This desert contemporary custom home of 4200 sqft., has a host of exciting elements into one comfortably-sized package. The 320 square feet of motorized, retractable glass overlooks a natural desert preserve along the rear of the custom home, making a seamless, beautiful view. The clean lines of the modern kitchen with various textures and materials are framed by rough-cut ledge stone which complements the extensive use of stone on the exterior. A conversation area centered around a dramatic fire element provides the focus for the back yard, with a playful splash pad and fountain in the front courtyard. The side yard is complete with a formal dining area, BBQ, Green Egg smoker, sink, fridge, TV, and recessed linear heat lamps. Back inside, there is a home theater that provides a retreat during the summer monsoon season.

There are so many design elements to this kitchen, I almost don’t know where to start. Bright and airy with crisp clean white cabinets, the kitchen is open and welcoming. Still crisp but gently contrasting, the stainless steel appliance add depth amid the white. To keep this kitchen warm, natural oak covers the floors and a toasted wheat color washes the walls. And then there is the architectural elements. You know. That post and beam in the middle of the room. It’s the center of attention. When you walk into a room your eyes roam around, establishing the size and shape of the room as your feet take you forward. From the front door of this home straight ahead you encountered this wall. The dining area to the right gives you a glimpse of things to come. Where there is a dining room you will usually find a kitchen. The architecture of years gone by consistently hides the kitchen, the heart of the home, behind walls. I sympathize with my Mom, and all the other Moms, who have had to spend so much time tucked into a tight kitchen, away from the family. This wall had to go, but it was structural. We needed its support but not its bulk. So we got rid of the bulk and only the bulk. Instead of a wall we have a post and beam, offering all of the structure we need. We could have installed a huge steel beam and reconfigure the joists to upset the beam, but why? The small beam and post add an incredible architectural element. It’s turning lemons into lemon, we simply made the most of what we had. It may be functional but it’s so fantastic. It looks like we created the effect just for the drama. The original kitchen may have had a working triangle and some counter space, but it was fairly small, with each area only a step or two away. The dark cabinets made the space feel even smaller and the butcher block patterned laminate counter tops were very dated. The appliances were feeling their age as well, from a coil burner electric stove to a top freezer refrigerator. To keep this kitchen within its space, a half wall separated it from the dining area. With the wall gone we borrowed some space from the living room and extended what was a U shaped kitchen into an L. At the living room window we start our new kitchen. We kept a small part of the wall to support the other end of our decorative beam. Sandwiched between a large pantry and our new French door refrigerator, the wall disappears. With our new open floor plan a sizable island was in order. We split our cooking areas and installed a continuous grill gas cooktop into the island. A sleek island hood takes care of exhaust and adds an extra element to our architectural feature. Under the cooktop we added over-sized drawers for pots and pan storage. The frameless cabinets from New River Cabinetry are maple, painted white, with the Herndon door style. With the cooktop safely nestled into our island, we still had to add an oven. We used the space where the old range sat for a large single oven of stainless steel and glass. If it worked for one, why not two? We created a home for a microwave in the wall cabinets. It’s perfect for heating leftovers so close to the refrigerator. An important consideration for hot spots in your kitchen is landing zones. Each of our cooking areas have generous landing zones, one on each side of the cooktop and an entire counter area above or below the ovens, depending on which one you’re using. We wanted to give the sink area more room so the half wall had to come out. We moved the trash and recycle cans into a cabinet, removed the heavy soffits and kept the sink under the window. With that little bit of extra space we were able to add a larger cabinet above the dishwasher and slide it all down. This used to be where the carpeting met the vinyl floor, but all of it is gone. Long oak planks eliminate that final divide between the kitchen and the dining area, while adding visual length to the area. White wall cabinets on each side of the window reflect the sunlight for a brighter view. With all of the darker cabinetry the backsplash walls had been painted white. Even still, there was a darkness in the corners and it wasn’t very exciting. We wanted to add visual interest and reflect the new under-cabinet lighting, eliminating the shadows in this corner. With 1″x 2″ Arabescato Honed marble mosaics and those under-cabinet lights, we achieved the perfect balance. The marble has subtle swirls in gray and beige on a clean white background, but with the honed finish the light is softly reflected instead of glaring. For granite, we chose the soft gray tones of Luna Pearl. The speckles of gray and beige are a gentle contrast to the white cabinets and emulate the color of the stainless steel. Between the carpet, red half wall, dark railing and dated light fixture, the dining area felt tired. Since the kitchen lacked sufficient storage, a large utility cabinet crowded the table space without adding any decorate elements. Although it didn’t get any bigger, our dining area feels fresher and more open too. With the oak flooring joining the area to the rest of our space and the toasted wheat on the walls, the white table and chairs compliment the cabinetry while contrasting the warmer colors. We replaced the chandelier with recessed lighting and changed that railing too. With our new open floor plan, we ended up with a fairly open area in between our foyer closet and the living room window. Not one to miss an opportunity, we filled the space with a multi-functional work space. With the sunlight streaming in this bright corner works for anything this family needs. There’s plenty of space for a chair under this large desk drawer. A closed cabinet below, glass doors above and lots of open shelving let you store and or showcase your belongings. We added a lite area at the top to keep away the darker corners. The transformation is complete. This kitchen and all of its features are truly the center of attention in this home. http://www.designsbyskill.com/ http://www.rjkconstructioninc.com/

