Creamy off-white trim helps draw the eye to the beautiful detail on this home without distracting from the landscaping and natural environment.
Example of a mid-sized classic gray two-story stucco house exterior design in Kansas City with a clipped gable roof and a mixed material roof

Simple. Sophistication. Plain glass that's functional yet not distracting - hardware also provided by Cast Glass Images.

This project earned its name 'The Herringbone House' because of the reclaimed wood accents styled in the Herringbone pattern. This project was focused heavily on pattern and texture. The wife described her style as "beachy buddha" and the husband loved industrial pieces. We married the two styles together and used wood accents and texture to tie them seamlessly. You'll notice the living room features an amazing view of the water and this design concept plays perfectly into that zen vibe. We removed the tile and replaced it with beautiful hardwood floors to balance the rooms and avoid distraction. The owners of this home love Cuban art and funky pieces, so we constructed these built-ins to showcase their amazing collection.

Perched above the breathtaking St. Mary’s Valley, The Valley Lookout lives up to its name with panoramic views framed by towering ponderosa pines and the surrounding Rocky Mountains. Nestled in the sought-after Forest Crowne community, this custom home strikes a bold yet natural presence—balancing contemporary mountain architecture with timeless materials and warm, grounding tones. The exterior is defined by a striking contrast of deep charcoal siding and natural wood accents, designed to echo the texture and palette of the landscape. Timber details and large overhangs create both drama and shelter, welcoming you into a home where nature is always in view. Inside, a thoughtful open-concept layout connects the kitchen, dining, and living areas, all oriented to capture the sweeping valley below. A mix of rich wood tones, creamy walls, and soft stone hues carry throughout the interior, creating a seamless, calming flow. Expansive windows and vaulted ceilings invite in natural light and mountain air, while select finishes—both modern and rustic—add texture and depth without distraction. Whether soaking in the views from the covered deck or enjoying a quiet moment by the fireplace, The Valley Lookout is a home designed to slow you down and reconnect you with the landscape.

An expanded view of the dramatic and stunning master bathroom shower alcove. Calacutta Colorado Marble is bookmatched expertly and framed with a beautiful custom arched marble surround and doorway. To avoid distracting from the beauty of the marble, the traditional shower drain has been replaced with a linear drain.

Minimalist design in matte black that frames the collection with elegance and precision. A clean structure, crafted to highlight the essence of each garment without distracting the eye.

The Space Appartment includes: * Full Size Bed with 6 pillows * Large living room * Plasma 50" TV LCD * Cable TV * Sofa that can be converted to Queen size bed * High Speed Internet - WiFi * Fully equipped Kitchen * Bright bathroom * High ceiling * Lot of closet space .* Table with 4 Chairs * Air-conditioning and Heating * Free parking * Private Garden Mobility for Subways N, F at Kings Highway Station, and B and Q Train Guest access Apartment comes fully equipped with linens, towels, blankets and sufficient furnishings, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, lotion. COMPLIMENTARY *This is not a hotel and we do not provide the services of a hotel* The Neighborhood The neighborhood is extremely central. Many restaurants, shops, entertainments and Brooklyn distractions right on your door! Your home is the quintessential Brooklyn location, safe and convenient, exciting and right in the middle of it all! Getting Around Mobility: For Subways: N, F at Kings Highway Station, and B and Q Train Interaction with guest Our agency leads a very busy schedule, however, we are already available to assist you with anything you may need. I can suggest places to eat, shop and gain entertainment. You will have complete privacy, should you choose and discretion is appreciated for both parties. Rules CHECK IN is at 4:00 PM - CHECK OUT is at 11:00AM LATE CHECK IN FEE may apply if the check in after 8pm. Must contact us few days before arrival to arrange the check in time. Please, be respectful of the neighbors. Please call 24/to an hour prior to arrival to arrange key pick up. Absolutely no smoking in the apartment. Absolutely no parties in the apartment. We require a 30 night min stay on this apartment. Only guests included in your confirmed reservation are permitted to be in the apartment. Complete names and ages of all guests should be provided before check in. Please leave the apartment i the same condition you entered. Have a great time, be respectful and enjoy your stay!

A bright coastal-inspired home office designed for both focus and comfort. This space features integrated smart lighting, discreet in-ceiling speakers, and a wall-mounted TV for media and productivity. Motorized roller shades provide effortless light control throughout the day, while the clean built-in desk and soft finishes create a calm, functional environment. All technology is seamlessly integrated to enhance the space without distracting from the design.

The large sliding doors open onto the decks and allow for indoor-outdoor living and entertaining. The large stunning fireplace creates a focal point without distracting from the views. Hidden shelves are ensconced on the side of the fireplace, providing additional storage out of the way. Photos: Vance Fox

You’re not just dividing space — You’re upgrading how your team works. ✅ Create privacy without construction ✅ Dampen noise & reduce visual distractions ✅ Maximize focus in compact, high-value spaces Our Komandor GTA partition systems turn open-concept chaos into calm, productive workspaces — custom-designed, locally built, and installed with zero disruption. No downtime. No mess. Just a smarter space. Completely Custom. Completely Canadian. Built for business. Designed for productivity.

