Kitchen Cube 1 Upper East- Residence Work: Full Gut renovation- 2 apartments- in the same ‘S’ line Size: 650 Sq Ft of space in both apartments, 5S and 4S Using the Frankfurt Kitchen of 1926 for inspiration, Ms.Cianfaglione began asking herself how the typology of the NYC kitchenette for her building, in the ‘S’ line, needed to be upgraded to fit today’s physical and aesthetic needs. The Frankfurt Kitchen was the forerunner of modern fitted kitchens and had an unified concept to enable efficient work, consolidating a woman’s efforts and allowing her more time to spend else ware. But unlike the Frankfurt kitchen, Ms. Cianfaglione wanted to take this a step further and open it up rather than concealing it, and its user, inside a room. This would showcase the designer’s evolved notion of “cooking”,that would now become an orchestrated dance to be put on display. Ms. Cianfaglione had a typical NYC kitchenette, a small room with an air grille for ventilation, and in this case, there was a small window that was currently blocked by a refrigerator. There was also the problem of the foyer space, which was just a waste in an apartment this small, and the structural wall that could not be removed. Ms. Cianfaglione responded to these conditions by designing the kitchen to become a wrap around condition, in an ‘L’ shape, that would use the foyer more effectively and at the same time, face the living area, and all the while concealing the structural wall that separates them. The interesting thing about the ‘L’ shape was that it allows for a beautifully orchestrated flow that makes cooking look like a beautiful dance that moves back and forth along the’ L.’ The appliances are designed within the cabinetry to give a tailored look that does not allow for distraction, and you instead focus on the user. This renovation made the otherwise small, unused foyer and ineffective kitchen, now a focal point that dictates movement throughout. The kitchen has unified and designed an otherwise standard one bedroom apartment and seeks to become a new standard in this building’s typology.

Children’s waiting room interior design project at Princeton University. I was beyond thrilled when contacted by a team of scientists ( psychologists and neurologists ) at Princeton University. This group of professors and graduate students from the Turk-Brown Laboratory are conducting research on the infant’s brain by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (or fMRI), to see how they learn, remember and think. My job was to turn a tiny 7’x10′ windowless study room into an inviting but not too “clinical” waiting room for the mothers or fathers and siblings of the babies being studied. We needed to ensure a comfortable place for parents to rock and feed their babies while waiting their turn to go back to the laboratory, as well as a place to change the babies if needed. We wanted to stock some shelves with good books and while the room looks complete, we’re still sourcing something interactive to mount to the wall to help entertain toddlers who want something more active than reading or building blocks. Since there are no windows, I wanted to bring the outdoors inside. Princeton University‘s colors are orange, gray and black and the history behind those colors is very interesting. It seems there are a lot of squirrels on campus and these colors were selected for the three colors of squirrels often seem scampering around the university grounds. The orange squirrels are now extinct, but the gray and black squirrels are abundant, as I found when touring the campus with my son on installation day. Therefore we wanted to reflect this history in the room and decided to paint silhouettes of squirrels in these three colors throughout the room. While the ceilings are 10′ high in this tiny room, they’re very drab and boring. Given that it’s a drop ceiling, we can’t paint it a fun color as I typically do in my nurseries and kids’ rooms. To distract from the ugly ceiling, I contacted My Custom Creation through their Etsy shop and commissioned them to create a custom butterfly mobile to suspend from the ceiling to create a swath of butterflies moving across the room. Their customer service was impeccable and the end product was exactly what we wanted! The flooring in the space was simply coated concrete so I decided to use Flor carpet tiles to give it warmth and a grass-like appeal. These tiles are super easy to install and can easily be removed without any residual on the floor. I’ll be using them more often for sure! See more photos of our commercial interior design job below and contact us if you need a unique space designed for children. We don’t just design nurseries and bedrooms! We’re game for anything!

This room has a 5.1 surround sound system with a 70" flat panel TV mounted above a fireplace. The center channel speaker was concealed in an alcove under the TV and behind black grill cloth. An RTI automation system was used to control the A/V system as well as indoor/outdoor house audio. Other products used were Marantz, KEF, Sony, and Sharp.

before & after: fireplace edition this fireplace was underutilized and underwhelming. the additional weird tile hearth distracted from the gorgeous brick. we removed that eyesore, gave the room a fresh coat of paint, and added minimal decor to the mantle. peep the antique andirons too, found on Facebook marketplace for $20! she’s an absolute beauty now!

This close-up view showcases the marble backsplash extending across the wall, paired with white shaker cabinetry for a timeless and elegant finish. A small drawer and upper cabinet detail highlight the clean lines of the custom millwork, while the stainless steel stove complements the overall design without distracting from the craftsmanship.

Awarded "Best Smart Home of the Year" by EH. Spire outfitted this beautiful Michigan home with the best in high quality luxury technology. The homeowners enjoy the complete control of their home, from lighting and shading to entertainment and security, through the Savant Control System. Homeowners and guests can easily create “scenes” to manage their days and social gatherings. Lutron shades help maintain light, climate and privacy to balance the inside and outside views. Outdoor entertaining is easy with the Sonance Landscape Audio System, Lutron light controls for pools and fountains and Savant control of outdoor fire pits. The fully managed Whyreboot network allows for uninterrupted system control. To maintain security, Holovision doors and gates are equipped with Doorbird system to notify residents of visitors and to give control to open and close doors and gates. Music lovers can enjoy the highest level in audio from Meridian 7200 speakers in the lower level, as well as, Sonance in wall and in ceiling speakers throughout the home. In order for the homeowners to enjoy different music and entertainment in various rooms, 14 zones of video and 26 zones of audio were necessary. Spire added many special touches to this amazing home. The master bathroom boasts a MirrorTV so owners can enjoy some entertainment while preparing for the day. A floor lift in the kitchen and dining room allows for entertainment, but can be tucked away when distractions are not wanted. A floor lift in the bedroom makes watching TV convenient, but can be put away when not in use. A fingerprint lock was placed at the bar for peace of mind. Spire’s expertise and commitment to detail were key to the intricate design concepts throughout the home. Spire worked closely with design teams to ensure under cabinet lighting was just right.

