The Aerius - Modern Craftsman in Ridgefield Washington by Cascade West Development Inc. Upon opening the 8ft tall door and entering the foyer an immediate display of light, color and energy is presented to us in the form of 13ft coffered ceilings, abundant natural lighting and an ornate glass chandelier. Beckoning across the hall an entrance to the Great Room is beset by the Master Suite, the Den, a central stairway to the Upper Level and a passageway to the 4-bay Garage and Guest Bedroom with attached bath. Advancement to the Great Room reveals massive, built-in vertical storage, a vast area for all manner of social interactions and a bountiful showcase of the forest scenery that allows the natural splendor of the outside in. The sleek corner-kitchen is composed with elevated countertops. These additional 4in create the perfect fit for our larger-than-life homeowner and make stooping and drooping a distant memory. The comfortable kitchen creates no spatial divide and easily transitions to the sun-drenched dining nook, complete with overhead coffered-beam ceiling. This trifecta of function, form and flow accommodates all shapes and sizes and allows any number of events to be hosted here. On the rare occasion more room is needed, the sliding glass doors can be opened allowing an out-pour of activity. Almost doubling the square-footage and extending the Great Room into the arboreous locale is sure to guarantee long nights out under the stars. Cascade West Facebook: https://goo.gl/MCD2U1 Cascade West Website: https://goo.gl/XHm7Un These photos, like many of ours, were taken by the good people of ExposioHDR - Portland, Or Exposio Facebook: https://goo.gl/SpSvyo Exposio Website: https://goo.gl/Cbm8Ya

Photo: Hoi Ning Wong © 2014 Houzz
Example of a classic formal medium tone wood floor living room design in San Francisco with yellow walls and a standard fireplace

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Having a space for their teenage kids to hang out after school, study and interact with Mom & Dad was at the top of the list for this remodel. The 1928 home, sits in a lovely Glen Ellyn neighborhood, near downtown and near all the action of the local high school and lake. It’s was a great house with great bones but the kitchen was in need of some TLC. The remodel project had been a long time coming, and since both the homeowners work from home, they had been nervous about disrupting their bustling daily schedules to get the project in motion. Once we had a plan in place, we dug in and got to work. The first step was to remove a non-load bearing wall between the kitchen and dining room. We then reworked the space a bit, eliminating a redundant passage way to the hall, and reworking a closet to allow for a large galley style kitchen and small bar area open to the dining room. The new kitchen has a small peninsula for the family to have casual meals and for the kids to hang out after school. A window was eliminated to give more space for cabinetry and storage, and another window was made larger to allow for a grander view into the backyard. We decided upon a layered approach to this space to provide character appropriate to the older home. White painted cabinetry provides a backdrop for interesting touches such as gray herringbone tile, a reeded farmhouse sink and bronze hardware and lighting. The bar has its own unique look featuring gray cabinetry with a patterned cement tile backsplash and walnut top. A bar fridge, glass cabinets and baskets for tucking away homework give this little multi-functional area loads of character. A miniature mudroom area was also added to the dining room so that the new space can be kept neat and tidy. The stylish result looks both appropriate to the 1928 home and provides loads of functionality for this active family that can now take advantage of every square inch their home. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

This thoughtfully designed basement blends function, comfort, and personality into a vibrant, multi-use retreat for the whole family. At its center, a refined pool table area is framed by custom-built-ins that offer both storage and display, creating a polished yet relaxed entertainment zone. Just beyond, the basement bar invites connection, with warm wood tones, sleek bar seating, and a standout blackboard backsplash—an interactive feature that encourages creativity, from doodles and notes to ever-changing personal touches. The main lounge area is designed for gathering, whether it’s movie nights, casual hangouts, or sleepovers. A plush sectional layered with textured pillows and throws sets the tone for comfort, while soft lighting and curated decor add warmth and depth. Tucked beneath the stairs, a cozy floor seating nook with bean bags and sculptural poufs creates the perfect spot for a teen-friendly hangout—flexible, fun, and effortlessly cool. The overall style strikes a balance between contemporary and moody, with a neutral base enriched by pops of color, tactile materials, and artistic accents. The result is a basement that feels both elevated and inviting—a dynamic space that adapts seamlessly from relaxed family time to lively entertaining.

We breathed new life into this Hampton’s inspired kitchen with beautiful fresh materials in soft white and airy blue hues. We also redesigned the layout for optimal food prep, cooking and entertaining while keeping them separate from each other. By incorporating the nook area and removing the desk, we were able to give our client everything she ever wanted in a kitchen (see BEFORE pics). The lines and details of the custom hood and soft curved fretwork in the cabinetry create a sense of understated luxury and elegance. Oil rubbed bronze accents on the island legs, traditional lanterns and sconces, along with brushed nickel cabinet hardware complete the space. We also redesigned the fireplace and added built-ins to both sides for additional storage and unified, fresh new look.

