Beach House Project presentation boards to client
Example of a beach style home design design in Philadelphia

Location: Mountain View, CA Remodeling a home requires constant decision making, and every choice feels expensive and permanent. We worked closely with our clients and their contractor to make the process easy and fun, with stunning results! Photographed by: Amanda Giles

Location: Mountain View, CA Remodeling a home requires constant decision making, and every choice feels expensive and permanent. We worked closely with our clients and their contractor to make the process easy and fun, with stunning results! Photographed by: Amanda Giles

When it comes to finding inspiration for your house or apartment design, there are a variety of routes you can take. For some, it is important to dive into the latest trends in fashion and art, using only the most popular decor pieces and embracing the color palettes seen on runways or in home and garden magazines. But for others, it’s simply about discovering what feels most like “home.” Ashley Steele, the creator of A Styled Affair, was part of the latter group. “Since my husband and I were moving into a space that was previously owned, I needed a way to make it feel like it was truly ours, and unique to us,” she told our team. A Styled Affair sprang from Ashley’s passion for fashion, and need for a creative outlet. But it soon became more than that. She developed a following, and it quickly became a place where she could share her personal style, travel adventures, and lifestyle tips. “While the blogging industry has become overwhelmed with people sharing their favorite home decor or make-up tips, I think what sets A Styled Affair apart is my commitment to stay true to my unique taste. I have always marched to the beat of my own drum – and that carries through in the clothes I wear, the decor I select for our home, and the travels I plan.” Paintzen connected with Ashley as she was settling into her new home in Boston’s Seaport District. Although she and her husband have lived in Boston for almost 8 years, they were used to smaller, more traditional spaces. Their new home is much bigger, and more modern, than any place they lived before. “I wanted to select colors of comfort, simplicity, and sophistication so we could elevate the space and make it feel more like a home.” Ashley also accurately pointed out that new construction can sometimes feel a little cold and sterile, almost industrial. “I wanted our home to feel like a peaceful oasis after coming in from the bustling city.” Ashley chose soft white paint for her walls to bring a sense of comfort and zen. With lots of wall decor, art work and carefully selected furniture, the walls serve as a clean and comfortable palette, and allowed her more freedom when making her other design decisions throughout the space. Ashley kept the overall palette fairly neutral, and incorporated “modern bohemian” inspired decor throughout the home; the final product was clean and simple, and catered to her style. We asked Ashley what she was most excited for now. “I’m most excited to continue to find new decor pieces to compliment the paint colors and decor we’ve already found for the space. We have been really patient with decorating and selected each piece really careful to make sure it is cohesive and flows from room to room. I’m looking forward to enjoying the space with my husband and dog, and entertaining friends and family in the spring and summer!” A few final questions for Ashley on her experience with Paintzen: “I would highly recommend Paintzen to anyone, especially those that live in the city. There are so many different paint companies and contractors to choose from but going through Paintzen simplified the process and made me feel comfortable that we had the right team working on our space. Their platform for booking services and choosing paint colors made the process seamless and was a great way to keep track of what we booked and chose for colors. Most importantly, the customer service team was outstanding whenever we had a question or needed to make an adjustment.” And advice she would give someone repainting their home: “Patience. I would recommend taking your time and doing your research before selecting paint colors. Lighting changes every color so make sure to bring paint swatches and samples into the space and look at it throughout the day to see the different tones that the light will pick up. I would also recommend researching color trends and recommendations for colors in the family you are looking for. We found our living room color through a blog post listing top-used colors by interior designers and it looks amazing.”

Major gut renovation of this coastal estate preserved its basic layout while expanding the kitchen. A veranda and a pair of gazebos were also added to the home to maximize outdoor living and the water views. The interior merged the homeowners eclectic style with the traditional style of the home. Photographer: James R. Salomon Contractor: Carl Anderson, Anderson Contracting Services

When it comes to making any major decisions in our lives, anxiety and nerves can rise. Now, when it comes to your home, specifically your kitchen remodel, and you sit down with your partner, the ideas and options can be overwhelming! Listen to our clients describe the moment they decided to embark on a full remodel, how they found the best fit contractor in San Jose, and their true testimony of the process. #buildWISEly

Photos by Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Study room - mid-sized transitional freestanding desk medium tone wood floor and brown floor study room idea in DC Metro with blue walls and no fireplace

When it comes to making any major decisions in our lives, anxiety and nerves can rise. Now, when it comes to your home, specifically your kitchen remodel, and you sit down with your partner, the ideas and options can be overwhelming! Listen to our clients describe the moment they decided to embark on a full remodel, how they found the best fit contractor in San Jose, and their true testimony of the process. #buildWISEly

When it comes to making any major decisions in our lives, anxiety and nerves can rise. Now, when it comes to your home, specifically your kitchen remodel, and you sit down with your partner, the ideas and options can be overwhelming! Listen to our clients describe the moment they decided to embark on a full remodel, how they found the best fit contractor in San Jose, and their true testimony of the process. #buildWISEly

If you have enjoyed pools your whole life, it is an exciting day when you begin planning your own pool. However the number of regulations, details and decisions can make the process overwhelming. Starting with a consultation, Charles can guide you through budgeting, phasing, and the construction before any design work happens.

