New guesthouse for a historic landmark estate that echoes the design of the main residence. Photo by: Jim Bartsch
Example of a small tuscan white one-story stucco exterior home design in Los Angeles

Trendy kitchen photo in Orange County

Step inside this stunning refined traditional home designed by our Lafayette studio. The luxurious interior seamlessly blends French country and classic design elements with contemporary touches, resulting in a timeless and sophisticated aesthetic. From the soft beige walls to the intricate detailing, every aspect of this home exudes elegance and warmth. The sophisticated living spaces feature inviting colors, high-end finishes, and impeccable attention to detail, making this home the perfect haven for relaxation and entertainment. Explore the photos to see how we transformed this stunning property into a true forever home.

HGTV Smart Home 2013 by Glenn Layton Homes, Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
Inspiration for a large tropical detached two-car garage remodel in Jacksonville

John Kraemer and Sons, Inc. Artisan Home Tour 2016

Mountain home outdoor living area with a stone firepit and lounge seating. Brands & Kribbs Photography
Patio - rustic backyard stone patio idea in Denver with a fire pit and no cover

Jonathan Reece
Mid-sized transitional brown backyard and two-story gravel and wood gable roof photo in Portland Maine with a fire pit, no cover and a metal roof

Thoughtful design and details create multiple functional spaces that add purpose to a small room.
Transitional built-in desk craft room photo in Nashville with white walls and no fireplace

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Modern Aluminum 511 series Overhead Door for this modern style home to perfection.
Large trendy gray two-story mixed siding flat roof photo in Atlanta

Inspiration for a large farmhouse underground carpeted and gray floor basement remodel in Toronto with gray walls

Inspiration for a huge traditional full sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in Minneapolis with a fire pit.

Looking for a nice clean crown molding, but what something different? These homeowners did just that with a simple clean flat molding applied to the wall and ceiling to create this look.

Home design - cottage home design idea

A trellised terrace opens up to a quieter view of a magnificent existing redwood grove and bioswale filled with clusters of ornamental grasses and perennials. Photography by Marion Brenner

Bruce Cole Photography
Example of a small farmhouse white gable roof design with a shingle roof

Michael Moran/OTTO photography We took a predictable suburban spec house and transformed it into a unique home of enduring value and family-centered design. The existing footprint was expanded where it needed it most: in the family and kitchen area, creating a large square room with open views to a protected nature preserve abutting the property. An unexpected glass canopy and teak entry door are clues that what lies beyond is hardly commonplace. The design challenge was to infuse modern-day functionality and architectural quality into a spec house. Working in partnership with Gary Cruz Studio, we designed the pared down, art-filled interiors with the goal of creating comfortable, purposeful living environments. We also sought to integrate the existing pool and rear deck into the overall building design, extending the usable space outside as a screened-in porch, a dining terrace, and a seating area around a stone fire pit.

Our clients wanted to create a backyard that would grow with their young family as well as with their extended family and friends. Entertaining was a huge priority! This family-focused backyard was designed to equally accommodate play and outdoor living/entertaining. The outdoor living spaces needed to accommodate a large number of people – adults and kids. Urban Oasis designed a deck off the back door so that the kitchen could be 36” height, with a bar along the outside edge at 42” for overflow seating. The interior space is approximate 600 sf and accommodates both a large dining table and a comfortable couch and chair set. The fire pit patio includes a seat wall for overflow seating around the fire feature (which doubles as a retaining wall) with ample room for chairs. The artificial turf lawn is spacious enough to accommodate a trampoline and other childhood favorites. Down the road, this area could be used for bocce or other lawn games. The concept is to leave all spaces large enough to be programmed in different ways as the family’s needs change. A steep slope presents itself to the yard and is a focal point. Planting a variety of colors and textures mixed among a few key existing trees changed this eyesore into a beautifully planted amenity for the property. Jimmy White Photography

Built by the founder of Dansk, Beckoning Path lies in wonderfully landscaped grounds overlooking a private pond. Taconic Builders was privileged to renovate the property for its current owner. Architect: Barlis Wedlick Architect Photo Credit: Peter Aarron/ Esto