For more photos of this project visit our website: https://wendyobrienid.com.

Photography by Valve Interactive: https://valveinteractive.com/

Clients were looking for an open space that had the feel of a relaxed weekend retreat in the kitchen. Counter seating includes interaction with the cook, and there is ample storage space without feeling closed in. The appliances are of adequate size for family and entertaining guests, and there is great traffic flow. Some special features included are: Stone facade focal point and flanking stone end walls; Dual counter heights on island provide height for laptop usage plus creates a visual transition from the working space of the island; faux beam between kitchen and family room adding to the open feel; new hardwood floor; stainless steel farm sink and service sink; LED lighting fixtures. Photo cred: Carbajal

This 100 room assisted living housing center had been purchased by new owners. Their primary motive for the exterior of the property was to create an inviting and interactive setting for residents, visitors, employees, and family. Healthcare research shows that comfortable and stimulating seating areas close to the daily activity of the front doors are generally well used and popular areas among seniors and employees as well to prevent "workplace burnout". A crushed granite seating area, wooden benches, a recirculating waterfall, and a variety of plantings surround the front entry island. Seasonal color, texture, motion, shade, wildlife interest, mass and scale is provided by the mix of entryway, foundation, and entry island plantings.

Clients were looking for an open space that had the feel of a relaxed weekend retreat in the kitchen. Counter seating includes interaction with the cook, and there is ample storage space without feeling closed in. The appliances are of adequate size for family and entertaining guests, and there is great traffic flow. Some special features included are: Stone facade focal point and flanking stone end walls; Dual counter heights on island provide height for laptop usage plus creates a visual transition from the working space of the island; faux beam between kitchen and family room adding to the open feel; new hardwood floor; stainless steel farm sink and service sink; LED lighting fixtures. Photo cred: Carbajal

The Aerius - Modern Craftsman in Ridgefield Washington by Cascade West Development Inc. Upon opening the 8ft tall door and entering the foyer an immediate display of light, color and energy is presented to us in the form of 13ft coffered ceilings, abundant natural lighting and an ornate glass chandelier. Beckoning across the hall an entrance to the Great Room is beset by the Master Suite, the Den, a central stairway to the Upper Level and a passageway to the 4-bay Garage and Guest Bedroom with attached bath. Advancement to the Great Room reveals massive, built-in vertical storage, a vast area for all manner of social interactions and a bountiful showcase of the forest scenery that allows the natural splendor of the outside in. The sleek corner-kitchen is composed with elevated countertops. These additional 4in create the perfect fit for our larger-than-life homeowner and make stooping and drooping a distant memory. The comfortable kitchen creates no spatial divide and easily transitions to the sun-drenched dining nook, complete with overhead coffered-beam ceiling. This trifecta of function, form and flow accommodates all shapes and sizes and allows any number of events to be hosted here. On the rare occasion more room is needed, the sliding glass doors can be opened allowing an out-pour of activity. Almost doubling the square-footage and extending the Great Room into the arboreous locale is sure to guarantee long nights out under the stars. Cascade West Facebook: https://goo.gl/MCD2U1 Cascade West Website: https://goo.gl/XHm7Un These photos, like many of ours, were taken by the good people of ExposioHDR - Portland, Or Exposio Facebook: https://goo.gl/SpSvyo Exposio Website: https://goo.gl/Cbm8Ya

THE METAL & GLASS SCULPTURE COLLECTION are three-dimensional contemporary works of art containing shapes and elements inspired by nature and fantasy. Each shape and linear element floats and flows in and out of space creating interactive movement and harmony between shape, line, material, negative space, and weight. The shape elements are cut from sheet and stainless steel then colorized with metal patinas bringing out deep, rich mottled colors including turquoise, deep green and bronze, or faux finished with acrylic paints and metal powders. The linear elements are steel & stainless steel rods, bent, finished, and welded into place. The composition is framed with 1” square steel tubing painted black.

THE METAL & GLASS SCULPTURE COLLECTION are three-dimensional contemporary works of art containing shapes and elements inspired by nature and fantasy. Each shape and linear element floats and flows in and out of space creating interactive movement and harmony between shape, line, material, negative space, and weight. The shape elements are cut from sheet and stainless steel then colorized with metal patinas bringing out deep, rich mottled colors including turquoise, deep green and bronze, or faux finished with acrylic paints and metal powders. The linear elements are steel & stainless steel rods, bent, finished, and welded into place. The composition is framed with 1” square steel tubing painted black.