The master bath is where the French Industrial look met sleeker choices in hardware. The Hunter Douglas Provenance Woven Wood shades were the perfect amount of texture, without distracting from any of the powerful architectural features.

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.

For the tub, we knew there was a staircase behind the wall, but were surprised to find so much structural support. The original design (a single, longer niche) changed to 2 shorter niches with a Facetime call between designer and lead carpenter. We ended up keeping the ceiling heights, due to costs, but the design perspective draws the eye to the end of the bath without distraction. Tile work by Decker Design.

Kitchen Over 150K If you ever found yourself shopping for a new home, finding a model home, falling in love with this model home and immediately signing on the dotted line. Yet after a few months of moving into your new home you realize that the kitchen and the layout of main level will not work out for your lifestyle. The model home you fell in love with was furnished with beautiful furniture distracting you from concentrating on what is really important to you. This is what happened to this couple in Ashburn, VA, after purchasing their dream home. The kitchen lacked natural light, while its location was not ideal and was disrupting their daily routine. After a careful review of the kitchen design, a plan was formed to upgrade the kitchen. Their kitchen was moved to a location between the two-story family room and front dining room. To the left of the family room there was a breakfast eating area that was not serving any purpose. Our design incorporated the breakfast area placed along a couple feet from an adjacent pantry space to create this new dream kitchen. By knocking down a few bearing walls, we have placed the main sink area under large backside windows. Now the kitchen can look into their beautiful backyard. A major load bearing wall between the old breakfast room and adjacent two-story family was taken down and a big steel beam took the place of that, creating a large seamless connection between the new kitchen and the rest of the home. A large island was implemented with a prep sink, microwave, and with lots of seating space around it. Large scale professional appliances along with stunning mosaic backsplash tiles complement this amazing kitchen design. Double barn style door in front of the pantry area sets off this storage space tucked away from rest of the kitchen. All the old tile was removed and a matching wide plank distressed wood floor was installed to create a seamless connection to rest of the home. A matching butler pantry cabinet area just outside of dining room and a wine station/drink serving area between family room and main foyer were added to better utilize the multi-function needs of the family. The custom inset cabinetry with double layers and exotic stone counter top, distressed ceiling beams, and other amenities are just a few standouts of this project.

A modern, contemporary take on the popular farmhouse style, this open-concept kitchen, with separate pantry is a refreshing, bright space to raise a family. Materials selected with kids sticky fingers in mind! The well designed space boasts gold accents, stunning glass pendant lights to keep the kitchen vibe open and bright, and to not distract from the reclaimed barn beam used as a decorative element on the hood vent. The architectural embossed subway tile brings plenty of texture to a monochromatic space. A timeless design that can easily move through years of fashion trends without becoming dated.

Screening in the front yard to block noise and distractions from the busy highway below. We used Naylor's Blue Leyland Cypress in the far background, and added Hemlock, Colorado Blue Spruce, Goldmop Chamaecyparis, and a variety of deciduous trees. In addition to the screening plants, Roses, Rhododendron, Elderberry, grasses and perennials were utilized to add color, contrast and pest resistance.

Our client was looking to diffuse the incoming daylight without distracting from the true focal point of their sunroom. Using Designer Screen shades that coordinate with the window trim, they blend in with the windows and allow the set-in grill to draw your attention in the space.

Styled accessories and thoughtful spacing elevate the vanity area while keeping the design clean and practical. Each detail adds warmth without distracting from the overall simplicity of the bathroom. This balance of function and elegance defines the refined character of this Irvine bathroom remodel.

Outdoors, even with a moderately sized terrace, a landscape speaker system is still a great choice. The homeowners and guests enjoy high-quality music, while the speakers blend into the plantings and don’t distract from the incredible view.

Inspiration for a small timeless master black and white tile and ceramic tile wood-look tile floor, black floor, single-sink and shiplap wall bathroom remodel in Philadelphia with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, white countertops and a freestanding vanity

Early 20th century Louis Philippe style giltwood mirror with clamshell carvings. Beautiful aged gilt finish with bevel mirror, large clam shell carving at the top and intricate carved details. This mirror is wood, and gesso. Minor scratches to the frame where you will see white peeking through. It does have age, and has a couple minor carvings missing. This does not distract from the mirror and is very hard to spot out when looking at it. Overall is in great condition, the frame is solid and sturdy, the mirror is secure inside the frame. It looks as if it were once above a mantel (fireplace), there are 2 tiny holes at the very top where is was once placed. Measures: 47" W x 2.5" D x 61" H.

The window seat is a Manuel Canovas fabric (linen and jute). It was chosen for it's stripes, reminiscent of an old French beach chair. Ensuring that the noise levels were not distracting to the other parts of the building, an intricate acoustical ceiling panel was designed. Not noticeable to the untrained eye, these panels are covered with a metallic acoustical fabric, which balances the workspace sound. The AKDO tile from Housefitters was chosen for the stainless steel element and the warm neutral sand tones that remind us of the beautiful beaches of Nantucket, with a hint of stainless to reflect the contemporary feel.

Ammar Selo
Example of a large transitional open concept medium tone wood floor living room design in Houston with gray walls, no fireplace and a media wall