Mid-sized elegant master beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile walk-in shower photo in Phoenix with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, a one-piece toilet and beige walls

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Collaborations with builders on new construction is a favorite part of my job. I love seeing a house go up from the blueprints to the end of the build. It is always a journey filled with a thousand decisions, some creative on-the-spot thinking and yes, usually a few stressful moments. This Naperville project was a collaboration with a local builder and architect. The Kitchen Studio collaborated by completing the cabinetry design and final layout for the entire home. Access to the back of the house is through the mudroom which is outfitted with just about every possible storage feature you can think of for a mudroom. For starters, the basics – a locker for each family member. In addition to that, there is an entire cabinet with roll outs devoted just to shoes, one for cleaning supplies and one for extra coats. The room also features a small clean up sink as well as a set of refrigerator drawers making grabbing a Gatorade on the way to soccer practice a piece of cake. If you are building a new home, The Kitchen Studio can offer expert help to make the most of your new construction home. We provide the expertise needed to ensure that you are getting the most of your investment when it comes to cabinetry, design and storage solutions. Give us a call if you would like to find out more! Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKBD Builder: Hampton Homes Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

This basic basement finish provided the extra square footage, bed and bath this family was seeking. Finishes included upgraded doors, barn door, custom floating vanity and custom stair rail.

The Space Stay in our 3 bedroom designer minimalist appartment! Beautiful Oasis home with fine furnishings in the center of manhattan. A rare find with this amount of space. Comfort, space, & convenience. Nice, Cozy and Quiet 3 Bedrooms FURNISHED apartment located in Upper East Side with great lighting and comfortable space, Our home is located in the Upper East side. SUNNY and minimally decorated with HIGH-END FURNISHINGS! Brand new custom Designed top to bottom from the floors to the lighting. 3 SEPARATE SLEEPING AREAS with 3 bedrooms with a key lock for maximum privacy. Three Queen Beds, 1 in each bedroom & the West Elm Custom Tillary Couch turns into an awesome Twin Bed. The apartment includes - Brand new, modern furniture, including a Large custom Tillary Sectional 1 piece couch. - There are Three Queen Beds, 1 in each bedroom - Bedrooms include brand new TempurPedic queen-sized mattresses and personal closet and dresser space -3 Brand new flat-screen LED TVs in the living room 32 inches each. One in eachr Bedroom. Our home is equipped with hundreds of channel and high-speed WiFi internet access. - Unlimited calling with home phone (located in the kitchen) - Air Conditioning in each room - Extras included such as hair dryer, and iron and ironing board - Professional cleaning service before every stay - Plenty of clean linens, towels, pillows, etc provided! - The master bedroom has been converted to Living room and bedroom with the couch - Fully Equipped Kitchen, Bright bathroom, High ceiling, Lot of closet space, Table with 4 Chairs, Private parking available near the building (hourly rates), 9 Foot Ceilings, Parquet wood flooring throughout Very Safe neighborhood Every room is tastefully designed to satisfy each of your needs. The accommodation includes fine comfortable bedding, plenty of thick towels, and a fully- stocked kitchen for your cooking pleasures, with new Dishwasher, Stove, & GE Refrigerator. Access to Internet wifi, cable TV, phone and more. A true delight! Just 2 blocks from an Express Subway stop (4,5,6 line) and Express and Local Bus on the same block. The subway will take you to Times Square in 5 minutes, and all the way to the Southern tip of the city (Freedom Towers - 9/11 Memorial) within 30 minutes. 59th street transit stop is close by (N,R,Q,W and the 4-5-6 lines all servicing up and downtown). Guest Access Guests will have access to the entire home and everything inside. We have all of the basics. Pots, Pans, Tea Maker, Cups, Utensils, Plates & basic Toiletries. You will have many fresh towels and linens for your stay. - Brand new kitchen including stainless steel Fridge & dish washer, New oven/stove, microwave and electric hot water boiler. Kitchen is ready for all your cooking needs with pots, pans, utensils, cutting board, Knife Block. *This is not a hotel and we do not provide the services of a hotel* Interaction with Guests I am always available day or night just in case you need anything or something comes up. Always checking my phone and getting back as swiftly as possible. We require a 30 night min stay on this apartment. The Neighborhood This Luxurious appartment through 3 Bedroom is situated in the much sought after Upper East side area of Manhattan. a short walk to Central Park and some of New York's finest shopping districts. An abundance of eateries & nightlife surrounding this entire District. The Center of Manhattan perfect situated in the lower part of the Island. Enjoy the Vibrant atmosphere of East side Manhattan. The area is host to some of the most famous museums in the world. The string of museums along Fifth Avenue fronting Central Park has been dubbed "Museum Mile", running between 82nd and 105th Streets.

