“Home” is in the Valley…Designed & Built What a difference the right curb appeal can make. It plays a significant role in that warm, inviting feeling you get when you return. A well-maintained lawn, vibrant flowers lining the walkway, and a charming front brick porch adorned with cozy seating was designed and built to create an immediate sense of welcome. The outdoor colors of the exterior hardscapes evoke a feeling of sophistication, tranquility and cheerfulness, especially how it complements the surrounding landscape. A tasteful front door, framed by decorative plants, draws you in and hints at the warmth inside. Details like outdoor lighting, decorative house numbers and seasonal wreath add character and shows that the home is loved and cared for. Each time you pull onto the brick paver driveway, it reminds you of the comfort and joy that awaits inside, making every return feel like a heartfelt reunion. A lifetime of memories will be made here and become some of the most cherished moments in our clients lives as well as their friends and family. Ultimately, it’s the everyday moments—the small, simple pleasures—that weave the fabric of memories in a cozy home, making it a sanctuary filled with love, laughter, and lasting joy.

Farm Kid Studios
Bathroom - mid-sized contemporary master porcelain tile and beige tile porcelain tile bathroom idea in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, an undermount sink and gray walls

Example of a cottage l-shaped kitchen design in Sacramento with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photo Credit: Chuck Smith Photography
Trendy kitchen photo in Dallas with mosaic tile backsplash, green backsplash, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and soapstone countertops

A vintage skate becomes a Christmas decoration with the addition of greenery from the garden, by Barbara Pintozzi.
Elegant entryway photo in Chicago

Modern Bathroom with Skylight. Townhouse renovation by Ben Herzog. Photography by Marco Valencia.
Inspiration for a contemporary blue tile and glass tile double shower remodel in New York with a trough sink, dark wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet and flat-panel cabinets

John Evans
Inspiration for a timeless white tile and marble tile bathroom remodel in Columbus with gray walls

This salvaged kitchen sink was found awhile ago by the client who new she wanted to use it if ever she renovated. Integrated beautifully into the Danby marble countertop and backsplash with new fixtures it is a real joy to clean up. This kitchen was formerly a dark paneled, cluttered, divided space with little natural light. By eliminating partitions and creating an open floorplan, as well as adding modern windows with traditional detailing, providing lovingly detailed built-ins for the clients extensive collection of beautiful dishes, and lightening up the color palette we were able to create a rather miraculous transformation. Renovation/Addition. Rob Karosis Photography

Dennis and Joe have a large, light-filled house. New construction meant lofted space and open floor plans with traditional styling. Running a busy dental practice by day and engaged in a rich social life by night, this couple needed a professional to take the lead on making their house a home. That’s my cue! They wanted to take risks, and stay away from “matchy-matchy”. We gussied up a plain ol’ TV room and gave it a healthy dose of luxury. Our plan was initially inspired by an abstract painting hanging over their stone fireplace. We brought in their love of the outdoors to make things cozy and used family furniture whenever possible for nostalgia and comfort. I took their love for one-of-a-kind objects and started making a design plan, aiming to solve their biggest frustration: the family room. They had a tortured relationship with a “forgotten family room,” a great space that was spacious and bright, but not at all cozy or joyful, and certainly not “them.” I wanted to create a cozy space functional for everyday curling up with puppies and watching TV after dinner, yet chic enough for hosting the pre-dinner kitchen overflow and cocktails during parties. I went looking for contrasting textures and materials. I wanted to balance patterns and scale, and use non-traditional colors as neutrals to create an overall sense of “BAM!” Dennis and Joe loved the nod to the classics juxtaposed with new and different globally-inspired pieces. For this project our design aesthetic can be described as Middle Eastern/tribal meets mid-century modern. We played to their sensible side with proportion and balance, and stayed as far away from boring/bleh as we could. You could say this room was pretty successful...It was featured in DC Modern Luxury. (#nobigdeal, right?) From there we moved on to other spaces.. We added colorful pillows and sheer drapery to finish off their formal living room. We kept an inherited bedroom set from Dennis’ Mom and added color, draperies, and pillows to overhaul the guest bedroom. Their project was not a rip-and-replace, we weren’t starting from scratch with a blank piece of paper. Rather, our goal was to take what was already there and make it better, more like them. Using functionality first, we focused on giving the house a soothing, joyful aesthetic. We upped the chic factor by a gajillion and helped them find their ‘happy’ at home. See more Safferstone stuff at www.safferstone.com. Connect with us on Facebook, get inspired on Pinterest, and share modern musings on life & design on Instagram. Or, send us a love note at hello@safferstone.com. Photo: Angie Seckinger

Traditional kitchen remodel project by Sawhill Custom Kitchens & Design. Looking to remodel your home? Visit our website at www.sawhillkitchens.com to see more project photos and download our free remodeling guide.