New build home for a clients in Victoria, MN. Wanted a functional and comfortable, yet pretty living area to entertain guests and family to lounge in comfortably. Our client wanted some pops of color to bring a statement to the room. These lilac lounge chairs bring in the exciting element to the space with the beautiful cane back detail. The leather ottoman provides durability and practicality for small children playing in the space and provides to be able to kick your feet up after a long day. We felt the contrast in the pillows and playful stripes, plaid and floral motifs complemented the drama of the black windows throughout the home.

This kitchen is a fun mix of Industrial and Modern. The charcoal cabinets contrasted with the stark white subway tile gives the house an exciting element. This kitchen is a fun space to entertain and just chill.

New build home for a clients in Victoria, MN. Wanted a functional and comfortable, yet pretty living area to entertain guests and family to lounge in comfortably. Our client wanted some pops of color to bring a statement to the room. These lilac lounge chairs bring in the exciting element to the space with the beautiful cane back detail. The leather ottoman provides durability and practicality for small children playing in the space and provides to be able to kick your feet up after a long day. We felt the contrast in the pillows and playful stripes, plaid and floral motifs complemented the drama of the black windows throughout the home.

In What Order Should You Renovate a Kitchen? Revolutionizing Kitchen and Bath Renovation with Allreno's Design AI Renovating a kitchen can be one of the most exciting and rewarding home improvement projects. However, with so many decisions to make, it can also be overwhelming. From selecting kitchen cabinets to choosing countertops and appliances, the process often involves careful planning and organization. So, how do you ensure the renovation goes smoothly? One important factor is knowing the right order in which to tackle the project. The Right Order for Kitchen Renovation Renovating a kitchen involves multiple steps, and knowing the proper order of operations is crucial for both time efficiency and cost savings. Here’s a general guideline for how to approach your kitchen renovation: 1. Planning and Design: The first step in any renovation is planning. This includes deciding on the layout, design, and features you want in your kitchen. At this stage, you’ll also need to think about your budget and timeline. It’s essential to finalize these details before moving forward with the actual work. 2. Demolition: Once the design is set, it’s time to remove old fixtures, cabinets, appliances, and flooring. Demolition can be a messy process, but it’s necessary for starting fresh. Having a professional handle this phase is often a smart move to ensure everything is safely removed. 3. Structural Work: If you plan on altering the layout of the kitchen by knocking down walls or adding new plumbing or electrical work, now is the time to do it. Structural changes can be complicated and costly, so it’s important to ensure these are completed before installing any new elements. 4. Plumbing and Electrical Work: With the structure in place, you can begin installing plumbing and electrical systems. This might include adding new water lines, sinks, or electrical outlets for appliances. It’s best to bring in licensed professionals for this stage, as electrical and plumbing work requires expert knowledge. 5. Cabinet Installation: Once the plumbing and electrical work are in place, you can install the kitchen cabinets. Cabinets are one of the most important elements of the kitchen, and the Allreno design AI can make this process easier. Allreno's AI-driven platform allows you to visualize how different kitchen cabinets will fit into your space, ensuring you make the best choice based on your preferences and layout. 6. Countertops: After the cabinets are installed, it’s time to add countertops. Whether you choose granite, quartz, or a more budget-friendly option, countertops are a focal point of the kitchen, and they should complement the cabinets and other design elements. 7. Flooring: Now that the major structural elements are in place, it’s time to install your flooring. Whether you opt for tile, hardwood, or vinyl, flooring should be installed after the cabinets and countertops to prevent any damage during the installation process. 8. Appliances and Fixtures: With the foundation in place, you can now add your appliances (oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, etc.) and fixtures (sink, faucets, lighting). Allreno’s AI can also help here by offering kitchen design recommendations based on available appliances and space dimensions. 9. Final Touches: The last step is adding the finishing touches to your kitchen. This includes painting the walls, adding backsplash tiles, and installing accessories like handles and knobs on your cabinets. This is also the stage where you can implement any stylistic choices to make the space uniquely yours. How Allreno's AI Transforms the Renovation Process One of the biggest challenges of a kitchen renovation is visualizing how everything will come together. Allreno’s design AI changes that by offering an intuitive platform that brings your ideas to life. Here’s how: • Personalized Design Recommendations: Allreno’s AI suggests design elements based on your preferences, style, and space dimensions. Whether it’s selecting the perfect kitchen cabinets or countertop finishes, the AI ensures everything works together cohesively. • 3D Visualization: With Allreno’s AI-driven design tools, you can visualize your kitchen layout in 3D before any work begins. This allows you to see how different elements will fit into your space and make adjustments as needed. • Efficient Project Management: Allreno helps you streamline the entire renovation process by generating accurate material lists, estimates, and timelines. This means you can avoid costly errors and keep your renovation on track. Conclusion Renovating a kitchen is an exciting project, but it requires careful planning and organization to ensure it’s done right. By following a strategic order of operations and leveraging cutting-edge technology like Allreno’s design AI, homeowners can streamline the process, save time and money, and bring their dream kitchen to life with ease. Allreno not only simplifies the design process but also provides innovative solutions that make kitchen and bath renovations faster and more efficient than ever before. Ready to get started with your kitchen renovation? Allreno's AI-powered design platform is here to help you every step of the way.

