Rob Karosis
Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in New York.

Door style: Chesapeake Inset | Species: Maple | Finish: Vintage Nutmeg Island: Concord Inset | Species: Paint grade | Finish: Vintage Soft Cream The gracious pairing of maple's character with the brisk appeal of near-white paint strikes a savory balance in this roomy remodeled kitchen. The inset Chesapeake style establishes a tone of timeless dignity, which is reinforced and softened by the distressed Vintage Nutmeg finish. Note how the cabinetry wraps around and over the doorway into the adjacent laundry room, which is home to more Showplace painted cabinetry. Showplace Kitchens: http://www.showplacekitchens.com/ Showplace Wood Products: http://www.showplacewood.com/

"Fall is the perfect time to apply a coat of chic gray paint. Gray is a "metal" color associated with immortality, structure & stability, gray is also linked with age and wisdom -suggesting stability, calm, practicality and dignity. I love grey!" Photo via Anthony Rego

Katie Merkle
Bedroom - mid-sized transitional master medium tone wood floor bedroom idea in Baltimore with blue walls

As the entryway to the home, we wanted this foyer to be a truly refined welcome to each of its guests. As guests enter they will be greeted with this polished and inviting entry, which contrasts dark colors against stunning tall white millwork along the walls. As a designer there is always the challenge of working with aspects of a room that your clients are not going to be changing. For us this was the flooring, to which we fitted with a custom cut L shaped rug that would allow us to tie together the foyer to the stairs and better coincide with the rest of our designs. We added a touch of bright color in the side table with gold and light yellow elements, while still tying things together with the blue and white detailed vase that mirrors the rug design. As the eye travels up the stairs the iron wrought spindles wonderfully accent the stairway’s dark wood railings. Further upward and this captivating grand chandelier accentuates the whole room. The star of the show, this breathtaking chandelier is enhanced by a beautiful ceiling medallion that we had painted within in gold to capture the elegance and light from this chandelier. As a first impression of the household, this foyer space is truly an introduction to the refinement and dignity of this home, and the people within it. Custom designed by Hartley and Hill Design. All materials and furnishings in this space are available through Hartley and Hill Design. www.hartleyandhilldesign.com 888-639-0639

When opened, vertical blinds can be stacked tightly to the side allowing you to take full advantage of your view. When closed, they effectively block incoming light so you can have a more comfortable rest period with a higher level of privacy. Vertical blinds are custom fit to accommodate any window size. Choose from decorative fabrics in a variety of textures and weaves to add height and dimension to a room making it appear more spacious.

Light and airy dining room with clean design aesthetic. This formerly green and red dining room got a major overhaul. Textured grasscloth wallpaper in subtle blue and beige, embroidered drapery, upholstered dining chairs and a show-stopping crystal cube chandelier create a welcoming mood.

After decades of drastic alterations, and demolition of the second and third story, this grand estate was reduced to a pink Bermuda style ranch house. The current owners returned it to a suggestion of its original state. Beamed ceilings, working fireplace, period woodwork and historic finishes draw out the dignity of its past, and make them part of life in his century. The main house overlooks terraced yards, stonewalls and a landscaped pool area. The formal interiors frame sweeping views of treetops and seascapes. Contractor: Precision Carpentry Photographer: Dan Gair/ Blind Dog Photo INC.

The mix of wall panelling, stunning wood floors, and custom railings really looks great together - retaining warmth while bringing the elegance, dignity and beauty together. Photo by Brice Ferre

Example of an ornate home design design in Minneapolis

As the entryway to the home, we wanted this foyer to be a truly refined welcome to each of its guests. As guests enter they will be greeted with this polished and inviting entry, which contrasts dark colors against stunning tall white millwork along the walls. As a designer there is always the challenge of working with aspects of a room that your clients are not going to be changing. For us this was the flooring, to which we fitted with a custom cut L shaped rug that would allow us to tie together the foyer to the stairs and better coincide with the rest of our designs. We added a touch of bright color in the side table with gold and light yellow elements, while still tying things together with the blue and white detailed vase that mirrors the rug design. As the eye travels up the stairs the iron wrought spindles wonderfully accent the stairway’s dark wood railings. Further upward and this captivating grand chandelier accentuates the whole room. The star of the show, this breathtaking chandelier is enhanced by a beautiful ceiling medallion that we had painted within in gold to capture the elegance and light from this chandelier. As a first impression of the household, this foyer space is truly an introduction to the refinement and dignity of this home, and the people within it. Custom designed by Hartley and Hill Design. All materials and furnishings in this space are available through Hartley and Hill Design. www.hartleyandhilldesign.com 888-639-0639

