Located in one of the Ritz residential towers in Boston, the project was a complete renovation. The design and scope of work included the entire residence from marble flooring throughout, to movement of walls, new kitchen, bathrooms, all furnishings, lighting, closets, artwork and accessories. Smart home sound and wifi integration throughout including concealed electronic window treatments. The challenge for the final project design was multifaceted. First and foremost to maintain a light, sheer appearance in the main open areas, while having a considerable amount of seating for living, dining and entertaining purposes. All the while giving an inviting peaceful feel, and never interfering with the view which was of course the piece de resistance throughout. Bringing a unique, individual feeling to each of the private rooms to surprise and stimulate the eye while navigating through the residence was also a priority and great pleasure to work on, while incorporating small details within each room to bind the flow from area to area which would not be necessarily obvious to the eye, but palpable in our minds in a very suttle manner. The combination of luxurious textures throughout brought a third dimension into the environments, and one of the many aspects that made the project so exceptionally unique, and a true pleasure to have created. Reach us www.themorsoncollection.com Photography by Elevin Studio.

Open concept kitchen - cottage galley light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Our clients had just recently closed on their new house in Stapleton and were excited to transform it into their perfect forever home. They wanted to remodel the entire first floor to create a more open floor plan and develop a smoother flow through the house that better fit the needs of their family. The original layout consisted of several small rooms that just weren’t very functional, so we decided to remove the walls that were breaking up the space and restructure the first floor to create a wonderfully open feel. After removing the existing walls, we rearranged their spaces to give them an office at the front of the house, a large living room, and a large dining room that connects seamlessly with the kitchen. We also wanted to center the foyer in the home and allow more light to travel through the first floor, so we replaced their existing doors with beautiful custom sliding doors to the back yard and a gorgeous walnut door with side lights to greet guests at the front of their home. Living Room Our clients wanted a living room that could accommodate an inviting sectional, a baby grand piano, and plenty of space for family game nights. So, we transformed what had been a small office and sitting room into a large open living room with custom wood columns. We wanted to avoid making the home feel too vast and monumental, so we designed custom beams and columns to define spaces and to make the house feel like a home. Aesthetically we wanted their home to be soft and inviting, so we utilized a neutral color palette with occasional accents of muted blues and greens. Dining Room Our clients were also looking for a large dining room that was open to the rest of the home and perfect for big family gatherings. So, we removed what had been a small family room and eat-in dining area to create a spacious dining room with a fireplace and bar. We added custom cabinetry to the bar area with open shelving for displaying and designed a custom surround for their fireplace that ties in with the wood work we designed for their living room. We brought in the tones and materiality from the kitchen to unite the spaces and added a mixed metal light fixture to bring the space together Kitchen We wanted the kitchen to be a real show stopper and carry through the calm muted tones we were utilizing throughout their home. We reoriented the kitchen to allow for a big beautiful custom island and to give us the opportunity for a focal wall with cooktop and range hood. Their custom island was perfectly complimented with a dramatic quartz counter top and oversized pendants making it the real center of their home. Since they enter the kitchen first when coming from their detached garage, we included a small mud-room area right by the back door to catch everyone’s coats and shoes as they come in. We also created a new walk-in pantry with plenty of open storage and a fun chalkboard door for writing notes, recipes, and grocery lists. Office We transformed the original dining room into a handsome office at the front of the house. We designed custom walnut built-ins to house all of their books, and added glass french doors to give them a bit of privacy without making the space too closed off. We painted the room a deep muted blue to create a glimpse of rich color through the french doors Powder Room The powder room is a wonderful play on textures. We used a neutral palette with contrasting tones to create dramatic moments in this little space with accents of brushed gold. Master Bathroom The existing master bathroom had an awkward layout and outdated finishes, so we redesigned the space to create a clean layout with a dream worthy shower. We continued to use neutral tones that tie in with the rest of the home, but had fun playing with tile textures and patterns to create an eye-catching vanity. The wood-look tile planks along the floor provide a soft backdrop for their new free-standing bathtub and contrast beautifully with the deep ash finish on the cabinetry.

