Two-toned cabinets add a modern twist to a classic traditional kitchen; the combination of black bottom cabinets and white upper cabinets make the kitchen feel open and airy.

Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Chicago with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, two islands and white countertops

The living room was long and narrow but with an amazing bay window. Instead of a galley style living room used by the previous owner, we decided to change the furniture arrangement by putting one big comfy L-shaped sectional all the way to one side to create a pass-through area enabling a better foot traffic. We then added two side chairs for extra seats. We also mounted our TV on top of the fireplace to gain more space. Although it's not my favorite design choice to have TV on top of the fireplace because I think it takes away from the fireplace but we had to work within the limitation of the space. For the fireplace, we bought wood stove insert and inserted it into the existing masonry fireplace. The look was updated by granite tiles around the insert and custom built wood mantel. Buying wood fireplace insert was the best decision we made. First of all, it created a memorable space in our home. I LOVE the sound of wood cracking and the smell of wood burning. In winter nights we would sit around the fireplace and make s'mores like it's a campfire. Second, it's a clean burning and efficient heater. You don't lose the majority the fire’s heat up the chimney thereby saving money on your heating bill. The coffee table is purchased from Wicker Emporium and it's made from reclaimed pine timbers giving the house a rustic feel. The side chair by the fireplace is the perfect spot for me to relax, put my feet up on the large ball shaped knitted foot rest and enjoy a cup of cappuccino or cozy up with a good book.

The kitchen is in the portion of the home that was part of an addition by the previous homeowners, which was enclosed and had a very low ceiling. We removed and reframed the roof of the addition portion to vault the ceiling. The new kitchen layout is open to the family room, and has a large square shaped island. Other improvements include natural soapstone countertops, built-in stainless steel appliances and two tone cabinets with brass hardware.

This gorgeous contemporary glass front custom wine cellar in Corona Del Mar, Newport Beach, California is an eye catcher. The sleek, glass ultra modern wine room was a unique and exciting project for our team here at Vintage Cellars. The stone bar extends into the wine cellar itself, but due to mechanical, cooling, and condensation concerns, our expert custom wine cellar team knew that extra measures needed to be taken to ensure the end quality remained top notch. The bar itself was divided into two sections, one cut section outside to make up the main seating area and the other inside the glass wine room. The stone bar, which is porous, takes up a good portion of the front facing glass panel. Had the bar simply extended into the wine cellar and been sealed off at the joints, the stone would have eventually transferred in enough heat and moisture to cause condensation. Proper wine cellar design and planning enabled this wine cellar to not only look fantastic, but function perfectly as well. One interesting unique feature in this Corona Del Mar, Newport Beach, Orange County, California glass and metal wine cellar is an extension of floor to ceiling frames mounted to the backside of the stone bar. This feature was made to seamlessly show consistency in floor to ceiling vintageview frames throughout. Corona Del Mar, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Coast, Ladera Ranch, Coto De Caza, Laguna Hills, San Clemente, Dana Point, Seal Beach, Laguna Niguel still remain the areas in Orange County that we build wine cellars most often. Contemporary wine cellars such as this are becoming more and more popular in modern design trends. Interior Design, Architecture, and Construction all play a part in ensuring that the client’s vision comes to reality. This project was no different. Working closely with David Close Homes, Vintage Cellars was able to meet with the client and team involved, determine the ultimate wine cellar wine room wine closet goals, and see them to the finish. Upon walking into this glass and metal modern contemporary wine cellar, you become quickly surrounded with triple deep bottles from many of the world’s best wineries. On the left below the countertop is a black stained poplar wine racking system for single 750ml bottles. Above lies room for display case storage, room for large format bottles, and label forward vintageview design racking to the ceiling. On the middle wall of this wine room is room for case storage below, similarly with triple deep vintageview floor to ceiling frames dying into more case storage above. On the right side of this wall lies a vertical space for single large format case storage. Ultra Modern wine cellars such as this are all the rage in contemporary homes in San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles. This glass enclosed wine cellar with a sleek modern contemporary racking system is truly a showpiece in this home in Corona Del Mar, Newport Beach, California. Wine Racking, Wine Cellar Cooling, Wine Cellar design, Wine Cellar Build out and Wine Cellar Installation is what Vintage Cellars does best. Timeless Luxury.

The star field ceiling enabled the homeowner to create the illusion of higher ceilings while adding a "wow" factor to the space. Photo Credit: Kevin Kelley, Gramophone

The homeowners liked the idea of two-toned kitchen cabinets, so we opted for a combination of pure white and charcoal gray for dramatic contrast. Brushed gold fixtures and statement brass pulls add warmth and sophistication. The distinctive quartzite counters are a showstopper, with unique veining and striking color variation, from blue to gray to ochre. The shimmering blue-gray backsplash unites the entire space. The overall goal was to create an expansive entertaining kitchen that could accommodate our clients’ large gatherings of family and friends, and provide them with several zones for prepping, serving, seating, and socializing.

Example of a cottage l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Boston with a farmhouse sink, granite countertops, marble backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash and gray countertops

Two levels of South-facing (and lake-facing) outdoor spaces wrap the home and provide ample excuses to spend leisure time outside. Acting as an added room to the home, this area connects the interior to the gorgeous neighboring countryside, even featuring an outdoor grill and barbecue area. A massive two-story rock-faced wood burning fireplace with subtle copper accents define both the interior and exterior living spaces. Providing warmth, comfort, and a stunning focal point, this fireplace serves as a central gathering place in any season. A chef’s kitchen is equipped with a 48” professional range which allows for gourmet cooking with a phenomenal view. With an expansive bunk room for guests, the home has been designed with a grand master suite that exudes luxury and takes in views from the North, West, and South sides of the panoramic beauty.