As the entryway to the home, we wanted this foyer to be a truly refined welcome to each of its guests. As guests enter they will be greeted with this polished and inviting entry, which contrasts dark colors against stunning tall white millwork along the walls. As a designer there is always the challenge of working with aspects of a room that your clients are not going to be changing. For us this was the flooring, to which we fitted with a custom cut L shaped rug that would allow us to tie together the foyer to the stairs and better coincide with the rest of our designs. We added a touch of bright color in the side table with gold and light yellow elements, while still tying things together with the blue and white detailed vase that mirrors the rug design. As the eye travels up the stairs the iron wrought spindles wonderfully accent the stairway’s dark wood railings. Further upward and this captivating grand chandelier accentuates the whole room. The star of the show, this breathtaking chandelier is enhanced by a beautiful ceiling medallion that we had painted within in gold to capture the elegance and light from this chandelier. As a first impression of the household, this foyer space is truly an introduction to the refinement and dignity of this home, and the people within it. Custom designed by Hartley and Hill Design. All materials and furnishings in this space are available through Hartley and Hill Design. www.hartleyandhilldesign.com 888-639-0639

The average cost per square foot of a house in Highland Park, Illinois, is $221 (per Trulia), so utilizing this formerly unused space helps increase the return on investment in the home. This, not only, makes sense financially, but also, is very practical when space used for nothing turns into the “something” of 13 additional feet of usable hanging, shelving and drawers. The clean white impact of the melamine framing is carried, effectively, on to the high quality solid wood maple doors and drawer fronts. The honesty and simplicity of the shaker styling enhances the dignity of the efficient repurposing of space in this bedroom. This 24” deep structure keeps the feel crisp by allowing you to close and hide all of the hanging areas behind doors. Chrome hardware on the doors and drawers completes the look while the wood crown unites the structure giving the feeling that a skilled architect had this in mind from the beginning.

"Fall is the perfect time to apply a coat of chic gray paint. Gray is a "metal" color associated with immortality, structure & stability, gray is also linked with age and wisdom -suggesting stability, calm, practicality and dignity. I love grey!" Photo via Anthony Rego

Refined Continuity: Bridging Classical Architecture and Modern Living This comprehensive remodel of a grand Cow Hollow residence reimagines a historically expressive envelope through a lens of contemporary livability, precision detailing, and material restraint. The design approach carefully balances the home’s classical proportions and ornamental heritage with a refined, modern sensibility—evident in the disciplined palette of warm neutrals, soft plasters, pale oak flooring, and tailored millwork. Circulation has been clarified and subtly expanded to enhance spatial flow, while openings are leveraged to capture light, garden outlooks, and distant water views. Throughout, architectural interventions are executed with a high level of craft, ensuring that new insertions—whether cabinetry, railings, or apertures—read as seamless continuations of the original structure rather than applied elements. The kitchen serves as the operational and visual anchor of the home, conceived as a sculptural yet highly functional environment. Custom rift-cut cabinetry, softened through a desaturated finish, is paired with honed stone surfaces and integrated brass hardware to create a quiet, tactile richness. A monolithic island establishes a central gathering point, while perimeter work zones are carefully layered with concealed storage, integrated appliances, and open, backlit shelving that elevates everyday objects into curated displays. The adjacent bar and entertaining areas extend this language, reinforcing a cohesive hospitality-driven program. In parallel, the primary bathroom is designed as a serene, spa-like retreat, where bookmatched stone, frameless glass enclosures, and finely detailed metalwork converge. The composition prioritizes symmetry, clarity, and light—balancing generous volumes with intimate moments through integrated lighting, custom vanities, and a restrained material hierarchy. The library and ancillary living spaces introduce a more intimate scale, anchored by bespoke built-ins that combine closed storage with illuminated display niches, creating depth and rhythm along the walls. Here, material transitions and furniture integration are handled with particular nuance, allowing the architecture to support both quiet retreat and social gathering. A continuous language of custom railings—executed in refined metal profiles—threads through the interior and extends outward, where the exterior gate and garden elements have been reinterpreted to align with the home’s renewed identity. The entry sequence is now defined by a calibrated interplay of solidity and transparency, with sculptural metalwork and landscape integration establishing a sense of arrival that is both secure and elegant. Collectively, the project reflects a holistic transformation—one that elevates performance, livability, and aesthetic clarity while preserving the inherent dignity of the original architecture.