The owners of this kitchen had spent the money to upgrade the finishes in their kitchen upon building the home 12 years ago, but after living in the space for several years they realized how nonfunctional the layout really was. The (then) two preschool aged children had grown into busy, hungry teenagers with many friends who also liked to hang out at the house. So the family needed a more functional kitchen with better traffic flow, space for daily activities revolving around the kitchen at different times of day, and a kitchen that could accommodate cooking for and serving large groups. Furthermore, the dark, traditional finishes no longer reflected the homeowners’ style. They requested a brighter, more relaxed, coastal style that reflected their love of the seaside cities they like to visit. Originally, the kitchen was U-shaped with a narrow island in the middle. The island created narrow aisles that bottle-necked at the dishwasher, refrigerator, and cooktop areas. There was a pass-through from the foyer into the kitchen, but the owners never liked that the pass-through was also located so close to the powder room. The awkward proximity was unappealing and made guests feel uncomfortable. The kitchen’s storage was made up of lots of narrow cabinets, apothecary drawers, clipped corner units, and very few drawers. It lacked useful storage for the larger items the family used on a daily basis. And the kitchen’s only pantry was small closet that had only builder-grade, narrow shelving with no illumination to be able to see the contents inside. Overall, the kitchen’s lighting plan was poorly executed. Only six recessed cans illuminated the entire kitchen and nook areas. The under cabinet lighting was not evenly distributed either. In fact, the builder had mis-placed the under cabinet lighting around the decorative pilasters which made for choppy, dark cubbies. Further, the builder didn’t include any lighting over the sink or the bar area, which meant whoever was doing the dishes was always in their own shadow. That, coupled with the steep overhang of the game room above made the bar area feel like a dim, cavernous space that wasn’t inviting or task oriented. The kitchen looked out into the main living space, but the raised bar and a narrow wall (which held the only large cabinet in the kitchen) created more of a barrier than a relationship to the living room or breakfast nook. In fact, one couldn’t even see the breakfast nook from the cooktop or sink areas due to its orientation. The raised bar top was too narrow to comfortably sit to either dine at or chat from due to the lack of knee space. The the homeowners confided that the kitchen felt more like a dark, dirty prison than place where the family, or their guests, wanted to gather and commune. The clients' needs and desires were: ➢ to create a kitchen that would be a space the family loved to be in; to relate to the adjacent spaces all around, and to have better flow for entertaining large groups ➢ to remove the walls between the breakfast nook and living area and to be able to utilize the natural light from the windows in both those areas ➢ to incorporate a functional chopping block for prepping fresh food for home cooked meals, an island with a large sink and drain board, 2 pull out trash cans, and seating for at least the 2 teens to eat or do homework ➢ to design a kitchen and breakfast nook with an airy, coastal, relaxed vibe that blended with the rest of the house's coastal theme ➢ to integrate a layered lighting plan which would include ample general illumination, specific task lighting, decorative lighting, and lots of illuminated storage ➢ to design a kitchen with not only more storage for all the husband’s kitchen gadgets and collection of oils and spices, but smart storage, including a coffee/breakfast bar and a place to store and conceal the toaster oven and microwave ➢ to find a way to utilize the large open space between the kitchen, pantry area, and breakfast nook Twelve Stones Designs achieved the owner's goals by: ➢ removing the walls between the kitchen and living room to allow the natural light to filter in from the adjacent rooms and to create a connection between the kitchen, nook, and living spaces for a sense of unity and communion ➢ removing the existing pantry and designing 3 large pantry style cabinets with LED tape lights and rollout drawers to house lots of kitchen appliances, gadgets, and tons of groceries. We also took the cabinets all the way up to the 9’ ceiling for additional storage for seasonal items and bulk storage. ➢ designing 2 islands - 1 with a gorgeous black walnut chopping block that houses a drawer for chopping and carving knives and a custom double pull out trash unit for point of use utilization - and 1 that houses the dishwasher, a large Blanco Gourmet sink with integrated drain board, woven baskets for fresh root vegetables and kitchen towels, plenty of drawer storage for kitchen items, and bar seating for up to 4 diners. ➢ closing off the space between the kitchen and the powder room to create a beautiful new private alcove for the powder room as well as adding some decorative storage. This also gave us space to include more tall storage near the new range for precision placement of the husband’s extensive oil and spice collection as well as a location for a combo-steam oven the wife wanted for baking and cooking healthy meals. The project is enhanced functionally by: ➢ incorporated USB and standard receptacles for the kids’ laptops and phone charging in the large island ➢ designing the small island to include additional open shelving for items used on a daily basis such as a variety of bowls, plates, and colanders. This set up also works well for the husband who prefers to “plate” his dinners in restaurant-style fashion before presenting them to the table. ➢ the integration of specific storage units, such as double stacked cutlery drawers, a custom spice pull-out, a Kuerig coffee and tea pod drawer, and custom double stacked utensil drawers ➢ moving the refrigerator to the old oven location - this eliminated the bottle neck as well as created a better relationship to the eating table. It also utilizes the floor space between the pantry, nook, and kitchen ➢ creating a banquet style breakfast nook - this banquette seating not only doubles the amount of seating for large gatherings but it better utilizes the odd space between the kitchen and the previous nook area. It also helps to create a distinct pathway from the mudroom room through the pantry area, kitchen, nook, and living room. ➢ the coffee/breakfast bar area which includes the perfect location for the concealed microwave and toaster oven, convenient storage for the coffee pods and tea accoutrements. Roll-out drawers below also house the smoothie maker, hot water kettle, and a plethora of smoothie-making ingredients such as protein powders, smoothie additives, etc. Furthermore, the drawers below the Keurig house measuring utensil, cutlery, baking supplies and tupperware storage. ➢ incorporating lots of wide drawers and pullouts to accommodate large cookware. ➢ utilizing as much vertical space as possible by building storage to the ceiling which accommodates the family’s abundant amount of serving platters, baking sheets, bakeware, casserole dishes, and additional cutting boards. The project is enhanced aesthetically by: ➢ new 5-piece Versailles pattern porcelain tile that now seamlessly joins the entire down stairs area together creating a bright, cohesiveness feeling instead of choppy separated spaces - it also adds a coastal feeling ➢ designing a cabinet to conceal the microwave and toaster oven ➢ the coastal influenced light fixtures over the nook table and island ➢ the sandy colors of the Langdon Cambria countertops. The swirling pattern and sparkling quartz pieces remind the homeowner of black-and-tan sandy beaches ➢ the striped banquet seating whose creamy white background and blue-green stripes were the inspiration for the cabinet and wall colors. ➢ All the interior doors were painted black to coordinate with the blacks and grays in the backsplash tile and countertop. This also adds a hint of tailored formality to an otherwise casual space. ➢ the use of WAC's Oculux small aperture LED units for the overhead lighting complimented with Diode LED strips for task lighting under the cabinets and inside the pantry and glass wall cabinets. All of the lighting applications are on separate dimmer switches. Innovative uses of materials or construction methods by Realty Restoration LLC: ➢ Each 1-1/2” x 3” block of reclaimed end-grain black walnut that makes up the center island chopping block was hand milled and built in the shop. It was designed to look substantial and proportional to the surrounding elements, executed by creating the 4 inch tall top with a solid wood chamfered edge band. ➢ The metal doors on either side of the vent hood were also custom designed for this project and built in the Realty Restoration LLC shop. They are made 1x2, 11-gauge mild steel with ribbed glass. Weighing 60 lbs a piece, heavy duty cabinet hinges were added to support the weight of the door and keep them from sagging. ➢ Under-cabinet receptacles were added along the range wall in order to have a clean, uninterrupted backsplash. Design obstacles to overcome: ➢ Because we were removing the demising walls between the kitchen and living room, we had to find a way to plumb and vent the new island. We did this by tunneling through the slab (the slab had post tension cables which prevented us from just trenching) to run a new wet vent through a nearby structural wall. We pulled the existing hot and cold lines between upper floor joists and ran them down the structural wall as well and up through a conduit in the tunnel. ➢ Since we were converting from wall overs to a gas range it allowed us to utilize the 220 feed for the wall ovens to provide a new sub panel for all the new kitchen circuits ➢ Due to framing deficiencies inherited from the original build there was a 1-1/2” differential in the floor-to-ceiling height over a 20 foot span; by utilizing the process of cutting and furring coupled with the crown moulding details on the cabinet elevations we were able to mask the problem and provide seamless transitions between the cabinet components. Evidence of superior craftsmanship: ➢ uniquely designed, one-of-a-kind metal “X” end panels on the large island. The end panels were custom made in the Realty Restoration LLC shop and fitted to the exact dimensions of the island. The welding seams are completely indistinguishable - the posts look like they are cut from a single sheet of metal ➢ square metal posts on the small island were also custom made and designed to compliment and carry through the metal element s throughout the kitchen ➢ the beautiful, oversized end panels on the pantry cabinets which give the breakfast nook a tailored look ➢ integrating a large format 5 piece Versailles tile pattern to seamlessly flow from the existing spaces into the new kitchen space ➢ By constructing a custom cabinet that jogged around a corner we could not remodel (housing the entry way coat closet) we were able to camouflage the adjacent wall offset within the upper and lower cabinets. By designing around the existing jog in the structural walls we accomplished a few things: we were able to find the space to house, and hide, the microwave and toaster oven yet still have a clean cohesive appearance from the kitchen side. Additionally, the owners were able to keep their much needed coat closet and we didn’t have to increase the budget with unnecessary structural work.