This basic basement finish provided the extra square footage, bed and bath this family was seeking. Finishes included upgraded doors, barn door, custom floating vanity and custom stair rail.

Mrs. Deighan loved to cook, but hated her kitchen. It was nonfunctional, inefficient, and an eyesore. The sink was in the corner under low cabinets. The awkwardly placed fridge made it impractical for the entire family to be working together. And that was a big deal. She wanted a beautiful place to cook and entertain. Besides the cramped space, the old, brown plywood cabinets were falling apart. Because the cabinets were low, under-cabinet lighting was useless. The kitchen was dark. The previous owners had updated the flooring, but only by putting uglier tiles over the old vinyl. And the ceiling had a leak stain. It was time for a big change. The Deighan's called Amos from ALL Renovation & Design. Amos’s many successful remodeling projects done for them over the years had forged a friendship that made him the obvious contractor of choice. Amos sat down with them and asked them to make a dream kitchen list. If budget were of no concern, what would the space look like? Once the Deighan's had their list, Amos helped them to evaluate each investment, taking into consideration the age and value of the home. Then Amos presented a plan that fit perfectly in the Deighan's budget. The basic U-shaped kitchen layout stayed the same. Modern, creamy white custom cabinets replaced the dark plywood cabinets. The fridge moved to make space for more cabinets. The biggest challenge was moving the laundry room wall a few feet. Moving it was necessary to add more space, but, since the wall was load-bearing, moving it required extra attention. It was worth it. Extra space allowed the counter to extend and the sink to move. After the hard work ended, the reason for the transformation became reality. Now “we can have the whole family in there comfortably and working together,” Mrs. Deighan said. She loves her kitchen. Especially the windowed cabinets that show off her fiestaware. And when you see the beautiful St. Cecilia granite countertops, with Milstone Sari porcelain mosaic tile backsplash, maple flat-panel cabinets with under-cabinet lighting, and all new appliances including a double oven, you will see why she does.

Charles Metivier
Example of a zen bedroom design in Orange County

This basic basement finish provided the extra square footage, bed and bath this family was seeking. Finishes included upgraded doors, barn door, custom floating vanity and custom stair rail.

This part of the laundry room was mostly being used for extra items from the kitchen, so we basically made this wall a small "extra" kitchen wall. SEE AFTER!

