Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Maximizing the functionality of this space, and coordinating the new kitchen with the beautiful remodel completed previously by the client were the two most important aspects of this project. The existing spaces are elegantly decorated with an open plan, dark hardwood floors, and natural stone accents. The new, lighter, more open kitchen flows beautifully into the client’s existing dining room space. Satin nickel hardware blends with the stainless steel appliances and matches the satin nickel details throughout the home. The fully integrated refrigerator next to the narrow pull-out pantry cabinet, take up less visual weight than a traditional stainless steel appliance and the two combine to provide fantastic storage. The glass cabinet doors and decorative lighting beautifully highlight the client’s glassware and dishes. Finished with white subway tile, Dreamy Marfil quartz countertops, and a warm natural wood blind; the space warm, inviting, elegant, and extremely functional. copyright 2013 marilyn peryer photography

Theatre Room hallway with Luxury style .
Transitional basement photo in Atlanta

Remodeled Master Suite includes new spa and bedroom space combined for open concept living and perceived larger space - Interior Architecture: HAUS | Architecture + BRUSFO - Construction Management: WERK | Build - Photo: HAUS | Architecture

Leigh Ann Rowe Chad Mellon

Inspiration for a large country foyer remodel in Nashville with a medium wood front door

The Modern Z Sliding Barn Door combines modern with tradition. The simple construction and popular Z design echoes barn doors of the past. The door is built with a smooth panel in the core carefully built into the frame. The rails and stiles are constructed of engineered alder to prevent warping and limit movement in the wood. The Modern Z Barn Door can be used at any location in the home. It is popular in part with transitional or contemporary designs as the smooth panel lessens the distraction of the standard Z Sliding Barn Door. The door itself is made with mortise and tenon joinery, along with engineered alder rails and stiles to ensure the doors longevity. The bottom comes grooved out for the floor guide. This barn door is complementary to any of our barn door hardware. Customization for the barn door comes with the finish color chosen. While a painted and waxed finish gives the door a more modern or contemporary finish that fits well with clean lines and simple decor, a stained finish can add a taste of rustic or vintage to the home. There is no end to the style that the door can appear, through careful selection of finishes your door can be made just for your individual installation. 1 1/2" thick Modern Z Sliding Doors are often found in the following locations: Entrance to a Study Dining Room Office Buildings Master Bedroom Entrance Bedroom and Bathroom Separation Hardware not included unless added to the order

Joseph Narcisse
Example of a mid-sized mountain style enclosed dark wood floor family room design in New York with beige walls and a wall-mounted tv

Reproduction sliding barn door for bedroom. O'Shea Builders
Inspiration for a farmhouse guest carpeted home design remodel in Portland Maine with beige walls and no fireplace

Example of a trendy kitchen design in Orlando

This is a triple sliding frameless glass room divider using modern barn door hardware as the sliding system. The bottom wheels sandwich the glass allowing the multiple doors to be as close to each other as possible. The tracks are mounted to the floor and the guiding valance is mounted to the header.

This entryway is transformed by these custom double doors. Each door’s dimensions are 101″ H x 39″ W, crafted out of White Oak Rough Sawn hardwoods with a White Monocoat finish. This finish has the look of a reclaimed, unfinished door while it has a high-quality, durable finish. The matte black hardware complements the rustic character of the doors as it brings out the modern flare. Make your space feel more like a home with a custom barn door. Complete your space with a Custom Handcrafted Barn Door or two! With a variety of materials and finishes, design your custom barn doors as modern, rustic, or traditional as you prefer. Add a barn door to your order or get started with a completely custom design!

Example of a large mountain style home office design

Harpeth River Woodworks
Example of a mid-sized country master medium tone wood floor bedroom design in Nashville with blue walls

Clopay's Coachman Collection carriage house garage door adds timeless, “Main St., USA” appeal to this California cottage exterior. At first glance, the door appears to be wood, but it’s actually constructed of layers of insulated steel topped with a composite overlay. The result is a durable, low-maintenance garage door that won't rot, warp or crack. Fifteen door designs with optional decorative windows and hardware are available to complement many home styles. Model shown: Design 13, REC14 windows in white with standard spade lift handles.

Photo: Corynne Pless © 2013 Houzz
Dining room - farmhouse dining room idea in New York

Entertaining in a bathroom never looked so good. Probably a thought that never crossed your mind, but a space as unique as this can do just that. The fusion of so many elements: an open concept shower, freestanding tub, washer/dryer organization, toilet room and urinal created an exciting spacial plan. Ultimately, the freestanding tub creates the first vantage point. This breathtaking view creates a calming effect and each angle pivoting off this point exceeds the next. Following the open concept shower, is the washer/dryer and storage closets which double as decor, incorporating mirror into their doors. The double vanity stands in front of a textured wood plank tile laid horizontally establishing a modern backdrop. Lastly, a rustic barn door separates a toilet and a urinal, an uncharacteristic residential choice that pairs well with beer, wings, and hockey.

A solid core raised panel closet door installed with simple, cleanly designed stainless steel barn door hardware. The hidden floor mounted door guide, eliminates the accommodation of door swing radius while maximizing bedroom floor space and affording a versatile furniture layout. Wood look distressed porcelain plank floor tile flows seamlessly from the bedroom into the closet with a privacy lock off closet and custom built-in shelving unit.