We breathed new life into this Hampton’s inspired kitchen with beautiful fresh materials in soft white and airy blue hues. We also redesigned the layout for optimal food prep, cooking and entertaining while keeping them separate from each other. By incorporating the nook area and removing the desk, we were able to give our client everything she ever wanted in a kitchen (see BEFORE pics). The lines and details of the custom hood and soft curved fretwork in the cabinetry create a sense of understated luxury and elegance. Oil rubbed bronze accents on the island legs, traditional lanterns and sconces, along with brushed nickel cabinet hardware complete the space. We also redesigned the fireplace and added built-ins to both sides for additional storage and unified, fresh new look.

For more photos of this project visit our website: https://wendyobrienid.com.

Photography by Valve Interactive: https://valveinteractive.com/

Built on a steep lakeside terrain, the Tsuga residence by Appareil Architecture is an ambitious project that required meticulous planning and flawless execution. Nestled within the rugged landscapes of Brownsburg-Chatham, Tsuga elevates a complex site to offer a seamless immersion in nature. Balancing the site’s constraints with a high level of finish, every phase of the project was designed to reconcile technical challenges with precision. Modulor expertly managed all collaborators, ensuring a level of detail that defines a project of this scale. On the exterior, the building envelope combines durability with refinement. Carefully selected natural wood cladding interacts with a perforated screen that filters light and adds depth to the façade. The integration of openings was strategically planned to maximize views while maintaining a cohesive architectural expression. Inside, the materials and finishes reflect the same commitment to quality. Wooden paneling wraps the spaces, creating visual continuity and a warm atmosphere. The stainless steel kitchen, with its clean lines and custom design, introduces a striking contrast between modernity and natural textures. Every junction, every material transition was meticulously crafted to ensure a flawless result, with no compromises on durability or functionality. Designed for an architectural historian and a musician and opera singer, Tsuga is the result of meticulous craftsmanship. A home built to stand the test of time, with an unwavering attention to detail.

Awakening Your Senses | Our private living space is a mirror of our personality. A charming fusion of different styles and objects, of memories and emotions. In the course of time, everything finds its place - whether intentionally or at random, whether it be something handed down to you by your grandmother or discovered while you were travelling, whether it be modern or classic in origin. In this way, every living space tells its own, very individual, story. It is the story and the desires of the people who live in this space and who provide it with a character all of its own.The change and the interaction of personal styles is the foundation of the new Axor Urquiola collection. Take advantage of this new freedom to release your own, invigorating mix of styles and create your personal retreat. With Axor Urquiola, the line between bathroom and living area, between today and tomorrow becomes fluid. It offers an invigorating freedom that awakens our senses - every day anew. | Available at www.shopstudio41.com

Depending on your kitchen layout, island sinks can save you space and functionality. One of the main reasons for the main sink in the island is how much time you spend at the sink. If you tend to socialize more in the kitchen while doing tasks, island sinks may be for you! Since this was a family home reno project, a ton of interaction will take place in this area! We made sure to create an inviting space along with Etch Design Group. There was a full gut of the kitchen. This included all cabinetry, countertops, and backsplash. The main focus in this kitchen part of the reno was moving the sink location from the wall to the newly installed island. The new layout included new cabinets painted a beautiful shade of timeless white, on top of those polished Statuario quartz countertops with light veining were installed. These new custom cabinets were customized to the homeowners' specifications for her kitchenware items. Electrically, we installed 6 new LED recessed canned lights and added new outlets to the island to add more lighting in the home.

Our clients had a very comfortable getaway home in Williams Bay. But, like the wall of fame that displayed the memorable fish they’d landed over the years, their kitchen needed to be rearranged and refreshed to better serve the friends and family they looked to host. The small gallery-style kitchen was small and blocked off to the rest of the home. It was very restrictive when friends and family gathered. It needed a new layout to accommodate more people, more comfortably. This required a change to the layout of the adjoining great room and entryway. Walls were removed and modified to accept the larger kitchen layout and integrate seamlessly with the great room and entryway, creating a warm and comfortable area where our clients could now entertain and interact at the same time – no longer hidden away in the tight quarters of their old kitchen. And of course … We made plenty of room to display their wall of fame with room to add even more memories.

