Contrasting Basic - Photos & Ideas

When our clients purchased their Fairfax Station home at the beginning of the pandemic, the main living areas had already been updated. However, three bathrooms were still stuck in the1980s. We tackled the upstairs primary and hall bathrooms first to ensure our clients had a working bathroom while construction was underway. Once the upstairs renovations were completed, we moved on to the main level guest bathroom. Primary Bathroom Transformation: The old primary bathroom had a small dark shower stall, a basic alcove tub, and the original 40-year-old plumbing, vanities, and tile. We completely gutted the space and made some minor layout changes to maximize functionality and create a serene retreat complete with free-standing soaking tub and generous walk-in shower. Expanding the shower’s footprint and replacing the full-height walls with a glass surround opened up the space, making the entire bathroom feel larger and more airy. Marble shelves and a shaving ledge add convenience and style. A large double vanity provides ample storage and a full 7 feet of countertop space. Mixed metal finishes elevate the design, with soft gold accents and brushed nickel fixtures pairing perfectly with the classic gray vanity and muted marble tiles. We reconfigured the dressing area, added custom closet built-ins, and installed new carpet throughout to complete this tailored transformation. Hall Bathroom Update: The hall bathroom did not require any significant layout changes, but the dated fixtures and finishes all had to go. We wanted the new bathroom to feel both classic and fresh, so we opted for a polished finish palette, including sleek white subway tiles on the walls and marble-look hexagonal on the floor. A furniture-style vanity, in dark navy, was paired with a distinctive Carrara marble top and sleek chrome fixtures for a modern twist. The tub+shower combo features both a standard shower head and multi-function handheld for optimum flexibility – great for bathing children and pets alike. This renovation blended classic details with modern functionality, creating a bathroom that’s both timeless and fresh. Guest Bathroom Update: The home’s main level bathroom serves as both powder room and guest bathroom with 2 separate entrances. The in-swing door from the guest bedroom made the already narrow bathroom feel even more cramped. By installing a pocket door at the guest bedroom, we immediately improved the flow and usability of the space. The shower was upgraded with handcrafted white subway tile and contrasting grout, creating a clean, tailored look that elevates the room. Thoughtful details—like discreet grab bars and a handheld shower on a slide bar—make the space adaptable and comfortable for guests of all ages. A marble mosaic floor sets a refined backdrop for the freestanding black vanity, while the cross-bar handles offer a nod to the past on these modern-day fixtures.

Classic Meets Eclectic

OLSON LEWIS + Architects

Major gut renovation of this coastal estate preserved its basic layout while expanding the kitchen. A veranda and a pair of gazebos were also added to the home to maximize outdoor living and the water views. The interior merged the homeowners eclectic style with the traditional style of the home. Photographer: James R. Salomon Contractor: Carl Anderson, Anderson Contracting Services

Los Altos New Home Construction

Bill Fry Construction - Wm. H. Fry Const. Co.

Example of a large classic gray one-story stucco exterior home design in San Francisco with a shingle roof

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Not your basic White Kitchen -- contemporary glam

Just the Thing

The kitchen is a study in contrasts. All-white perimeter cabinets meld into walls and bulkheads painted the same colour (Benjamin Moore Cloud white), while black areas -- island, sink, table, buffet, and doors -- are strategically placed to draw you into the space. White quartz countertops look sleek and clean, with a stepped edge detail reserved for the island waterfall. We added loads of glam with gold hardware and plumbing, and a playful brass and marble mosaic backsplash. As a further decorative fluorish, we took advantage of the existing bulkheads and emphasized the tray ceiling zones with a subtle shade of pale blue-grey. Paneling applied to the wall above the banquette adds another layer of detail. A view towards the kitchen entrance from the garden doors. A lot of function is packed into this L-shaped section. The island is only 4' long, but it's crucial for making this small kitchen work as well as it does.

