Designer: Susan Martin-Gibbons; Photography: Pretty Pear Photography
Inspiration for a small contemporary built-in desk ceramic tile study room remodel in Indianapolis with white walls

This challenging kitchen came our way at the same time as another similarly located Centennial kitchen. It was apparent that both houses had been built by the same builder: tight space, low ceilings, awkward arrangement, and poor building materials. Our client here is a single mother of three boys with an incredibly demanding work life. Once finally home at the end of a busy day, our client was virtually unable to use her kitchen. Cabinet doors were falling off, limited storage and workspace offered her little opportunity to cook and prep for her children, and the dark and low ceiling created an atmosphere that can only be described as depressing. Our client is also from Louisiana and has always dreamed of a kitchen that reminds her of home warmth and hospitality. Our goal was not only to expand functional storage and workspace, but bring in the southern NOLA appeal that reminds our client so much of home. To do this, we removed the wall between the formal dining room and kitchen to create an extended kitchen that runs the full length of both spaces. The back wall of what used to be the dining room is now the cooking zone for our client: we've relocated her range and microwave, and have created an island full of storage where her children can sit and socialize. We've also lifted up the low ceiling to create a tray ceiling that we have finished with ghostwood. The cabinetry is an off-white color with a hazelnut glaze that offers a more traditional, warm appearance. The island and mini work nook feature dramatic, handmade tin ceiling tiles for a dramatic texture and color. We've finished the space with functional quartz countertops and an arabesque two-toned marble backspalsh. The sinks, faucets and hardware are all in a matte black finish that offer a dramatic pop throughout the space. Little touches of Parisian flair add to this Cajun-French aesthetic and we are so thrilled with the final result!

Words cannot describe the level of transformation this beautiful 60’s ranch has undergone. The home was blessed with a ton of natural light, however the sectioned rooms made for large awkward spaces without much functionality. By removing the dividing walls and reworking a few key functioning walls, this home is ready to entertain friends and family for all occasions. The large island has dual ovens for serious bake-off competitions accompanied with an inset induction cooktop equipped with a pop-up ventilation system. Plenty of storage surrounds the cooking stations providing large countertop space and seating nook for two. The beautiful natural quartzite is a show stopper throughout with it’s honed finish and serene blue/green hue providing a touch of color. Mother-of-Pearl backsplash tiles compliment the quartzite countertops and soft linen cabinets. The level of functionality has been elevated by moving the washer & dryer to a newly created closet situated behind the refrigerator and keeps hidden by a ceiling mounted barn-door. The new laundry room and storage closet opposite provide a functional solution for maintaining easy access to both areas without door swings restricting the path to the family room. Full height pantry cabinet make up the rest of the wall providing plenty of storage space and a natural division between casual dining to formal dining. Built-in cabinetry with glass doors provides the opportunity to showcase family dishes and heirlooms accented with in-cabinet lighting. With the wall partitions removed, the dining room easily flows into the rest of the home while maintaining its special moment. A large peninsula divides the kitchen space from the seating room providing plentiful storage including countertop cabinets for hidden storage, a charging nook, and a custom doggy station for the beloved dog with an elevated bowl deck and shallow drawer for leashes and treats! Beautiful large format tiles with a touch of modern flair bring all these spaces together providing a texture and color unlike any other with spots of iridescence, brushed concrete, and hues of blue and green. The original master bath and closet was divided into two parts separated by a hallway and door leading to the outside. This created an itty-bitty bathroom and plenty of untapped floor space with potential! By removing the interior walls and bringing the new bathroom space into the bedroom, we created a functional bathroom and walk-in closet space. By reconfiguration the bathroom layout to accommodate a walk-in shower and dual vanity, we took advantage of every square inch and made it functional and beautiful! A pocket door leads into the bathroom suite and a large full-length mirror on a mosaic accent wall greets you upon entering. To the left is a pocket door leading into the walk-in closet, and to the right is the new master bath. A natural marble floor mosaic in a basket weave pattern is warm to the touch thanks to the heating system underneath. Large format white wall tiles with glass mosaic accent in the shower and continues as a wainscot throughout the bathroom providing a modern touch and compliment the classic marble floor. A crisp white double vanity furniture piece completes the space. The journey of the Yosemite project is one we will never forget. Not only were we given the opportunity to transform this beautiful home into a more functional and beautiful space, we were blessed with such amazing clients who were endlessly appreciative of TVL – and for that we are grateful!