New build home for a clients in Victoria, MN. Wanted a functional and comfortable, yet pretty living area to entertain guests and family to lounge in comfortably. Our client wanted some pops of color to bring a statement to the room. These lilac lounge chairs bring in the exciting element to the space with the beautiful cane back detail. The leather ottoman provides durability and practicality for small children playing in the space and provides to be able to kick your feet up after a long day. We felt the contrast in the pillows and playful stripes, plaid and floral motifs complemented the drama of the black windows throughout the home.

This Coral Gables client wished to have an outdoor shower designed for his existing pool deck. The goal was to make the shower look like an integrated, original piece of the patio, as well as have it designed as an architecturally exciting element. I designed the shower in a circular shape to reflect an existing circular jacuzzi, and faced the concrete frame with travertine tile to match the existing pool tile work. Some artistic distinction was created by adding short columns to bracket the shower entrance, each topped with a flowering planter to tie the shower in with the rest of the garden.

This beautiful home built in the late 50's early 60's had beautiful foundation and needed some TLC. The complete scrape and remodel included everything from exterior work to custom elements such as a bench at the entry way, a custom study/library, custom closet space. As passionate dog lovers, RW Design and Build even built two dog houses and a bathing area for our client's furry family members. A fun project with lots of flare and exciting elements.\ Great clients, great project, and an honor to help with our clients' forever home which was featurd in December 2020, Modern in Denver Magazine!

A gorgeous mix of traditional and contemporary style in this Toronto home! We were able to pair old furnishings with new, neutral tones with vibrant ones, and wall decor with exciting new artwork! Since we have worked with these clients before, we knew their design style to the T. The couple was moving from the suburbs to the city, so we wanted to take their usual style (which errs more on the traditional side) and throw in some exciting and bold new elements — new chapter, new look! The design turned out light and airy which is balanced by the vibrant color accents, large artwork, wall coverings, and, one of our favorite pieces, a glamorous puzzle table! Project by Richmond Hill interior design firm Lumar Interiors. Also serving Aurora, Newmarket, King City, Markham, Thornhill, Vaughan, York Region, and the Greater Toronto Area. For more about Lumar Interiors, click here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/portfolio/summerhill/

