The homeowner’s of this 1 1/2 story home in Minneapolis came to Castle Building & Remodeling hoping to remodel their already finished attic space. Designer Ashley Hansen came up with a functional design within the existing footprint to help achieve all the homeowners’ goals. Originally, the attic space served as a functional bonus space, including storage and a place guests could stay if they were visiting. However, with the finished remodel in mind, the homeowner’s wanted a new owner’s suite with a functioning bathroom, storage space, and a defined office. To achieve these goals, the loft area was bumped out allowing for a full functioning office space and lounging area. Glass doors were utilized to define the bedroom space, but allow the natural light to flood through and maintain the open and airy feel. A 3/4 bathroom was added to the newly defined bedroom space; and the tiled shower and new floating vanity add to the overall modern feel of the suite.

On a quiet street just steps from San Francisco’s beloved Dolores Park, a formerly modest urban structure has been transformed into a luminous vertical residence that quietly redefines contemporary city living. Through a comprehensive remodel and both vertical and horizontal expansion, the project turns a constrained urban footprint into a sequence of serene, art-forward living spaces that unfold upward toward expansive city views. The architecture balances restraint and warmth: crisp contemporary geometry softened by natural materials, artful lighting, and carefully curated interiors. The result is a home that feels simultaneously grounded and elevated—deeply connected to its neighborhood yet remarkably private. Reimagining the Urban Envelope The original building has been almost entirely reconceived. The facade now reads as a disciplined composition of plaster volumes and precisely detailed window openings framed by subtle projecting bands. The geometry references San Francisco’s classic rhythm of bayed facades while stripping the language down to a refined modern expression. Behind this quiet exterior lies a dramatically expanded interior volume. The redesign adds both additional floor area and new vertical circulation, transforming what was once a conventional city house into a multi-level architectural sequence organized around light, art, and views. At the roofline, planted terraces soften the building’s silhouette and create a green crown visible from surrounding hillsides. Interiors as a Sequence of Galleries Inside, the home unfolds as a series of spatial moments connected by a sculptural stair and gallery-like corridors. Wide plank oak floors run throughout, providing continuity and warmth against a palette of plaster walls, dark steel detailing, and natural stone. The hallways function almost as curated galleries, with layered artworks suspended in front of mesh panels that create depth and subtle shadow. Light filters through carefully placed windows and stair openings, transforming circulation spaces into contemplative transitions rather than mere passageways. A Living Room Anchored by Stone and Light The primary living room occupies one of the home’s central floors, where a quiet interplay of texture and geometry defines the space. A monumental fireplace wrapped in dark stone forms the room’s anchor, its mass contrasting with a recessed ceiling plane that seems to float above the seating area. Integrated perimeter lighting creates a soft architectural glow that washes the ceiling and walls. Furniture is sculptural yet understated—rounded lounge chairs in warm ochre velvet, tailored sofas, and a striking marble cocktail table whose expressive veining becomes a focal artwork in itself. Deep blue carpeting grounds the seating arrangement and subtly absorbs light, enhancing the calm atmosphere. Above the fireplace, a delicate projection artwork introduces a moment of visual poetry—an unexpected cinematic gesture that transforms the wall into a quietly animated canvas. Kitchen as Architectural Furniture The kitchen expresses a different register: crisp, tactile, and materially rich. Custom walnut cabinetry spans the wall in a continuous plane, punctuated only by the sculpted hood and integrated appliances. The wood’s depth and warmth are balanced by expanses of pale marble that flow seamlessly from countertop to backsplash. Three dome pendants hover above the island like industrial sculptures, casting pools of warm light onto the stone surface. A row of vivid red stools introduces a controlled burst of color, a small but confident departure from the otherwise restrained palette. Dining With a Living Backdrop Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room opens toward a glass wall overlooking a vertical garden of climbing ivy. The greenery becomes a constantly changing backdrop—lush and shadowy during the day, atmospheric and cinematic after sunset. A dark wood table anchors the room, surrounded by pale oak chairs whose understated forms echo Scandinavian design traditions. The simplicity of the furniture allows the view and natural light to become the dominant experience. Intimate Spaces and Material Contrast Throughout the home, smaller rooms offer moments of intimacy and material experimentation. The powder room pairs textured wall coverings with a dramatic black marble vanity whose bold veining feels almost geological. A suspended mirror and slender pendant create a sculptural composition against the tactile backdrop. The primary bedroom, by contrast, feels serene and expansive. Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames sweeping views of the city, while soft textiles and warm wood paneling create a cocooning effect. Slender black columns subtly define a sitting area without interrupting the openness of the space. Bathing Above the City In the primary bathroom, a sculptural freestanding tub sits beside a panoramic window overlooking San Francisco’s hills and rooftops. The room’s palette—light oak, grey stone, and matte metals—reinforces the spa-like atmosphere. Floating cabinetry and integrated lighting maintain a sense of visual lightness despite the richness of the materials. Entertaining Above the Park Higher in the house, a lounge and bar area becomes the social heart of the home. Here, dark stone slabs with dramatic veining wrap the bar wall like a piece of monumental art. Open shelving displays glassware and spirits, while integrated wine storage hints at the home’s entertaining ambitions. A soft leather sectional and low glass table create a relaxed setting for conversation, framed by expansive views of the city skyline. Cinema and Retreat The lower level introduces yet another atmosphere: a dedicated media room designed for immersive viewing. Dark walls, plush seating, and soft lighting create a cinematic environment that contrasts intentionally with the airy upper floors. It’s a retreat within the home—intimate, quiet, and removed from the brightness above. Architecture That Balances Discipline and Warmth What makes the project particularly compelling is its balance between architectural discipline and lived warmth. Every element—from the carefully framed views to the restrained material palette—contributes to a cohesive spatial narrative. Yet the home never feels austere. Natural materials, curated art, and layered lighting create a sense of comfort and depth. The result is a house that feels both architecturally rigorous and deeply human. A Contemporary Interpretation of San Francisco Living In a neighborhood defined by historic homes and iconic park views, this transformation offers a contemporary interpretation of San Francisco living. It respects the city’s urban density while embracing openness, light, and vertical living. The home rises quietly above its surroundings, culminating in panoramic vistas that stretch across rooftops, hills, and sky. What began as a conventional structure has become something far more nuanced: a modern urban sanctuary—part gallery, part retreat, and wholly connected to the vibrant city just beyond its walls.