Tropical Rainforest There are not enough words to describe the countless detail in this one-of-a-kind scene. From the spa to the outdoor dining room, every square inch of this swimming pool scene is a tapestry designed for the rainforest retreat effect. We encourage you to invest your time in the pictures and the video and feast your eyes on every pixel-perfect image. We've had people ask if these are computer renderings, but in fact, we achieved this level of perfection in real life. All thanks to our client, who had the vision & creativity to guide her imagination into the hands of our design & build teams. Because we hope you agree, this Dream is real!

This small rough Chinese Slate floor in the kitchen of a house in the village of Cheadle near Stockport in Greater Manchester had not had any sealer put on it for many years and was very grubby (dishevelled as described by the customer) looking even after the customer had tried to clean it. Sealers do take a lot of punishment, especially in a high traffic area such as a small kitchen and will wear off over time and once this happens the floor will start to lose its appearance as dirt becomes ingrained in the stone and it can no longer be cleaned effectively. As we have to apply a liberal amount of water with this sort of work, the first step was to remove the Kicker boards at the bottom of the Kitchen units and silicone the Kitchen units that were fixed; this stops water seeping in and blowing the MDF allowing us to concentrate on cleaning the Slate without causing any damage. I started the cleaning process by applying a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean to get rid of the built up dirt and any remaining sealer, leaving it to soak into the Slate before scrubbing the floor with a black scrub pad fitted to buffing machine running at slow speed. Tile Doctor Pro-Clean is a strong alkaline cleaner/stripper that is safe to use on natural stone, we do have stronger products available if required but in this case a strong dilution of Pro-Clean was sufficient to tackle any remaining sealer. This process gave the Slate and grout lines a good deep clean and after rinsing the floor with water which was then extracted using a wet vacuum I repeated the process on stubborn areas until satisfied the floor was as clean and free of old sealer. Last stage of the cleaning process was to give the floor a final rinse and then get it as dry as possible using the wet vacuum to soak up the moisture. The floor was quite small so I was able to leave the floor to dry off over lunch time and then on my return managed to get it fully dry with a little heat from a heat gun. The customer wanted a mat finish so once dry I applied Tile Doctor Colour Grow sealer which impregnates into the pores of the natural stone protecting it from within and enhancing the natural colours of the Slate at the same time. For general cleaning of Sealed stone floors, we recommend the use of a PH Neutral Cleaner as anything with a strong PH will degrade the life of the sealer over time. Steve Keary Greater Manchester Tile Doctor

Distinct and Custom are words that come to mind to describe this impressive landscape that has been custom built and developed over 3 phases of construction in the past 7 years. With very distinct taste the homeowners valued the finest details in their yard and wanted to ensure that the workmanship in the landscape matched their exquisite home. Custom Mahogany fencing and mahogany details on the outdoor fireplace as well as the outdoor kitchen warm this backyard retreat. With a busy lifestyle, low maintenance was a must for this family. But the low maintenance nature of the yard must never be at the expense of warmth and comfort in the design. This yard continues to develop and year after year we are excited to add to the elegant work. Photo Credit: Jamen Rhodes

Inspiration for a large contemporary loft-style dark wood floor living room library remodel in Chicago with a tv stand

