THE SETUP Located in a luxury high rise in Chicago’s Gold Coast Neighborhood, the condo’s existing primary bath was “fine,” but a bit underwhelming. It was a sea of beige, with very little personality or drama. The client is very well traveled, and wanted the space to feel luxe and glamorous, like a bath in a fine European hotel. Design objectives: - Add loads of beautiful high end finishes - Create drama and contrast - Create luxe showering and bathing experiences - Improve storage for toiletries and essentials THE REMODEL Design challenges: - Unable to reconfigure layout due to location in the high rise - Seek out unique, dramatic tile materials - Introduce “BLING” - Find glamorous lighting Design solutions: - Keep existing layout, with change from built in to free-standing tub - Gorgeous Calacatta gold marble was our inspiration - Ornate Art deco marble mosaic to be the focal point, with satin gold accents to create shimmer - Glass and crystal light fixtures add the needed sparkle THE RENEWED SPACE After the remodel began, our client’s vision for her bath took a turn that was inspired by a trip to Paris. Initially, the plan was a modest design to allocate resources for her kitchen’s marble slabs… but then she had a vision while admiring the marble bathroom of her Parisian hotel. She was determined to infuse her bathroom with the same sense of luxury. They went back to the drawing board and started over with all-marble. Her new stunning bath space radiates glamour and sophistication. The “bling” flows to her bedroom where we matched the gorgeous custom wall treatment that mimics grasscloth on an accent wall. With its marble landscape, shimmering tile and walls, the primary bath’s ambiance creates a swanky hotel feel that our client adores and considers her sanctuary.

This project began with an entire penthouse floor of open raw space which the clients had the opportunity to section off the piece that suited them the best for their needs and desires. As the design firm on the space, LK Design was intricately involved in determining the borders of the space and the way the floor plan would be laid out. Taking advantage of the southwest corner of the floor, we were able to incorporate three large balconies, tremendous views, excellent light and a layout that was open and spacious. There is a large master suite with two large dressing rooms/closets, two additional bedrooms, one and a half additional bathrooms, an office space, hearth room and media room, as well as the large kitchen with oversized island, butler's pantry and large open living room. The clients are not traditional in their taste at all, but going completely modern with simple finishes and furnishings was not their style either. What was produced is a very contemporary space with a lot of visual excitement. Every room has its own distinct aura and yet the whole space flows seamlessly. From the arched cloud structure that floats over the dining room table to the cathedral type ceiling box over the kitchen island to the barrel ceiling in the master bedroom, LK Design created many features that are unique and help define each space. At the same time, the open living space is tied together with stone columns and built-in cabinetry which are repeated throughout that space. Comfort, luxury and beauty were the key factors in selecting furnishings for the clients. The goal was to provide furniture that complimented the space without fighting it.

Gravity Shots
Example of a minimalist wooden floating open staircase design in Denver

THE SETUP Located in a luxury high rise in Chicago’s Gold Coast Neighborhood, the condo’s existing primary bath was “fine,” but a bit underwhelming. It was a sea of beige, with very little personality or drama. The client is very well traveled, and wanted the space to feel luxe and glamorous, like a bath in a fine European hotel. Design objectives: - Add loads of beautiful high end finishes - Create drama and contrast - Create luxe showering and bathing experiences - Improve storage for toiletries and essentials THE REMODEL Design challenges: - Unable to reconfigure layout due to location in the high rise - Seek out unique, dramatic tile materials - Introduce “BLING” - Find glamorous lighting Design solutions: - Keep existing layout, with change from built in to free-standing tub - Gorgeous Calacatta gold marble was our inspiration - Ornate Art deco marble mosaic to be the focal point, with satin gold accents to create shimmer - Glass and crystal light fixtures add the needed sparkle THE RENEWED SPACE After the remodel began, our client’s vision for her bath took a turn that was inspired by a trip to Paris. Initially, the plan was a modest design to allocate resources for her kitchen’s marble slabs… but then she had a vision while admiring the marble bathroom of her Parisian hotel. She was determined to infuse her bathroom with the same sense of luxury. They went back to the drawing board and started over with all-marble. Her new stunning bath space radiates glamour and sophistication. The “bling” flows to her bedroom where we matched the gorgeous custom wall treatment that mimics grasscloth on an accent wall. With its marble landscape, shimmering tile and walls, the primary bath’s ambiance creates a swanky hotel feel that our client adores and considers her sanctuary.

