The homeowners of this condo sought our assistance when downsizing from a large family home on Howe Sound to a small urban condo in Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver. They asked us to incorporate many of their precious antiques and art pieces into the new design. Our challenges here were twofold; first, how to deal with the unconventional curved floor plan with vast South facing windows that provide a 180 degree view of downtown Vancouver, and second, how to successfully merge an eclectic collection of antique pieces into a modern setting. We began by updating most of their artwork with new matting and framing. We created a gallery effect by grouping like artwork together and displaying larger pieces on the sections of wall between the windows, lighting them with black wall sconces for a graphic effect. We re-upholstered their antique seating with more contemporary fabrics choices - a gray flannel on their Victorian fainting couch and a fun orange chenille animal print on their Louis style chairs. We selected black as an accent colour for many of the accessories as well as the dining room wall to give the space a sophisticated modern edge. The new pieces that we added, including the sofa, coffee table and dining light fixture are mid century inspired, bridging the gap between old and new. White walls and understated wallpaper provide the perfect backdrop for the colourful mix of antique pieces. Interior Design by Lori Steeves, Simply Home Decorating. Photos by Tracey Ayton Photography

Locally sourced Connecticut fieldstone envelops the sprawling first floor.
Huge traditional blue three-story stone house exterior idea in Other with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Photo by Tim Williams
Living room - large coastal open concept medium tone wood floor living room idea in New York with white walls, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

dogtrot view from front entry.
Inspiration for a modern home design remodel in Charlotte

Example of a country dining room design in Boston

A quiet spot for reflection or appetizers or after dinner drinks... adjacent to the kitchen and dining room this warm area certainly fits the bill. The Kitchens central banquette island seats six on benches with another one at each end! Seating for EIGHT plus the back side boasts raised seating in bar stools. The show-stopping coffered ceiling was custom designed and features beaded paneling, recessed can lighting and dramatic crown molding. This lovely home features an open concept space with the kitchen at the heart. Built in the late 1990's the prior kitchen was cherry, but dark and the new family needed a fresh update. This great space was a collaboration between many talented folks including but not limited to the team at Delicious Kitchens & Interiors, LLC, L. Newman and Associates/Paul Mansback, Inc with Leslie Rifkin and Emily Shakra. Additional contributions from the homeowners and Belisle Granite. John C. Hession Photographer

Located on a tight corner lot, the design of this addition left one wall standing and built a new home around it. The home fits wonderfully into a neighborhood full of mature trees and front porches. We placed generous porches on both the front and back of the house to maximize the owners' use of the lot. There's even a balcony off of the master bedroom with planters for herbs and flowers. The kitchen, though compact, is a chef's dream. There are also windows placed behind the upper cabinets to create a backlighting effect during the day and bring more natural light into the space. Here's what the owner had to say about the project:

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2015 Houzz
Kids' room - coastal kids' room idea in Amsterdam

Photo: Jessica Cain © 2018 Houzz
Example of an eclectic l-shaped kitchen design in Kansas City with stainless steel appliances and an island

This bright kitchen features gorgeous white UltraCraft cabinetry and natural wood floors. The island countertop is Mont Blanc honed quartzite with a build-up edge treatment. To contrast, the perimeter countertop is Silver Pearl Leathered granite. All of the elements are tied together in the backsplash which features New Calacatta marble subway tile with a beautiful waterjet mosaic insert over the stove.

Dawn Cromer photographer and homeowner. This modern farmhouse was custom built by Peak Builders, LLC, in central Virginia and completed 2015. Two separate architects contributed to the project, Andres F. Martinez founder of ARKE design-build, LLC, and Heath Wills founder of Heath Wills Home Designs, llc. Each worked closely with the homeowners, marrying their aim to fashion the home inside and out to have a farmhouse heart yet craftsman flare. The main house exterior features a mixture of board-and-batten and lap hardie siding painted Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17), while the garage is solely board-and-batten painted Benjamin Moore Caliente (AF-290).

Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in New York with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel countertops, metallic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Example of a mid-sized boy light wood floor kids' room design in Boston with white walls

This large kitchen was updated with natural wood cabinetry, offset with a painted blue oversized island, and quartz countertops with integrated sinks. The bronze plumbing fixtures and hardware contribute to the warm and inviting mood of the space. Zellige wall tile and terra cotta floor tile add a handmade and old world feel to this new space. A coffee station is hidden behind bifold doors to keep the space clean and tidy.

Erin Holsonback, anindoorlady.com
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped concrete floor kitchen pantry remodel in Austin with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Embarking on a garage remodeling project is a transformative endeavor that can significantly enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of the space. By investing in tailored storage solutions such as cabinets, wall-mounted organizers, and overhead racks, one can efficiently declutter the area and create a more organized storage system. Flooring upgrades, such as epoxy coatings or durable tiles, not only improve the garage's appearance but also provide a resilient surface. Adding custom workbenches or tool storage solutions contributes to a more efficient and user-friendly workspace. Additionally, incorporating proper lighting and ventilation ensures a well-lit and comfortable environment. A remodeled garage not only increases property value but also opens up possibilities for alternative uses, such as a home gym, workshop, or hobby space, making it a worthwhile investment for both practicality and lifestyle improvement.

With adjacent neighbors within a fairly dense section of Paradise Valley, Arizona, C.P. Drewett sought to provide a tranquil retreat for a new-to-the-Valley surgeon and his family who were seeking the modernism they loved though had never lived in. With a goal of consuming all possible site lines and views while maintaining autonomy, a portion of the house — including the entry, office, and master bedroom wing — is subterranean. This subterranean nature of the home provides interior grandeur for guests but offers a welcoming and humble approach, fully satisfying the clients requests. While the lot has an east-west orientation, the home was designed to capture mainly north and south light which is more desirable and soothing. The architecture’s interior loftiness is created with overlapping, undulating planes of plaster, glass, and steel. The woven nature of horizontal planes throughout the living spaces provides an uplifting sense, inviting a symphony of light to enter the space. The more voluminous public spaces are comprised of stone-clad massing elements which convert into a desert pavilion embracing the outdoor spaces. Every room opens to exterior spaces providing a dramatic embrace of home to natural environment. Grand Award winner for Best Interior Design of a Custom Home The material palette began with a rich, tonal, large-format Quartzite stone cladding. The stone’s tones gaveforth the rest of the material palette including a champagne-colored metal fascia, a tonal stucco system, and ceilings clad with hemlock, a tight-grained but softer wood that was tonally perfect with the rest of the materials. The interior case goods and wood-wrapped openings further contribute to the tonal harmony of architecture and materials. Grand Award Winner for Best Indoor Outdoor Lifestyle for a Home This award-winning project was recognized at the 2020 Gold Nugget Awards with two Grand Awards, one for Best Indoor/Outdoor Lifestyle for a Home, and another for Best Interior Design of a One of a Kind or Custom Home. At the 2020 Design Excellence Awards and Gala presented by ASID AZ North, Ownby Design received five awards for Tonal Harmony. The project was recognized for 1st place – Bathroom; 3rd place – Furniture; 1st place – Kitchen; 1st place – Outdoor Living; and 2nd place – Residence over 6,000 square ft. Congratulations to Claire Ownby, Kalysha Manzo, and the entire Ownby Design team. Tonal Harmony was also featured on the cover of the July/August 2020 issue of Luxe Interiors + Design and received a 14-page editorial feature entitled “A Place in the Sun” within the magazine.

Design Consultant Jeff Doubét is the author of Creating Spanish Style Homes: Before & After – Techniques – Designs – Insights. The 240 page “Design Consultation in a Book” is now available. Please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com for more info. Jeff Doubét specializes in Santa Barbara style home and landscape designs. To learn more info about the variety of custom design services I offer, please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com Jeff Doubét is the Founder of Santa Barbara Home Design - a design studio based in Santa Barbara, California USA.

Owner's spa-style bathroom
Mid-sized 1950s master blue tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile corner shower photo in Los Angeles with a hinged shower door