This outdoor area was inspired by the palatial pools at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, these homeowners craved their own piece of paradise closer to home. From grand columns and diamond inlays to intricate balustrades and Techo Bloc's Travertina, Gary Duff Designs delivered a dreamy design right to their backyard. Revamped patios, featuring additional seating and a hospitable outdoor kitchen keeps the entire outdoor space feeling just as inviting as it is inspiring. The backyard’s classic old-world charm will leave you thinking of faraway places under the Tuscan sun.

Home away from home is where we often meet our clients, especially in Bend. They crave a welcoming and approachable, yet luxurious and well curated vacation home. This custom home in Central Oregon’s Caldera Springs neighborhood was no exception. An investment property the owners and their family will use occasionally, the home had to speak to their overall aesthetic, while graciously accommodating rental guests throughout the year. Design for each space was a collaboration with our clients, who selected “inspiration” fabrics and artwork that tell a story and bring warmth and personality to the home. We designed hard-wearing custom furniture, composed layers of luxe bedding, placed photography by local artist and photographer Chris Murray, and added comfortable and low maintenance furniture outside, where everyone wants to be year-round in Bend. Working with the property manager, we checked every item off a comprehensive list to outfit the chef’s kitchen and ensure guests would have all the comforts of home. This home is available for short-term vacation rental through Bennington Properties in Sunriver, OR. Photography by Kayla McKenzie Photography

This basic builder's bathroom was craving a modern renovation. The space lacked functional storage along with countertop space and of course updating. By adding this custom floating vanity with a single trough sink and double faucets all of our tasks were completed in crisp elegance! Also the double shower features hansgrohe plumbing fixtures along with a accent wall of waves creating texture and depth to the overall space.

Picture this: a large-scale renovation and addition, a dream team collaboration with Krieger Klatt Architects, Mosher Dolan, and Whitmer Design, and clients who wanted it all. Timeless? Yes. Eclectic? Absolutely. Funky yet grounded in tradition? You bet. Our clients desired a space that was both enduringly classic and delightfully unique—and we delivered. Our clients craved a space that was functional for a bustling family life (hello, kids and constant entertaining!) but also a showstopper. The goal? To create a timeless kitchen and pantry that felt like an extension of the home's traditional bones while making a strong statement. Challenge accepted.

We brought the essence of a Spanish-style resort right to this Rancho Santa Fe home. Our clients craved a luxurious, low-maintenance space with all the amenities of a high-end retreat, and we delivered. From the drought-tolerant plants and dry riverbed in the front yard to the spacious fire pit and panoramic views in the side yard, every corner exudes relaxation. And of course, a grand pool in the backyard, transforming the space into the ultimate personal retreat for the homeowners.

In the summer: a semi-shaded area for reading or contemplating, surrounded by graceful Hostas (almost ready to bloom), Ferns, Tree Peony and foliage of the two Lilacs which brought perfume and colour to this area in the spring. But in the summer, what people crave is respite from the sun and a place to rest.