Being handed a clean slate on a Beach Retreat with a 20m lap pool and guest house in the Hamptons NY was undeniably a unique opportunity and to be tasked with reviving it as a haven for hospitality and repose was a true joy. Set on 2 acres of lush greenness and in close proximity to the beach, this California Case Study inspired house is not necessarily what traditional connotations of the Hamptons evoke and consequently needed a truly unique and openminded approach. The brief was to create a retreat – in the true sense of the word. A place where our clients could arrive seamlessly from the hectic everyday to find familiarity and respite in a fully realised sanctuary of welcoming comfort. We chose an understated path of simplicity and tranquillity, responding to the immediate landscape, colours of the environment and orientation of the building to give the interior a strong connection and responsiveness to its location and context. Blue was significant in the palette as a reflection of the surrounding coastline as were hints of yellow and the exterior, painted in a warm grey, allows the home to nestle and balance itself within the lush green surroundings of summer and the icy white snow coverings of winter. Room layouts were re-planned to make the most of the natural light, a new kitchen designed to enable entertaining and the indoor/outdoor aspect of dining was rationalised with a set of 4 identical tables catering for anything from 2 to 20 people – a simple solution but one that enables the balance of intimate retreat with welcoming hospitality. The large Roy Lichtenstein “wallpaper” became the focal point of the living room – a giant visual reminder of the simple human need to create spaces for pleasure and reflection – it mirrors what we’ve achieved in this home’s expression of seclusion and relaxed aesthetic, while embracing our client’s passion for contemporary art. Overall, the concept embraces and enhances the house’s open airy feeling and extensive decks – creating cheerful, sheltered spaces with a richly layered yet casual holiday atmosphere. This, in turn, encourages a true appreciation of the lush and enviable surroundings, maximising the affect of “getting away from it all”. Photography: Jonny Valiant

'Sweet 100' cherry tomatoes growing in a 15-gallon terra-cotta pot. Container-grown tomatoes are more susceptible to blossom end rot, but cherry tomatoes like 'Sweet 100', 'Sungold', and 'Black Cherry' rarely have this problem. Photo by Steve Masley

MyRecipes & RL networks Search Coastal Living.com Color It Coastal View each one of our stunning color coast-inspired color palettes. Coastal Colors: Seaglass Treasured finds tumbled smooth by ocean waves inspire a palette of blues and greens ideal for beachfront interiors. Text size: A A A Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn Everyday Style Soft, refreshing sea glass shades look as alluring indoors as they do on the shore. Dress your home in these cool hues for a look that’s shimmering and calming at the same time. Transform everyday objects into accessories―it’s a classic decorator’s trick. Coastal icons such as oars, paddles, and even surf rods become instant works of art when painted deep, rich shades. Remember, eye-catching accents in sea glass colors look best against bright white walls. Next Show and Tell Previous Slide Just Right White Next Slide Show and Tell 2 of 16 Related Features COMMENTS (1-5 of 7) Add comment Eileen Hughes Sat 7/31/10 02:35 AM I love the colors of seaglass, especially blue and green. These are the colors I use in my coastal cottage. I always find inspiration in Coastal Living Magazine.It is a true joy to read. I even have some saved from 2001. They are just too good to throw away. i recently slipcovered a chair inspired by a 2001 edition. The re-do is on my blog. http://freshcutfabrics.blogspot.com lois Thu 7/29/10 12:02 AM I would choose the sea glass palette. So many people are drawn to these soothing colors. They remind us of not only the sea but of a quiet version of all that surrounds us. I think it is the variations in these colors that bring calm into our otherwise hectic lives. Reminds me of sitting on the seawall near my home and seeing various colors at different seasons and finding an inner peace and harmony. I think that is what most people are yearning for. With these colors you can always punch it up a bit with a few more dramatic colors that coordinate with them. The darker more warmer turquoises, the rich greens, and lets

Brian Kellogg
Elegant family room photo in Sacramento

Trendy freestanding bathtub photo in San Francisco

Dennis and Joe have a large, light-filled house. New construction meant lofted space and open floor plans with traditional styling. Running a busy dental practice by day and engaged in a rich social life by night, this couple needed a professional to take the lead on making their house a home. That’s my cue! They wanted to take risks, and stay away from “matchy-matchy”. We gussied up a plain ol’ TV room and gave it a healthy dose of luxury. Our plan was initially inspired by an abstract painting hanging over their stone fireplace. We brought in their love of the outdoors to make things cozy and used family furniture whenever possible for nostalgia and comfort. I took their love for one-of-a-kind objects and started making a design plan, aiming to solve their biggest frustration: the family room. They had a tortured relationship with a “forgotten family room,” a great space that was spacious and bright, but not at all cozy or joyful, and certainly not “them.” I wanted to create a cozy space functional for everyday curling up with puppies and watching TV after dinner, yet chic enough for hosting the pre-dinner kitchen overflow and cocktails during parties. I went looking for contrasting textures and materials. I wanted to balance patterns and scale, and use non-traditional colors as neutrals to create an overall sense of “BAM!” Dennis and Joe loved the nod to the classics juxtaposed with new and different globally-inspired pieces. For this project our design aesthetic can be described as Middle Eastern/tribal meets mid-century modern. We played to their sensible side with proportion and balance, and stayed as far away from boring/bleh as we could. You could say this room was pretty successful...It was featured in DC Modern Luxury. (#nobigdeal, right?) From there we moved on to other spaces.. We added colorful pillows and sheer drapery to finish off their formal living room. We kept an inherited bedroom set from Dennis’ Mom and added color, draperies, and pillows to overhaul the guest bedroom. Their project was not a rip-and-replace, we weren’t starting from scratch with a blank piece of paper. Rather, our goal was to take what was already there and make it better, more like them. Using functionality first, we focused on giving the house a soothing, joyful aesthetic. We upped the chic factor by a gajillion and helped them find their ‘happy’ at home. See more Safferstone stuff at www.safferstone.com. Connect with us on Facebook, get inspired on Pinterest, and share modern musings on life & design on Instagram. Or, send us a love note at hello@safferstone.com. Photo: Angie Seckinger

Eclectic enclosed dining room photo in Boston with red walls

This home was reconstructed on a 50' wide, urban lot. The traditional styling helps it to blend with the neighborhood and is something that brings our clients pure joy when they drive up their driveway everyday to see it! (Andrea Rugg Photography)

URRUTIA DESIGN Photography by Sherry Heck
Transitional home design photo in San Francisco