In the beach-side town of Asbury Park, New Jersey, stands Palomino Blackwing, a newly renovated 1920s Art Deco building. Now home to 23 modern duplex apartments, the building was designed with sustainable living in mind. Rather than seeking more space, the ideal design was shifted to using space ingeniously. Some highlights of each unit include: The Atoll 000 sofa/wall bed system transforms the living room into a guest bedroom for two when needed. A Lollisoft bunk bed system with a desk, which allows the downstairs flex space to function in multiple ways as needed: a home office/work space, lounge, or bedroom for two. The two steel frame, single beds easily fold down and comfortably accommodate two children or adults. Goliath transforming Console/Dining Table eliminates the need for a separate dining room, yet can easily accommodate up to 10 people. Folding Pocket Chairs that are less than 1” deep when closed; 8 chairs are stored on a rack less than 5.5” deep and hung on the wall above the Goliath.

The owners of a Bethesda home purchased the property next door with the intent to combine the two lots and build an addition to their existing house. They wanted a swimming pool with an outdoor living area, a two-car garage, family room, kitchenette, and guest suite. Our team reviewed the site and what it would look like once the neighboring house was demolished. One of the crucial goals of the designers was to locate the pool behind the addition and keep the massing of the addition down to retain sunlight to the pool in the summer without the new structure or existing house shading the pool. We had a place holder in our design for the location of the pool, but the detailed plan for the pool, fire pit, surfacing, and plantings were developed by the landscape/pool company and homeowner. We built the addition and the pool company poured the pool foundation. The house was on a corner lot, so the pool company was able to access the site from the other side of the house from where we were building the addition. Outdoor Room. The covered porch area is about ten-feet by thirty-feet and is an exterior living/dining room. This area has ceiling fans, recessed lighting, and a flat screen on one wall. The client wanted operable screens, so once we completed the addition, he hired a company to install screens that lower at the touch of a button to create a screened porch. Along the back wall of the garage there is storage for pool toys and tools and a showerhead. Michael K. Wilkinson

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Eric Roth Photo

Previously renovated with a two-story addition in the 80’s, the home’s square footage had been increased, but the current homeowners struggled to integrate the old with the new. An oversized fireplace and awkward jogged walls added to the challenges on the main floor, along with dated finishes. While on the second floor, a poorly configured layout was not functional for this expanding family. From the front entrance, we can see the fireplace was removed between the living room and dining rooms, creating greater sight lines and allowing for more traditional archways between rooms. At the back of the home, we created a new mudroom area, and updated the kitchen with custom two-tone millwork, countertops and finishes. These main floor changes work together to create a home more reflective of the homeowners’ tastes. On the second floor, the master suite was relocated and now features a beautiful custom ensuite, walk-in closet and convenient adjacency to the new laundry room. Gordon King Photography

Photos Taken By Ed Caballero, Owner of Two Guys Home Improvements Credits Given to Lauren & Phil
Inspiration for a timeless alcove shower remodel in New York with an undermount sink and a two-piece toilet

This stunning two-story deck is the perfect place to host many guests - all with different locations. The second-story provides an excellent place for grilling and eating. The ground-level space offers a fire feature and covered seating area. Extended by hardscaping beyond the covered ground-level space, there is a fire pit for even further gathering.

Dimension: Dining Table: 60" L X 42" D X 31" H Dining Chair: 18" L X 18" D X 41.5" H Modern taste meets provincial cottage charm with our sophisticated Morrilton Mahogany Wood Two-Tone Dining Room Table & Chair Set. Turned legs, graceful traditional design, and a crisp two-tone color palette lend this stately seven-piece dining set a delightful rustic character that serves up a welcoming place to break bread with family members and friends alike. The set includes one dining table and six matching chairs. Each chair is detailed with a slat-back design with two front legs featured in a turned style, plus a contoured seat for heightened comfort. The rectangular table is likewise fashioned with turned legs in a white base with a natural wood-toned top. It's the perfect coupling of form and function to serve your formal dining room or eat-in kitchen. Beautifully constructed in solid mahogany wood, this rustic dining room set is the epitome of Old World panache, constructed with all the care and attention of the crafters of yore. Simply elegant with just the right amount of farmhouse flair, this dining set is a match made for memories. Need more storage in your dining room? Add the Morrilton Sideboard Cabinet with 5 Drawers to bring a cohesive punch of style to your home that makes any gathering a memorable one. Special Features: • 100% Handcrafted • Made of solid mahogany wood • Two-tone coloring • One rectangular table • 6 Dining chairs • Part of the Morrilton Collection Note: Real wood is a product of nature, and as such, no two pieces are alike. Variations in solid wood grain patterns are to be expected and make each furniture uniquely beautiful, just like us humans.

Restoration and remodel of a historic 1901 English Arts & Crafts home in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles by Tim Braseth of ArtCraft Homes, completed in 2013. Space reconfiguration enabled an enlarged vintage-style kitchen and two additional bathrooms for a total of 3. Special features include a pivoting bookcase connecting the library with the kitchen and an expansive deck overlooking the backyard with views to downtown L.A. Renovation by ArtCraft Homes. Staging by Jennifer Giersbrook. Photos by Larry Underhill.

Two symmetrical, cascading, white glass chandeliers custom made to go between skylights on a vaulted ceiling. Photo Credit: Sean Litchfield Photography

Kitchen - transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in St Louis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, two islands and white countertops