The Denali floor plan is designed to bring warmth into every home by supporting the unique needs of multigenerational families. Its ample size and well-planned layout ensure every generation has space to feel both connected and comfortably independent. The main floor includes a full in-law suite designed with accessibility in mind, allowing aging parents or visiting relatives to live with ease while remaining close to family life. Generous bedrooms throughout the home provide room for growing families, while a large flex room offers adaptable space for work, play, or retreat. The basement is intentionally planned for future expansion, with an additional bedroom and bathroom and direct basement garage access allowing for private, self-contained living suitable for adult children, or extended family. Across the home, openness and connection are balanced with thoughtful privacy. Whether gathering in shared spaces or retreating to quieter areas, each generation can enjoy comfort, dignity, and belonging. The Denali is crafted to evolve with families, offering warm, functional, and future-ready home for every stage of life.

After decades of drastic alterations, and demolition of the second and third story, this grand estate was reduced to a pink Bermuda style ranch house. The current owners returned it to a suggestion of its original state. Beamed ceilings, working fireplace, period woodwork and historic finishes draw out the dignity of its past, and make them part of life in his century. The main house overlooks terraced yards, stonewalls and a landscaped pool area. The formal interiors frame sweeping views of treetops and seascapes. Contractor: Precision Carpentry Photographer: Dan Gair/ Blind Dog Photo INC.

Refined Continuity: Bridging Classical Architecture and Modern Living This comprehensive remodel of a grand Cow Hollow residence reimagines a historically expressive envelope through a lens of contemporary livability, precision detailing, and material restraint. The design approach carefully balances the home’s classical proportions and ornamental heritage with a refined, modern sensibility—evident in the disciplined palette of warm neutrals, soft plasters, pale oak flooring, and tailored millwork. Circulation has been clarified and subtly expanded to enhance spatial flow, while openings are leveraged to capture light, garden outlooks, and distant water views. Throughout, architectural interventions are executed with a high level of craft, ensuring that new insertions—whether cabinetry, railings, or apertures—read as seamless continuations of the original structure rather than applied elements. The kitchen serves as the operational and visual anchor of the home, conceived as a sculptural yet highly functional environment. Custom rift-cut cabinetry, softened through a desaturated finish, is paired with honed stone surfaces and integrated brass hardware to create a quiet, tactile richness. A monolithic island establishes a central gathering point, while perimeter work zones are carefully layered with concealed storage, integrated appliances, and open, backlit shelving that elevates everyday objects into curated displays. The adjacent bar and entertaining areas extend this language, reinforcing a cohesive hospitality-driven program. In parallel, the primary bathroom is designed as a serene, spa-like retreat, where bookmatched stone, frameless glass enclosures, and finely detailed metalwork converge. The composition prioritizes symmetry, clarity, and light—balancing generous volumes with intimate moments through integrated lighting, custom vanities, and a restrained material hierarchy. The library and ancillary living spaces introduce a more intimate scale, anchored by bespoke built-ins that combine closed storage with illuminated display niches, creating depth and rhythm along the walls. Here, material transitions and furniture integration are handled with particular nuance, allowing the architecture to support both quiet retreat and social gathering. A continuous language of custom railings—executed in refined metal profiles—threads through the interior and extends outward, where the exterior gate and garden elements have been reinterpreted to align with the home’s renewed identity. The entry sequence is now defined by a calibrated interplay of solidity and transparency, with sculptural metalwork and landscape integration establishing a sense of arrival that is both secure and elegant. Collectively, the project reflects a holistic transformation—one that elevates performance, livability, and aesthetic clarity while preserving the inherent dignity of the original architecture.

The Tarote trees add an element of age and dignity to the pool terrace. Photo- Chris Jacobson, GardenArt Group
Inspiration for a mid-sized tropical full sun courtyard stone landscaping in Other for winter.