There are few things we enjoy nearly as much as helping a homeowner create a statement that is so exclusively them that it’s all but impossible for another to duplicate what they’re creating in their home. Sure, there can be common colors and sometimes even common themes, but for as many homeowners as there are, there are as many individual tastes, thoughts, and ideas that can inspire creativity and design. Tapping into where each homeowner is coming from is what is what brings us so much joy and excitement. Just imagine the excitement we felt when this homeowner asked us to help him with this unusual project! He received this Jack Daniels barrel as a gift from a close friend and wanted to create a new bar in his basement to entertain family and friends. The initial thought was to have the barrel as a stand alone conversation piece, but after some further discussion we suggested using it as a focal point and thus the project was born. Jack was known to be a man of refinement and to pay him the appropriate respect it only made sense to approach this project with an equal sense of detail in the crafting of this project, if for no other reason, we hold the same values. To match all of this with our homeowner’s fondness of entertaining friends, the warm and relaxing feeling he was looking for and the aesthetics of the room, the use of reclaimed and live-edge wood made for a natural fit. In fact aside from a few structural 2x4s beneath the surface, the entire project is built from reused, reclaimed, or re-purposed materials. The most obvious example would be the barrel itself. A bit of research revealed that Jack Daniels only uses their barrels one time before replacing them. Rather than simply destroying them or throwing them away, the barrels are made available to the public to use for other purposes. As a side note we appreciate seeing other companies taking this responsible and earth friendly approach to business. As a part of our own mission to reduce, reuse, and recycle as often as we can, you’ll note the wall paneling is also re-purposed materials. These particular boards we retrieved from an old building that was being removed and rather than allowing all these materials to be bulldozed with the rest of the old structure, we took as much of the old building materials as we could to use elsewhere. For this project we had the old planks and beams them re-sawn into the wall paneling you see here. Look closely at the picture and you’ll see the original nail holes in the boards that made their new home in this project. We even incorporated the reclaimed paneling into wrapping the column the previously exposed wood beams above bar area. It adds to the overall feel by incorporating the theme into an otherwise ungainly (and obviously necessary!) part of the house structure. All the boards in the design of the bar itself come from re-purposed, urban Ash logs. These are either aging and at-risk trees that cities need removed. Ash trees can be subject to assorted infections and diseases and it’s an unfortunate truth that once the disease is discovered, the best way to reduce it’s spreading is to remove the trees in the surrounding area. To further our mission, we take these trees before they end up in a shredder and re-purpose as many of them as we can rather than seeing them simply turned to mulch. We believe this to be a much more responsible use of available materials and just as beautiful. Each board has so much individual character with their natural knots and swirls. We particularly enjoyed the perfectly sized and shaped piece that became the support at the far end of the bar top. It’s as if nature knew we were going to make this project and grew that board to the perfect dimensions just for this purpose! We also had a small leftover piece that was extra knotty and so full of character that we incorporated it as a small shelf just above the barrel. Just because it’s small doesn’t mean it can’t make a statement… Of course no bar would be complete without the top itself. We had a few extra large pieces of Ash with live edges on both sides for the owner to choose from that fit the rough dimensions we needed. His decision made, we added just a very subtle hint of blue and green with our proprietary treatment before the final finishing with epoxy to a mirror finish. We added a few recessed lights to help highlight the natural patterns in the bar top and this bar is ready to serve. This project was satisfying for several reasons. We were thrilled we were able to complete the project entirely out of reclaimed and re-purposed materials. The homeowner’s desire for a rustic feel made it easier to accomplish this and we appreciate that we can partake in projects like this, particularly one so unique. Custom doesn’t come out of a catalog. At Serenity Design Studio our number one goal is to see your unique vision come to life.

Wooden paneling paired with hardwood floor gives this bedroom a rustic, beachy feel. We partnered with Jennifer Allison Design on this project. Her design firm contacted us to paint the entire house - inside and out. Images are used with permission. You can contact her at (310) 488-0331 for more information.