There are not many things better than a room full of your favourite people. As you gather you smell dinner cooking in the kitchen and music playing in the background, as joyful conversation and laughter fill the room. I feel so grateful that we are inching our way back to these days. How about you? The project I’m sharing with you today has beautiful moments like these at its heart. Spaces that invite people in, foster connection, and make everyday living so simple that it’s impossible not to enjoy... Meet our Delightful Clients: The family behind this 1950s North Vancouver home transformation enjoy entertaining friends just as much as cosying up to watch a movie together. A professional couple (I'll call them Jon and Anna) with two elementary school-aged sons, Anna and Jon approached us with the task of furnishing the main floor living spaces and the basement of their family home. Anna is a busy lawyer who is now working almost full time from home, and Jon works in the film industry. With full careers, two active boys, and a love of gathering, they craved a home that could support their everyday lifestyle. Design and Lifestyle Goals: Our central goal for this project was simple: to uncover the hidden potential in their home and create a family-friendly space that functioned well and flowed seamlessly. On the main floor, our clients tasked us with creating an area for the family to relax and entertain, along with crafting a work and play space for the boys. They also dreamed of a more functional and bright basement, which they envisioned as a dual purpose family room and home office for Anna. Reveal: Comfortable and Welcoming Entryway & Living Room: Imagine you are coming home, and you walk through a bright, sunny front door like this one. You are met by this entryway of calming earth and sea tones, paired with warm, natural wood flooring. You feel instantly welcomed and eager to venture further inside... The same is now true for our clients! The simple details in their entryway are thoughtfully arranged with clean lines and colourful art as the focal point, achieving a timeless and friendly aesthetic. Dried wheat brings movement into the space and plays up the beauty of nature, while the vibrant yet warm colours and textures evoke feelings of comfort and homecoming. The entry flows seamlessly into this connected living area, which is adorned with ample seating strategically arranged to host and accommodate joyful conversations. With the fireplace and wood mantel as the focal point, these natural elements and hues warm up the room to make it feel beautifully lived-in (not like an untouchable museum). Another colourful work of art graces the space above Jon’s and Anna’s sofa, and we used decorative pillows and a throw blanket to tempt those colours into the rest of the room. A simply styled coffee table keeps the space feeling open and engaged. Reading material, anyone? Just beyond this living area, you get a glimpse of the second space our clients requested on their main floor... A Collected Space for Children to Work + Play: When Jon and Anna realised that their formal dining area wasn’t being used to its full potential, they imagined creating a work and play space for their boys instead. We came up with a plan to create a shared desk area with plentiful storage. This timeless natural wood desk was the perfect way to maximise surface area and give the boys plenty of space to do homework during the school year, or spend time crafting or building LEGOs during the summers. The drawers provide storage for all the wonderful items that fuel their productivity or creativity. Or both. I also love how the white floating shelves display a collection of nostalgic toys, providing just the right amount of childhood endearment to this sophisticated and functional space. This workspace now has endless possibilities for the boys, and it helps Jon and Anna keep their minds and spaces clear, too. Which brings us to... Basement Family Room & Home Office: In general, we knew we had to maximise surface area in this ‘50s home, and this was especially true for our clients’ basement. I’m happy to say that we designed an effortlessly comfortable space that focuses on family and makes it simple to settle in and work… or leave the workday behind. Welcome to this dual-function office and family room. Toward the back of the room, we strategically positioned Anna’s wraparound desk facing out into the room and gave her a wallpaper-and-art backdrop for stunning Zoom calls (she has already received glowing compliments). There is plenty of storage for easy organization including a space to store the family’s shared printer near the door… so they don’t have to interrupt “Mom” to get to it. Anna also wanted the freedom to be able to relax in this space with her family and turn her back on the work day — quite literally! The sofa is perfectly positioned backing onto the desk allowing her to do just that. We relocated an existing mustard yellow chair and used pops of the same colour to integrate it into the overall scheme. The wood armrests on this modular sectional provide surfaces for snacks and drinks where there was no room for an end table. The walnut finish carries the theme of natural comfort from the upstairs spaces down into the family room. The view from the sectional is less business and more pleasure, featuring cosy seating and throw pillows in cheerful colours and patterns. The highlight of this space? A wallpapered accent wall where we were able to achieve the high-end feel of custom built-in shelving with a simple IKEA hack. The shelves and cabinetry around the television offer plenty of much needed storage space to house family games and movies at a budget price point. This fun room is the perfect balance of work and play, accommodating and supporting our clients’ daily family adventures. What Our Clients Had to Say... Our clients could not be happier with their warm yet functional new rooms. With thoughtful consideration and a plan of action, we were able to transform two areas of their home into spaces that function well and feel good. In fact, they had this to say: “Lori and her team were everything we were looking for: great listeners, wonderfully creative and highly professional. We couldn't be happier with our interior makeover.” — Clients That is why we do what we do. If you're ready to start your redesign project, we would love to help. Reach out to us here, and let's get to know more about each other.

Tiny bedroom in 1920s row house
Example of a small classic guest medium tone wood floor bedroom design in Richmond with blue walls

Blending traditional and contemporary design, the Allie console table is perfect for entry ways and living areas. Made from a blend of solid and composite wood, this console table is affordable and easy to assemble. Accent it with pictures, candles, or small plants. Furthermore, the drawer is perfect for the additional storage that we all crave.

This project was a major renovation in collaboration with Payne & Payne Builders and Peninsula Architects. The dated home was taken down to the studs, reimagined, reconstructed and completely furnished for modern-day family life. A neutral paint scheme complemented the open plan. Clean lined cabinet hardware with accented details like glass and contrasting finishes added depth. No detail was spared with attention to well scaled furnishings, wall coverings, light fixtures, art, accessories and custom window treatments throughout the home. The goal was to create the casual, comfortable home our clients craved while honoring the scale and architecture of the home.