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Claude J.Gagnon
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Family room - traditional family room idea in Minneapolis

Roofing: IKO Cambridge in Charcoal Grey Siding: Mastic Quest D5 in Harbor Grey Shutters: Raised Panel Black White fascia, window wraps, soffit, corner posts, gutters and downspouts.

Updated Spec Home: Basement Living Area I promised you there would be a Season 2 of our series Updated Spec Home and here it is – Basement Family Room. My mom and sister found themselves spending more and more time in this room because it was a great open space to watch television and hang out with my sister’s two border collies. Color Scheme We pulled our color scheme from a floral fabric that they saw on a chair at my store, and we used it to reupholster their existing wood accent chairs. We used pops of turquoise and green throughout the space including the long back wall which was perfect to make a feature with this vibrant wallpaper in a geometric design. Defining the Space The room was so large that we needed to define different areas. The large rug in the oversized pattern was perfect for the seating area. Lighting Since there is only one small window bringing natural light into the space, we painted the remaining walls a light warm gray (Sherwin Williams’ City Loft SW7631) and added several table lamps and a floor lamp for task lighting. Reusing Existing Furniture Fortunately the space was large enough so my sister could keep her fabulous worn leather chair and ottoman and my mom could have an upholstered chair and ottoman in a subtle blue and green tweed. The large hallway leading to the storage area was the perfect place for these small bookcases which house family photos in various silver frames. The bookcases have a special place in our hearts – they belonged to my grandparents. We accessorized with a long painted box which was the perfect scale for the bookcases and a grouping of vibrant botanical prints. In lieu of a conventional media cabinet, my mom and sister found this one with a built-in fireplace. It brings a lot of warmth into the space – literally! Painted Furniture We had Kelly Sisler of Kelly Faux Creations paint their existing glass front cabinet this awesome apple green. Accessories include turquoise floral vases, a metallic circular vase, and a beautiful floral print. Reading Nook We positioned this original oil painting in the landing so it would be visible from the seating area. The landing was the perfect spot to display my sister’s collection of art glass. I love the small reading nook created with this rattan wooden accent chair and lantern floor lamp. We were able to make good use of the ledge in the stairwell by leaning these vibrant watercolors. The dogs even have their own space. Meet my two “nephews” – Dill and Atticus (the one with his back to us pouting). We used this colorful oversized canvas to define their space and break up the long wall. As you know, one good thing leads to another. Be sure to tune in next week for a surprise addition to this Updated Spec Home. In the meantime, check out this Basement Family Room designed by Robin’s Nest Interiors. Enjoy!