A gorgeous mix of traditional and contemporary style in this Toronto home! We were able to pair old furnishings with new, neutral tones with vibrant ones, and wall decor with exciting new artwork! Since we have worked with these clients before, we knew their design style to the T. The couple was moving from the suburbs to the city, so we wanted to take their usual style (which errs more on the traditional side) and throw in some exciting and bold new elements — new chapter, new look! The design turned out light and airy which is balanced by the vibrant color accents, large artwork, wall coverings, and, one of our favorite pieces, a glamorous puzzle table! Home located in Summerhill, Toronto. Designed by Lumar Interiors who also serve Richmond Hill, Aurora, Nobleton, Newmarket, King City, Markham, Thornhill, York Region, and the Greater Toronto Area. For more about Lumar Interiors, click here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/portfolio/summerhill/

Overview Whole house refurbishment, double storey wrap around extension and large loft conversion. The Brief Create a WOW factor space, add glamour and fun and give the house a street side and garden side, both different. Our Solution This project was exciting from the start, the client wanted to entertain in a WOW factor space, have a panoramic view of the garden (which was to be landscaped), add bedrooms and a great master suite. We had some key elements to introduce such as an aquarium separating two rooms; double height spaces and a gloss kitchen, all of which manifest themselves in the completed scheme. Architecture is a process taking a schedule of areas, some key desires and needs, mixing the functionality and creating space. New spaces transform a house making it more valuable, giving it kerb appeal and making it feel like a different building. All of which happened at Ailsa Road.

A gorgeous mix of traditional and contemporary style in this Toronto home! We were able to pair old furnishings with new, neutral tones with vibrant ones, and wall decor with exciting new artwork! Since we have worked with these clients before, we knew their design style to the T. The couple was moving from the suburbs to the city, so we wanted to take their usual style (which errs more on the traditional side) and throw in some exciting and bold new elements — new chapter, new look! The design turned out light and airy which is balanced by the vibrant color accents, large artwork, wall coverings, and, one of our favorite pieces, a glamorous puzzle table! Home located in Summerhill, Toronto. Designed by Lumar Interiors who also serve Richmond Hill, Aurora, Nobleton, Newmarket, King City, Markham, Thornhill, York Region, and the Greater Toronto Area. For more about Lumar Interiors, click here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/portfolio/summerhill/

A gorgeous mix of traditional and contemporary style in this Toronto home! We were able to pair old furnishings with new, neutral tones with vibrant ones, and wall decor with exciting new artwork! Since we have worked with these clients before, we knew their design style to the T. The couple was moving from the suburbs to the city, so we wanted to take their usual style (which errs more on the traditional side) and throw in some exciting and bold new elements — new chapter, new look! The design turned out light and airy which is balanced by the vibrant color accents, large artwork, wall coverings, and, one of our favorite pieces, a glamorous puzzle table! Project by Richmond Hill interior design firm Lumar Interiors. Also serving Aurora, Newmarket, King City, Markham, Thornhill, Vaughan, York Region, and the Greater Toronto Area. For more about Lumar Interiors, click here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/portfolio/summerhill/

New build home for a clients in Victoria, MN. Wanted a functional and comfortable, yet pretty living area to entertain guests and family to lounge in comfortably. Our client wanted some pops of color to bring a statement to the room. These lilac lounge chairs bring in the exciting element to the space with the beautiful cane back detail. The leather ottoman provides durability and practicality for small children playing in the space and provides to be able to kick your feet up after a long day. We felt the contrast in the pillows and playful stripes, plaid and floral motifs complemented the drama of the black windows throughout the home.

Cottage chic bedroom photo in Other

When a young professional couple approached us to decorate the main floor of their brand new modern townhouse in Port Coquitlam, we were very excited. Having moved from a Gastown condo, the couple was eager to infuse this suburban location with a funky yet sophisticated downtown vibe. They were also looking for a neutral backdrop with some hits of colour and asked us to incorporate wallpaper. The statement artwork that we selected above the fireplace set the tone for this project. We started with a pair of sleek neutral leather sofas to maximize seating in the small living space and layered them with a variety of toss pillows in blues, teals & turquoise then added a few pops of orange. We defined the front entrance and dining area with a stunning marbleized grey and white wallpaper by Graham and Brown. The dark wood furniture in the dining area adds contrast and sophistication balancing the dark stained kitchen cabinets opposite. The resulting look is clean, modern and playful. Interior Design by Lori Steeves of Simply Home Decorating. Photos by Tracey Ayton Photography. Floor Plans/ Drawings by ZakCreative.

Valerie Wilcox
Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea in Toronto

This beach style kids room has bunk beds with tropical bedding and a 3D shark art piece adds the perfect exciting element!
Bedroom - coastal bedroom idea in Miami with white walls