This project began with an entire penthouse floor of open raw space which the clients had the opportunity to section off the piece that suited them the best for their needs and desires. As the design firm on the space, LK Design was intricately involved in determining the borders of the space and the way the floor plan would be laid out. Taking advantage of the southwest corner of the floor, we were able to incorporate three large balconies, tremendous views, excellent light and a layout that was open and spacious. There is a large master suite with two large dressing rooms/closets, two additional bedrooms, one and a half additional bathrooms, an office space, hearth room and media room, as well as the large kitchen with oversized island, butler's pantry and large open living room. The clients are not traditional in their taste at all, but going completely modern with simple finishes and furnishings was not their style either. What was produced is a very contemporary space with a lot of visual excitement. Every room has its own distinct aura and yet the whole space flows seamlessly. From the arched cloud structure that floats over the dining room table to the cathedral type ceiling box over the kitchen island to the barrel ceiling in the master bedroom, LK Design created many features that are unique and help define each space. At the same time, the open living space is tied together with stone columns and built-in cabinetry which are repeated throughout that space. Comfort, luxury and beauty were the key factors in selecting furnishings for the clients. The goal was to provide furniture that complimented the space without fighting it.

Guillermo Garcia
Example of a tuscan exterior home design in Santa Barbara

Recessed flat-panel cabinetry and mirrors in rich woods are set off by beautifully veined marble, white penny tiles with contrasting accents, and modern light fixtures that reflect Craftsman style. Photo: Jessica Abler, Los Angeles, CA

This project called for a very modern interior with minimal visible wooden millwork, save for a few focal points such as the spectacular interior doors built by E. F. San Juan. We also supplied Loewen windows and exterior doors and custom E. F. San Juan Invincia™ impact-rated wooden entry door systems. Challenges: The interior doors were the greatest design challenge of this project. Interior designer Cindy Meador and the homeowners envisioned very modern, flush, European-style doors made of rich walnut with veneers for the bedrooms and bathrooms. The original design called for a brass inlay border to separate the horizontal panel veneers from the stiles and rails of the door; however, after some discussion, it became clear that this would not create the most stable construction to stand the test of time and use. Solution: We worked with the team to determine that a white maple inlay would create the desired contrast and enhance the all-wood simplicity of the door design. The most challenging part of building these doors was the time-consuming process of laminating the veneers and incorporating the maple inlay. As you can see from the photos, the entries become art displays along with the other beautiful art pieces that Cindy and the owners have incorporated into the home’s interior design. The Loewen windows and exterior doors are sleek and fit well with the home’s modern feel. These windows and doors, along with the sizable Invincia® main entry door built by our team, are made to impact-rated standards that will fortify the home and its occupants against the Gulf Coast elements. The completed home is a masterpiece by architect Tom Christ, interior designer Cindy Meador, and the Davis Dunn Construction team. The team here at E. F. San Juan was honored to be a part of it and we are proud of our artistic contribution. The residence has been featured in national publications such as VIE magazine as well as the Alys Gazette. Photography by Chris Luker

This project called for a very modern interior with minimal visible wooden millwork, save for a few focal points such as the spectacular interior doors built by E. F. San Juan. We also supplied Loewen windows and exterior doors and custom E. F. San Juan Invincia™ impact-rated wooden entry door systems. Challenges: The interior doors were the greatest design challenge of this project. Interior designer Cindy Meador and the homeowners envisioned very modern, flush, European-style doors made of rich walnut with veneers for the bedrooms and bathrooms. The original design called for a brass inlay border to separate the horizontal panel veneers from the stiles and rails of the door; however, after some discussion, it became clear that this would not create the most stable construction to stand the test of time and use. Solution: We worked with the team to determine that a white maple inlay would create the desired contrast and enhance the all-wood simplicity of the door design. The most challenging part of building these doors was the time-consuming process of laminating the veneers and incorporating the maple inlay. As you can see from the photos, the entries become art displays along with the other beautiful art pieces that Cindy and the owners have incorporated into the home’s interior design. The Loewen windows and exterior doors are sleek and fit well with the home’s modern feel. These windows and doors, along with the sizable Invincia® main entry door built by our team, are made to impact-rated standards that will fortify the home and its occupants against the Gulf Coast elements. The completed home is a masterpiece by architect Tom Christ, interior designer Cindy Meador, and the Davis Dunn Construction team. The team here at E. F. San Juan was honored to be a part of it and we are proud of our artistic contribution. The residence has been featured in national publications such as VIE magazine as well as the Alys Gazette. Photography by Chris Luker