The Space Stay in our 3 bedroom designer minimalist appartment! Beautiful Oasis home with fine furnishings in the center of manhattan. A rare find with this amount of space. Comfort, space, & convenience. Nice, Cozy and Quiet 3 Bedrooms FURNISHED apartment located in Upper East Side with great lighting and comfortable space, Our home is located in the Upper East side. SUNNY and minimally decorated with HIGH-END FURNISHINGS! Brand new custom Designed top to bottom from the floors to the lighting. 3 SEPARATE SLEEPING AREAS with 3 bedrooms with a key lock for maximum privacy. Three Queen Beds, 1 in each bedroom & the West Elm Custom Tillary Couch turns into an awesome Twin Bed. The apartment includes - Brand new, modern furniture, including a Large custom Tillary Sectional 1 piece couch. - There are Three Queen Beds, 1 in each bedroom - Bedrooms include brand new TempurPedic queen-sized mattresses and personal closet and dresser space -3 Brand new flat-screen LED TVs in the living room 32 inches each. One in eachr Bedroom. Our home is equipped with hundreds of channel and high-speed WiFi internet access. - Unlimited calling with home phone (located in the kitchen) - Air Conditioning in each room - Extras included such as hair dryer, and iron and ironing board - Professional cleaning service before every stay - Plenty of clean linens, towels, pillows, etc provided! - The master bedroom has been converted to Living room and bedroom with the couch - Fully Equipped Kitchen, Bright bathroom, High ceiling, Lot of closet space, Table with 4 Chairs, Private parking available near the building (hourly rates), 9 Foot Ceilings, Parquet wood flooring throughout Very Safe neighborhood Every room is tastefully designed to satisfy each of your needs. The accommodation includes fine comfortable bedding, plenty of thick towels, and a fully- stocked kitchen for your cooking pleasures, with new Dishwasher, Stove, & GE Refrigerator. Access to Internet wifi, cable TV, phone and more. A true delight! Just 2 blocks from an Express Subway stop (4,5,6 line) and Express and Local Bus on the same block. The subway will take you to Times Square in 5 minutes, and all the way to the Southern tip of the city (Freedom Towers - 9/11 Memorial) within 30 minutes. 59th street transit stop is close by (N,R,Q,W and the 4-5-6 lines all servicing up and downtown). Guest Access Guests will have access to the entire home and everything inside. We have all of the basics. Pots, Pans, Tea Maker, Cups, Utensils, Plates & basic Toiletries. You will have many fresh towels and linens for your stay. - Brand new kitchen including stainless steel Fridge & dish washer, New oven/stove, microwave and electric hot water boiler. Kitchen is ready for all your cooking needs with pots, pans, utensils, cutting board, Knife Block. *This is not a hotel and we do not provide the services of a hotel* Interaction with Guests I am always available day or night just in case you need anything or something comes up. Always checking my phone and getting back as swiftly as possible. We require a 30 night min stay on this apartment. The Neighborhood This Luxurious appartment through 3 Bedroom is situated in the much sought after Upper East side area of Manhattan. a short walk to Central Park and some of New York's finest shopping districts. An abundance of eateries & nightlife surrounding this entire District. The Center of Manhattan perfect situated in the lower part of the Island. Enjoy the Vibrant atmosphere of East side Manhattan. The area is host to some of the most famous museums in the world. The string of museums along Fifth Avenue fronting Central Park has been dubbed "Museum Mile", running between 82nd and 105th Streets.

Pink pearl damask over gray wall finish for a girls nursery.
Nursery - small transitional girl nursery idea in Orange County with gray walls

Mrs. Deighan loved to cook, but hated her kitchen. It was nonfunctional, inefficient, and an eyesore. The sink was in the corner under low cabinets. The awkwardly placed fridge made it impractical for the entire family to be working together. And that was a big deal. She wanted a beautiful place to cook and entertain. Besides the cramped space, the old, brown plywood cabinets were falling apart. Because the cabinets were low, under-cabinet lighting was useless. The kitchen was dark. The previous owners had updated the flooring, but only by putting uglier tiles over the old vinyl. And the ceiling had a leak stain. It was time for a big change. The Deighan's called Amos from ALL Renovation & Design. Amos’s many successful remodeling projects done for them over the years had forged a friendship that made him the obvious contractor of choice. Amos sat down with them and asked them to make a dream kitchen list. If budget were of no concern, what would the space look like? Once the Deighan's had their list, Amos helped them to evaluate each investment, taking into consideration the age and value of the home. Then Amos presented a plan that fit perfectly in the Deighan's budget. The basic U-shaped kitchen layout stayed the same. Modern, creamy white custom cabinets replaced the dark plywood cabinets. The fridge moved to make space for more cabinets. The biggest challenge was moving the laundry room wall a few feet. Moving it was necessary to add more space, but, since the wall was load-bearing, moving it required extra attention. It was worth it. Extra space allowed the counter to extend and the sink to move. After the hard work ended, the reason for the transformation became reality. Now “we can have the whole family in there comfortably and working together,” Mrs. Deighan said. She loves her kitchen. Especially the windowed cabinets that show off her fiestaware. And when you see the beautiful St. Cecilia granite countertops, with Milstone Sari porcelain mosaic tile backsplash, maple flat-panel cabinets with under-cabinet lighting, and all new appliances including a double oven, you will see why she does.