Not your basic White Kitchen -- contemporary glam

Just the Thing

The kitchen is a study in contrasts. All-white perimeter cabinets meld into walls and bulkheads painted the same colour (Benjamin Moore Cloud white), while black areas -- island, sink, table, buffet, and doors -- are strategically placed to draw you into the space. White quartz countertops look sleek and clean. We added loads of glam with gold hardware and plumbing, and a playful brass and marble mosaic backsplash. As a further decorative fluorish, we took advantage of the existing bulkheads and emphasized the tray ceiling zones with a subtle shade of pale blue-grey. This small kitchen is highly efficient! The island is only 4' long, but it's crucial for making the kitchen work as well as it does. It houses a 4-bin trash organizer right where it's needed near the clean-up zone, as well as a large bank of drawers. In the L-shaped section, 2 standard countertop microwaves are invisible behind doors in a specially-designed upper cabinet. Invisible too is the paneled dishwasher. And the sink cabinet holds multiple organizers -- a flip-down drawer for sponges, pull-out towel rack, and pull-out baskets for cleaners (latter 2 not shown).

Not your basic White Kitchen -- contemporary glam

Just the Thing

The kitchen is a study in contrasts. All-white perimeter cabinets meld into walls and bulkheads painted the same colour (Benjamin Moore Cloud white), while black areas -- island, sink, table, buffet, and doors -- are strategically placed to draw you into the space. White quartz countertops look sleek and clean, with a stepped edge detail reserved for the island waterfall. The top of the buffet features a unique inlay of diagonal stripes made from remnants of the granite used to make the custom dining table. Aside from being decorative, they hide the fact that a seam was required to construct the countertop. We added loads of glam with gold hardware and plumbing, and a playful brass and marble mosaic backsplash. As a further decorative fluorish, we took advantage of the existing bulkheads and emphasized the tray ceiling zones with a subtle shade of pale blue-grey. Paneling applied to the wall above the banquette adds another layer of detail. A view from the kitchen entrance through to the garden doors, with the veins in the marble-look porcelain tiles directing the flow.

Not your basic White Kitchen -- contemporary glam

Just the Thing

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Columbus, OH

Hope Restoration & General Contracting35 Reviews

Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations

Not your basic White Kitchen -- contemporary glam

Just the Thing

The kitchen is a study in contrasts. All-white perimeter cabinets meld into walls and bulkheads painted the same colour (Benjamin Moore Cloud white), while black areas -- island, sink, table, buffet, and doors -- are strategically placed to draw you into the space. The top of the buffet features a unique inlay of diagonal stripes made from remnants of the granite used to make the custom dining table. Aside from being decorative, they hide the fact that a seam was required to construct the countertop. As a further decorative fluorish, we took advantage of the existing bulkheads and emphasized the tray ceiling zones with a subtle shade of pale blue-grey. Paneling applied to the wall above the banquette adds another layer of detail. In the dining area, an upholstered banquette is both practical with its vinyl upholstery, and comfortable. The back is channel quilted in an ostrich texture for some a fun detail. The dining table was made from a broken island counter found in our fabricator's shop. It had a beautiful ogee edge and was just exactly the width we required. Wonderful find! Even the table base has a gold feature, while the dining chairs have glam crystal buttons (as does Millie the dog's collar!).

Not your basic White Kitchen -- contemporary glam

Just the Thing

The kitchen is a study in contrasts. All-white perimeter cabinets meld into walls and bulkheads painted the same colour (Benjamin Moore Cloud white), while black areas -- island, sink, table, buffet, and doors -- are strategically placed to draw you into the space. White quartz countertops look sleek and clean, with a stepped edge detail reserved for the island waterfall. We added loads of glam with gold hardware. As a further decorative fluorish, we took advantage of the existing bulkheads and emphasized the tray ceiling zones with a subtle shade of pale blue-grey. This small kitchen is highly efficient! The island is only 4' long, but it's crucial for making the kitchen work as well as it does. It houses a 4-bin trash organizer right where it's needed near the clean-up zone, as well as a large bank of drawers. Continuing our mission to maximize storage, we squeezed a full-height shallow pantry into a narrow space between openings to the dining room and family room. The deep cabinet above the fridge holds large seldom-used items, as well as organization for trays and serving platters.