This little girl's bedroom welcomes an energetic feel that elevates the room through it's use of playful patterns and bold color scheme. Incorporating white throughout contributes the perfect contrast and keeps the room feeling lively and cheerful.

This Mediterranean-inspired kitchen blends warm wood cabinetry, natural stone accents, and hand-crafted architectural details to create a space rich in texture and Old-World charm. The custom cabinets feature deep, luxurious stain tones that pair beautifully with the stone hood surround and arched cooking niche—signature elements often found in high-end Mediterranean kitchen design. Wide-plank flooring and softly curved ceiling lines add warmth and authenticity, making the kitchen feel inviting and timeless. A large center island anchors the layout, offering both prep space and comfortable seating for casual dining. Decorative corbels, carved posts, and wrought-iron touches elevate the handcrafted aesthetic while modern appliances blend seamlessly into the design. This luxury Mediterranean kitchen remodel balances elegance and functionality, giving homeowners a warm, character-filled space perfect for entertaining, cooking, and gathering. Text us at (484) 278-1764 or Call us (215) 482-0700 to get more info about Design, Design-Build and other ways we can help you make your dream a reality!

The second bedroom functions as a guest room, keeping with the feeling of an updated traditional home into a more modern, transitional space. Modern floral wallpaper lends a softness to the space while making the small bedroom feel fresh and modern. Photo: Heidi Solander.

