Old fixer-uppers often require two competing levels of priorities from their new homeowners. First and foremost is the need to immediately attend to those repairs that ensure the continued functioning and general well being of the house’s structure. By nature, these usually demand “house on fire!” status, especially when compared to other types of remodeling work that simply enhances aesthetics and general comfort. In the case of a Delaware couple, a structural issue with the front of their 125 year old Victorian (it was sinking!), along with some other more pressing challenges, put a 13 year long hold on getting the bathroom for which they had long dreamed. The shower enclosure features a base of hexagon patterned tile, bordered by marble subway tiles. The shower enclosure features a base of hexagon patterned tile, bordered by marble subway tiles. By the time Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers was hired to handle the construction, the couple certainly had put plenty of thought into converting a spare second-floor bedroom into the master bath. Courtney Burnett, Fox’s Interior Design Manager on the project, credits the owners for “having great creative minds, with lots of ideas to contribute.” By the time it came to put a formal design plan into place, the client “drove the look while we devised how the space would function.” It’s worth noting that there are drawbacks in being given too much time for advance planning. Owners’ tastes in design may change, while a steady stream of new fixtures and building products always demand consideration up to the last minute. “We had been collecting ideas for a while…pictures of what we liked, but as it turned out, when it came time to select fixtures, tile, etc., we used little from those pictures,” the owners admit. A framed herringbone pattern of subway tiles provides a perfect focal point for the shower. A framed herringbone pattern of subway tiles provides a perfect focal point for the shower. The finished bath exudes an art deco spirit that isn’t true to the home’s Victorian origins, which Burnett attributes to being more of a reflection of the homeowners’ preferences than the actual era of the structure. Despite that incongruity, everyone feels that they have remained true to the house by selecting vintage style elements, including subway tiles for the walls, hexagonal tile for the floors, and a pedestal sink that served as the focal point for the entire room. But as with all dreams, once one is achieved, a new one soon beckons. With the bathroom’s strikingly beautiful turquoise paint barely dry, the completion of that long-awaited project has served to kick-start plans for finishing off the remainder of the Victorian’s second floor.

Seated home bar - mid-sized transitional u-shaped dark wood floor seated home bar idea in Minneapolis with concrete countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and an undermount sink

This beautiful kitchen built by Peppertree Kitchen and Bath with cabinets of architectural-grade, rift-sawn white oak veneer. It has a wire-brushed texture with a custom satin and glaze.

Bret Jelinek - Chicago Home Photos
Example of a trendy galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen design in Chicago with paneled appliances, an island, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash and white countertops

Baxter Imaging
Example of a transitional wooden staircase design in Phoenix with wooden risers

Jules Nolet
Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in San Francisco with gray cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash

Example of an arts and crafts one-story gable roof design in Denver

Master Bathroom - photo: Steve Keating
Minimalist white tile mosaic tile floor bathroom photo in Seattle

Primary bedroom blending luxury and comfort. An elegant upholstered bed with high thread count bedding. Custom window treatments frame the windows allowing natural light to filter through. Comfortable chairs provide a cozy nook for reading or unwinding. Also included are Hunter Douglas shades hidden under the window panels with motorization.

Example of a transitional living room design in Providence

Transitional kitchen photo

Zodiaq countertops finish off walnut cabinets in the kitchen with stainless steel accents in the appliances, sinks, faucets, and appliance garage doors - more Green technology in the form of on-demand flash hot water heaters were used, along with electrical converters to convert the solar cell generated electricity into house current. Photo Credit: John Sutton Photography

Photo: Sarah Seung McFarland © 2017 Houzz Design: Michelle Cage
Example of an eclectic powder room design in Philadelphia

Design ideas for a contemporary backyard stone landscaping in San Francisco.

Creating a space for food and water for the owner's two dogs was a key design consideration in this kitchen. A recess at one end of the island keeps the bowls out of the way. Photo: Anna M Campbell Photography

In this combination living room/ family room, form vs function is at it's best.. Formal enough to host a cocktail party, and comfortable enough to host a football game. The wrap around sectional accommodates 5-6 people and the oversized ottoman has room enough for everyone to put their feet up! The high back, stylized wing chair offers comfort and a lamp for reading. Decorative accessories are placed in the custom built bookcases freeing table top space for drinks, books, etc. Magazines and current reading are neatly placed in the rattan tray for easy access. The overall neutral color palette is punctuated by soft shades of blue around the room. LORRAINE G VALE photo by Michael Costa

Inspiration for a transitional single-wall wet bar remodel in New York with glass-front cabinets, red cabinets and mirror backsplash

Red walls, red light fixtures, dramatic but fun, doubles as a living room and music room, traditional house with eclectic furnishings, black and white photography of family over guitars, hanging guitars on walls to keep open space on floor, grand piano, custom #317 cocktail ottoman from the Christy Dillard Collection by Lorts, antique persian rug. Chris Little Photography

Transitional kitchen photo in Atlanta with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, an island and quartz countertops