Lepere Studio
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean terra-cotta tile great room remodel in Santa Barbara with white walls

Inspiration for a contemporary dining room remodel in San Francisco

Paul Dyer
This is an example of a transitional front yard concrete paver formal garden.

Our clients’ recently purchase home is set in a picturesque location in Golden, Colorado. With idyllic square footage for raising a family, it was almost just what they wanted. However, the 90’s interior furnishings and dated layout didn’t feel like home. So, they reached out to TVL Creative to help them get the place move-in ready and feeling more 'them.' The scope of work included an overhaul of the master bathroom, full-home paint scheme, lighting updates, and new staircase railings. The most profound transformation within our scope was the master bathroom renovation. This luxurious space, built by TVL’s own Team Angel, is a calming retreat with gorgeous detailing throughout. Every part of this bathroom was gutted and we worked to establish a new concept and functional layout that would better serve our clients. As part of the transformative design, a calming symmetry was created by marrying the new vanity design with the existing architecture of the room. A feature tile accentuates the symmetrical composition of vanity and vaulted ceiling: large beveled mirrors and linear sconces bring the eye upward. Custom built-ins flanking the master bathroom sinks were designed to provide ample organized storage for linens and toiletries. A make-up vanity accented by a full height mirror and coordinating pendant rounds out the custom built-ins. Opposite the vanity wall is the commode room, bathtub, and a large shower. In the bathtub nook, the sculptural form of the Elise tub by MTI Baths compliments the arc of the picture window above. The Kohler Archer tub filler adds transitional and classy styling to the area. A quartz-topped bench running the length of the back wall provides a perfect spot for a glass of wine near the bath, while doubling as a gorgeous and functional seat in the shower. The bench was also utilized to move the bathtub off of the exterior wall and reduce the amount of awkward-to-clean floor space. In the shower, the upgrades feel limitless. We relocated the valve controls to the entry half wall for easy on/off access. We also created functionals shower niches that are tucked out of view for handy storage without aesthetic compromise. The shower features a lovely three-dimensional diamond accent tile and is wrapped in frameless glass for added light entry. In general, the space is outfitted with other stunning features including Kohler Archer fixtures throughout, Feiss decorative lighting, Amerock hardware on all built-ins, and cabinetry from Waypoint Living Spaces. From bachelor pad to first family home, it's been a pleasure to work with our client over the years! We will especially cherish our time working with them this time around to make their new house feel more like home.

A cozy space was transformed into an exercise room and enhanced for this purpose as follows: Fluorescent light fixtures recessed into the ceiling provide cool lighting without reducing headroom; windows on three walls balance the natural light and allow for cross ventilation; a mirrored wall widens the appearance of the space and the wood paneled end wall warms the space with the same richness found in the rest of the house.

Inspiration for a contemporary home office remodel in Salt Lake City

Photographer: Brian Vanden Brink
Beach style home office photo in Boston

Photo by Marianne Majerus
Example of an urban courtyard gravel patio vertical garden design in London with no cover

