This kitchen flips the standard model in contemporary kitchens with blonde wood cabinets and dark marble countertops. This fresh take keeps with the flow of the other rooms in this open concept floor home but use the black accents to set it apart. The kitchen island seating also gives a unique twist to the standard barstool making it a true eat in kitchen.

Art Gray Photography
Pivot front door - gray floor pivot front door idea in Los Angeles with white walls and a yellow front door

Trendy gray tile alcove shower photo in San Francisco with a two-piece toilet

The use of elegant, formally interesting rugs and textiles conveys a contemporary design to this living room. Living Room Manufacturers - Fabrics: Romo, Kravet, Brunschwig & Fils Lighting: Barbara Cosgrove, Currey & Company Area Rug - Madeline Weinrib Accessories: Arteriors Singleton Photography

Julie Florio Photography
Inspiration for a small contemporary white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor and blue floor bathroom remodel in New York with a wall-mount sink, a one-piece toilet, white walls and glass countertops

ArcherShot Photography
Inspiration for a 1950s staircase remodel in Austin

Landscape by Gardens by Gabriel; Fire Bowl and Water Feature by Wells Concrete Works; Radial bench by TM Lewis Construction
Example of a mid-sized minimalist backyard concrete patio fountain design in San Luis Obispo with no cover

Susan Gilmore
Large transitional master dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Minneapolis with gray walls and no fireplace

Ryan Garvin
Example of a mid-sized beach style u-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen design in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Greg Hadley
Bathroom - large industrial concrete floor and black floor bathroom idea in DC Metro with white walls

Now this is a bar made for entertaining, conversation and activity. With seating on both sides of the peninsula you'll feel more like you're in a modern brewery than in a basement. A secret hidden bookcase allows entry into the hidden brew room and taps are available to access from the bar side. What an energizing project with bright bold pops of color against warm walnut, white enamel and soft neutral walls. Our clients wanted a lower level full of life and excitement that was ready for entertaining. Photography by Spacecrafting Photography Inc.

Example of a bedroom design in Phoenix

Jacob Hand Photography + Motion- Photographer
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic bedroom remodel in Chicago with green walls and no fireplace

Bathroom - 1960s bathroom idea in Denver

Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Example of an eclectic medium tone wood floor living room design in New York with black walls, a standard fireplace and a tv stand

San Marino based clients were interested in developing a property that had been in their family for generations. This was an exciting proposition as it was one of the last surviving bayside double lots on the scenic Coronado peninsula in San Diego. They desired a holiday home that would be a gathering place for their large, close- knit family. San Marino based clients were interested in developing a property that had been in their family for generations. This was an exciting proposition as it was one of the last surviving bayside double lots on the scenic Coronado peninsula in San Diego. They desired a holiday home that would be a gathering place for their large, close-knit family. Facing the Back Bay, overlooking downtown and the Bay Bridge, this property presented us with a unique opportunity to design a vacation home with a dual personality. One side faces a bustling harbor with a constant parade of yachts, cargo vessels and military ships while the other opens onto a deep, quiet contemplative garden. The home’s shingle-style influence carries on the historical Coronado tradition of clapboard and Craftsman bungalows built in the shadow of the great Hotel Del Coronado which was erected at the turn of the last century. In order to create an informal feel to the residence, we devised a concept that eliminated the need for a “front door”. Instead, one walks through the garden and enters the “Great Hall” through either one of two French doors flanking a walk-in stone fireplace. Both two-story bedroom wings bookend this central wood beam vaulted room which serves as the “heart of the home”, and opens to both views. Three sets of stairs are discretely tucked away inside the bedroom wings. In lieu of a formal dining room, the family convenes and dines around a beautiful table and banquette set into a circular window bay off the kitchen which overlooks the lights of the city beyond the harbor. Working with noted interior designer Betty Ann Marshall, we designed a unique kitchen that was inspired by the colors and textures of a fossil the couple found on a honeymoon trip to the quarries of Montana. We set that ancient fossil into a matte glass backsplash behind the professional cook’s stove. A warm library with walnut paneling and a bayed window seat affords a refuge for the family to read or play board games. The couple’s fine craft and folk art collection is on prominent display throughout the house and helps to set an intimate and whimsical tone. Another architectural feature devoted to family is the play room lit by a dramatic cupola which beacons the older grandchildren and their friends. Below the play room is a four car garage that allows the patriarch space to refurbish an antique fire truck, a mahogany launch boat and several vintage cars. Their jet skis and kayaks are housed in another garage designed for that purpose. Lattice covered skylights that allow dappled sunlight to bathe the loggia affords a comfortable refuge to watch the kids swim and gaze out upon the rushing water, the Coronado Bay Bridge and the romantic downtown San Diego skyline. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Design: Betty Ann Marshall Construction: Bill Lyons Photographer: Laura Hull Styling: Zale Design Studio