The owners of this kitchen had spent the money to upgrade the finishes in their kitchen upon building the home 12 years ago, but after living in the space for several years they realized how nonfunctional the layout really was. The (then) two preschool aged children had grown into busy, hungry teenagers with many friends who also liked to hang out at the house. So the family needed a more functional kitchen with better traffic flow, space for daily activities revolving around the kitchen at different times of day, and a kitchen that could accommodate cooking for and serving large groups. Furthermore, the dark, traditional finishes no longer reflected the homeowners’ style. They requested a brighter, more relaxed, coastal style that reflected their love of the seaside cities they like to visit. Originally, the kitchen was U-shaped with a narrow island in the middle. The island created narrow aisles that bottle-necked at the dishwasher, refrigerator, and cooktop areas. There was a pass-through from the foyer into the kitchen, but the owners never liked that the pass-through was also located so close to the powder room. The awkward proximity was unappealing and made guests feel uncomfortable. The kitchen’s storage was made up of lots of narrow cabinets, apothecary drawers, clipped corner units, and very few drawers. It lacked useful storage for the larger items the family used on a daily basis. And the kitchen’s only pantry was small closet that had only builder-grade, narrow shelving with no illumination to be able to see the contents inside. Overall, the kitchen’s lighting plan was poorly executed. Only six recessed cans illuminated the entire kitchen and nook areas. The under cabinet lighting was not evenly distributed either. In fact, the builder had mis-placed the under cabinet lighting around the decorative pilasters which made for choppy, dark cubbies. Further, the builder didn’t include any lighting over the sink or the bar area, which meant whoever was doing the dishes was always in their own shadow. That, coupled with the steep overhang of the game room above made the bar area feel like a dim, cavernous space that wasn’t inviting or task oriented. The kitchen looked out into the main living space, but the raised bar and a narrow wall (which held the only large cabinet in the kitchen) created more of a barrier than a relationship to the living room or breakfast nook. In fact, one couldn’t even see the breakfast nook from the cooktop or sink areas due to its orientation. The raised bar top was too narrow to comfortably sit to either dine at or chat from due to the lack of knee space. The the homeowners confided that the kitchen felt more like a dark, dirty prison than place where the family, or their guests, wanted to gather and commune. The clients' needs and desires were: ➢ to create a kitchen that would be a space the family loved to be in; to relate to the adjacent spaces all around, and to have better flow for entertaining large groups ➢ to remove the walls between the breakfast nook and living area and to be able to utilize the natural light from the windows in both those areas ➢ to incorporate a functional chopping block for prepping fresh food for home cooked meals, an island with a large sink and drain board, 2 pull out trash cans, and seating for at least the 2 teens to eat or do homework ➢ to design a kitchen and breakfast nook with an airy, coastal, relaxed vibe that blended with the rest of the house's coastal theme ➢ to integrate a layered lighting plan which would include ample general illumination, specific task lighting, decorative lighting, and lots of illuminated storage ➢ to design a kitchen with not only more storage for all the husband’s kitchen gadgets and collection of oils and spices, but smart storage, including a coffee/breakfast bar and a place to store and conceal the toaster oven and microwave ➢ to find a way to utilize the large open space between the kitchen, pantry area, and breakfast nook Twelve Stones Designs achieved the owner's goals by: ➢ removing the walls between the kitchen and living room to allow the natural light to filter in from the adjacent rooms and to create a connection between the kitchen, nook, and living spaces for a sense of unity and communion ➢ removing the existing pantry and designing 3 large pantry style cabinets with LED tape lights and rollout drawers to house lots of kitchen appliances, gadgets, and tons of groceries. We also took the cabinets all the way up to the 9’ ceiling for additional storage for seasonal items and bulk storage. ➢ designing 2 islands - 1 with a gorgeous black walnut chopping block that houses a drawer for chopping and carving knives and a custom double pull out trash unit for point of use utilization - and 1 that houses the dishwasher, a large Blanco Gourmet sink with integrated drain board, woven baskets for fresh root vegetables and kitchen towels, plenty of drawer storage for kitchen items, and bar seating for up to 4 diners. ➢ closing off the space between the kitchen and the powder room to create a beautiful new private alcove for the powder room as well as adding some decorative storage. This also gave us space to include more tall storage near the new range for precision placement of the husband’s extensive oil and spice collection as well as a location for a combo-steam oven the wife wanted for baking and cooking healthy meals. The project is enhanced functionally by: ➢ incorporated USB and standard receptacles for the kids’ laptops and phone charging in the large island ➢ designing the small island to include additional open shelving for items used on a daily basis such as a variety of bowls, plates, and colanders. This set up also works well for the husband who prefers to “plate” his dinners in restaurant-style fashion before presenting them to the table. ➢ the integration of specific storage units, such as double stacked cutlery drawers, a custom spice pull-out, a Kuerig coffee and tea pod drawer, and custom double stacked utensil drawers ➢ moving the refrigerator to the old oven location - this eliminated the bottle neck as well as created a better relationship to the eating table. It also utilizes the floor space between the pantry, nook, and kitchen ➢ creating a banquet style breakfast nook - this banquette seating not only doubles the amount of seating for large gatherings but it better utilizes the odd space between the kitchen and the previous nook area. It also helps to create a distinct pathway from the mudroom room through the pantry area, kitchen, nook, and living room. ➢ the coffee/breakfast bar area which includes the perfect location for the concealed microwave and toaster oven, convenient storage for the coffee pods and tea accoutrements. Roll-out drawers below also house the smoothie maker, hot water kettle, and a plethora of smoothie-making ingredients such as protein powders, smoothie additives, etc. Furthermore, the drawers below the Keurig house measuring utensil, cutlery, baking supplies and tupperware storage. ➢ incorporating lots of wide drawers and pullouts to accommodate large cookware. ➢ utilizing as much vertical space as possible by building storage to the ceiling which accommodates the family’s abundant amount of serving platters, baking sheets, bakeware, casserole dishes, and additional cutting boards. The project is enhanced aesthetically by: ➢ new 5-piece Versailles pattern porcelain tile that now seamlessly joins the entire down stairs area together creating a bright, cohesiveness feeling instead of choppy separated spaces - it also adds a coastal feeling ➢ designing a cabinet to conceal the microwave and toaster oven ➢ the coastal influenced light fixtures over the nook table and island ➢ the sandy colors of the Langdon Cambria countertops. The swirling pattern and sparkling quartz pieces remind the homeowner of black-and-tan sandy beaches ➢ the striped banquet seating whose creamy white background and blue-green stripes were the inspiration for the cabinet and wall colors. ➢ All the interior doors were painted black to coordinate with the blacks and grays in the backsplash tile and countertop. This also adds a hint of tailored formality to an otherwise casual space. ➢ the use of WAC's Oculux small aperture LED units for the overhead lighting complimented with Diode LED strips for task lighting under the cabinets and inside the pantry and glass wall cabinets. All of the lighting applications are on separate dimmer switches. Innovative uses of materials or construction methods by Realty Restoration LLC: ➢ Each 1-1/2” x 3” block of reclaimed end-grain black walnut that makes up the center island chopping block was hand milled and built in the shop. It was designed to look substantial and proportional to the surrounding elements, executed by creating the 4 inch tall top with a solid wood chamfered edge band. ➢ The metal doors on either side of the vent hood were also custom designed for this project and built in the Realty Restoration LLC shop. They are made 1x2, 11-gauge mild steel with ribbed glass. Weighing 60 lbs a piece, heavy duty cabinet hinges were added to support the weight of the door and keep them from sagging. ➢ Under-cabinet receptacles were added along the range wall in order to have a clean, uninterrupted backsplash. Design obstacles to overcome: ➢ Because we were removing the demising walls between the kitchen and living room, we had to find a way to plumb and vent the new island. We did this by tunneling through the slab (the slab had post tension cables which prevented us from just trenching) to run a new wet vent through a nearby structural wall. We pulled the existing hot and cold lines between upper floor joists and ran them down the structural wall as well and up through a conduit in the tunnel. ➢ Since we were converting from wall overs to a gas range it allowed us to utilize the 220 feed for the wall ovens to provide a new sub panel for all the new kitchen circuits ➢ Due to framing deficiencies inherited from the original build there was a 1-1/2” differential in the floor-to-ceiling height over a 20 foot span; by utilizing the process of cutting and furring coupled with the crown moulding details on the cabinet elevations we were able to mask the problem and provide seamless transitions between the cabinet components. Evidence of superior craftsmanship: ➢ uniquely designed, one-of-a-kind metal “X” end panels on the large island. The end panels were custom made in the Realty Restoration LLC shop and fitted to the exact dimensions of the island. The welding seams are completely indistinguishable - the posts look like they are cut from a single sheet of metal ➢ square metal posts on the small island were also custom made and designed to compliment and carry through the metal element s throughout the kitchen ➢ the beautiful, oversized end panels on the pantry cabinets which give the breakfast nook a tailored look ➢ integrating a large format 5 piece Versailles tile pattern to seamlessly flow from the existing spaces into the new kitchen space ➢ By constructing a custom cabinet that jogged around a corner we could not remodel (housing the entry way coat closet) we were able to camouflage the adjacent wall offset within the upper and lower cabinets. By designing around the existing jog in the structural walls we accomplished a few things: we were able to find the space to house, and hide, the microwave and toaster oven yet still have a clean cohesive appearance from the kitchen side. Additionally, the owners were able to keep their much needed coat closet and we didn’t have to increase the budget with unnecessary structural work.

The client wanted the master bath to have a spa-like feel to it, with hints of coastal colors. We expanded the small shower enclosure into a large double shower with a bench wall featuring a bamboo-look tile and a pebble stone floor. The shower walls were done in a large 12x24 tile laid in a vertical direction all the way to the ceiling. We carried the pebble stone pattern under the freestanding tub as well, with a free-flowing edge. Over the built in vanity we used the same bamboo-look tile behind a large lighted LED mirror. On the vanity we created a double waterfall edge to finish out the look of the built-in. We added a beautiful Capiz Chandelier to bring in some of the tropical feel that our client wanted. In the toilet room, we added a wainscot with a blue textured wallpaper above to bring in some of that color they wanted as well.