THE SETUP Sam’s client had lived in her downtown townhome home for less than a year when she decided to remodel the spacious second level. This open area consisted of three sections: a TV and fireplace zone, a sparsely furnished dining area, and a dominant central kitchen. The kitchen featured a long back wall with three segmented sections and a massive island housing the cooktop. She found the kitchen’s functionality lacking and its presence overwhelming – it dominated the entire floor, regardless of where you stood. Design objectives: - Reconfigure key kitchen elements (sink, cooktop, oven) while minimizing the kitchen’s visual impact - Optimize the kitchen’s back wall, eliminating existing dead space - Create a purposeful, well-defined dining area - Establish a distinct, comfortable living area - Reuse existing appliances and flooring - Maintain an overall modern design aesthetic THE REMODEL Design challenges to be solved: - Redesign the island to reduce its overwhelming presence - Create a comfortable, dedicated living room within the available space - Establish a distinct, inviting dining area within spatial constraints - Enhance kitchen functionality and style without dominating the entire floor THE RENEWED SPACE Design solutions: - Sam created raised end caps for the island. This separated the kitchen from adjacent living and dining areas while focusing the kitchen’s functionality. The new sink location offers ample workspace, allowing the cook to interact with guests seated at the island. The redesigned island also provides additional storage. - For the living area, Sam opted for a functional-yet-minimalist approach. Large-format tile creates a natural stone look for the fireplace and TV wall. The recessed TV and extended fireplace shelf maintain a sleek profile. - Artistic wallpaper adds depth and texture, while the intentional lack of extensive shelving keeps the space open and distinct. - Sam transformed the dining area’s blank wall into a feature, adding a unique dry bar with counter space, open shelves, cabinet storage and a beverage fridge. - - - Wallpaper behind and above the bar contributes to the area’s personality. A mirror adds depth while pendant lights add style and visual interest. Relocating the cooktop to the back wall facilitates hidden ventilation, reducing visual clutter. Sam balanced transitional and modern elements for a contemporary yet comfortable feel. The digital control panel on the convection cooktop maintains a sleek look, while the wall oven is now at an easy-to-use height. ----- Mirrored base cabinet fronts and a paneled fridge prevent cabinetry monotony. The redesign has delighted Sam’s client, achieving her main goal of creating a more inviting and visually appealing space. Each section now has its own visual personality and functionality while harmonizing within a monochromatic palette. The entire floor offers wow-factor pop upon first glance, with each area maintaining its distinct character while contributing to a cohesive, modern aesthetic.

The Watermill House is a beautiful example of a classic Hamptons wood shingle style home. The design and renovation would maintain the character of the exterior while transforming the interiors to create an open and airy getaway for a busy and active family. The house comfortably sits within its one acre lot surrounded by tall hedges, old growth trees, and beautiful hydrangeas. The landscape influenced the design approach of the main floor interiors. Walls were removed and the kitchen was relocated to the front of the house to create an open plan for better flow and views to both the front and rear yards. The kitchen was designed to be both practical and beautiful. The u-shape design features modern appliances, white cabinetry and Corian countertops, and is anchored by a beautiful island with a knife-edge marble countertop. The island and the dining room table create a strong axis to the living room at the rear of the house. To further strengthen the connection to the outdoor decks and pool area of the rear yard, a full height sliding glass window system was installed. The clean lines and modern profiles of the window frames create unobstructed views and virtually remove the barrier between the interior and exterior spaces. The open plan allowed a new sitting area to be created between the dining room and stair. A screen, comprised of vertical fins, allows for a degree of openness, while creating enough separation to make the sitting area feel comfortable and nestled in its own area. The stair at the entry of the house was redesigned to match the new elegant and sophisticated spaces connected to it. New treads were installed to articulate and contrast the soft palette of finishes of the floors, walls, and ceilings. The new metal and glass handrail was intended to reduce visual noise and create subtle reflections of light. Photo by Guillaume Gaudet

Bradley Foto, Chris Bradley
Example of a trendy rooftop rooftop deck design in Chicago with an awning

Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor, brown floor and coffered ceiling bedroom remodel in San Francisco with green walls