Champagne burlap faux finish in kitchen
Inspiration for a modern kitchen remodel in Orange County with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets and an island

Sustainable Design Meets Smart Technology This home featured a request from the client to use as many environmentally friendly materials and fabrics as possible. Many common shade manufacturers use materials with PVC plastic, which is known for off-gassing hazardous chemicals that linger in the air in the home for years. The main floor roller shades met the client’s request for an eco-friendly fabric by utilizing motorized shades with GreenScreen fabric. In other rooms, the designer and client wanted the classic look and soft fabrics with roman shades and drapery tracks on several windows in the house. By partnering with the interior designer and fabric workroom, we were able to provide a custom solution for motorization of roman shades and drapery. Lighting Control The client is able control all of the lighting and window treatments in the house with a single control system. This eliminates the need for extra devices on the wall or remote controls that clutter up the space and get lost. By utilizing the custom window treatments, the house is able to conserve energy by keeping the house warmer in the winter, and cooler in the summer by providing insulation and blocking sunlight. The lighting control system further helps to conserve energy by beautifully dimming LED lights as well as using quick buttons that turn off all of the lights in the house, or un-occupied rooms, with the press of a single button. Motorized Window Treatments Motorized window treatments add a high level of convenience to any project, especially those with many windows in hard to reach places. The challenge with many manufacturers is a limitation of style and fabric selection, some may be as basic as only roller shades. Often times these come with un-reliable, wireless controls. On this Birmingham, MI project completed in March 2019, we partnered with the interior designer and drapery workroom to provide a truly unique solution. The homeowner and designer’s requests included many different styles of window treatments including rollers shades, roman shades and motorized draperies. Typically, this would result in a collection of various shade manufacturers with unsightly remotes scattered across each room or stuck to the wall for control. Utilizing standard offerings, coupled with an incredible team effort by the designer and drapery workroom, we provided all of the requested styles of window treatments, and were able to control them all on a single system. This means that each room has a single, elegant keypad built into the wall that controls not only the window treatments, but the lighting as well. When leaving/entering the home, all of the window coverings can be raised or lowered with a single button press. Shades and draperies can also be set to operate based on the time of day for automatic day-to-day operation using sunlight as a guide. In the end, we achieved convenience, function and sophisticated style.

Mrs. Deighan loved to cook, but hated her kitchen. It was nonfunctional, inefficient, and an eyesore. The sink was in the corner under low cabinets. The awkwardly placed fridge made it impractical for the entire family to be working together. And that was a big deal. She wanted a beautiful place to cook and entertain. Besides the cramped space, the old, brown plywood cabinets were falling apart. Because the cabinets were low, under-cabinet lighting was useless. The kitchen was dark. The previous owners had updated the flooring, but only by putting uglier tiles over the old vinyl. And the ceiling had a leak stain. It was time for a big change. The Deighan's called Amos from ALL Renovation & Design. Amos’s many successful remodeling projects done for them over the years had forged a friendship that made him the obvious contractor of choice. Amos sat down with them and asked them to make a dream kitchen list. If budget were of no concern, what would the space look like? Once the Deighan's had their list, Amos helped them to evaluate each investment, taking into consideration the age and value of the home. Then Amos presented a plan that fit perfectly in the Deighan's budget. The basic U-shaped kitchen layout stayed the same. Modern, creamy white custom cabinets replaced the dark plywood cabinets. The fridge moved to make space for more cabinets. The biggest challenge was moving the laundry room wall a few feet. Moving it was necessary to add more space, but, since the wall was load-bearing, moving it required extra attention. It was worth it. Extra space allowed the counter to extend and the sink to move. After the hard work ended, the reason for the transformation became reality. Now “we can have the whole family in there comfortably and working together,” Mrs. Deighan said. She loves her kitchen. Especially the windowed cabinets that show off her fiestaware. And when you see the beautiful St. Cecilia granite countertops, with Milstone Sari porcelain mosaic tile backsplash, maple flat-panel cabinets with under-cabinet lighting, and all new appliances including a double oven, you will see why she does.

