Photo by Alice Gao
Example of a 1950s medium tone wood floor family room library design in New York with gray walls and a media wall

Albert Yee
Example of a beach style bedroom design in Philadelphia with beige walls

Photo: Adrienne DeRosa © 2015 Houzz Although the original plan was to refurbish the existing mantelpieces in the living and dining rooms, the Williamsons opted for a complete change of perspective. “One thing led to another, and they came out,” Catherine explains. “First, we removed them to check if the pest problem that had hit the rest of the house had hit the mantels, and it did.” After removing the original pieces, the couple fell in love with the brick arches underneath. Flexing their skills as DIYers, the couple designed and built a floating mantel to highlight the fireplace. Its modern lines play against rich grain and warm tones to embody the marriage of Bryan and Catherine’s diverse styles. “Our style is unique because we tend to mix elements of different design styles,” Catherine says. “We love mixing old and new, masculine and feminine, and so on…. He tends to gravitate toward contemporary, sleek designs, where I gravitate toward more eclectic, feminine elements.” Instructions for creating a mantlepice like this one can be found on the Williamson's blog: www.beginninginthemiddle.net/2014/12/30/i-just-want-brick/

This second home outside of Sebastopol, CA is perched on a ridge with sweeping views of Bodega Bay. The stunning scale of this environment also provides challenges to creating the feeling of shelter - making the house a home. Dakin approached this project with sight lines in mind, placing a large boulder so that it anchors a “near” view from inside the home to balance vastness of the ridge and ocean beyond. This attention to the owner’s perspective is also expressed through a layering of climate appropriate plants and California natives seen through the kitchen window. California evergreens such as camellias, silk tassels and madrones harmonize with existing sequoias, redwood groves and a wildflower meadow on site. The diversity of this climate zone is on display in this project, which also features succulents, Douglas fir and an olive grove. In addition to ocean weather, populations of gopher and deer on site made it necessary for Dakin to protect plant roots with baskets and select plant species resistant to deer.

This second home outside of Sebastopol, CA is perched on a ridge with sweeping views of Bodega Bay. The stunning scale of this environment also provides challenges to creating the feeling of shelter - making the house a home. Dakin approached this project with sight lines in mind, placing a large boulder so that it anchors a “near” view from inside the home to balance vastness of the ridge and ocean beyond. This attention to the owner’s perspective is also expressed through a layering of climate appropriate plants and California natives seen through the kitchen window. California evergreens such as camellias, silk tassels and madrones harmonize with existing sequoias, redwood groves and a wildflower meadow on site. The diversity of this climate zone is on display in this project, which also features succulents, Douglas fir and an olive grove. In addition to ocean weather, populations of gopher and deer on site made it necessary for Dakin to protect plant roots with baskets and select plant species resistant to deer.

This second home outside of Sebastopol, CA is perched on a ridge with sweeping views of Bodega Bay. The stunning scale of this environment also provides challenges to creating the feeling of shelter - making the house a home. Dakin approached this project with sight lines in mind, placing a large boulder so that it anchors a “near” view from inside the home to balance vastness of the ridge and ocean beyond. This attention to the owner’s perspective is also expressed through a layering of climate appropriate plants and California natives seen through the kitchen window. California evergreens such as camellias, silk tassels and madrones harmonize with existing sequoias, redwood groves and a wildflower meadow on site. The diversity of this climate zone is on display in this project, which also features succulents, Douglas fir and an olive grove. In addition to ocean weather, populations of gopher and deer on site made it necessary for Dakin to protect plant roots with baskets and select plant species resistant to deer.

This second home outside of Sebastopol, CA is perched on a ridge with sweeping views of Bodega Bay. The stunning scale of this environment also provides challenges to creating the feeling of shelter - making the house a home. Dakin approached this project with sight lines in mind, placing a large boulder so that it anchors a “near” view from inside the home to balance vastness of the ridge and ocean beyond. This attention to the owner’s perspective is also expressed through a layering of climate appropriate plants and California natives seen through the kitchen window. California evergreens such as camellias, silk tassels and madrones harmonize with existing sequoias, redwood groves and a wildflower meadow on site. The diversity of this climate zone is on display in this project, which also features succulents, Douglas fir and an olive grove. In addition to ocean weather, populations of gopher and deer on site made it necessary for Dakin to protect plant roots with baskets and select plant species resistant to deer.