Example of a large farmhouse open concept light wood floor and brown floor living room design in Baltimore with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Smart Storage Ideas for Small Apartments with Flat-Pack Panel Furniture Small apartments and rental homes often struggle with one thing: not enough storage. Clothes, books, luggage and daily items quickly fill every corner, and there is rarely space for bulky built-in furniture. With the right flat-pack panel furniture, you can still create a bright, organized home that feels calm instead of crowded. Here are some practical ideas to make the most of every square meter using flat-pack wardrobes, beds and cabinets. 1. Build a Full-Height Storage Wall When floor space is limited, think vertically. A full-height wardrobe or storage wall from floor to ceiling instantly adds a huge amount of hidden storage without taking more footprint. Use tall cabinets around the bed or TV area. Closed doors keep the room looking clean, while a few open shelves in the middle can display books, plants or a TV. Slim handles and light wood tones help the design feel modern and not too heavy for a small room. Flat-pack panel wardrobes are delivered in cartons and assembled on site, which makes them perfect for apartments with narrow stairs or elevators. 2. Turn the Bed Area into a Storage Zone In small bedrooms, the bed is usually the largest piece of furniture. Instead of letting the space under and around it go to waste, transform it into extra storage: A platform bed with drawers underneath is ideal for bedding, seasonal clothes or suitcases. Steps leading up to a raised bed can hide additional drawers or cabinets. A headboard with shelves and small cabinets keeps phones, books and chargers within easy reach while freeing up the bedside floor. These designs work very well with panel furniture. Standard board sizes and hardware make it easy to customize length, depth and internal layout according to each room. 3. Combine Desk, Wardrobe and Shelving Many people now work or study from home, even in small apartments. Instead of using several separate pieces, consider a combined unit that integrates wardrobe, open shelves and a desk. A corner desk with wall-mounted cabinets above and a wardrobe next to it creates a compact “working wall”. Open shelves can hold files and décor, while closed cabinets hide everything else. Keeping the furniture off the floor visually opens the room and makes cleaning easier. Flat-pack construction means these modular units can be shipped in flat panels and assembled in different layouts: left-hand or right-hand desk, longer or shorter wardrobe, more or fewer shelves. 4. Choose Light Colors and Warm Wood Textures Color has a big impact on how large or small a room feels. For compact spaces, light neutrals are your best friend: white, light grey and soft beige make walls and cabinets visually recede. Warm woodgrain fronts or accents add comfort and prevent the room from feeling cold. You can mix white cabinet doors with oak or light walnut panels to create a fresh, Scandinavian-inspired look. Using the same material for wardrobes, beds and shelves also creates a calm, unified feeling instead of a busy, mismatched room. 5. Enjoy the Practical Benefits of Flat-Pack Furniture Flat-pack panel furniture is not only space-saving in the room, it is also efficient before it arrives: Products are packed flat in cartons, so more pieces fit into one container or truck. Cartons are easier to carry through narrow hallways and up staircases. Most systems use cam locks and dowels, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly when moving. For landlords, student housing and rental projects, this makes installation faster and replacement simpler. For online brands and retailers, flat-pack furniture reduces shipping costs and makes warehousing more flexible. 6. Behind the Scenes: How Quality Flat-Pack Furniture Is Made A good small-space design also depends on precise manufacturing. Modern CNC cutting lines, edge-banding machines and drilling centers ensure that every panel fits perfectly, doors stay aligned and hardware works smoothly. Consistent quality is key when many apartments or rooms need to be furnished with the same design. About Starwood Starwood is an OEM & ODM manufacturer based in Guangdong with over 12 years of experience in panel materials and furniture. We supply decorative papers, MDF, particleboard, plywood and custom-designed flat-pack furniture, including wardrobes, storage beds, study units and kitchen cabinets. If you are a retailer, online brand, interior designer or project client looking for small-space furniture solutions, feel free to contact us to develop your own flat-pack collection or apartment package.