This is a perfect setting for entertaining in a mountain retreat. Shoot pool, watch the game on tv and relax by the fire. Photo by Stacie Baragiola
Inspiration for a mid-sized rustic open concept medium tone wood floor game room remodel in Los Angeles with beige walls, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

When it comes to finding inspiration for your house or apartment design, there are a variety of routes you can take. For some, it is important to dive into the latest trends in fashion and art, using only the most popular decor pieces and embracing the color palettes seen on runways or in home and garden magazines. But for others, it’s simply about discovering what feels most like “home.” Ashley Steele, the creator of A Styled Affair, was part of the latter group. “Since my husband and I were moving into a space that was previously owned, I needed a way to make it feel like it was truly ours, and unique to us,” she told our team. A Styled Affair sprang from Ashley’s passion for fashion, and need for a creative outlet. But it soon became more than that. She developed a following, and it quickly became a place where she could share her personal style, travel adventures, and lifestyle tips. “While the blogging industry has become overwhelmed with people sharing their favorite home decor or make-up tips, I think what sets A Styled Affair apart is my commitment to stay true to my unique taste. I have always marched to the beat of my own drum – and that carries through in the clothes I wear, the decor I select for our home, and the travels I plan.” Paintzen connected with Ashley as she was settling into her new home in Boston’s Seaport District. Although she and her husband have lived in Boston for almost 8 years, they were used to smaller, more traditional spaces. Their new home is much bigger, and more modern, than any place they lived before. “I wanted to select colors of comfort, simplicity, and sophistication so we could elevate the space and make it feel more like a home.” Ashley also accurately pointed out that new construction can sometimes feel a little cold and sterile, almost industrial. “I wanted our home to feel like a peaceful oasis after coming in from the bustling city.” Ashley chose soft white paint for her walls to bring a sense of comfort and zen. With lots of wall decor, art work and carefully selected furniture, the walls serve as a clean and comfortable palette, and allowed her more freedom when making her other design decisions throughout the space. Ashley kept the overall palette fairly neutral, and incorporated “modern bohemian” inspired decor throughout the home; the final product was clean and simple, and catered to her style. We asked Ashley what she was most excited for now. “I’m most excited to continue to find new decor pieces to compliment the paint colors and decor we’ve already found for the space. We have been really patient with decorating and selected each piece really careful to make sure it is cohesive and flows from room to room. I’m looking forward to enjoying the space with my husband and dog, and entertaining friends and family in the spring and summer!” A few final questions for Ashley on her experience with Paintzen: “I would highly recommend Paintzen to anyone, especially those that live in the city. There are so many different paint companies and contractors to choose from but going through Paintzen simplified the process and made me feel comfortable that we had the right team working on our space. Their platform for booking services and choosing paint colors made the process seamless and was a great way to keep track of what we booked and chose for colors. Most importantly, the customer service team was outstanding whenever we had a question or needed to make an adjustment.” And advice she would give someone repainting their home: “Patience. I would recommend taking your time and doing your research before selecting paint colors. Lighting changes every color so make sure to bring paint swatches and samples into the space and look at it throughout the day to see the different tones that the light will pick up. I would also recommend researching color trends and recommendations for colors in the family you are looking for. We found our living room color through a blog post listing top-used colors by interior designers and it looks amazing.”

Photo: Brian Barkley © 2015 Houzz
Mountain style guest bedroom photo in Other with beige walls and no fireplace