The kitchen cabinets project embraces a harmonious blend of functionality and aesthetics, with a focus on creating a serene atmosphere. Rounded cabinets crafted from light pigmented oak form the backbone of the kitchen's design, infusing the space with a warm and inviting ambiance. The choice of light pigmented oak not only adds a touch of natural elegance but also complements the abundance of natural light that floods into the house, further enhancing the feeling of serenity. A soft color scheme is carefully curated to seamlessly blend with the light oak cabinets, creating a cohesive and soothing visual palette throughout the kitchen. Soft hues such as pale blues, gentle greens, or muted creams are incorporated into the walls, backsplash, and accents, adding depth and tranquility to the space. Central to the kitchen design is the island, intelligently sectioned into two levels. This feature not only maximizes functionality but also serves as a focal point for social gatherings and moments with loved ones. The lower level of the island provides ample space for food preparation and cooking activities, while the elevated section offers a comfortable dining area or a cozy spot for gathering, fostering a sense of togetherness and connection. Whether it's a casual family breakfast, a lively dinner party, or simply a quiet moment shared with loved ones, the versatile design of the kitchen island ensures that it remains the heart of the home, adaptable to any occasion. With its rounded cabinets, light pigmented oak finish, and thoughtfully designed layout, this kitchen exudes a timeless charm and a tranquil atmosphere, inviting occupants to unwind and savor life's simple pleasures.

Photo by Leonid Furmansky
Home design - modern home design idea in Austin

Trendy l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

The owners of this kitchen had spent the money to upgrade the finishes in their kitchen upon building the home 12 years ago, but after living in the space for several years they realized how nonfunctional the layout really was. The (then) two preschool aged children had grown into busy, hungry teenagers with many friends who also liked to hang out at the house. So the family needed a more functional kitchen with better traffic flow, space for daily activities revolving around the kitchen at different times of day, and a kitchen that could accommodate cooking for and serving large groups. Furthermore, the dark, traditional finishes no longer reflected the homeowners’ style. They requested a brighter, more relaxed, coastal style that reflected their love of the seaside cities they like to visit. Originally, the kitchen was U-shaped with a narrow island in the middle. The island created narrow aisles that bottle-necked at the dishwasher, refrigerator, and cooktop areas. There was a pass-through from the foyer into the kitchen, but the owners never liked that the pass-through was also located so close to the powder room. The awkward proximity was unappealing and made guests feel uncomfortable. The kitchen’s storage was made up of lots of narrow cabinets, apothecary drawers, clipped corner units, and very few drawers. It lacked useful storage for the larger items the family used on a daily basis. And the kitchen’s only pantry was small closet that had only builder-grade, narrow shelving with no illumination to be able to see the contents inside. Overall, the kitchen’s lighting plan was poorly executed. Only six recessed cans illuminated the entire kitchen and nook areas. The under cabinet lighting was not evenly distributed either. In fact, the builder had mis-placed the under cabinet lighting around the decorative pilasters which made for choppy, dark cubbies. Further, the builder didn’t include any lighting over the sink or the bar area, which meant whoever was doing the dishes was always in their own shadow. That, coupled with the steep overhang of the game room above made the bar area feel like a dim, cavernous space that wasn’t inviting or task oriented. The kitchen looked out into the main living space, but the raised bar and a narrow wall (which held the only large cabinet in the kitchen) created more of a barrier than a relationship to the living room or breakfast nook. In fact, one couldn’t even see the breakfast nook from the cooktop or sink areas due to its orientation. The raised bar top was too narrow to comfortably sit to either dine at or chat from due to the lack of knee space. The the homeowners confided that the kitchen felt more like a dark, dirty prison than place where the family, or their guests, wanted to gather and commune. The clients' needs and desires were: ➢ to create a kitchen that would be a space the family loved to be in; to relate to the adjacent spaces all around, and to have better flow for entertaining large groups ➢ to remove the walls between the breakfast nook and living area and to be able to utilize the natural light from the windows in both those areas ➢ to incorporate a functional chopping block for prepping fresh food for home cooked meals, an island with a large sink and drain board, 2 pull out trash cans, and seating for at least the 2 teens to eat or do homework ➢ to design a kitchen and breakfast nook with an airy, coastal, relaxed vibe that blended with the rest of the house's coastal theme ➢ to integrate a layered lighting plan which would include ample general illumination, specific task lighting, decorative lighting, and lots of illuminated storage ➢ to design a kitchen with not only more storage for all the husband’s kitchen gadgets and collection of oils and spices, but smart storage, including a coffee/breakfast bar and a place to store and conceal the toaster oven and microwave ➢ to find a way to utilize the large open space between the kitchen, pantry area, and breakfast nook Twelve Stones Designs achieved the owner's goals by: ➢ removing the walls between the kitchen and living room to allow the natural light to filter in from the adjacent rooms and to create a connection between the kitchen, nook, and living spaces for a sense of unity and communion ➢ removing the existing pantry and designing 3 large pantry style cabinets with LED tape lights and rollout drawers to house lots of kitchen appliances, gadgets, and tons of groceries. We also took the cabinets all the way up to the 9’ ceiling for additional storage for seasonal items and bulk storage. ➢ designing 2 islands - 1 with a gorgeous black walnut chopping block that houses a drawer for chopping and carving knives and a custom double pull out trash unit for point of use utilization - and 1 that houses the dishwasher, a large Blanco Gourmet sink with integrated drain board, woven baskets for fresh root vegetables and kitchen towels, plenty of drawer storage for kitchen items, and bar seating for up to 4 diners. ➢ closing off the space between the kitchen and the powder room to create a beautiful new private alcove for the powder room as well as adding some decorative storage. This also gave us space to include more tall storage near the new range for precision placement of the husband’s extensive oil and spice collection as well as a location for a combo-steam oven the wife wanted for baking and cooking healthy meals. The project is enhanced functionally by: ➢ incorporated USB and standard receptacles for the kids’ laptops and phone charging in the large island ➢ designing the small island to include additional open shelving for items used on a daily basis such as a variety of bowls, plates, and colanders. This set up also works well for the husband who prefers to “plate” his dinners in restaurant-style fashion before presenting them to the table. ➢ the integration of specific storage units, such as double stacked cutlery drawers, a custom spice pull-out, a Kuerig coffee and tea pod drawer, and custom double stacked utensil drawers ➢ moving the refrigerator to the old oven location - this eliminated the bottle neck as well as created a better relationship to the eating table. It also utilizes the floor space between the pantry, nook, and kitchen ➢ creating a banquet style breakfast nook - this banquette seating not only doubles the amount of seating for large gatherings but it better utilizes the odd space between the kitchen and the previous nook area. It also helps to create a distinct pathway from the mudroom room through the pantry area, kitchen, nook, and living room. ➢ the coffee/breakfast bar area which includes the perfect location for the concealed microwave and toaster oven, convenient storage for the coffee pods and tea accoutrements. Roll-out drawers below also house the smoothie maker, hot water kettle, and a plethora of smoothie-making ingredients such as protein powders, smoothie additives, etc. Furthermore, the drawers below the Keurig house measuring utensil, cutlery, baking supplies and tupperware storage. ➢ incorporating lots of wide drawers and pullouts to accommodate large cookware. ➢ utilizing as much vertical space as possible by building storage to the ceiling which accommodates the family’s abundant amount of serving platters, baking sheets, bakeware, casserole dishes, and additional cutting boards. The project is enhanced aesthetically by: ➢ new 5-piece Versailles pattern porcelain tile that now seamlessly joins the entire down stairs area together creating a bright, cohesiveness feeling instead of choppy separated spaces - it also adds a coastal feeling ➢ designing a cabinet to conceal the microwave and toaster oven ➢ the coastal influenced light fixtures over the nook table and island ➢ the sandy colors of the Langdon Cambria countertops. The swirling pattern and sparkling quartz pieces remind the homeowner of black-and-tan sandy beaches ➢ the striped banquet seating whose creamy white background and blue-green stripes were the inspiration for the cabinet and wall colors. ➢ All the interior doors were painted black to coordinate with the blacks and grays in the backsplash tile and countertop. This also adds a hint of tailored formality to an otherwise casual space. ➢ the use of WAC's Oculux small aperture LED units for the overhead lighting complimented with Diode LED strips for task lighting under the cabinets and inside the pantry and glass wall cabinets. All of the lighting applications are on separate dimmer switches. Innovative uses of materials or construction methods by Realty Restoration LLC: ➢ Each 1-1/2” x 3” block of reclaimed end-grain black walnut that makes up the center island chopping block was hand milled and built in the shop. It was designed to look substantial and proportional to the surrounding elements, executed by creating the 4 inch tall top with a solid wood chamfered edge band. ➢ The metal doors on either side of the vent hood were also custom designed for this project and built in the Realty Restoration LLC shop. They are made 1x2, 11-gauge mild steel with ribbed glass. Weighing 60 lbs a piece, heavy duty cabinet hinges were added to support the weight of the door and keep them from sagging. ➢ Under-cabinet receptacles were added along the range wall in order to have a clean, uninterrupted backsplash. Design obstacles to overcome: ➢ Because we were removing the demising walls between the kitchen and living room, we had to find a way to plumb and vent the new island. We did this by tunneling through the slab (the slab had post tension cables which prevented us from just trenching) to run a new wet vent through a nearby structural wall. We pulled the existing hot and cold lines between upper floor joists and ran them down the structural wall as well and up through a conduit in the tunnel. ➢ Since we were converting from wall overs to a gas range it allowed us to utilize the 220 feed for the wall ovens to provide a new sub panel for all the new kitchen circuits ➢ Due to framing deficiencies inherited from the original build there was a 1-1/2” differential in the floor-to-ceiling height over a 20 foot span; by utilizing the process of cutting and furring coupled with the crown moulding details on the cabinet elevations we were able to mask the problem and provide seamless transitions between the cabinet components. Evidence of superior craftsmanship: ➢ uniquely designed, one-of-a-kind metal “X” end panels on the large island. The end panels were custom made in the Realty Restoration LLC shop and fitted to the exact dimensions of the island. The welding seams are completely indistinguishable - the posts look like they are cut from a single sheet of metal ➢ square metal posts on the small island were also custom made and designed to compliment and carry through the metal element s throughout the kitchen ➢ the beautiful, oversized end panels on the pantry cabinets which give the breakfast nook a tailored look ➢ integrating a large format 5 piece Versailles tile pattern to seamlessly flow from the existing spaces into the new kitchen space ➢ By constructing a custom cabinet that jogged around a corner we could not remodel (housing the entry way coat closet) we were able to camouflage the adjacent wall offset within the upper and lower cabinets. By designing around the existing jog in the structural walls we accomplished a few things: we were able to find the space to house, and hide, the microwave and toaster oven yet still have a clean cohesive appearance from the kitchen side. Additionally, the owners were able to keep their much needed coat closet and we didn’t have to increase the budget with unnecessary structural work.

