Brunswick Parlour transforms a Victorian cottage into a hard-working, personalised home for a family of four. Our clients loved the character of their Brunswick terrace home, but not its inefficient floor plan and poor year-round thermal control. They didn't need more space, they just needed their space to work harder. The front bedrooms remain largely untouched, retaining their Victorian features and only introducing new cabinetry. Meanwhile, the main bedroom’s previously pokey en suite and wardrobe have been expanded, adorned with custom cabinetry and illuminated via a generous skylight. At the rear of the house, we reimagined the floor plan to establish shared spaces suited to the family’s lifestyle. Flanked by the dining and living rooms, the kitchen has been reoriented into a more efficient layout and features custom cabinetry that uses every available inch. In the dining room, the Swiss Army Knife of utility cabinets unfolds to reveal a laundry, more custom cabinetry, and a craft station with a retractable desk. Beautiful materiality throughout infuses the home with warmth and personality, featuring Blackbutt timber flooring and cabinetry, and selective pops of green and pink tones. The house now works hard in a thermal sense too. Insulation and glazing were updated to best practice standard, and we’ve introduced several temperature control tools. Hydronic heating installed throughout the house is complemented by an evaporative cooling system and operable skylight. The result is a lush, tactile home that increases the effectiveness of every existing inch to enhance daily life for our clients, proving that good design doesn’t need to add space to add value.

Built in 1998, the 2,800 sq ft house was lacking the charm and amenities that the location justified. The idea was to give it a "Hawaiiana" plantation feel. Exterior renovations include staining the tile roof and exposing the rafters by removing the stucco soffits and adding brackets. Smooth stucco combined with wood siding, expanded rear Lanais, a sweeping spiral staircase, detailed columns, balustrade, all new doors, windows and shutters help achieve the desired effect. On the pool level, reclaiming crawl space added 317 sq ft. for an additional bedroom suite, and a new pool bathroom was added. On the main level vaulted ceilings opened up the great room, kitchen, and master suite. Two small bedrooms were combined into a fourth suite and an office was added. Traditional built-in cabinetry and moldings complete the look.

Modern open concept kitchen overlooks living space and outdoors with Home Office nook to the right - Architecture/Interiors: HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Construction Management: WERK | Building Modern - Photography: HAUS

OES | limestone pavers in tejas black aggregate and steel edging; steel planters with crushed limestone mulch beyond
Photo of a small modern drought-tolerant and partial sun side yard gravel landscaping in Austin for summer.

- AUTOREGGENTE TABLE. The legs of Autoreggente, apparently slender, lean and fit against each other. The balance of forces expresses movement and instability, but the unity and solidarity of the grid generate power and strength, and the table stands firmly by itself. 39''3/8W x 39''3/8D x 29''1/2H. 55''1/8W x 55''1/8D x 29''1/2H. 70''7/8W x 70''7/8D x 29''1/2H. http://ow.ly/3yzUns - RAY ARMCHAIR. Conceived by Orlandini Design in 2010 in homage to Charles and Ray Eames, Ray has come of age as Ray Armchair. The arms in the original design have been enlarged to become armrests. The aesthetic look of the chair is enhanced by the combination of wood and leather or eco-leather. 20''7/8W x 21''1/4D x 32''1/4H. Seat height: 17’’3/8. http://ow.ly/3yzUoz - CARLOS SIDEBOARD. Freely inspired by the work of the Venezuelan artist, Carlos Cruz Diez and his Op Art style. You perceive this item not as a spectator but as a player who is actively involved with the object itself. It changes in color depending on your viewpoint, giving the effect of a curtain which opens and closes. 56''5/8W x 19''1/4D x 26’’H. Other widths: 75''5/8 - 94’’1/2. 37''3/4W x 19''1/4D x 38''5/8H. Other widths: 75''5/8 - 94’’1/2. All cabinets are available with white 6''1/4H or 12''5/8H metal base, as an alternative to the 3/4''H aluminium varnished ABS feet. http://ow.ly/3yzUpA