The Rancho Estate provides a level of luxury that sets it apart from any residence in Los Angeles, breaking the record for the most expensive home ever sold in the Encino area. The Eden Group worked with the client to achieve all their development goals by providing integrated design and engineering services which developed concurrently achieving project milestones while staying within the construction budget. Our residential design team used modern aesthetics which entailed of design elements tailored to provide spacious and unparalleled views of the San Fernando Valley. Attracting a dream buyer is the most important aspect in the eyes of any real estate developer and that is why we chose two words to describe the amenities we incorporated into the design: Vast & Spectacular. The estate allows you to swim with infinite views, get your work out on at the indoor gym, shoot hoops with your friends in the indoor basketball court, go for a round of bowling with your child, chomp on popcorn in your theater, get a massage after the steam room at your private spa, putt a couple hole-in-ones, and if you get bored you can always choose to go for a ride from the collection inside your 16-car garage. Majestic high ceilings mixed wide span openings created a challenge for our engineers given the strict rules in the Baseline Hillside Ordinance and the California Building Code. Our structural engineers prepared innovative design plans which entailed of 150 deep pile foundations mixed with steel and laminated timber framing members. We also used permanent shoring techniques to reduce construction cost by eliminating the need for temporary shoring plans for both the structure foundation and on-site retaining walls. Given that California has some of the strictest stormwater management requirements and the total amount of non-permeable areas on this project, the client was required to construct a 35,000-gallon rain harvesting tank per the Low Impact Development Plan Best Management Practice (BMP’s) standards. Our specialized drainage design team captured all on-site stormwater through trench drains, area drains, and downspouts which routed water to a mechanical sump pump that connected to the storage tank for irrigation use later. Innovative design engineering techniques used on this project allowed for increased safety and sustainability making the Rancho Estate a masterpiece of contemporary construction.

There is only one way to describe this staircase: seamless. Red oak treads set against white risers and white curved stringers create a quiet palette, while the black wood handrail and plain round metal balusters add a modern contrast. Together, these elements spiral up the three levels to the skylight above. More sculptural than typical, this contemporary multilevel curve has the feel of a European villa. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

The Courtyard Oasis project encompasses what abarnai does best; remodeling a space with an emphasis on functional installation artwork. Our clients wanted a beautiful and tranquil outdoor space as a seamless extension of their indoor living space. They initially described the outdoor area as a drainage ditch, and to transform it into a Courtyard Oasis required detailed design work and creative collaboration. An open central patio, with custom trellises as a living focal point, was the starting point of the design to connect the indoor and outdoor spaces and allow the courtyard area to be divided into different zones -- for relaxing, entertaining and gardening. The abarnai team loved this project because they go to completely revamp the area and utilize a wide variety of design and building skills, including patio construction, custom trellis artwork, composite decking and stairs, a wood retaining wall, feature lighting systems, planting areas, and a sprinkler system.

Warm, cozy, and inviting. All of the wonderful ways to describe this gathering room in my client's beautiful home in the country. With views of horse stables outside, I wanted to bring the warmth of country-living inside. Mixing patterns, warm and cool colors, and lots of textures, I was able give the room dimension while keeping it cohesive, and family-friendly!

“I am really into black. And I like gray and white too. Pretty much all the neutral colors.” From the start of our initial consultation, we knew this client was looking to transform their home with a distinctive kitchen and bath remodel! Jeff went on to describe how he and his wife Jan wanted a clean, modern look. We got to work to create a design they would love!

The owners of this South Minneapolis home, best described as a cross between a bungalow and foursquare, needed a larger kitchen to accommodate their expanding family. Typical of 1920s kitchens this one served as a hallway to all other spaces including basement, outdoor entrance, pantry, and dining so there were doors everywhere. Besides committing the pantry and cramped entrance, the key to making this a functional kitchen was moving two stairs. The new stairs to the side entrance and basement are now in an unused corner of the living room.

“I am really into black. And I like gray and white too. Pretty much all the neutral colors.” From the start of our initial consultation, we knew this client was looking to transform their home with a distinctive kitchen and bath remodel! Jeff went on to describe how he and his wife Jan wanted a clean, modern look. We got to work to create a design they would love!