A 1927 colonial home in Shaker Heights, Ohio, received a breathtaking renovation that required extensive work, transforming it from a tucked away, utilitarian space, to an all-purpose gathering room, a role that most kitchens embrace in a home today. The scope of work changed over the course of the project, starting more minimalistically and then quickly becoming the main focus of the house's remodeling, resulting in a staircase being relocated and walls being torn down to create an inviting focal point to the home where family and friends could connect. The focus of the functionality was to allow for multiple prep areas with the inclusion of two islands and sinks, two eating areas (one for impromptu snacking and small meals of younger family members and friends on island no. two and a built-in bench seat for everyday meals in the immediate family). The kitchen was equipped with all Subzero and Wolf appliances, including a 48" range top with a 12" griddle, two double ovens, a 42" built-in side by side refrigerator and freezer, a microwave drawer on island no. one and a beverage center and icemaker in island no. two. The aesthetic feeling embraces the architectural feel of the home while adding a modern sensibility with the revamped layout and graphic elements that tie the color palette of whites, chocolate and charcoal. The cabinets were custom made and outfitted with beaded inset doors with a Shaker panel frame and finished in Benjamin Moore's OC-17 White Dove, a soft white that allowed for the kitchen to feel warm while still maintaining its brightness. Accents of walnut were added to create a sense of warmth, including a custom premium grade walnut countertop on island no. one from Brooks Custom and a TV cabinet with a doggie feeding station beneath. Bringing the cabinet line to the 8'6" ceiling height helps the room feel taller and bold light fixtures at the islands and eating area add detail to an otherwise simpler ceiling detail. The 1 1/4" countertops feature Calacatta Gold Marble with an ogee edge detail. Special touches on the interiors include secret storage panels, an appliance garage, breadbox, pull-out drawers behind the cabinet doors and all soft-close hinges and drawer glides. A kneading area was made as a part of island no. one for the homeowners' love of baking, complete with a stone top allowing for dough to stay cool. Baskets beneath store kitchen essentials that need air circulation. The room adjacent to the kitchen was converted to a hearth room (from a formal dining room) to extend the kitchen's living space and allow for a natural spillover for family and guests to spill into. Jason Miller, Pixelate