Project by Studio H:T principal in charge Brad Tomecek (now with Tomecek Studio Architecture). This project tests the theory of bringing high quality design to a prefabricated factory setting. Enrolled in the LEED-Home Pilot, this residence completed certification. The modular home was conceived as two boxes that slide above one another to create outdoor living space and a lower covered rear entry. The passive solar design invites large amounts of light from the south while minimizing openings to the east and west. Factory construction saves both time and costs while reducing waste and using a controlled labor force. Built in a factory north of Denver, the home arrived by flatbed truck in two pieces and was craned into place in about 4 hours providing a fast, sustainable, cost effective alternative to traditional homebuilding techniques. Upgraded lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, doors, door hardware, windows, tile and bamboo flooring were incorporated into the design. 80% of the residence was completed in the factory in less than 3 weeks and other items were finished on site including the exterior stucco, garage, metal railing and stair. Stack-Slide-Stitch describes the conceptual process of how to tie together two distinct modular boxes. Stack refers to setting one modular directly on top of the other. Slide refers to the action that creates an upper southern deck area while simultaneously providing a covered rear entry area. The stitching or interlocking occurs with the upward extension of the lower volume with the front deck walls and with the rear two story vertical.

Viatera Minuet quartz counters. Brizo faucet with Blanco Cafe sink. Amy Sussek
Eat-in kitchen - large contemporary u-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Milwaukee with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Kim Roberts, owner of Staging Beautifully, has a passion for creating beautiful spaces. From home staging to redecorating, Kim’s relaxed and friendly approach make even the most challenging project fun and enjoyable. For those interested in refreshing their space, Staging Beautifully can assist a homeowner in decorating their home with the items they already own and love. Like staging, redesign may include color selection, rearranging furniture, hanging art and placing accessories. It is a cost effective design alternative which will give your home a facelift without the cost of an Interior Designer. Utilizing your furnishings and treasures, we will shop your home to find new and creative ways to display your family’s possessions. This will result in a complete interior transformation which will reflect your personality, style, comfort and functionality to your living space without having to buy anything. Looking to sell your home, consider home staging to target a higher selling price. Home Staging aims to de-personalize your home and make it appealing to virtually all prospective buyers. The way you live in your home and the way you market your home are two very different things. Your home is competing with every other home on the market. A home that looks like it needs work or isn't move-in ready prompts buyers to low-ball their offers, or eliminate your home from consideration all together. Those homes that are staged to reflect current trends attract and appeal to more buyers, resulting in more offers, faster sales, and higher sale prices. Sometimes, an agent may even recommend your price be increased once your home is staged! A well-staged home can even start a bidding war with multiple offers!

TOP 5 LIVING ROOM COLORS The living room unites the things that make your house a home. Leisure, comfort, togetherness. It's the setting for countless memories and peaceful moments. So it's not surprising that paint colors for living rooms have a huge impact on the overall mood of your home. Depending on your home's unique personality, your space can be soothing or statement-making. It can have old-fashioned charm or modern appeal. Green is the color of harmony and renewal. Because it echoes the hues of the natural world, it's one of the best paint colors for living rooms. If you don't have the space (or the energy) for a bevy of house plants, green walls will be the splash of life your living room needs. Green can be fresh and subtle at the same time; it's the perfect alternative for those who find neutrals too boring. Gray walls make your living room feel more spacious. Elegant and serene, a gray room suits modernist décor as well as vintage ensembles. If you like to experiment with pops of color and conversation pieces, gray living room walls provide a nice backdrop for your artistry. Gray is a popular neutral for any room in the house, but it looks particularly sophisticated in the living room. It is among the most popular living room colors. Blue is America's favorite color, so it's a no-brainer for the room that brings everyone together. A blue living room has a calming, stabilizing effect on your home. There are many attractive shades of blue, and they all go well with neutrals like brown and cream. If your living room has hardwood floors, blue is an especially stylish choice. Blue living rooms seem clean and orderly without sacrificing color. Beige is the go-to neutral for interior designers. The dependable hue evokes the simplicity of raw fabrics. A beige living room is essential for a decorator who loves the minimalist look. The hottest design trend involves populating your living room with different shades of white. Subtle beige walls set the scene for this stunning, classy effect. Beige is one of the living room colors that people return to again and again. Black is not the most obvious color for a living room--but that's what makes it so great. A living room with black walls is unexpected and dramatic. Architectural details in the room draw more attention. Your furniture pops against the dark backdrop. If your living room gets a lot of sun, black walls can temper the glare of natural light. There are many ways to design a black living room, and they all make a strong statement that will be the centerpiece of your home.