Sustainable Design Meets Smart Technology This home featured a request from the client to use as many environmentally friendly materials and fabrics as possible. Many common shade manufacturers use materials with PVC plastic, which is known for off-gassing hazardous chemicals that linger in the air in the home for years. The main floor roller shades met the client’s request for an eco-friendly fabric by utilizing motorized shades with GreenScreen fabric. In other rooms, the designer and client wanted the classic look and soft fabrics with roman shades and drapery tracks on several windows in the house. By partnering with the interior designer and fabric workroom, we were able to provide a custom solution for motorization of roman shades and drapery. Lighting Control The client is able control all of the lighting and window treatments in the house with a single control system. This eliminates the need for extra devices on the wall or remote controls that clutter up the space and get lost. By utilizing the custom window treatments, the house is able to conserve energy by keeping the house warmer in the winter, and cooler in the summer by providing insulation and blocking sunlight. The lighting control system further helps to conserve energy by beautifully dimming LED lights as well as using quick buttons that turn off all of the lights in the house, or un-occupied rooms, with the press of a single button. Motorized Window Treatments Motorized window treatments add a high level of convenience to any project, especially those with many windows in hard to reach places. The challenge with many manufacturers is a limitation of style and fabric selection, some may be a s basic as only roller shades. Often times these come with un-reliable, wireless controls. On this Birmingham, MI project completed in March 2019, we partnered with the interior designer and drapery workroom to provide a truly unique solution. The homeowner and designer’s requests included many different styles of window treatments including rollers shades, roman shades and motorized draperies. Typically, this would result in a collection of various shade manufacturers with unsightly remotes scattered across each room or stuck to the wall for control. Utilizing standard offerings, coupled with an incredible team effort by the designer and drapery workroom, we provided all of the requested styles of window treatments, and were able to control them all on a single system. This means that each room has a single, elegant keypad built into the wall that controls not only the window treatments, but the lighting as well. When leaving/entering the home, all of the window coverings can be raised or lowered with a single button press. Shades and draperies can also be set to operate based on the time of day for automatic day-to-day operation using sunlight as a guide. In the end, we achieved convenience, function and sophisticated style.

There is nothing basic about basic white! So fresh and beautiful. This kitchen is frame less construction from Cabico Cabinetry. These classic and timeless doors are stunning and have so much to offer. Storage built into pantries. Beautiful buffet with glass doors and plenty of extra storage. Eating at the island is a must because guests won't want to leave this kitchen. All topped off by lovely lighting and back splash. Designed by Lisa Murphy for DDK Kitchen Design Group Photographed by Mike Kaskel

