From Plain to Fabulous A great thing about building a new home is that you are starting fresh. Being a Florida decorator, many of our clients are moving from the Northern or Mid-West states. We advise them to leave their often dark, large pieces of traditional furniture behind and just bring pieces that have value to them whether sentimental or monetary. This dining room was a pleasure because it was a clean slate with large windows letting in the morning sun. The floors are hand-scraped engineered wood in Brazilian walnut which give the entire home a warm feel to counteract the stark white walls. The home owners have a large art collection and specifically chose the white paint so that the paintings can be seen at their best and moved around the home easily. The owners host many dinner parties throughout the year and wanted a table that was virtually indestructible, and that visitors didn’t have to be careful with. This long Mango wood trestle table comfortably seats between eight and ten and has an antique grey, distressed look that is similar to driftwood. We alternated turquoise and light blue dining chairs for some contrast. An outstanding centerpiece for the room is a dazzling grey chandelier with an outstanding display of brilliant graphite crystals. Hundreds of faceted crystals are suspended from ten fluted glass arms. Wall sconces in chrome with grey linen shades were added and all the lighting is on dimmers for a choice of bright or mood lighting depending on the required ambience. To control the harsh Florida sunlight that can leech color out of furnishings within weeks, we installed light grey Silhouette window shades which keep approximately 97% of harmful UV rays out but still let in light even when fully closed. Traversing draperies were installed floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall providing a spectacular color wall of cream, green, purple and turquoise. The hardware is hidden behind the crown moulding for a clean, modern look. The best part of this design story lies in the large-scale artwork. The home owner had been given the painting years ago when she lived in Philadelphia but the colors didn’t suit her Northern palette. The painting was hidden in the attic but during the move was crated and sent to Florida. After not seeing it for sixteen years she had forgotten what it looked like and when she saw the crate about to be off-loaded asked the removal crew to take it away. At the last minute she decided to look in the crate and was surprised and delighted to find the perfect artwork for her dining room! Lastly, hand-torn wallpaper was installed in a custom color in the tray ceiling. As this room is used for dinner parties, games and even casual dining we decided not to install a rug for ease of use and movement around the table. Photographer: Rolando Diaz

Inspiration for a transitional home office remodel in New York

alyssa kirsten
Mid-sized transitional master white tile and ceramic tile marble floor and multicolored floor alcove shower photo in Wilmington with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, an undermount sink, marble countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Martin King Photography
Example of a large beach style light wood floor kitchen design in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Reminiscent of a villa in south of France, this Old World yet still sophisticated home are what the client had dreamed of. The home was newly built to the client’s specifications. The wood tone kitchen cabinets are made of butternut wood, instantly warming the atmosphere. The perimeter and island cabinets are painted and captivating against the limestone counter tops. A custom steel hammered hood and Apex wood flooring (Downers Grove, IL) bring this room to an artful balance. Project specs: Sub Zero integrated refrigerator and Wolf 36” range Interior Design by Tony Stavish, A.W. Stavish Designs Craig Dugan - Photographer

The owner said "any color but white" for her farmhouse kitchen country kitchen. Earthy and elemental materials are selected for the home that reference the barn without directly mimicking it. Wooden members found inside the barn and from other barns bridge ceilings and are used in floors along with rustic slate adding to a sense of simplicity to the farmhouse design.

Scott Shigley
Kitchen/dining room combo - transitional dark wood floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Chicago with white walls

Chipper Hatter Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary light wood floor kitchen remodel in San Diego

An old stone mansion built in 1924 had seen a number of renovations over the decades and the time had finally come to address a growing list of issues. Rather than continue with a patchwork of fixes, the owners engaged us to conduct a full house renovation to bring this home back to its former glory and in line with its status as an international consulate residence where dignitaries are hosted on a regular basis. One of the biggest projects was remodeling the expansive 365 SF kitchen; the main kitchen needed to be both a workhorse for the weekly catered events as well as serve as the residents’ primary hub. We made adjustments to the kitchen layout to maximize countertop and storage space as well as enhance overall functionality, being mindful of the dual purposes this kitchen serves. To add visual interest to the large space we used two toned cabinets – classic white along the perimeter and a deep blue to distinguish the two islands and tall pantry. Brushed brass accents echo the original brass hardware and fixtures throughout the home. A kitchen this large needed a statement when it came to the countertops so we selected a stunning Nuvolato quartzite with distinctive veining that complements the blue cabinets. We restored and refinished the original Heart of Pine floors, letting the natural character of the wood shine through. A custom antique Heart of Pine wood top was commissioned for the fixed island – the warmth of wood was preferable to stone for the informal seating area. The second island serves as both prep area and staging space for dinners and events. This mobile island can be pushed flush with the stationary island to provide a generous area for the caterers to expedite service. Adjacent to the main kitchen, we added a second service kitchen for the live-in staff and their family. This room used to be a catch-all laundry/storage/mudroom so we had to get creative in order to incorporate all of those features while adding a fully functioning eat-in kitchen. Using smaller appliances allowed us to capture more space for cabinetry and by stacking the cabinets and washer/dryer (relocated to the rear service foyer) we managed to meet all the requirements. We installed salvaged Heart of Pine floors to match the originals in the adjacent kitchen and chose a neutral finish palette that will be easy to maintain. These kitchens weren’t the only projects we undertook in the historic stone mansion. Other renovations include 7 bathrooms, flooring throughout (hardwoods, custom carpets/runners/wall-to-wall), custom drapery and window treatments, new lighting/electric, as well as paint/trim and custom closet and cabinetry.