Scott and Janet of Elgin have had four design to build renovations with Advance Design over the last decade. We got the chance to sit down and talk with Janet about her experience working with Advance Design on so many different areas of her home. Starting with her kitchen in 2009, Janet proclaimed, “The reason we kept coming back is because our first [renovation] went so extremely well, exceeding all of my expectations.” Since their kitchen renovation with Advance Design ten years ago, Scott and Janet have also worked with Advance to remodel their master bedroom, their power room, a wet bar, and most recently their master bath. Having renovated practically every major room in the house with the team, we asked Janet what made her experience with Advance Design so special. “We went with Advance Design because we trusted them so much more, their experience, and everything that they brought. We were confident they were giving us what we wanted for the money we were spending.” For their most recent renovation, Scott and Janet clearly knew what to expect going into their master bath renovation. They were familiar with Advance’s step by step design process that epitomizes the “Common Sense Remodeling” philosophy applied in every project Advance creates. After once again experiencing the careful budgeting analysis, the pointed design meetings, and the clear documentation that leads up the a thoroughly managed installation, Janet’s simple summary of their experience is this; “The word I would use to describe the process is – collaboration!” Working closely with Advance Design kitchen designer Michelle Lecinski, together they were able to develop a new master bath design that not only worked with their investment goal, but also made sense for their lifestyle. “Oh Michelle, my designer! I connected with her immediately. She spent time getting to know us, our lifestyle, even the setting of our house.” The threesome had a great experience designing and producing yet another successful project together. When it came to their new project plans, Scott and Janet were interested in creating a relaxing “spa-like” experience in their master bath. One of the many ideas Michelle introduced during the design process was installing a Kohler Alteo series showerhead for a rain-like shower experience. This designer showerhead, mixed with the warm ambiance of the lighting and pebble accent running throughout the shower make for what Janet calls a “luxury spa essence”. From the oversized glass sliding door to the recessed niche for accessories, each special detail was considered and implemented intentionally so as to create the maximumly optimized use of the compact space. Not only was this transformation one of beauty and luxury, but special attention was given to every way possible to provide additional storage to maximize the functionality of the bath area as a whole. Once design was complete and the bath construction project began in their home, making sure everything happened efficiently and on schedule became new priority number one. “Having a project manager made an enormous difference,” Janet said, “It was so worth it to hire professionals that knew exactly what they were doing. Even after all of these years, I wouldn’t change a thing.” “It was a pleasure working together with Janet and Scott to create this beautiful space that will enhance their lives for many years,” says Michelle. “It is so much fun to get to do this job every day, I love that I can have this sort of impact on their lives by doing something for them [Janet & Scott] that comes so naturally to me!” After reviewing the long-term relationship with clients like Scott and Janet, owner Todd Jurs had this to say, “Clients returning and asking us to transform that next area of their home really warms my heart. It reaffirms that every decision to please clients no matter what is always the right choice, and that our honesty and integrity along with the immense collective talent of this team is recognized and appreciated by those who continue to return to us year after year.” He continued to say, “I always say how blessed we truly are to be able to do what we do, and experiences like this one put a smile on my face every time.”

There is only one way to describe this staircase: seamless. Red oak treads set against white risers and white curved stringers create a quiet palette, while the black wood handrail and plain round metal balusters add a modern contrast. Together, these elements spiral up the three levels to the skylight above. More sculptural than typical, this contemporary multilevel curve has the feel of a European villa. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

This stunning project, a combination hardscape, deck, pergola and fire pit project in the Ballantrae subdivision of Dublin, Ohio, is a work of art. Now for the hardscapes! Most of the pavers are from Oberfields, and the largest portion of the patio, called the field, features pavers from Oberfields’ Grand Milestone line in the Timeless color. Oberfields describes them as “long linear pavers that mimic wood planks.” That’s the effect the homeowners wanted to capture.

Odyssey Interior Design is dedicated to providing you with a level of service that is unmatched. Our attention to detail and eye for design ensures an enjoyable design experience. We are a family business that focuses on decorating your home with characteristics that describe you. We love to mix styles like modern and classic or industrial and glam-chic to give you a design that compliments your lifestyle and interests.

The Tindarra with its open great room plan features elegant and eclectic detailing in every room. A combination of coastal and mid-century modern architecture best describes the design elements found at the homes’ exterior, beginning with the glass, pivoting door at the entry. Inside, this 3 bedroom, 4 baths, 3,608 SF home the mid-century design influences are inspired by both contemporary and transitional finishes and furnishings throughout the home. Light washed oak wood flooring sets the base for the dynamic and bold finishes, including intricate wall and ceiling treatments found in the home. The master suite leads out to a private, walled courtyard and both guest bedrooms feature en-suite baths. In addition to the pivoting glass entry door, the home features innovative bi-fold sliding glass doors and an interior stacking frameless glass door leading to the bonus room and outdoor living areas complete with summer kitchen, pool, spa and sundeck.