This renovated sitting room in the Primary Bedroom features a new fireplace surround, windows, coffered ceiling, and direct access to a new private balcony. Two separate custom closets flank the bed.

A long narrow kitchen renovation where we opted to put in an island and eliminate a wall of cabinets. Blocked up a window where the range is now and added two small windows. Client was from the south and loved to add some bling, so we added crystal chandeliers and glass backsplash that sparkles.

The furniture-like, walnut serving hutch anchors the far end of the room. Andrea Rugg Photography
Large elegant light wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, an island and white countertops

Choice Landscapes LLC
Photo of a mid-sized traditional partial sun backyard stone retaining wall landscape in Seattle for spring.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   One of my favorite things to work on is older homes with a bit of history because I find it an interesting challenge to marry the historical architectural features of a home with modern design elements that work well for my client’s current lifestyle. This home was particularly fun because it was the second kitchen we had done for this family and was quite a departure from the style of the first kitchen. The before shot of the kitchen shows a view from the family room. See the dropped ceiling? We were curious, was this just part of the design or was the dropped ceiling there to hide mechanicals? Well we soon found out that it was mostly decorative (yay!), and with the exception of a little bit of work to some plumbing from an upstairs bathroom and rerouting of the ventilation system within the original floor joists, we were in the clear, phew! The shot of the completed kitchen from roughly the same vantage point shows how much taller the ceilings are. It makes a huge difference in the feel of the space. Dark and gloomy turned fresh and light! Another serious consideration was what do we do with the skinny transom window above the refrigerator. After much back and forth, we decided to eliminate it and do some open shelving instead. This ended up being one of the nicest areas in the room. I am calling it the “fun zone” because it houses all the barware, wine cubbies and a bar fridge — the perfect little buffet spot for entertaining. It is flanked on either side by pull out pantries that I’m sure will get a ton of use. Since the neighboring room has literally three walls of almost full height windows, the kitchen gets plenty of light. The gold shelving brackets, large pendant fixtures over the island and the tile mural behind the range all pay subtle homage to the home’s prairie style architecture and bring a bit of sparkle to the room. Even though the room is quite large, the work triangle is very tight with the large Subzero fridge, sink and range all nearby for easy maneuvering during meal prep. There is seating for four at the island, and work aisles are generous. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: LOMA Studios For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Mount Airy MD General Contractor: Mueller Homes Photo: Julia Heine / McInturff Architects
This is an example of a modern landscaping in DC Metro with a roof extension.

Richard Mandelkorn An awkward and disjointed addition to the original house was eliminated and opened up with some very strategic structural and space changes; The original kitchen and dining were chopped up by a large chimney and low, disjointed structural beams. The new expansive walnut butcherblock island and shaker-style kitchen is the focal point of the home, with sitelines throughout the house all the way from the entry to the living room addition.

The Pool House was completed in 2008 and contains an intimate sitting area with a facade of glass doors designed to be hidden away, a private bath, bar and space for pool storage. Photography Barry A. Hyman. Contractor Larry Larkin Builder

Asher Associates Architects; D.L. Miner, Builders; Summer House Design, Interiors; Euro Line Designe (Kitchen); John Dimaio, Photography
Example of a small beach style guest dark wood floor bedroom design in Philadelphia with white walls

The homeowners wished to create one large open space from their closed off kitchen and dining room. We flipped their kitchen and dining room, eliminating the wall between, gave them a seated island with under counter radiant heating mat, a mudroom area with drop zone by their entry door and a window bench in their new dining area. The addition of windows in their new kitchen makes the space bright and cheery. Back venting the hood allowed for a glass cabinet above to showcase fun collectibles. Cabinets by Executive Cabinetry - Villa Door in Maple with Alabaster paint on the perimeter and Cottage Blue Wash with Pewter glaze on the island. Photos by Michael Patrick Lefebvre

Kitchen/dining room combo - mid-sized transitional light wood floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Phoenix with white walls and no fireplace

Add a bit of green to your outdoor space with GreenSmart Decor. With artificial leaf panels, we've eliminated the maintenance and water consumption upkeep for real foliage. Our high-quality, weather resistant panels are the perfect solution to a bare, exterior wall. Redefine your patio, balcony or deck with modern elements from GreenSmart Decor.

Banquette dining + kitchen (open to Great Room) Photography: Garett + Carrie Buell of Studiobuell/ studiobuell.com
Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor great room remodel in Nashville with white walls

Tom Crane
Inspiration for a huge contemporary landscaping in Philadelphia.

The homeowners wanted a rustic country kitchen and the knotted alder cabinets with the oil rubbed brass handles made that idea come true. The alder has a clear satin finish to had a little sheen but still show the detail of the wood. -Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens

This basement level entertainment area includes a glass enclosed wine cellar that inhabits the same footprint of a large closet. This home has ample storage space so a single large closet was sacrificed to make way for this beautiful wine cellar. Christina Wedge Photography

This home, built in 1920, is a quintessential Virginia Highland craftsman bungalow in intown Atlanta. The home underwent an extensive renovaton that included the addition of a screened porch and deck off the back, dormers on the second story in the front, and finishing out the basement level. Most interior spaces were updated including the kitchen, multiple bathrooms, a mudroom and laundry room.