This early, spacious town carpet with its riveting medallion and softly glowing field provides a center point for all the activities of a chief executive’s personal home office. One of the gems of this whole home collection of carpets, it sits comfortably within the eclectic furnishings, offering the refreshing distraction of watching its colors respond to the changing sunlight throughout the day. The understated interior design includes paired fauteuil armchairs with carved botanical motifs that recall the spacious, stylized vinery pattern that fills the 19th century Ferahan’s grand borders and surrounds its one-of-a-kind medallion. http://www.claremontrug.com/client-home-interiors-design/antique-ferahan-sarouk-rug-in-elegant-home-office/

Portraits of Home
Entryway - large craftsman entryway idea in Chicago with a dark wood front door

This extensive remodel overlooking Lake Austin is a paean to the powerful art it enfolds. Rigorous editing of every distracting, inconsequential element of the original house was critical. So too was the insertion of new complementary components that provide artful ways to move through both interior and exterior rooms. The collection of modern art is arresting. Ranging from a Turrell hologram to a pair of Agnes Martins, the art is framed by the architecture and lighting so that it is experienced in a choreographed, curated way that encourages wandering and an intimate connection to each piece. The mood is set in the entry courtyard. A floating walkway curves down and around a brilliant spiraling blue Clement sculpture. It pauses once, at a moment of surprise, when the first view through the house is filled with the blue water of the lake beyond. Inside, the saturated color of many of the pieces of art are balanced by an absence of other visual clutter in the color palette, furniture, and architecture. A new interior plaster, steel, and bronze stair carves through a space occupied by two small Clement sculptures in niches, a McKay Otto sculpture on a landing and a glass cylinder elevator. This is a very specific place, designed for specific art and for a collector who has a close relationship with each piece.

Photo Credit: Bruce Damonte
Example of a minimalist kitchen design in San Francisco

Structuring your office for utility and inspiration is difficult balance. What design elements inspire you? What distracts you? Emma shows us the perfect harmony between work and play in the office.

The solution was to install large Spruce trees and layer the garden area with tall ornamental grasses, dwarf long-blooming rose shrubs, and groundcover for color and function to suppress weeds. A pergola was installed to provide a "distraction" from what was going on behind the scenes.

In collaboration with the client’s architect, AR Design the layout of the kitchen was already in place. However, upon meeting the client it was clear she wanted a ‘wow’ island, symmetry in design and plenty of functional storage. As well as a contemporary, family-friendly space it was also important the space that still respected the heritage of the house. The original walls of the property had many angled walls and featured some tight spaces, so careful consideration of SieMatic's cabinetry choices was given to ensure maximum functionality in those spaces. After much consideration, The Myers Touch specified SieMatic’s SC10 Cabinetry in a Provence Oak Laminate finish which was placed in a framed-style at the rear wall. The same cabinetry was specified for under the island to create contrast with the new and original material features in the space. In order for the family to keep the kitchen uncluttered, careful planning of internal storage systems was considered in the form of using SieMatic’s internal Drawer boxes and their MultiMatic internal storage system which were used to store smaller items such as spices and sauces, as well whilst providing space for slide-out drawers and storage baskets. To ensure an elegant yet ‘wow’ factor central island, The Myers Touch combined contrasting textures by using 30mm Silestone Eternal Calacatta natural stone, polished worktops with ‘waterfall island’ edges and a Corian solid surface back panel. The distinctive geometric patterned Corian panel in Cameo White looks particularly spectacular at night when the owner's turn on the architectural-toned lighting under the island. Appliances chosen for the island included a sophisticated Elica Illusion extractor hood so it could be totally integrated in the new architectural space without visual distraction, a Siemens iQ500 Induction Hob with touch-slide control and a Caple Under-counter Wine cabinet. To maximise every inch of the new space, and to ensure the owners had a place for everything, The Myers Touch also used additional cabinetry and storage options in the island such as extra deep drawers to store saucepans, cutlery, and everyday crockery. The eye-catching Antique-bronze mirrored splashback not only helps to provide the illusion of extra space, but reinforces family ‘togetherness’ as it reflects and links the rear of the kitchen ‘snug’ area where family members can sit and relax or work when not in the main kitchen extension area. The original toned brickwork and 18th Century steel windows in the original part of the extension also helps to tell the story about the older part of the house which now juxtaposes to the new, contemporary kitchen living extension. A handy door was also included in the extension which leads to the garage on the main road for family convenience and over-flow storage. Photography by Paul Craig (Reproduction of image by request only - joy@bakerpr.co.uk)