This project called for a very modern interior with minimal visible wooden millwork, save for a few focal points such as the spectacular interior doors built by E. F. San Juan. We also supplied Loewen windows and exterior doors and custom E. F. San Juan Invincia™ impact-rated wooden entry door systems. Challenges: The interior doors were the greatest design challenge of this project. Interior designer Cindy Meador and the homeowners envisioned very modern, flush, European-style doors made of rich walnut with veneers for the bedrooms and bathrooms. The original design called for a brass inlay border to separate the horizontal panel veneers from the stiles and rails of the door; however, after some discussion, it became clear that this would not create the most stable construction to stand the test of time and use. Solution: We worked with the team to determine that a white maple inlay would create the desired contrast and enhance the all-wood simplicity of the door design. The most challenging part of building these doors was the time-consuming process of laminating the veneers and incorporating the maple inlay. As you can see from the photos, the entries become art displays along with the other beautiful art pieces that Cindy and the owners have incorporated into the home’s interior design. The Loewen windows and exterior doors are sleek and fit well with the home’s modern feel. These windows and doors, along with the sizable Invincia® main entry door built by our team, are made to impact-rated standards that will fortify the home and its occupants against the Gulf Coast elements. The completed home is a masterpiece by architect Tom Christ, interior designer Cindy Meador, and the Davis Dunn Construction team. The team here at E. F. San Juan was honored to be a part of it and we are proud of our artistic contribution. The residence has been featured in national publications such as VIE magazine as well as the Alys Gazette. Photography by Chris Luker

The best interior designers & architects in NYC! Residential interior design, Common area design, Hospitality design, Exterior design, Commercial design - any interior or architectural design basically from a unique design team :) Our goal is to provide clients in Manhattan, New York, New Jersey & beyond with outstanding architectural & interior design services and installation management through a unique approach and unparalleled work quality. Our mission is to create Dream Homes that change people's lives! Working with us is a simple two step process - Design & Installation. The core is that all our design ideas (interior design of an apartment, restaurant, hotel design or architectural design of a building) are presented through exceptionally realistic images, delivering the exact look of your future interior/exterior, before you commit to investing. The Installation then abides to the paradigm of 'What I See Is What I Get', replicating the approved design. All together it gives you full control and eliminates the risk of having an unsatisfactory end product - no other interior designer or architect can offer. Our team's passion, talent & professionalism brings you the best possible result, while our client-oriented philosophy & determination to make the process easy & convenient, saves you great deal of time and concern. In short, this is Design as it Should be... Other services: Lobby design, Store & storefront design, Hotel design, Restaurant design, House design www.vanguard-development.com

Example of a small classic 3/4 white tile and stone tile mosaic tile floor alcove shower design in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite countertops, a two-piece toilet and gray walls

