“People tend to want to place their sofas right against the wall,” Lovett says. “I always try to float the sofa a bit and give the sofa some breathing room. Here, we didn’t have floor outlets or any eye-level lighting. Incorporating table lamps allows for mood lighting and ambiance. We placed a console behind the sofa to bring in large-scale lamps, which also helped fill in the negative space between the sofa and the bottom of the windows.” Photography: Amy Bartlam

This cozy guest bedroom features two of our favorite trends: (1) utilizing wallpaper in unique ways, such as here, on a headboard wall alone (2) showcasing natural elements, such as agate, exaggerated here to create a 'wow' impact

Living room - large traditional formal medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Charlotte with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Inspiration for a transitional open concept light wood floor and brown floor family room remodel in Denver with white walls, a tile fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and a ribbon fireplace

Transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Orange County with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Inspiration for a mid-sized country open concept medium tone wood floor, brown floor, exposed beam and shiplap wall family room remodel in Austin with white walls, a standard fireplace, a shiplap fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Example of a large country master white tile and marble tile marble floor and white floor bathroom design in Chicago with white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and recessed-panel cabinets

Photography: Alyssa Lee Photography
Mid-sized transitional 3/4 porcelain tile and multicolored tile porcelain tile and beige floor alcove shower photo in Minneapolis with a two-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops, dark wood cabinets and shaker cabinets

Inspiration for a transitional master dark wood floor, black floor and wall paneling bedroom remodel in Miami with white walls

Inspiration for a transitional gray tile beige floor and single-sink bathroom remodel in Phoenix with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink, beige countertops and a built-in vanity

Coastal meets modern farmhouse in this North County bathroom remodel.
Example of a transitional bathroom design in San Diego

THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.

Elegant laundry room photo in Orange County

Inspiration for a transitional enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Atlanta with blue walls

View of the the design combines delicate curves that evoke Spanish colonial architecture with soft hues of pink sand and natural woods. Neutral finishes and subtle textures create a cozy and sophisticated atmosphere.

Anne Ruthman
Mid-sized trendy formal and open concept light wood floor living room photo in New York with black walls and no tv

Example of a transitional family room design in New York

Photo of a contemporary front yard retaining wall landscape in Denver.

Inspiration for a 1960s open concept gray floor living room remodel in San Francisco with blue walls and a standard fireplace