Example of an acacia transitional kitchen design in Charlotte

Kim Roberts, owner of Staging Beautifully, has a passion for creating beautiful spaces. From home staging to redecorating, Kim’s relaxed and friendly approach make even the most challenging project fun and enjoyable. For those interested in refreshing their space, Staging Beautifully can assist a homeowner in decorating their home with the items they already own and love. Like staging, redesign may include color selection, rearranging furniture, hanging art and placing accessories. It is a cost effective design alternative which will give your home a facelift without the cost of an Interior Designer. Utilizing your furnishings and treasures, we will shop your home to find new and creative ways to display your family’s possessions. This will result in a complete interior transformation which will reflect your personality, style, comfort and functionality to your living space without having to buy anything. Looking to sell your home, consider home staging to target a higher selling price. Home Staging aims to de-personalize your home and make it appealing to virtually all prospective buyers. The way you live in your home and the way you market your home are two very different things. Your home is competing with every other home on the market. A home that looks like it needs work or isn't move-in ready prompts buyers to low-ball their offers, or eliminate your home from consideration all together. Those homes that are staged to reflect current trends attract and appeal to more buyers, resulting in more offers, faster sales, and higher sale prices. Sometimes, an agent may even recommend your price be increased once your home is staged! A well-staged home can even start a bidding war with multiple offers!

Shown: Kährs Lumen Dim wood flooring Kährs have launched two new ultra-matt wood flooring collections, Lux and Lumen. Recently winning Gold for 'Best Flooring' at the 2017 House Beautiful Awards, Kährs' Lux collection includes nine one-strip plank format designs in an array of natural colours, which are mirrored in Lumen's three-strip designs. The new surface treatment applied to the designs is non reflective; enhancing the colour and beauty of real wood, whilst giving a silky, yet strong shield against wear and tear. Emanuel Lidberg, Head of Design at Kährs Group, says, “Lux and Lumen have been developed for design-led interiors, with abundant natural light, for example with floor-to-ceiling glazing. Traditional lacquer finishes reflect light which distracts from the floor’s appearance. Our new, ultra-matt finish minimizes reflections so that the wood’s natural grain and tone can be appreciated to the full." The contemporary Lux Collection features nine floors spanning from the milky white "Ash Air" to the earthy, deep-smoked "Oak Terra". Kährs' Lumen Collection offers mirrored three strip and two-strip designs to complement Lux, or offer an alternative interior look. All designs feature a brushed effect, accentuating the natural grain of the wood. All floors feature Kährs' multi-layered construction, with a surface layer of oak or ash. This engineered format is eco-friendly, whilst also making the floors more stable, and ideal for use with underfloor heating systems. Matching accessories, including mouldings, skirting and handmade stairnosing are also available for the new designs.

Faux Wood Blinds Imagine the Possibilities with Faux Wood Transform any room with Graber Faux Wood Blinds, a sturdy, strong, and cost-effective way to decorate your home. Available styles: Lake Forest® Faux Wood Blinds An affordable alternative to wood, these enduring, easy-to-clean blinds are engineered to withstand moisture. Lake Forest Premium Faux Wood Blinds The perfect counterpart for the Graber Wood Blinds throughout your home, Lake Forest Premium Faux Wood Blinds coordinate beautifully in matching color and wood grain. Traditions® Composite Blinds Get the look you want with the strength and resilience you need. Composite blinds combine the extraordinary look of wood with extra durability, making them a perfect addition to high humidity areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms. Where traditional wood blinds are not recommended, these perform beautifully. Wood Blinds Warmth and Beauty Used in furnishings for centuries from the most elegant carved filigrees to the simplest Shaker chairs, wood can embody any style. From rustic to ultramodern, wood can take on a variety of paint and stain colors, setting the tone for your living spaces and carrying an aesthetic theme from room to room. We start with the basics—superior materials and craftsmanship—so you can focus on the details that will make your Graber Traditions Wood Blinds the perfect addition to your home. Whether your home décor is traditional, contemporary, or eclectic, versatile Graber Traditions Wood Blinds can add warmth and beauty to your living spaces.