Smart Storage Ideas for Small Apartments with Flat-Pack Panel Furniture Small apartments and rental homes often struggle with one thing: not enough storage. Clothes, books, luggage and daily items quickly fill every corner, and there is rarely space for bulky built-in furniture. With the right flat-pack panel furniture, you can still create a bright, organized home that feels calm instead of crowded. Here are some practical ideas to make the most of every square meter using flat-pack wardrobes, beds and cabinets. 1. Build a Full-Height Storage Wall When floor space is limited, think vertically. A full-height wardrobe or storage wall from floor to ceiling instantly adds a huge amount of hidden storage without taking more footprint. Use tall cabinets around the bed or TV area. Closed doors keep the room looking clean, while a few open shelves in the middle can display books, plants or a TV. Slim handles and light wood tones help the design feel modern and not too heavy for a small room. Flat-pack panel wardrobes are delivered in cartons and assembled on site, which makes them perfect for apartments with narrow stairs or elevators. 2. Turn the Bed Area into a Storage Zone In small bedrooms, the bed is usually the largest piece of furniture. Instead of letting the space under and around it go to waste, transform it into extra storage: A platform bed with drawers underneath is ideal for bedding, seasonal clothes or suitcases. Steps leading up to a raised bed can hide additional drawers or cabinets. A headboard with shelves and small cabinets keeps phones, books and chargers within easy reach while freeing up the bedside floor. These designs work very well with panel furniture. Standard board sizes and hardware make it easy to customize length, depth and internal layout according to each room. 3. Combine Desk, Wardrobe and Shelving Many people now work or study from home, even in small apartments. Instead of using several separate pieces, consider a combined unit that integrates wardrobe, open shelves and a desk. A corner desk with wall-mounted cabinets above and a wardrobe next to it creates a compact “working wall”. Open shelves can hold files and décor, while closed cabinets hide everything else. Keeping the furniture off the floor visually opens the room and makes cleaning easier. Flat-pack construction means these modular units can be shipped in flat panels and assembled in different layouts: left-hand or right-hand desk, longer or shorter wardrobe, more or fewer shelves. 4. Choose Light Colors and Warm Wood Textures Color has a big impact on how large or small a room feels. For compact spaces, light neutrals are your best friend: white, light grey and soft beige make walls and cabinets visually recede. Warm woodgrain fronts or accents add comfort and prevent the room from feeling cold. You can mix white cabinet doors with oak or light walnut panels to create a fresh, Scandinavian-inspired look. Using the same material for wardrobes, beds and shelves also creates a calm, unified feeling instead of a busy, mismatched room. 5. Enjoy the Practical Benefits of Flat-Pack Furniture Flat-pack panel furniture is not only space-saving in the room, it is also efficient before it arrives: Products are packed flat in cartons, so more pieces fit into one container or truck. Cartons are easier to carry through narrow hallways and up staircases. Most systems use cam locks and dowels, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly when moving. For landlords, student housing and rental projects, this makes installation faster and replacement simpler. For online brands and retailers, flat-pack furniture reduces shipping costs and makes warehousing more flexible. 6. Behind the Scenes: How Quality Flat-Pack Furniture Is Made A good small-space design also depends on precise manufacturing. Modern CNC cutting lines, edge-banding machines and drilling centers ensure that every panel fits perfectly, doors stay aligned and hardware works smoothly. Consistent quality is key when many apartments or rooms need to be furnished with the same design. About Starwood Starwood is an OEM & ODM manufacturer based in Guangdong with over 12 years of experience in panel materials and furniture. We supply decorative papers, MDF, particleboard, plywood and custom-designed flat-pack furniture, including wardrobes, storage beds, study units and kitchen cabinets. If you are a retailer, online brand, interior designer or project client looking for small-space furniture solutions, feel free to contact us to develop your own flat-pack collection or apartment package.

Low Gear Photography
Kitchen/dining room combo - mid-sized traditional light wood floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Kansas City with gray walls

Our overall design concept for the renovation of this space was to optimize the functional space for a family of five and accentuate the existing window. In the renovation, we eliminated a huge centrally located kitchen island which acted as an obstacle to the feeling of the space and focused on creating an elegant and balanced plan promoting movement, simplicity and precisely executed details. We held strong to having the kitchen cabinets, wherever possible, float off the floor to give the subtle impression of lightness avoiding a bottom heavy look. The cabinets were painted a pale tinted green to reduce the empty effect of light flooding a white kitchen leaving a softness and complementing the gray tiles. To integrate the existing dining room with the kitchen, we simply added some classic dining chairs and a dynamic light fixture, juxtaposing the geometry of the boxy kitchen with organic curves and triangular lights to balance the clean design with an inviting warmth.