In the top floor of the Hopkinson House lived a neglected, dingy corner apartment facing Washington Square. The new owner purchased the unit and undertook a complete gut renovation of the space. With parallels to her own life, the owner craved a new, fresh, light filled, colorful space to call her own. The design centers around a retractable suede wall panel system which when open, draws in the western sun, creating a spacious living area. When closed, it allows for a guest bedroom complete with Murphy bed. Fine finishes accent the space throughout and wood shelving provide displays for an extensive teapot collection.

A duplex located across from Winter Park Ski Resort that still feels like it has that mountain rustic cabin feel that so many of our clients are craving.

Craving something rich and tasty? Try Maakhan Bhog’s Dodha Barfi, a classic Indian sweet made with milk, ghee, and dry fruits for that perfect homemade flavor. Every bite is filled with the true taste of tradition and love. If you’re looking for the best sweet shop near me, Maakhan Bhog is your trusted place for authentic Indian sweets. More Information: https://maakhanbhog.com/products/dodha-barfi

Our client craved bold color in this space, while maintaining a cool mid-century vibe. We brought in the graphic wallpaper and custom roman shade fabric, lighting, artwork and furnishings

Manufactured by Misson, Italy. The Screen bed designed by MissoniHome Studio combines form with function. Perfect for those who crave privacy, the wide headboard has the ability to wrap around the bed with the use of an internal hinge mechanism. Discover an array of different Missoni fabrics to choose from.

For the Cottages & Bungalows Magazine‘s 2019 Project House partnership with Yankee Barn Homes, we conceived our “Great NH Escape” Great Room for an active family from a suburban/Metro area who crave the quiet and rugged outdoors of New Hampshire for their getaway weekends, both winter and summer. Though a second home, we felt that the parents truly saw Yankee Barn Homes’ spectacular post-and-beam Springfield Barn House as a “Forever Home-Away-from-Home” – the long-term backdrop for their family’s North Woods memories and a refuge to return to time and again from the noise of the more congested town where they live. As such, we furnished it with the same well-crafted, American-made décor that would stand the test of time in any investment home and a fresh classic style that would reflect the fun vitality of their family.

This fun kitchen is a perfect fit for its’ owners! As a returning client we knew this space would be a pleasure to complete, having previously updated their main bath. The variegated blue picket tiles add bold colour the homeowners craved, while the slab doors in a natural maple with matte black finishes and soft white quartz countertops offer a warm modern backdrop. Filled with personality, this vibrant new kitchen inspires their love of cooking. The small footprint required creative planning to make the most efficient use of space while still including an open shelf section to allow for display and an open feel. The addition of a second sink was a game changer, allowing both sides of the room to function optimally. This kitchen was the perfect finishing touch for their home!

Step into rustic-modern luxury with this serene primary bathroom that perfectly marries farmhouse warmth and contemporary elegance. A dramatic reclaimed barnwood shiplap accent wall and rustic antler chandelier set the tone, while a sculptural freestanding soaking tub invites relaxation. Custom stained-wood double vanities with sleek white vessel sinks and matte-black wall-mount faucets bring clean, current lines to the space. Thoughtful details like oil-rubbed bronze sconces, a cowhide-upholstered vanity stool, plush faux-fur rug, and live orchids create a spa-like retreat you’ll never want to leave. Soft beige porcelain tile floors and a neutral palette keep the look timeless yet fresh—ideal for 2025 trends. Perfect for homeowners craving a modern farmhouse master bath that feels both cozy and sophisticated.

These clients really enjoy their backyard space, with gardening and spending time with friends and family. They also practice yoga, and craved to have a space that could be their own personal yoga studio. The only problem they had in this space was a storage shed that wasn’t functional for them. With their wants and needs, the homeowners came to us because they wanted a functioning space to practice their love of yoga. This shed accomplishes that needs. We installed double hung Richlin Windows and a Marvin Integrity sliding patio door, all in a Bronze finish. Cedar corbels and beams, tongue and groove floor planks on their 3’ porch, a cedar trellis to replicate existing pergola, exposed trusses, cedar tongue and groove siding, and a stacked seam steel roof add to the charm of this shed. The finished space is a restful getaway in the city for the clients to meditate and leave their worries behind. Om! See full details at : http://www.castlebri.com/specialty/project3205-1/ . This home will be on the 2017 Castle Home Tour, September 30th - October 1st! Visit www.castlehometour.com for all homes and details on the tour.