This breathtaking whole-home renovation is a masterclass in balancing raw, natural materials with refined coastal elegance. Reclaimed wood, fieldstone, linen, cane, and soft blue hues weave a cohesive story from the soaring great room all the way up to the nursery — creating a home that feels both grounded in the land and kissed by the sea. Great Room The emotional heart of the home is a spectacular great room anchored by a floor-to-ceiling fieldstone fireplace with a hand-hewn reclaimed wood beam mantel and a herringbone brick firebox. Flanking the fireplace are generous built-in white shelving units with linen-backed interiors, beautifully styled with blue-and-white chinoiserie, ceramic vessels, and coastal curiosities. Overhead, a dramatic cathedral ceiling with exposed reclaimed wood trusses in a king-post configuration draws the eye upward and gives the space an almost barn-like grandeur — softened immediately by the warmth of crisp white walls and abundant natural light pouring in through a wall of French doors. Those doors open to a deck overlooking mature woodland, blurring the boundary between inside and out. The furnishings strike a balance that feels lived-in and luxurious at once. Two generous cream linen sofas face each other across a soft blue-gray upholstered square ottoman, while a pair of cognac saddle-leather swivel chairs add warmth and contrast. A stone pedestal side table, a rattan tray, and an oversized abstract seascape canvas above the mantel complete a room that is effortlessly inviting. Kitchen & Dining The open-plan kitchen and dining space flows seamlessly from the great room, united by the same reclaimed beam ceiling and wide-plank light oak hardwood floors. The kitchen itself is a dream: custom white inset cabinetry with brushed nickel hardware surrounds a showstopping island with a pale blue-gray painted base and a warm natural butcher block top — a choice that brings organic texture and approachability to an otherwise polished space. A handmade zellige-style light blue brick backsplash adds subtle artisanal character behind a professional-grade six-burner gas range framed by a tailored white custom range hood. Open glass shelves nearby display a curated collection of blue-and-white chinoiserie vases, adding personality and a collected feel. Clear glass-and-nickel pendant lanterns hang over the island, while a stunning crystal rod linear chandelier marks the dining area — a glamorous counterpoint to all the rustic texture in the room. Cane-back counter stools and a matching set of cane dining chairs in white keep the palette light, fresh, and connected to the home's coastal character. A stone arch passageway between the kitchen and adjacent rooms adds architectural drama and reinforces the home's commitment to natural materiality. Staircase & Entry The staircase is a design moment in its own right. A classic woven runner in gray with a crisp navy border brings pattern and polish to the oak treads, while a built-in window seat with a navy cushion at the landing creates a charming reading nook. A nautical-inspired abstract canvas on the entry wall sets the tonal palette for the upper level. Primary Bedroom Upstairs, the primary bedroom is a soft, serene retreat wrapped in a soothing dusty blue — walls and ceiling painted the same tranquil tone for an enveloping, cocoon-like effect. A white linen platform bed with an upholstered headboard sits beneath a wide horizontal panoramic cloud painting in a warm wood frame, evoking an open sky. The nightstands — in a soft white with brass ring pulls — are paired with ribbed ceramic table lamps that echo the room's quiet coastal sensibility. Blue-and-white gingham curtains on a brass rod, a soft white textured carpet, a cream leather recliner, and a slim brass reading floor lamp round out a room that feels simultaneously fresh and deeply restful. Blue embroidered bedding and a striped bolster pillow tie the whole palette together with gentle precision. Nursery A thoughtfully designed nursery shares the upper level's soft blue palette, with a classic white Jenny Lind spindle crib, a natural wood book rack, a wicker whale toy basket, and a gold circular mirror creating a space that is sweet without being saccharine. The same cloud painting above the bed and the soft blue walls create a dreamy, sky-like atmosphere perfectly suited for a young child.

This cozy great room blends custom craftsmanship with a warm, modern farmhouse feel. Built-in cabinetry creates a tailored focal point, with painted floating shelves that seamlessly match for a clean, cohesive look. The cabinetry, finished in Sherwin Williams Alabaster, keeps the space feeling bright while offering a crisp contrast to the room’s richer textures. A striking fireplace surround combines Valders Polar Chunks and Mt. Crest Webstone with white mortar, creating a refined fieldstone appearance that adds depth and character. The wood-burning fireplace itself introduces a natural, organic element, softening the clean lines of the cabinetry and enhancing the room’s inviting atmosphere. Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray walls bring a cool-toned balance, complementing the medium-stained rustic hardwood floors and the deep-stained ceiling beam that draws the eye upward. White interior windows further enhance the airy feel, allowing light to move freely throughout the space. Together, these elements create a great room that feels comfortable and grounded, with a thoughtful mix of texture, tone, and timeless farmhouse style.

This bright open-concept kitchen brings a warmth to this house which makes it feel like a home. The all-white palette could feel cold, but in this kitchen, it is paired perfectly with light oak flooring, rift cut oak shelves, and black accents to make the space feel warm and inviting. Black candelabra wall sconces add an ambience to the space and compliment the large pendants over the island. The classic white subway tile, decorative hood fan, and shaker cabinets, complete with crown molding, bring a timelessness to the kitchen. A deep farmhouse style sink and black industrial faucet are central to the island, perfect for staying connected with guests and family while working in the kitchen. With ample counter space and deep drawers on either side of the gas range, this kitchen is not only beautiful but perfect for preparing a home cooked meal. The combination of warm woods, industrial-style fixtures, a farm sink, and a few cottage-inspired furniture pieces make this space feel lived-in, yet with an elegance that anyone would be proud to call home.