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Minneapolis

Garage design by Veronica Ferro.
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Living room - mid-sized traditional formal and enclosed light wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Houston with beige walls, no fireplace and no tv

Living • Photo Credit: Evergreen Creative www.evergreencreative.media
Example of a transitional home design design in Dallas

Formal Dining • Photo Credit: Evergreen Creative www.evergreencreative.media
Inspiration for a transitional home design remodel in Dallas

On a quiet street just steps from San Francisco’s beloved Dolores Park, a formerly modest urban structure has been transformed into a luminous vertical residence that quietly redefines contemporary city living. Through a comprehensive remodel and both vertical and horizontal expansion, the project turns a constrained urban footprint into a sequence of serene, art-forward living spaces that unfold upward toward expansive city views. The architecture balances restraint and warmth: crisp contemporary geometry softened by natural materials, artful lighting, and carefully curated interiors. The result is a home that feels simultaneously grounded and elevated—deeply connected to its neighborhood yet remarkably private. Reimagining the Urban Envelope The original building has been almost entirely reconceived. The facade now reads as a disciplined composition of plaster volumes and precisely detailed window openings framed by subtle projecting bands. The geometry references San Francisco’s classic rhythm of bayed facades while stripping the language down to a refined modern expression. Behind this quiet exterior lies a dramatically expanded interior volume. The redesign adds both additional floor area and new vertical circulation, transforming what was once a conventional city house into a multi-level architectural sequence organized around light, art, and views. At the roofline, planted terraces soften the building’s silhouette and create a green crown visible from surrounding hillsides. Interiors as a Sequence of Galleries Inside, the home unfolds as a series of spatial moments connected by a sculptural stair and gallery-like corridors. Wide plank oak floors run throughout, providing continuity and warmth against a palette of plaster walls, dark steel detailing, and natural stone. The hallways function almost as curated galleries, with layered artworks suspended in front of mesh panels that create depth and subtle shadow. Light filters through carefully placed windows and stair openings, transforming circulation spaces into contemplative transitions rather than mere passageways. A Living Room Anchored by Stone and Light The primary living room occupies one of the home’s central floors, where a quiet interplay of texture and geometry defines the space. A monumental fireplace wrapped in dark stone forms the room’s anchor, its mass contrasting with a recessed ceiling plane that seems to float above the seating area. Integrated perimeter lighting creates a soft architectural glow that washes the ceiling and walls. Furniture is sculptural yet understated—rounded lounge chairs in warm ochre velvet, tailored sofas, and a striking marble cocktail table whose expressive veining becomes a focal artwork in itself. Deep blue carpeting grounds the seating arrangement and subtly absorbs light, enhancing the calm atmosphere. Above the fireplace, a delicate projection artwork introduces a moment of visual poetry—an unexpected cinematic gesture that transforms the wall into a quietly animated canvas. Kitchen as Architectural Furniture The kitchen expresses a different register: crisp, tactile, and materially rich. Custom walnut cabinetry spans the wall in a continuous plane, punctuated only by the sculpted hood and integrated appliances. The wood’s depth and warmth are balanced by expanses of pale marble that flow seamlessly from countertop to backsplash. Three dome pendants hover above the island like industrial sculptures, casting pools of warm light onto the stone surface. A row of vivid red stools introduces a controlled burst of color, a small but confident departure from the otherwise restrained palette. Dining With a Living Backdrop Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room opens toward a glass wall overlooking a vertical garden of climbing ivy. The greenery becomes a constantly changing backdrop—lush and shadowy during the day, atmospheric and cinematic after sunset. A dark wood table anchors the room, surrounded by pale oak chairs whose understated forms echo Scandinavian design traditions. The simplicity of the furniture allows the view and natural light to become the dominant experience. Intimate Spaces and Material Contrast Throughout the home, smaller rooms offer moments of intimacy and material experimentation. The powder room pairs textured wall coverings with a dramatic black marble vanity whose bold veining feels almost geological. A suspended mirror and slender pendant create a sculptural composition against the tactile backdrop. The primary bedroom, by contrast, feels serene and expansive. Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames sweeping views of the city, while soft textiles and warm wood paneling create a cocooning effect. Slender black columns subtly define a sitting area without interrupting the openness of the space. Bathing Above the City In the primary bathroom, a sculptural freestanding tub sits beside a panoramic window overlooking San Francisco’s hills and rooftops. The room’s palette—light oak, grey stone, and matte metals—reinforces the spa-like atmosphere. Floating cabinetry and integrated lighting maintain a sense of visual lightness despite the richness of the materials. Entertaining Above the Park Higher in the house, a lounge and bar area becomes the social heart of the home. Here, dark stone slabs with dramatic veining wrap the bar wall like a piece of monumental art. Open shelving displays glassware and spirits, while integrated wine storage hints at the home’s entertaining ambitions. A soft leather sectional and low glass table create a relaxed setting for conversation, framed by expansive views of the city skyline. Cinema and Retreat The lower level introduces yet another atmosphere: a dedicated media room designed for immersive viewing. Dark walls, plush seating, and soft lighting create a cinematic environment that contrasts intentionally with the airy upper floors. It’s a retreat within the home—intimate, quiet, and removed from the brightness above. Architecture That Balances Discipline and Warmth What makes the project particularly compelling is its balance between architectural discipline and lived warmth. Every element—from the carefully framed views to the restrained material palette—contributes to a cohesive spatial narrative. Yet the home never feels austere. Natural materials, curated art, and layered lighting create a sense of comfort and depth. The result is a house that feels both architecturally rigorous and deeply human. A Contemporary Interpretation of San Francisco Living In a neighborhood defined by historic homes and iconic park views, this transformation offers a contemporary interpretation of San Francisco living. It respects the city’s urban density while embracing openness, light, and vertical living. The home rises quietly above its surroundings, culminating in panoramic vistas that stretch across rooftops, hills, and sky. What began as a conventional structure has become something far more nuanced: a modern urban sanctuary—part gallery, part retreat, and wholly connected to the vibrant city just beyond its walls.