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Bathrooms come in all shapes and sizes and each project has its unique challenges. This master bath remodel was no different. The room had been remodeled about 20 years ago as part of a large addition and consists of three separate zones – 1) tub zone, 2) vanity/storage zone and 3) shower and water closet zone. The room layout and zones had to remain the same, but the goal was to make each area more functional. In addition, having comfortable access to the tub and seating in the tub area was also high on the list, as the tub serves as an important part of the daily routine for the homeowners and their special needs son. We started out in the tub room and determined that an undermount tub and flush deck would be much more functional and comfortable for entering and exiting the tub than the existing drop in tub with its protruding lip. A redundant radiator was eliminated from this room allowing room for a large comfortable chair that can be used as part of the daily bathing routine. In the vanity and storage zone, the existing vanities size neither optimized the space nor provided much real storage. A few tweaks netted a much better storage solution that now includes cabinets, drawers, pull outs and a large custom built-in hutch that houses towels and other bathroom necessities. A framed custom mirror opens the space and bounces light around the room from the large existing bank of windows. We transformed the shower and water closet room into a large walk in shower with a trench drain, making for both ease of access and a seamless look. Next, we added a niche for shampoo storage to the back wall, and updated shower fixtures to give the space new life. The star of the bathroom is the custom marble mosaic floor tile. All the other materials take a simpler approach giving permission to the beautiful circular pattern of the mosaic to shine. White shaker cabinetry is topped with elegant Calacatta marble countertops, which also lines the shower walls. Polished nickel fixtures and sophisticated crystal lighting are simple yet sophisticated, allowing the beauty of the materials shines through. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Jane Benson
Example of a large mountain style wooden l-shaped staircase design with wooden risers

Sandprints Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard deck remodel in San Luis Obispo with a fire pit and no cover

Exterior, brick, lime, limewash, painted brick, architectural finish

Inspiration for a transitional home design remodel in Minneapolis

Emily Minton-Redfield
Transitional bedroom photo in Denver

Plantique, INC http://www.plantique.com Entry Name: Classic Fireside Getaway 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Hardscaping-Residential $30,000-$60,000 Award Level: Bronze Photo Description: The initial call from these homeowners was about a drainage issue. After having installed new roofing, siding, and a new porch enclosure, it was discovered that the original piping for the downspouts had failed. A few recent rainstorms had left a large pool of water behind the house. The new gutters and downspouts were now properly channeling water into a sub-surface piping system that no longer functioned. Obviously this had to be fixed, but after some further discussions, it was suggested that if a cost-effective solution could be found, perhaps a patio could be created along with the drainage solution. This would make the space between the porch and the pool more useful. The surfaces would have to be as kid-friendly as possible, as the homeowners foresaw frequent visits by their grandchildren. The flow of the spaces would have to be such that small bikes would be able to easily maneuver around chairs and tables. After a site study was conducted, several issues were discovered. Pertaining to the drainage issue, it was determined that the grade sloped directly toward the porch from the pool. This not only channeled water toward the house and porch, but created a dam in an already shallow drainage swale that trapped water off to the side of the porch. Since the soil in this area is predominantly clay, water could sit in that area for days until it drained away. On the aesthetic side, a good part of the house’s façade was brick, the porch floor was brick, the small patio and walkways were brick, and the seating wall next to the pool was brick; there was a lot of brick. The challenge would be to find a cost-effective material that would contrast will with the brick, while creating a functional patio space that also facilitated water drainage. The solution involved a significant re-grading of the area between the pool and the house, along with the installation of a completely new drain system to channel roof water away from the area. Working with the fixed points of the porch and foundation levels of the home, the slope that pitched toward the house was cut into to create a positive pitch away from the house. This created 20 in. high cut at the furthest point from the porch. To retain this, a segmental retaining wall block was used to form a curved seating wall around a mortared brick fire ring, perfect for evening campfires and marshmallow roasting with the grandchildren. Prior to the patio construction, new subsurface PVC piping was installed to channel water away from the house, under the patio, and to daylight about 100 ft. further into the side yard where it could properly drain. To construct the patio, the existing dry laid brick walks and patio were recycled as a border around a gray colored concrete paver that mimics the look of more expensive PA Bluestone, an often used companion to brick. The smooth surface texture and tight joint provide a barefoot friendly walking surface that stays cooler in the hot summer sun. The patio itself is also pitched so as to drain runoff to the lower end of the yard in case of a failure in the drain piping. Along with providing several clear pathways between the porch, pool, and driveway the new patio includes an open air dining area, a fire pit area, and a seating/lounging area (not yet furnished at the time of the photo) for larger family gatherings or more intimate dinners and fire-side relaxation. Photo Credit: Plantique, Mike Wimmer