Entryway - cottage entryway idea in Phoenix

The materials used for this space include white washed brushed oak, taj mahal granite, custom shaker style cabinets, original pine ceiling, slate backsplash, slate & metal mosiac at the island, a custom cast concrete sink, and a Wolf range. | While the flow of the kitchen worked for the family, the focus was on updating the look and feel. The old cabinets were replaced with new shaker-style custom cabinets painted in a soothing grey, to compliment the new white-washed, brushed oak floor. Taj Mahal granite counter tops replaced the old dark ones. The refrigerator was replaced with a wider 48” Sub-Zero. The built-in pantry in the kitchen was replaced, with pull-out shelving specific to the family’s food storage needs. A 48” dual fuel Wolf range replaced the outdated cooktop and oven. The tones of the new slate backsplash and slate and metal mosaic on the face of the island created cohesion between the pine hues of the remaining original ceiling and the new white-washed floor. Task and under bar lighting also brightened the space. The kitchen is finished out with a unique concrete apron sink. Capitalizing on the natural light from the existing skylight and glass doors, the upgraded finishes in the kitchen and living area brightened the space and gave it an up-to-date feel. | Photos by Tre Dunham

© Wing Wong Space efficiency was a major design factor in this one bedroom apartment on Fifth Avenue that serves as a second home. Pocket doors were installed to the living room to provide privacy when necessary but allow light to enter the interior of the apartment, and a spacious foyer now acts as a dining room. Custom cabinetry in the home office and bedroom maximizes storage space for books, and millwork details provide formality and visual interest to an otherwise simple space.

Lori Hamilton Photography
Inspiration for a large coastal 3/4 gray tile and stone tile marble floor claw-foot bathtub remodel in Miami with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, blue walls and an undermount sink

The Embassy Row kitchen from Wood-Mode Custom Cabinetry adds a beautiful transitional look to your kitchen.
Example of a large transitional u-shaped ceramic tile eat-in kitchen design in Houston with a single-bowl sink, glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Joe Purvis
Example of a huge transitional galley medium tone wood floor kitchen design in Charlotte with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, marble countertops, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Whimsical child's room with loft bed. Custom bed, chair, and ottoman. Custom drapes. Bedding by Matouk. Rug by Overland. Design By Krista Watterworth Design Studio of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Photography by Jessica Glynn

Photo Credit: Nat Rea
Beach style l-shaped open concept kitchen photo in Providence with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and subway tile backsplash

Designers gave the house a wood-and-steel façade that blends traditional and industrial elements.Photography by Eric Hausman Designers gave the house a wood-and-steel façade that blends traditional and industrial elements. This home’s noteworthy steel shipping container construction material, offers a streamlined aesthetic and industrial vibe, with sustainable attributes and strength. Recycled shipping containers are fireproof, impervious to water and stronger than traditional building materials. Inside, muscular concrete walls, burnished cedar beams and custom oak cabinetry give the living spaces definition, decorative might, and storage and seating options. For more than 40 years, Fredman Design Group has been in the business of Interior Design. Throughout the years, we’ve built long-lasting relationships with our clients through our client-centric approach. When creating designs, our decisions depend on the personality of our clients—their dreams and their aspirations. We manifest their lifestyle by incorporating elements of design with those of our clients to create a unique environment, down to the details of the upholstery and accessories. We love it when a home feels finished and lived in, with various layers and textures. While each of our clients and their stories has varied over the years, they’ve come to trust us with their projects—whether it’s a single room to the larger complete renovation, addition, or new construction. They value the collaborative team that is behind each project, embracing the diversity that each designer is able to bring to their project through their love of art, travel, fashion, nature, history, architecture or film—ultimately falling in love with the nurturing environments we create for them. We are grateful for the opportunity to tell each of clients’ stories through design. What story can we help you tell? Call us today to schedule your complimentary consultation - 312-587-9184

Mid-sized elegant kitchen photo in Portland