This customer from the historic city of Cardiff was keen to see what Tile Doctor could do to put some life back into their treasured Limestone kitchen floor that was laid in 2008. My first observations were mainly centred on the horrific condition of the surface which although adequately sealed initially the floor had not received any subsequent maintenance and its condition had deteriorated over time. The light shining in from the patio doors highlighted all the imperfections in the floor caused by surface wear and tear commonly seen in high traffic areas such as a kitchen. Upon closer inspection, there were further problems: the floor was stained and scuffed, and in most places the sealer had worn off completely allowing the dirt to become ingrained into the pores of the Limestone. Additionally the grout was recessed but was now flush with the tile surface due to dirt build-up. There were also areas contaminated with grease and kitchen cooking oil. The Limestone floor tiles were 20mm thick French Limestone, and had been laid very well so there was no requirement to do any tile or grout repairs however to get this floor back to its original condition the surface would need to be reconditioned using the Tile Doctor four stage burnishing system. I started by giving the floor a wash with a medium dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean, focusing mainly on the grout lines in order to remove the muck that had built-up there. I used a special stiff grout brush for this activity; it’s quite narrow and ideal for grout scrubbing. This worked well, but the significant build-up of dirt along some of the grout lines meant more work was required. I tackled this problem with a hand scraper assisted with steam. At the end of this process, the whole floor was then rinsed down with water to remove any soil and the resulting slurry was then extracted using a wet vacuum. The next step was to start the burnishing process, which basically involves applying four diamond encrusted floor pads in sequence over the floor. Each pad is a different grade, starting with the most abrasive coarse pad and moving through to the finer grades using a little water to lubricate and rinsing away any slurry between each pad. I eventually finished with the extra fine pad which builds up shine and lustre on the tile; it had taken two days to clean the grout and burnish the Limestone but the floor was much improved and so after a final rinse down I left the floor to dry off overnight with the aid of the underfloor heating. During this time, I also addressed the stained Limestone in the area of the kitchen where the dustbin was situated. This had been a major upset for the customer and I’m happy to report I managed to deal with it. However, it was quite an involved process, so I’ll write about this in a separate post. On the third day I came back to seal the floor, checking first that it had dried sufficiently with a damp meter. Fortunately, the underfloor heating had done a great job of drying the stone and I was able to seal the floor using three coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow sealant. This sealant not only provides a durable seal but also penetrates deep into the pores of the stone protecting it from within and enhancing the natural colours of the Limestone in the process. After the final layer of sealant, I worked over the floor again with the extra fine burnishing pad both to add shine again following sealing, and to ensure that no smear marks were visible as the lighting conditions were unforgiving and highlighted any imperfections. The customer was delighted with the results: so much so, in fact, that they booked me in to restore their Victorian hallway floor as well but that’s a story for another time! Julian Iancono SE Wales Tile Doctor

Picture a home perched on a Colorado mountain, where every window frames a stunning view. West Watch is that vision brought to life – a modern retreat that merges with the Rockies, using natural materials and smart design to create a space that's efficient, inviting, and deeply connected to nature. Our clients dreamed of a mountain home with easy outdoor flow, from a wide sliding door to a spacious deck and a cozy hot tub. They wanted materials like wood, concrete, and metal that feel authentic and blend in. Sustainability was key too, going beyond basics to make the home energy-smart in the high altitude. At over 8,000 feet, harsh weather can mean high energy costs and building challenges. We addressed that with a compact shape to cut heat loss and waste, plus south-west facing windows for free solar warmth in winter. Overhangs keep summer heat out, so the home stays comfortable year-round without extra expenses or effort. The core concept? Harmony with the mountains. The home's orientation captures sun for passive heating, with big windows letting in light and views. A disappearing glass door opens the space wide, while overhangs provide shade. Practical touches like carport storage and a ships ladder to the loft keep everything functional and space-savvy. We used simple wood framing for strength and affordability, with wood siding and a metal roof built to handle mountain snow and rain. These choices make the home durable and low-maintenance, blending seamlessly into the landscape while keeping costs in check. Inside, it's all about simplicity and openness, with clean designs that highlight the outdoors. The main level flows to the deck, and the loft adds extra room without complicating things – creating a calm, versatile space for daily life. West Watch has become a true mountain sanctuary, saving energy and embracing the views in every way. It's a home that feels right at home in Colorado, offering comfort, sustainability, and those unforgettable moments – designed to last and inspire for years ahead.