Bedroom - rustic master bedroom idea in Seattle with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

This second home outside of Sebastopol, CA is perched on a ridge with sweeping views of Bodega Bay. The stunning scale of this environment also provides challenges to creating the feeling of shelter - making the house a home. Dakin approached this project with sight lines in mind, placing a large boulder so that it anchors a “near” view from inside the home to balance vastness of the ridge and ocean beyond. This attention to the owner’s perspective is also expressed through a layering of climate appropriate plants and California natives seen through the kitchen window. California evergreens such as camellias, silk tassels and madrones harmonize with existing sequoias, redwood groves and a wildflower meadow on site. The diversity of this climate zone is on display in this project, which also features succulents, Douglas fir and an olive grove. In addition to ocean weather, populations of gopher and deer on site made it necessary for Dakin to protect plant roots with baskets and select plant species resistant to deer.

This second home outside of Sebastopol, CA is perched on a ridge with sweeping views of Bodega Bay. The stunning scale of this environment also provides challenges to creating the feeling of shelter - making the house a home. Dakin approached this project with sight lines in mind, placing a large boulder so that it anchors a “near” view from inside the home to balance vastness of the ridge and ocean beyond. This attention to the owner’s perspective is also expressed through a layering of climate appropriate plants and California natives seen through the kitchen window. California evergreens such as camellias, silk tassels and madrones harmonize with existing sequoias, redwood groves and a wildflower meadow on site. The diversity of this climate zone is on display in this project, which also features succulents, Douglas fir and an olive grove. In addition to ocean weather, populations of gopher and deer on site made it necessary for Dakin to protect plant roots with baskets and select plant species resistant to deer.

Our clients wanted to update their dark, dated kitchen, and enlarge the opening to the nook. We chose Sherwin Williams Diverse Beige SW6079 for the kitchen cabinets to provide warm, but brightness to the kitchen. Atlas Hardware Alaire pulls in black were chosen to add a pop of boldness to the cabinetry. Custom cabinetry features such as a coffee station, pull-up microwave storage unit to the right of the fridge with a custom drawer below, and a spacious butler baking pantry to create an additional work surface in the kitchen. Walls were painted Sherwin Williams Bauhaus Bluff SW 7552 to provide additional warmth to the kitchen without making it dark. For the countertops, we installed Silestone White Storm with a TileBar Manchester Elongated hex tile set horizontally to give a more modern feel to the space. Artisan sinks and Delta faucets were installed for the main sink and the baking station.

Our clients wanted to update their dark, dated kitchen, and enlarge the opening to the nook. We chose Sherwin Williams Diverse Beige SW6079 for the kitchen cabinets to provide warm, but brightness to the kitchen. Atlas Hardware Alaire pulls in black were chosen to add a pop of boldness to the cabinetry. Custom cabinetry features such as a coffee station, pull-up microwave storage unit to the right of the fridge with a custom drawer below, and a spacious butler baking pantry to create an additional work surface in the kitchen. Walls were painted Sherwin Williams Bauhaus Bluff SW 7552 to provide additional warmth to the kitchen without making it dark. For the countertops, we installed Silestone White Storm with a TileBar Manchester Elongated hex tile set horizontally to give a more modern feel to the space. Artisan sinks and Delta faucets were installed for the main sink and the baking station.

Our clients wanted to update their dark, dated kitchen, and enlarge the opening to the nook. We chose Sherwin Williams Diverse Beige SW6079 for the kitchen cabinets to provide warm, but brightness to the kitchen. Atlas Hardware Alaire pulls in black were chosen to add a pop of boldness to the cabinetry. Custom cabinetry features such as a coffee station, pull-up microwave storage unit to the right of the fridge with a custom drawer below, and a spacious butler baking pantry to create an additional work surface in the kitchen. Walls were painted Sherwin Williams Bauhaus Bluff SW 7552 to provide additional warmth to the kitchen without making it dark. For the countertops, we installed Silestone White Storm with a TileBar Manchester Elongated hex tile set horizontally to give a more modern feel to the space. Artisan sinks and Delta faucets were installed for the main sink and the baking station.