When it comes to making any major decisions in our lives, anxiety and nerves can rise. Now, when it comes to your home, specifically your kitchen remodel, and you sit down with your partner, the ideas and options can be overwhelming! Listen to our clients describe the moment they decided to embark on a full remodel, how they found the best fit contractor in San Jose, and their true testimony of the process. #buildWISEly

When it comes to making any major decisions in our lives, anxiety and nerves can rise. Now, when it comes to your home, specifically your kitchen remodel, and you sit down with your partner, the ideas and options can be overwhelming! Listen to our clients describe the moment they decided to embark on a full remodel, how they found the best fit contractor in San Jose, and their true testimony of the process. #buildWISEly

Anna Oseka Oseka Homes is a custom home design-build company owned by Justin and Anna Oseka. Justin holds a degree in Construction Management, and Anna in Interior Design, both from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. They started the company in 2005 after moving back to Central Nebraska and have been passionately building beautiful, high-quality homes for their clients ever since. Oseka Homes will see your home through from concept to creation. Starting by drawing our own blueprints, we walk you through the entire building process, addressing all of the necessary selections up front. You will know exactly what is included in your project with our thorough contract and selections booklet. We are truly a turn-key operation. When it comes time to finalize selections on fixtures and finishes for your home, we do all the legwork and present you with the options. Using an experienced Interior Designer to guide you in your decisions makes the process easy and fun! Whether you are looking for a rustic retreat pulled straight out of the Rockies, a classic colonial with grand facade, or a charming farmhouse reminiscent of days-gone-by, Justin and Anna will guide you step-by-step through a comprehensive and efficient process. Let Oseka Homes make your dream home a reality!

"The home remodeling process, from concept to a finished product, can be a long and stressful time for many couples. An endless number of questions always come to mind and timely decisions must be made if a successful project is desired. This is why we picked Taylor Pro Design and the reason we are so happy with the finished product! Kerry clearly explained what could and couldn’t be done from a design standpoint and the cost implications of the various options we were considering. In terms of the end product we couldn’t be happier. The attention to detail by his contractors is superb and Kerry’s willingness to make sure we were completely satisfied with everything is genuine and trustworthy. We would recommend Kerry Pro Design to anyone." ~ Julie S, Client Designer: Kerry Taylor Photos by: Jon Upson

Exterior of this lake home near Ann Arbor, MI built by Meadowlark Design+Build
Inspiration for a large coastal blue three-story house exterior remodel in Detroit

Cooking for Two Location: Plymouth, MN, United States When this couple’s last child graduated from college they began the process of looking for a new home. After a lengthy search they decided to stay with the neighborhood they loved, saving money by remodeling rather than starting over. The top priorities on their wish list were adding character to their 1990’s era home with a classic white kitchen and a larger island while keeping within the existing footprint. With the intention of honing their cooking skills, they were also considering better appliances and two ovens. Challenges and Solutions Design a larger island with seating for at least two. The existing island was small and the area behind the seating was less than recommended clearances. To solve this challenge, the seating area of the island was extended out into the open area of the kitchen. This created a larger island with seating for three, extra storage and a bookshelf across from the range. The original kitchen had a range with microwave above, so adding another oven was a challenge with limited wall space. Because the adjoining dining room is used infrequently, the homeowner was open to placing the second oven and microwave in the walkway. This made room for the small buffet between the built in refrigerator and ovens, creating one of her favorite areas. The client requested a white painted kitchen but wanted to make sure it had warmth and character. To achieve this the following elements were chosen: 1) Cabinets painted with Benjamin Moore Capitol White, a luminous and warm shade of white. 2) The Range hood was painted with warm metallic shades to reflect the bronze of the Ashley Norton hardware. 3) Black Aqua Grantique granite was chosen for countertops because it looks like soapstone and adds contrast. 4) Walker Zanger Café tile in Latte was chosen for it’s handmade look with uneven edges. 5) The to-the-counter-cabinet with glass door shows off serving dishes and lends sophisticated charm. The result is a welcoming classic kitchen, where this couple enjoys cooking more often and sharpening their skills with gourmet appliances. Liz Schupanitz Designs Photographed by: Andrea Rugg Photography

Point West at Macatawa Park J. Visser Design Insignia Homes
Inspiration for a coastal mudroom remodel in Grand Rapids

Kitchen design by Astrid Newton Rush Interiors FCD: How does your design process work? Astrid: My design process begins with getting to know my clients and observing the space in which they live. I ask questions, I listen and I take notes. I trust in my instincts. I am very open and honest with my clients. I tell them if I think they are on the wrong track or making poor decisions. As for the process itself, I believe in inspiration and doing the right thing. This applies to both people and place. I like to involve my clients in the choices I make for them. I aim to create a home environment that they will appreciate and enjoy when my work is finished. FCD: Our last job together was the modern kitchen and I saw how closely you worked with our kitchen design and the owners wishes. It was truly a collaboration and the end result showed all the hard work that went into the design.

Windows and door panels reaching for the 12 foot ceilings flood this kitchen with natural light. Custom stainless cabinetry with an integral sink and commercial style faucet carry out the industrial theme of the space. Photo by Lincoln Barber