Originally built in 1970, this later-model Eichler—designed by architect Claude Oakland—features a distinctive “Model 14” roofline with a clipped gable, a subtle nod to the charm of English thatch-roof cottages. Acquired from the original owner, the home remained in untouched, original condition—offering a rare opportunity for restoration, but also presenting an urgent need for updates. Our approach was grounded in respect for Oakland’s original design intent, while thoughtfully incorporating essential upgrades to meet modern building codes and today’s lifestyle expectations. Eichler homes were originally built using modest, cost-effective materials to make modern architecture accessible to the growing mid-century middle class. While iconic, elements like laminate countertops, particle board cabinetry, and vinyl composition tile flooring haven’t stood the test of time. We carefully replaced these with more durable, high-quality alternatives—granite countertops, maple-ply cabinets, and luxury vinyl tile—ensuring the home remains true to its spirit while standing strong for decades to come. All images © Ken Gutmaker

The addition of a new wall in this kitchen offers plenty of additional space for cabinets and appliances, such as the microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, and juicer. With the appliances on one end of the kitchen, this allows for the counter space in the main area to be free of clutter - creating more room for cooking. The white painted flat panel custom cabinets and white quartz countertops have a crisp, clean effect on the design while the blue glass subway tiled backsplash adds color and is highlighted by the under cabinet lighting throughout the space. Home located in Skokie Chicago. Designed by Chi Renovation & Design who also serve the Chicagoland area, and it's surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on the North Side and North Shore. You'll find their work from the Loop through Lincoln Park, Humboldt Park, Evanston, Wilmette, and all of the way up to Lake Forest. For more about Chi Renovation & Design, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/portfolio/skokie-kitchen-banquette/

Photo by: Donna Griffith Photography
Inspiration for an eclectic kids' room remodel in Toronto

Faux Wood Blinds Imagine the Possibilities with Faux Wood Transform any room with Graber Faux Wood Blinds, a sturdy, strong, and cost-effective way to decorate your home. Available styles: Lake Forest® Faux Wood Blinds An affordable alternative to wood, these enduring, easy-to-clean blinds are engineered to withstand moisture. Lake Forest Premium Faux Wood Blinds The perfect counterpart for the Graber Wood Blinds throughout your home, Lake Forest Premium Faux Wood Blinds coordinate beautifully in matching color and wood grain. Traditions® Composite Blinds Get the look you want with the strength and resilience you need. Composite blinds combine the extraordinary look of wood with extra durability, making them a perfect addition to high humidity areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms. Where traditional wood blinds are not recommended, these perform beautifully. Wood Blinds Warmth and Beauty Used in furnishings for centuries from the most elegant carved filigrees to the simplest Shaker chairs, wood can embody any style. From rustic to ultramodern, wood can take on a variety of paint and stain colors, setting the tone for your living spaces and carrying an aesthetic theme from room to room. We start with the basics—superior materials and craftsmanship—so you can focus on the details that will make your Graber Traditions Wood Blinds the perfect addition to your home. Whether your home décor is traditional, contemporary, or eclectic, versatile Graber Traditions Wood Blinds can add warmth and beauty to your living spaces.

Image via Serena & Lily
Inspiration for a modern living room remodel in San Francisco

Originally built in 1970, this later-model Eichler—designed by architect Claude Oakland—features a distinctive “Model 14” roofline with a clipped gable, a subtle nod to the charm of English thatch-roof cottages. Acquired from the original owner, the home remained in untouched, original condition—offering a rare opportunity for restoration, but also presenting an urgent need for updates. Our approach was grounded in respect for Oakland’s original design intent, while thoughtfully incorporating essential upgrades to meet modern building codes and today’s lifestyle expectations. Eichler homes were originally built using modest, cost-effective materials to make modern architecture accessible to the growing mid-century middle class. While iconic, elements like laminate countertops, particle board cabinetry, and vinyl composition tile flooring haven’t stood the test of time. We carefully replaced these with more durable, high-quality alternatives—granite countertops, maple-ply cabinets, and luxury vinyl tile—ensuring the home remains true to its spirit while standing strong for decades to come. All images © Ken Gutmaker