, they needed to either move, or extend this house they love so much. Being that this is a historical-preservation building, the front had to remain 'as is'. Owners hired Fogarty Finger architects to redesign the home and Kuche+Cucina, for the kitchen, closets and the party kitchenette. Pedini cabinets were chosen, for their sleek, minimal look, in both matte glass and matte lacquer, for different textures. The work countertop, was done in durable quartz, while the island and the backsplash are real marble.

With its continuous railing system that flows from the main floor all the way to the loft level, this staircase showcases impressive engineering and expert craftsmanship. The design required tight turns, precision fittings, and custom solutions. Gray paint on the classically designed newels and thin wood balusters gives the traditional rail system a modern edge. Charcoal gray treads with rounded bullnose details pair with crisp white risers, creating clean contrast throughout. The result is a staircase that honors traditional design while embracing contemporary color choices. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

With its continuous railing system that flows from the main floor all the way to the loft level, this staircase showcases impressive engineering and expert craftsmanship. The design required tight turns, precision fittings, and custom solutions. Gray paint on the classically designed newels and thin wood balusters gives the traditional rail system a modern edge. Charcoal gray treads with rounded bullnose details pair with crisp white risers, creating clean contrast throughout. The result is a staircase that honors traditional design while embracing contemporary color choices. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

With its continuous railing system that flows from the main floor all the way to the loft level, this staircase showcases impressive engineering and expert craftsmanship. The design required tight turns, precision fittings, and custom solutions. Gray paint on the classically designed newels and thin wood balusters gives the traditional rail system a modern edge. Charcoal gray treads with rounded bullnose details pair with crisp white risers, creating clean contrast throughout. The result is a staircase that honors traditional design while embracing contemporary color choices. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

With its continuous railing system that flows from the main floor all the way to the loft level, this staircase showcases impressive engineering and expert craftsmanship. The design required tight turns, precision fittings, and custom solutions. Gray paint on the classically designed newels and thin wood balusters gives the traditional rail system a modern edge. Charcoal gray treads with rounded bullnose details pair with crisp white risers, creating clean contrast throughout. The result is a staircase that honors traditional design while embracing contemporary color choices. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

With its continuous railing system that flows from the main floor all the way to the loft level, this staircase showcases impressive engineering and expert craftsmanship. The design required tight turns, precision fittings, and custom solutions. Gray paint on the classically designed newels and thin wood balusters gives the traditional rail system a modern edge. Charcoal gray treads with rounded bullnose details pair with crisp white risers, creating clean contrast throughout. The result is a staircase that honors traditional design while embracing contemporary color choices. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Simple blue Roman shades with a continuous cord loop
Living room - 1960s living room idea in San Francisco

With its continuous railing system that flows from the main floor all the way to the loft level, this staircase showcases impressive engineering and expert craftsmanship. The design required tight turns, precision fittings, and custom solutions. Gray paint on the classically designed newels and thin wood balusters gives the traditional rail system a modern edge. Charcoal gray treads with rounded bullnose details pair with crisp white risers, creating clean contrast throughout. The result is a staircase that honors traditional design while embracing contemporary color choices. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

With its continuous railing system that flows from the main floor all the way to the loft level, this staircase showcases impressive engineering and expert craftsmanship. The design required tight turns, precision fittings, and custom solutions. Gray paint on the classically designed newels and thin wood balusters gives the traditional rail system a modern edge. Charcoal gray treads with rounded bullnose details pair with crisp white risers, creating clean contrast throughout. The result is a staircase that honors traditional design while embracing contemporary color choices. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

With its continuous railing system that flows from the main floor all the way to the loft level, this staircase showcases impressive engineering and expert craftsmanship. The design required tight turns, precision fittings, and custom solutions. Gray paint on the classically designed newels and thin wood balusters gives the traditional rail system a modern edge. Charcoal gray treads with rounded bullnose details pair with crisp white risers, creating clean contrast throughout. The result is a staircase that honors traditional design while embracing contemporary color choices. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company