Peter Rymwid Photography My young professional clients loved everything about their townhouse on the Hudson except for the cramped, dark, uninviting kitchen. During their frequent dinner parties they were always separated from their guests. Light which filled the rest of the living area never made it into the kitchen. Their most important request in this remodel was to create a bright, contemporary, light filled kitchen where their cooking would take center stage. We started by removing a large portion of the wall separating the kitchen and dining area. This integrated the kitchen into the living space and allowed interaction between cook and guests. Next we removed a side wall to gain more cabinet and countertop space. Existing drop ceilings were removed giving extra height in the wall cabinets. A raised waterfall end eating counter keeps the visual line clean and provides ample counter space for dining or wine tasting. Bright white painted cabinets with recessed panels and a crisp white quartz counter create a bright contemporary space. Blue white and taupe subway tiles made from recycled glass add a feel of waves to the back splash. A coordinating blue paint adds to the beachy vibe of the room. Shiny easy to clean stainless appliances are both functional and attractive especially as they are seen from the entire living area. The new engineered wood flooring was continued up the wall under the eating counter. The material provides a more durable surface than painted sheet rock. Recessed LED ceiling lights and under cabinet lights provide all the task lighting needed to prepare meals while using very little energy. Instead of installing any hanging fixtures which might block the open feeling, smaller can LED lights were installed over the raised counter.

THE SETUP Our journey began with a familiar face — Alicia had previously transformed the client’s mother’s home, establishing a trusted relationship that naturally led to this personal project. The client desired a kitchen that truly reflected her own style while facilitating seamless entertaining. Design Vision: The original kitchen, segregated from the dining area by a wall, hindered the flow of interaction and space. Our client envisioned a unified area where she could engage with guests in both the kitchen and dining room simultaneously. Moreover, the space lacked a central island, relying instead on a floorplan anchored by cabinetry in a u-shaped layout. Design Objectives: Open up the space for an airy design conducive to entertaining large gatherings Modernize the kitchen to be both stylish and functional Integrate the design with the home’s new black-framed windows and doors Relocate the cooktop to a central position to enhance usability and interaction Design Challenges: Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room would necessitate the rerouting of existing HVAC ductwork that services the upper floor Limited pantry space in the existing kitchen The existing u-shaped layout of the kitchen restricted functionality and storage options Insufficient space for wine storage The client desired a raised-furniture look for the island, but without showing a new downdraft vent THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: We added a second HVAC unit to the upper floor and rerouted the existing ductwork in that wall Created tall pantry pullouts on either side of the fridge to maximize dry goods storage Designed a long island to facilitate cooking stations and dining moments Created a stylish open display cabinet for wine Engineered a dual-design island with a footed floating aesthetic on one side, and a full floor reach on the other to conceal the new downdraft ventilation. Paired with the newly opened adjacent dining room featuring a wet bar, the kitchen has become a stylish and highly functional space for cooking and entertaining. Following a large baby shower hosted by the client (which seamlessly accommodated an 80-person gathering!), it is clear that the new design not only meets but exceeds the needs for hosting and everyday living. This project was a harmonious blend of the client’s vision and Alicia’s innovative design solutions, resulting in a kitchen that truly embodies personalized elegance and functionality.

THE SETUP Our journey began with a familiar face — Alicia had previously transformed the client’s mother’s home, establishing a trusted relationship that naturally led to this personal project. The client desired a kitchen that truly reflected her own style while facilitating seamless entertaining. Design Vision: The original kitchen, segregated from the dining area by a wall, hindered the flow of interaction and space. Our client envisioned a unified area where she could engage with guests in both the kitchen and dining room simultaneously. Moreover, the space lacked a central island, relying instead on a floorplan anchored by cabinetry in a u-shaped layout. Design Objectives: Open up the space for an airy design conducive to entertaining large gatherings Modernize the kitchen to be both stylish and functional Integrate the design with the home’s new black-framed windows and doors Relocate the cooktop to a central position to enhance usability and interaction Design Challenges: Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room would necessitate the rerouting of existing HVAC ductwork that services the upper floor Limited pantry space in the existing kitchen The existing u-shaped layout of the kitchen restricted functionality and storage options Insufficient space for wine storage The client desired a raised-furniture look for the island, but without showing a new downdraft vent THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: We added a second HVAC unit to the upper floor and rerouted the existing ductwork in that wall Created tall pantry pullouts on either side of the fridge to maximize dry goods storage Designed a long island to facilitate cooking stations and dining moments Created a stylish open display cabinet for wine Engineered a dual-design island with a footed floating aesthetic on one side, and a full floor reach on the other to conceal the new downdraft ventilation. Paired with the newly opened adjacent dining room featuring a wet bar, the kitchen has become a stylish and highly functional space for cooking and entertaining. Following a large baby shower hosted by the client (which seamlessly accommodated an 80-person gathering!), it is clear that the new design not only meets but exceeds the needs for hosting and everyday living. This project was a harmonious blend of the client’s vision and Alicia’s innovative design solutions, resulting in a kitchen that truly embodies personalized elegance and functionality.