Our clients wanted to update their dark, dated kitchen, and enlarge the opening to the nook. We chose Sherwin Williams Diverse Beige SW6079 for the kitchen cabinets to provide warm, but brightness to the kitchen. Atlas Hardware Alaire pulls in black were chosen to add a pop of boldness to the cabinetry. Custom cabinetry features such as a coffee station, pull-up microwave storage unit to the right of the fridge with a custom drawer below, and a spacious butler baking pantry to create an additional work surface in the kitchen. Walls were painted Sherwin Williams Bauhaus Bluff SW 7552 to provide additional warmth to the kitchen without making it dark. For the countertops, we installed Silestone White Storm with a TileBar Manchester Elongated hex tile set horizontally to give a more modern feel to the space. Artisan sinks and Delta faucets were installed for the main sink and the baking station.

Our clients wanted to update their dark, dated kitchen, and enlarge the opening to the nook. We chose Sherwin Williams Diverse Beige SW6079 for the kitchen cabinets to provide warm, but brightness to the kitchen. Atlas Hardware Alaire pulls in black were chosen to add a pop of boldness to the cabinetry. Custom cabinetry features such as a coffee station, pull-up microwave storage unit to the right of the fridge with a custom drawer below, and a spacious butler baking pantry to create an additional work surface in the kitchen. Walls were painted Sherwin Williams Bauhaus Bluff SW 7552 to provide additional warmth to the kitchen without making it dark. For the countertops, we installed Silestone White Storm with a TileBar Manchester Elongated hex tile set horizontally to give a more modern feel to the space. Artisan sinks and Delta faucets were installed for the main sink and the baking station.

White subway tile. Its all about perspective!
Mid-sized trendy master white tile and subway tile porcelain tile and gray floor alcove bathtub photo in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops and a hinged shower door

Our clients wanted to update their dark, dated kitchen, and enlarge the opening to the nook. We chose Sherwin Williams Diverse Beige SW6079 for the kitchen cabinets to provide warm, but brightness to the kitchen. Atlas Hardware Alaire pulls in black were chosen to add a pop of boldness to the cabinetry. Custom cabinetry features such as a coffee station, pull-up microwave storage unit to the right of the fridge with a custom drawer below, and a spacious butler baking pantry to create an additional work surface in the kitchen. Walls were painted Sherwin Williams Bauhaus Bluff SW 7552 to provide additional warmth to the kitchen without making it dark. For the countertops, we installed Silestone White Storm with a TileBar Manchester Elongated hex tile set horizontally to give a more modern feel to the space. Artisan sinks and Delta faucets were installed for the main sink and the baking station.

This second home outside of Sebastopol, CA is perched on a ridge with sweeping views of Bodega Bay. The stunning scale of this environment also provides challenges to creating the feeling of shelter - making the house a home. Dakin approached this project with sight lines in mind, placing a large boulder so that it anchors a “near” view from inside the home to balance vastness of the ridge and ocean beyond. This attention to the owner’s perspective is also expressed through a layering of climate appropriate plants and California natives seen through the kitchen window. California evergreens such as camellias, silk tassels and madrones harmonize with existing sequoias, redwood groves and a wildflower meadow on site. The diversity of this climate zone is on display in this project, which also features succulents, Douglas fir and an olive grove. In addition to ocean weather, populations of gopher and deer on site made it necessary for Dakin to protect plant roots with baskets and select plant species resistant to deer.

This second home outside of Sebastopol, CA is perched on a ridge with sweeping views of Bodega Bay. The stunning scale of this environment also provides challenges to creating the feeling of shelter - making the house a home. Dakin approached this project with sight lines in mind, placing a large boulder so that it anchors a “near” view from inside the home to balance vastness of the ridge and ocean beyond. This attention to the owner’s perspective is also expressed through a layering of climate appropriate plants and California natives seen through the kitchen window. California evergreens such as camellias, silk tassels and madrones harmonize with existing sequoias, redwood groves and a wildflower meadow on site. The diversity of this climate zone is on display in this project, which also features succulents, Douglas fir and an olive grove. In addition to ocean weather, populations of gopher and deer on site made it necessary for Dakin to protect plant roots with baskets and select plant species resistant to deer.