The chance to build a lakeside weekend home in rural NC provided this Chapel Hill family with an opportunity to ditch convention and think outside the box. For instance, we traded the traditional boat dock with what's become known as the "party dock"… a floating lounge of sorts, complete with wet bar, TV, swimmer's platform, and plenty of spots for watching the water fun. Inside, we turned one bedroom into a gym with climbing wall - and dropped the idea of a dining room, in favor of a deep upholstered niche and shuffleboard table. Outdoor drapery helped blur the lines between indoor spaces and exterior porches filled with upholstery, swings, and places for lazy napping. And after the sun goes down....smores, anyone? John Bessler

Contemporary kitchen cabinets are generally composed of minimal ornamentation and flat surfaces. The cabinetry style is intentionally non-traditional, avoiding decorative moldings in favor of simplicity and function. Many contemporary kitchens have monochromatic color schemes, featuring various combinations of black, white, and gray. These kitchens tend to look very modern and sharp. Some contemporary designs, however, incorporate unique colors or exotic wood in order to create a visual impact and showcase the homeowner's favorite materials or hues.

Contemporary kitchen cabinets are generally composed of minimal ornamentation and flat surfaces. The cabinetry style is intentionally non-traditional, avoiding decorative moldings in favor of simplicity and function. Many contemporary kitchens have monochromatic color schemes, featuring various combinations of black, white, and gray. These kitchens tend to look very modern and sharp. Some contemporary designs, however, incorporate unique colors or exotic wood in order to create a visual impact and showcase the homeowner's favorite materials or hues.

Contemporary kitchen cabinets are generally composed of minimal ornamentation and flat surfaces. The cabinetry style is intentionally non-traditional, avoiding decorative moldings in favor of simplicity and function. Many contemporary kitchens have monochromatic color schemes, featuring various combinations of black, white, and gray. These kitchens tend to look very modern and sharp. Some contemporary designs, however, incorporate unique colors or exotic wood in order to create a visual impact and showcase the homeowner's favorite materials or hues.

Photo by Eron Rauch
Inspiration for a transitional light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances

Contemporary kitchen cabinets are generally composed of minimal ornamentation and flat surfaces. The cabinetry style is intentionally non-traditional, avoiding decorative moldings in favor of simplicity and function. Many contemporary kitchens have monochromatic color schemes, featuring various combinations of black, white, and gray. These kitchens tend to look very modern and sharp. Some contemporary designs, however, incorporate unique colors or exotic wood in order to create a visual impact and showcase the homeowner's favorite materials or hues.

Transitional bathroom photo in New York

This Paradise Valley modern estate was selected Arizona Foothills Magazine's Showcase Home in 2004. The home backs to a preserve and fronts to a majestic Paradise Valley skyline. Architect CP Drewett designed all interior millwork, specifying exotic veneers to counter the other interior finishes making this a sumptuous feast of pattern and texture. The home is organized along a sweeping interior curve and concludes in a collection of destination type spaces that are each meticulously crafted. The warmth of materials and attention to detail made this showcase home a success to those with traditional tastes as well as a favorite for those favoring a more contemporary aesthetic. Architect: C.P. Drewett, Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ. Photography by Dino Tonn.

Walkways with pavers can help you quickly and easily improve the appearance and functionality of your outdoor space. Whether you favor a traditional or a more contemporary look, the variety of paving options balance a wide range of architectural and design styles.

Set a unique table with our James Orange table linens. Hand printed in India using eco-friendly dyes on organic cotton we love the fresh riff on traditional Indian prints. And they’re machine washable for easy care.

Set a unique table with our James table linens. Hand printed in India using eco-friendly dyes on organic cotton, we love the fresh riff on traditional Indian prints. And they’re machine washable for easy care.

Set a unique table with our Maria Lime table linens. Hand printed in India using eco-friendly dyes on organic cotton we love the fresh riff on traditional Indian prints. And they're machine washable for easy care.

Set a unique table with our James Teal table linens. Hand printed in India using eco-friendly dyes on organic cotton, we love the fresh riff on traditional Indian prints. And they’re machine washable for easy care.

The new owners were looking forward to living in their new home with an open floor plan, tall vaulted ceilings, and great views. It featured a large Great Room with two big French Doors separating the Dining Room from the Master Bedroom. But after only a few months they identified a major design flaw: Each of the French Doors had ten glass windows with two large windows above each door. (Check out our before and after designs, traffic flow diagrams and photos of this project.) Glass windows and doors allowed sound and light from guests or the TV in the great room to easily sneak into the bedroom. With unique work and sleep schedules (he’s a pilot, she’s a registered nurse) this design wasn’t working. Then there was a traffic flow design flaw: The Master Bedroom had a second entrance from a hallway. To get into the bedroom from the hallway you needed to walk down another claustrophobic hallway. To get from the Master Bedroom to the Master Bath begin at the most remote corner of the bedroom and down a hallway between two closets. Once inside the bath, a huge triangular Jacuzzi dominating the space. So, from a privacy and traffic flow perspective, this home had some major design issues. When Craig Weber first met with the owners, he listened to their ideas and concerns. The owners trusted Craig to come up with the most efficient and most effective solution to this design dilemma. He offered a solution that resolved the bed-bath traffic flow problem, offered some bedroom room privacy, and updated the bath. First, the two French Doors and windows were removed. A new wall was built with sound-absorbing materials, making the Great Room and Dining Room more comfortable spaces for entertaining while creating the bedroom privacy the owners craved. Solving the Bedroom/Bath traffic flow problem began with removing the two existing closets. The bath door was relocated next to the hall entrance, and then a new walk-in closet was added adjacent to the hallway entrance. The solution offered easy access to and from the bath, closet and hallway without a hint of claustrophobia. The Master Bath underwent a major transformation designed for convenience and comfort – especially during long, cold Minnesota winters. Most everything from the former bath was torn out, beginning with the giant Jacuzzi. A new bathtub that is wider and deeper than the standard size was installed with brushed Nickel fixtures. It’s the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine and candles. Warm floors are a Minnesota “must have.” The bath’s new ceramic floor features in-floor electric heat. Getting in and out of the tub is easy and comfortable. The new walk-in shower again features in-floor heating and a place to sit. The most interesting feature of this shower may the custom ceramic tile installed with unique patterns. A new vanity Cambria Bradshaw countertops features two under-hung ceramic sinks with matching brushed Nickel fixtures. Tall ceilings and three glass windows near the ceiling flood the room with natural light. A new energy-efficient window frames an ornamental stained glass window created by the owner’s father – a great personal touch. A quiet place to sleep. A private dining room for entertaining. A Master Bath to die for. And easy traffic flow. The owners couldn’t have been more delighted with the outcome. And Lilly, their cat, loves it too.

Set a unique table with our English Teal table linens. Hand printed in India using Eco-friendly dyes on organic cotton, we love the fresh riff on traditional Indian prints. And they’re machine washable for easy care.

Haris Kenjar
Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Seattle

Set a unique table with our Maria Black table linens. Hand printed in India using eco-friendly dyes on organic cotton, we love the fresh riff on traditional Indian prints. And they’re machine washable for easy care.

Set a unique table with our James Teal table Runner. Hand printed in India using Eco-friendly dyes on organic cotton we love the fresh riff on traditional Indian prints. And they’re machine washable for easy care.

Update your decor and create a sophisticated Global look with our Paisley Black print. Hand printed in India using Eco-friendly dyes on organic cotton, we love the fresh riff on traditional Indian prints.