Claude J.Gagnon
Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Toronto

Eclectic bedroom photo in London

Discover a premier luxury outdoor project that masterfully blends high-end contemporary design with maximum functional appeal, showcasing a versatile collection of water bodies from full-sized rectangular pools to intimate plunge pools. This clean-lined aesthetic is defined by the contrast of inviting blue pool tile and the crisp, wide white or light-toned coping that frames the water perfectly. The design is anchored by a large tanning shelf for comfortable, all-day sunbathing, and is complemented by a flush spa that integrates seamlessly into the pool's edge. The tranquility of the space is amplified by dramatic water features, often employing sheer descent scuppers, waterfalls, or fountain gushers cascading from an adjacent wall. The surrounding environment is meticulously structured and largely defined by lush, vibrant artificial turf, which is segmented by bold, geometric stepping stones of light-toned stone or concrete to create highly modern walkways and defined zones for relaxation and entertaining. The overall result is a cohesive, high-end haven where every element is intentionally placed to ensure a sophisticated, adaptable, and beautiful outdoor living experience.

This project is new construction located in Hinsdale, Illinois. The scope included the kitchen, butler’s pantry, and mudroom. The clients are on the verge of being empty nesters and so they decided to right size. They came from a far more traditional home, and they were open to things outside of their comfort zone. O’Brien Harris Cabinetry in Chicago (OBH) collaborated on the project with the design team but especially with the builder from J. Jordan Homes. The architecture of this home is interesting and defined by large floor to ceiling windows. This created a challenge in the kitchen finding wall space for large appliances. “In essence we only had one wall and so we chose to orient the cooking on that wall. That single wall is defined on the left by a window and on the right by the mudroom. That left us with another challenge – where to place the ovens and refrigerator. We then created a vertically clad wall disguising appliances which floats in between the kitchen and dining room”, says Laura O’Brien. The room is defined by interior transom windows and a peninsula was created between the kitchen and the casual dining for separation but also for added storage. To keep it light and open a transparent brass and glass shelving was designed for dishes and glassware located above the peninsula. The butler’s pantry is located behind the kitchen and between the dining room and a lg exterior window to front of the home. Its main function is to house additional appliances. The wall at the butler’s pantry portal was thickened to accommodate additional shelving for open storage. obrienharris.com

Photos by Wolfgang
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, gray countertops and quartzite countertops