This adorable beach cottage is in the heart of the village of La Jolla in San Diego. The goals were to brighten up the space and be the perfect beach get-away for the client whose permanent residence is in Arizona. Some of the ways we achieved the goals was to place an extra high custom board and batten in the great room and by refinishing the kitchen cabinets (which were in excellent shape) white. We created interest through extreme proportions and contrast. Though there are a lot of white elements, they are all offset by a smaller portion of very dark elements. We also played with texture and pattern through wallpaper, natural reclaimed wood elements and rugs. This was all kept in balance by using a simplified color palate minimal layering. I am so grateful for this client as they were extremely trusting and open to ideas. To see what the space looked like before the remodel you can go to the gallery page of the website www.cmnaturaldesigns.com Photography by: Chipper Hatter

Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped brown floor and concrete floor kitchen remodel in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and an island

The clients, a young professional couple had lived with this bathroom in their townhome for 6 years. They finally could not take it any longer. The designer was tasked with turning this ugly duckling into a beautiful swan without relocating walls, doors, fittings, or fixtures in this principal bathroom. The client wish list included, better storage, improved lighting, replacing the tub with a shower, and creating a sparkling personality for this uninspired space using any color way except white. The designer began the transformation with the wall tile. Large format rectangular tiles were installed floor to ceiling on the vanity wall and continued behind the toilet and into the shower. The soft variation in tile pattern is very soothing and added to the Zen feeling of the room. One partner is an avid gardener and wanted to bring natural colors into the space. The same tile is used on the floor in a matte finish for slip resistance and in a 2” mosaic of the same tile is used on the shower floor. A lighted tile recess was created across the entire back wall of the shower beautifully illuminating the wall. Recycled glass tiles used in the niche represent the color and shape of leaves. A single glass panel was used in place of a traditional shower door. Continuing the serene colorway of the bath, natural rift cut white oak was chosen for the vanity and the floating shelves above the toilet. A white quartz for the countertop, has a small reflective pattern like the polished chrome of the fittings and hardware. Natural curved shapes are repeated in the arch of the faucet, the hardware, the front of the toilet and shower column. The rectangular shape of the tile is repeated in the drawer fronts of the cabinets, the sink, the medicine cabinet, and the floating shelves. The shower column was selected to maintain the simple lines of the fittings while providing a temperature, pressure balance shower experience with a multi-function main shower head and handheld head. The dual flush toilet and low flow shower are a water saving consideration. The floating shelves provide decorative and functional storage. The asymmetric design of the medicine cabinet allows for a full view in the mirror with the added function of a tri view mirror when open. Built in LED lighting is controllable from 2500K to 4000K. The interior of the medicine cabinet is also mirrored and electrified to keep the countertop clear of necessities. Additional lighting is provided with recessed LED fixtures for the vanity area as well as in the shower. A motion sensor light installed under the vanity illuminates the room with a soft glow at night. The transformation is now complete. No longer an ugly duckling and source of unhappiness, the new bathroom provides a much-needed respite from the couples’ busy lives. It has created a retreat to recharge and replenish, two very important components of wellness.

This one is near and dear to my heart. Not only is it in my own backyard, it is also the first remodel project I've gotten to do for myself! This space was previously a detached two car garage in our backyard. Seeing it transform from such a utilitarian, dingy garage to a bright and cheery little retreat was so much fun and so rewarding! This space was slated to be an AirBNB from the start and I knew I wanted to design it for the adventure seeker, the savvy traveler, and those who appreciate all the little design details . My goal was to make a warm and inviting space that our guests would look forward to coming back to after a full day of exploring the city or gorgeous mountains and trails that define the Pacific Northwest. I also wanted to make a few bold choices, like the hunter green kitchen cabinets or patterned tile, because while a lot of people might be too timid to make those choice for their own home, who doesn't love trying it on for a few days?At the end of the day I am so happy with how it all turned out!

Study space transitional gender-neutral kids' study room photo in Minneapolis with gray walls

Photo: Mina Brinkey © 2013 Houzz
This is an example of a shabby-chic style porch design in Tampa with decking.