It wasn’t necessary to overthink things when Axis Mundi designed interiors for an apartment at Brooklyn’s glass-sheathed 1 Grand Army Plaza, the luxury building by Richard Meier already endowed with all the “starchitect” bells and whistles, as well as drop-dead stunning views of Brooklyn, the harbor and Prospect Park. What did require considerable aptitude was to strike the right balance between respect for these assets, particularly the panoramas, and livability. The all-white scheme doesn’t just complement Meier’s own aesthetic devotion to this purest of pure hues; it serves as a cool backdrop for the views, affording comfortable vantage points from which to enjoy them, yet not drawing attention away from the splendors of one of the world’s most distinctive boroughs. Sleek, low-lying Italian seating avoids distracting interruptions on the horizon line. But minimal color accents and pattern also sidestep what could have been a potentially antiseptic environment, making it tactile, human and luxurious. 2,200 sf Design Team: John Beckmann, Richard Rosenbloom and Nick Messerlian Vintage photography coursety of the Ubu Gallery, New York Photography: Adriana Buffi and Fran Parente © Axis Mundi Design LLC

The kitchen may be the heart of a home, but the dining room is where the family gathers to enjoy special occasions, create and pass on traditions, and savour each other’s company free from distractions. The family behind this particular dining room enjoys doing just that. When they are not traveling the world, Matthew and Anna (names changed) love to cook meals at home with their teenage daughter, entertain family and friends, and live amongst their cherished travel souvenirs and heirlooms. Their dining room, however, was far from the perfect backdrop for these experiences. Before: Dining Room: When Matthew and Anna contacted us, they imagined a space that would comfortably seat 8 to 10 people and incorporate their beautiful inherited dining table and sideboard in a fresh, modern way. Above all, they wanted a dining room that they would feel proud to share. They worked with us to design, lightly renovate, and furnish their dining room and adjacent living space. Now, the room is nothing short of inviting and elevated. Classic Yet Contemporary Dining Room: Viewed from the living area, the dining room is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Matthew and Anna wanted dark blue for the walls, and we couldn’t have been happier to find the perfect shade for them. By leaning darker, this rich blue creates the perception of depth, making the room feel enticing, comfortable and secluded. The previous built-ins were underwhelming and lacked function, so we designed wider, taller, double sided cabinets that integrated the existing bulk-head, and then accessorized the shelves with the family’s travel finds, books, and decor. Topping these units with brass art lights not only blends contemporary and traditional styles, it also draws attention to the dining table’s modern show-stopping chandelier. You can’t miss it. Inside the dining room, the effect is equally impressive: enveloping yet spacious, warm yet cool, classic yet contemporary. We incorporated their heirloom pieces seamlessly into the design thanks to the 1:2 ratio. For every traditional piece, we introduced two more modern or contemporary pieces — clean lines, subtle curves, and lustrous brass hardware. The result is a collected yet updated look. In any room with dark walls, lighting is of the utmost importance. We placed a mirror adjacent to the window to reflect natural light throughout the room, and we kept the trim and ceiling white for brightness. To provide maximum versatility, we provided multiple light sources that can be adjusted to create different levels of light to suit any mood or occasion. These include: pot lights and a chandelier on dimmers, a sculptural trilight lamp on the sideboard, and art lights on the bookcases and above important art pieces. The built-ins have another surprise waiting inside this special dining room: Double-sided built-ins: dining room shelving and living room shelving. Rather than keep them white like we did in the living room, we painted the back wall of the book cases the same dark blue as the walls in the rest of the room. This reduces the contrast with the surrounding walls and emphasizes the white outline of the cabinets. We also love the dark blue walls’ role as a beautiful backdrop for this family’s treasures. The brass accessories and hand-painted vases and bowls feel like part of the experience. Of course, what is beauty without function? It may not look like it, but the base storage is only accessible from the dining room side. The units include deep cabinets for storing serving ware, as well as another delightful surprise: silverware drawers lined in luxurious navy velvet! Lastly, we designed this beautiful nook for their heirloom sideboard. From afar, the wall looks as if it has texture and perhaps a touch of shine. Up close, you will notice that it is actually navy blue wallpaper with tiny golden dots. This unique touch accentuates the brass in the room touches throughout the space.. The room feels curated, contemporary, and full of character. Words of Praise: Anna and Matthew were thrilled with their new dining room and with the design process itself, which is always the highest compliment. They said: “Working with Lori and her team at Simply Home Decorating was a great experience. The design they came up with was both beautiful and practical for our family. Renovations can be stressful but working with Simply Home made the process much more pleasant. “Simply Home's project management and their longstanding relationships with reliable trades meant we could relax, knowing that everything was taken care of. If an issue arose, the entire Simply Home team was quick to address it. They were excellent at communicating with us—we never felt like we didn't know what was going on. We would highly recommend working with Simply Home Decorating.” Thank you, Matthew and Anna! We are honoured to have been part of your journey and wish your family many happy memories in these new spaces. Now, is it your turn? Are you ready to uncover the hidden potential in your home? If so, contact us here to start the conversation or download my guide Uncovering the Hidden Potential in Your Home below to learn more about what we can do for you.