This breathtaking whole-home renovation is a masterclass in balancing raw, natural materials with refined coastal elegance. Reclaimed wood, fieldstone, linen, cane, and soft blue hues weave a cohesive story from the soaring great room all the way up to the nursery — creating a home that feels both grounded in the land and kissed by the sea. Great Room The emotional heart of the home is a spectacular great room anchored by a floor-to-ceiling fieldstone fireplace with a hand-hewn reclaimed wood beam mantel and a herringbone brick firebox. Flanking the fireplace are generous built-in white shelving units with linen-backed interiors, beautifully styled with blue-and-white chinoiserie, ceramic vessels, and coastal curiosities. Overhead, a dramatic cathedral ceiling with exposed reclaimed wood trusses in a king-post configuration draws the eye upward and gives the space an almost barn-like grandeur — softened immediately by the warmth of crisp white walls and abundant natural light pouring in through a wall of French doors. Those doors open to a deck overlooking mature woodland, blurring the boundary between inside and out. The furnishings strike a balance that feels lived-in and luxurious at once. Two generous cream linen sofas face each other across a soft blue-gray upholstered square ottoman, while a pair of cognac saddle-leather swivel chairs add warmth and contrast. A stone pedestal side table, a rattan tray, and an oversized abstract seascape canvas above the mantel complete a room that is effortlessly inviting. Kitchen & Dining The open-plan kitchen and dining space flows seamlessly from the great room, united by the same reclaimed beam ceiling and wide-plank light oak hardwood floors. The kitchen itself is a dream: custom white inset cabinetry with brushed nickel hardware surrounds a showstopping island with a pale blue-gray painted base and a warm natural butcher block top — a choice that brings organic texture and approachability to an otherwise polished space. A handmade zellige-style light blue brick backsplash adds subtle artisanal character behind a professional-grade six-burner gas range framed by a tailored white custom range hood. Open glass shelves nearby display a curated collection of blue-and-white chinoiserie vases, adding personality and a collected feel. Clear glass-and-nickel pendant lanterns hang over the island, while a stunning crystal rod linear chandelier marks the dining area — a glamorous counterpoint to all the rustic texture in the room. Cane-back counter stools and a matching set of cane dining chairs in white keep the palette light, fresh, and connected to the home's coastal character. A stone arch passageway between the kitchen and adjacent rooms adds architectural drama and reinforces the home's commitment to natural materiality. Staircase & Entry The staircase is a design moment in its own right. A classic woven runner in gray with a crisp navy border brings pattern and polish to the oak treads, while a built-in window seat with a navy cushion at the landing creates a charming reading nook. A nautical-inspired abstract canvas on the entry wall sets the tonal palette for the upper level. Primary Bedroom Upstairs, the primary bedroom is a soft, serene retreat wrapped in a soothing dusty blue — walls and ceiling painted the same tranquil tone for an enveloping, cocoon-like effect. A white linen platform bed with an upholstered headboard sits beneath a wide horizontal panoramic cloud painting in a warm wood frame, evoking an open sky. The nightstands — in a soft white with brass ring pulls — are paired with ribbed ceramic table lamps that echo the room's quiet coastal sensibility. Blue-and-white gingham curtains on a brass rod, a soft white textured carpet, a cream leather recliner, and a slim brass reading floor lamp round out a room that feels simultaneously fresh and deeply restful. Blue embroidered bedding and a striped bolster pillow tie the whole palette together with gentle precision. Nursery A thoughtfully designed nursery shares the upper level's soft blue palette, with a classic white Jenny Lind spindle crib, a natural wood book rack, a wicker whale toy basket, and a gold circular mirror creating a space that is sweet without being saccharine. The same cloud painting above the bed and the soft blue walls create a dreamy, sky-like atmosphere perfectly suited for a young child.

This breathtaking whole-home renovation is a masterclass in balancing raw, natural materials with refined coastal elegance. Reclaimed wood, fieldstone, linen, cane, and soft blue hues weave a cohesive story from the soaring great room all the way up to the nursery — creating a home that feels both grounded in the land and kissed by the sea. Great Room The emotional heart of the home is a spectacular great room anchored by a floor-to-ceiling fieldstone fireplace with a hand-hewn reclaimed wood beam mantel and a herringbone brick firebox. Flanking the fireplace are generous built-in white shelving units with linen-backed interiors, beautifully styled with blue-and-white chinoiserie, ceramic vessels, and coastal curiosities. Overhead, a dramatic cathedral ceiling with exposed reclaimed wood trusses in a king-post configuration draws the eye upward and gives the space an almost barn-like grandeur — softened immediately by the warmth of crisp white walls and abundant natural light pouring in through a wall of French doors. Those doors open to a deck overlooking mature woodland, blurring the boundary between inside and out. The furnishings strike a balance that feels lived-in and luxurious at once. Two generous cream linen sofas face each other across a soft blue-gray upholstered square ottoman, while a pair of cognac saddle-leather swivel chairs add warmth and contrast. A stone pedestal side table, a rattan tray, and an oversized abstract seascape canvas above the mantel complete a room that is effortlessly inviting. Kitchen & Dining The open-plan kitchen and dining space flows seamlessly from the great room, united by the same reclaimed beam ceiling and wide-plank light oak hardwood floors. The kitchen itself is a dream: custom white inset cabinetry with brushed nickel hardware surrounds a showstopping island with a pale blue-gray painted base and a warm natural butcher block top — a choice that brings organic texture and approachability to an otherwise polished space. A handmade zellige-style light blue brick backsplash adds subtle artisanal character behind a professional-grade six-burner gas range framed by a tailored white custom range hood. Open glass shelves nearby display a curated collection of blue-and-white chinoiserie vases, adding personality and a collected feel. Clear glass-and-nickel pendant lanterns hang over the island, while a stunning crystal rod linear chandelier marks the dining area — a glamorous counterpoint to all the rustic texture in the room. Cane-back counter stools and a matching set of cane dining chairs in white keep the palette light, fresh, and connected to the home's coastal character. A stone arch passageway between the kitchen and adjacent rooms adds architectural drama and reinforces the home's commitment to natural materiality. Staircase & Entry The staircase is a design moment in its own right. A classic woven runner in gray with a crisp navy border brings pattern and polish to the oak treads, while a built-in window seat with a navy cushion at the landing creates a charming reading nook. A nautical-inspired abstract canvas on the entry wall sets the tonal palette for the upper level. Primary Bedroom Upstairs, the primary bedroom is a soft, serene retreat wrapped in a soothing dusty blue — walls and ceiling painted the same tranquil tone for an enveloping, cocoon-like effect. A white linen platform bed with an upholstered headboard sits beneath a wide horizontal panoramic cloud painting in a warm wood frame, evoking an open sky. The nightstands — in a soft white with brass ring pulls — are paired with ribbed ceramic table lamps that echo the room's quiet coastal sensibility. Blue-and-white gingham curtains on a brass rod, a soft white textured carpet, a cream leather recliner, and a slim brass reading floor lamp round out a room that feels simultaneously fresh and deeply restful. Blue embroidered bedding and a striped bolster pillow tie the whole palette together with gentle precision. Nursery A thoughtfully designed nursery shares the upper level's soft blue palette, with a classic white Jenny Lind spindle crib, a natural wood book rack, a wicker whale toy basket, and a gold circular mirror creating a space that is sweet without being saccharine. The same cloud painting above the bed and the soft blue walls create a dreamy, sky-like atmosphere perfectly suited for a young child.