Photo: Jim Westphalen
Inspiration for a rustic gray floor bathroom remodel in Burlington with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, a trough sink and brown countertops

Dewing Schmid Kearns
Indoor basketball/tennis/multi-game court - huge cottage medium tone wood floor indoor basketball/tennis/multi-game court idea in Boston with brown walls

dining room
Enclosed dining room - victorian medium tone wood floor enclosed dining room idea in Charleston with multicolored walls and a standard fireplace

Stoffer Photography
Example of a mid-sized transitional light wood floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Chicago with white walls and no fireplace

Photo by Peter Dressel Interior design by Christopher Knight Interiors christopherknightinteriors.com
Alcove shower - transitional white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor alcove shower idea in New York with a console sink, a two-piece toilet and white walls

Elegant walk-in closet photo in Grand Rapids

Tuscan l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Tim Murphy
Contemporary wood exterior home idea in Denver

Forget just one room with a view—Lochley has almost an entire house dedicated to capturing nature’s best views and vistas. Make the most of a waterside or lakefront lot in this economical yet elegant floor plan, which was tailored to fit a narrow lot and has more than 1,600 square feet of main floor living space as well as almost as much on its upper and lower levels. A dovecote over the garage, multiple peaks and interesting roof lines greet guests at the street side, where a pergola over the front door provides a warm welcome and fitting intro to the interesting design. Other exterior features include trusses and transoms over multiple windows, siding, shutters and stone accents throughout the home’s three stories. The water side includes a lower-level walkout, a lower patio, an upper enclosed porch and walls of windows, all designed to take full advantage of the sun-filled site. The floor plan is all about relaxation – the kitchen includes an oversized island designed for gathering family and friends, a u-shaped butler’s pantry with a convenient second sink, while the nearby great room has built-ins and a central natural fireplace. Distinctive details include decorative wood beams in the living and kitchen areas, a dining area with sloped ceiling and decorative trusses and built-in window seat, and another window seat with built-in storage in the den, perfect for relaxing or using as a home office. A first-floor laundry and space for future elevator make it as convenient as attractive. Upstairs, an additional 1,200 square feet of living space include a master bedroom suite with a sloped 13-foot ceiling with decorative trusses and a corner natural fireplace, a master bath with two sinks and a large walk-in closet with built-in bench near the window. Also included is are two additional bedrooms and access to a third-floor loft, which could functions as a third bedroom if needed. Two more bedrooms with walk-in closets and a bath are found in the 1,300-square foot lower level, which also includes a secondary kitchen with bar, a fitness room overlooking the lake, a recreation/family room with built-in TV and a wine bar perfect for toasting the beautiful view beyond.

Beautifully designed by Giannetti Architects and skillfully built by Morrow & Morrow Construction in 2006 in the highly coveted guard gated Brentwood Circle. The stunning estate features 5bd/5.5ba including maid quarters, library, and detached pool house. Designer finishes throughout with wide plank hardwood floors, crown molding, and interior service elevator. Sumptuous master suite and bath with large terrace overlooking pool and yard. 3 additional bedroom suites + dance studio/4th bedroom upstairs. Spacious family room with custom built-ins, eat-in cook's kitchen with top of the line appliances and butler's pantry & nook. Formal living room w/ french limestone fireplace designed by Steve Gianetti and custom made in France, dining room, and office/library with floor-to ceiling mahogany built-in bookshelves & rolling ladder. Serene backyard with swimmer's pool & spa. Private and secure yet only minutes to the Village. This is a rare offering. Listed with Steven Moritz & Bruno Abisror. Post Rain - Jeff Ong Photos

Photo: Amelia Hallsworth © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for a country l-shaped kitchen remodel in London with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, black appliances and an island

Betty Wang
Example of a mid-sized trendy freestanding desk study room design in Toronto with multicolored walls

Marlon Hazlewood
Example of a small trendy u-shaped slate floor dining room design in Toronto with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and gray walls