Building Design, Plans, and Interior Finishes by: Fluidesign Studio I Builder: Schmidt Homes Remodeling I Photographer: Seth Benn Photography
Large cottage l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and granite countertops

Kitchen - country vinyl floor kitchen idea in Salt Lake City with quartz countertops, white backsplash and gray countertops

  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

Example of a trendy laundry room design in Seattle

You don't typically see a sliding barn door leading to a pantry, but doesn't it look awesome? Also, peek at the lighting above the island!
Inspiration for a mid-sized farmhouse u-shaped vinyl floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Organization is always key in small spaces. So a closet design with a place for everything is essential. Keeping the built-ins white and with simple lines eliminates visual clutter. Photo Credit : John Ellis

Outdoor lighting that automatically rises slowly at dusk and lighting that illuminates your way through the mud hall and into the kitchen when the garage door opens eliminates driving or walking into dark areas. Lighting controls can easily duplicate the appearance of occupancy in your home while you are away or eliminate a large bank of light switches with a single lighting keypad that controls a large area . . . we are experts in this field.

The tub was eliminated in favor of a large walk-in shower featuring double shower heads, multiple shower sprays, a steam unit, two wall-mounted teak seats, a curbless glass enclosure and a minimal infinity drain. Additional floor space in the design allowed us to create a separate water closet. A pocket door replaces a standard door so as not to interfere with either the open shelving next to the vanity or the water closet entrance. We kept the location of the skylight and added a new window for additional light and views to the yard. We responded to the client’s wish for a modern industrial aesthetic by featuring a large metal-clad double vanity and shelving units, wood porcelain wall tile, and a white glass vanity top. Special features include an electric towel warmer, medicine cabinets with integrated lighting, and a heated floor. Industrial style pendants flank the mirrors, completing the symmetry. Photo: Peter Krupenye

Inspiration for a mid-sized cottage galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, wood backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Land-to-ceiling windows line the south side of the dining room, keeping the sunken space from feeling buried under ground. The windows glide open on tracks, virtually eliminating the boundary between inside and out. Tucked beneath the overhang of the master bedroom above, the dining room greatly benefits from the shade during the summer months, although wintertime can also be cool. With regard to the original single-pain windows, the Fishers continue to research their options for greater efficiency. "Replacing them would be astronomically expensive and tamper with the aesthetics of the house," explains Bobbie. "Matthew has researched interior storm windows, so that may be an option for the future." Adrienne DeRosa Photography © 2013 Houzz

Dining integrated into kitchen island to save space in a small condo. {Photo Credit: Zach Manzano}
Example of a small trendy galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen design in Hawaii with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, green backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, gray walls and a peninsula

To maximize storage in this small space we retrofitted the drawers to go around the gas line. To have more counter top surface we stole a few inches from the adjacent room which made all the difference for this small kitchen!

An extraordinary opportunity taken, applying a client driven design concept into a residence surpassing all expectations. Client collaboration and pursuant work combine to satisfy requirements of modernism, respect of streetscape, family privacy, and applications of art and function. Interior Furnishings by Client. Exclusive Photography and Videography by Michael Blevins of MB Productions.

This large painting continues our exploration of scale. It pops right off the deep green walls. Use of large pieces eliminates the cluttered look that often befalls smaller spaces. daubmanphotography@cox.net

Alcove bathtub - small transitional 3/4 white tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile, black floor and single-sink alcove bathtub idea in New York with open cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops, white countertops and a freestanding vanity

Example of a large beach style brown three-story wood gable roof design in Cedar Rapids with a shingle roof

Josh Goetz Photography
Bathroom - scandinavian bathroom idea in New York

When building new, it's possible to achieve the proper site drainage while eliminating any steps going into the main entrance.
Example of a mid-sized country green two-story mixed siding gable roof design with a metal roof