It wasn’t necessary to overthink things when Axis Mundi designed interiors for an apartment at Brooklyn’s glass-sheathed 1 Grand Army Plaza, the luxury building by Richard Meier already endowed with all the “starchitect” bells and whistles, as well as drop-dead stunning views of Brooklyn, the harbor and Prospect Park. What did require considerable aptitude was to strike the right balance between respect for these assets, particularly the panoramas, and livability. The all-white scheme doesn’t just complement Meier’s own aesthetic devotion to this purest of pure hues; it serves as a cool backdrop for the views, affording comfortable vantage points from which to enjoy them, yet not drawing attention away from the splendors of one of the world’s most distinctive boroughs. Sleek, low-lying Italian seating avoids distracting interruptions on the horizon line. But minimal color accents and pattern also sidestep what could have been a potentially antiseptic environment, making it tactile, human and luxurious. 2,200 sf Design Team: John Beckmann, Richard Rosenbloom and Nick Messerlian Vintage photography courtesy of the Ubu Gallery, New York Photography: Adriana Buffi and Fran Parente © Axis Mundi Design LLC

This gorgeous bathroom renovation features floating cabinets with a light beachwood finish. Interior design by Mused Interiors Architecture by Clifford Planning & Architecture Featuring cabinetry by Plus Interiors

Photo: Kimberley Bryan © 2013 Houzz
Example of an eclectic eat-in kitchen design in Seattle with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets and medium tone wood cabinets

A residence designed for informal gathering and relaxation on a quiet cove near Acadia National Park. Conceived of as a compound of connected gathering spaces with adjacent private retreat spaces. The "village" of structures is designed to open and close seasonally with large sliding barn doors. These also modulate light, air and views into and out of the cottages. Carefully positioned to take advantage of the rich variety of views and sloping topography, the cottages have integral terraces and retaining walls to negotiate the undulating land-form. One arrives at the high point of the site and the long barn axis and navigates between the cottages to the main entrance. Once inside, the home deliberately reveals unique views to the ocean, mountains and surrounding spruce forest.

Subtle, yet dramatic details create an ultra-sensory experience. Each step tours a myriad of intentional design elements and exotic features. This striking glass enclosed wine cellar uses Vin de Garde's label-forward metal wine rack system against a shining black acrylic panel. Credits: 864 Stradella Rd., Beverly Hills, LA project designed by renowned Paul McClean (McClean Design), Wine Cellar by Vin de Garde.

The client liked a warm yet contemporary look. Interior design by SPRINGFIELD DESIGN www.springfielddesign.com
Mid-sized trendy multicolored tile and stone tile limestone floor bathroom photo in San Diego with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, beige walls and quartz countertops

Naptime is made easy by quietly lowering Serena blackout roller shades using a wireless control. You can lower shades with one touch to block bright daylight and lull your baby into a peaceful sleep. Pictured here is the Roller Essentials Collection with a translucent Palette fabric in a pepper color. Photo Courtesy of Lutron Electronics.

G.E. Monogram 48" Range ZDP486NRPSS G.E. Monogram 48" Side by Side Built-In Refrigerator ZISS480DXSS Zephyr Trapeze Hood CTPE48BSX G.E Monogram Dishwashers ZDT870SFSS/ZDT800SSFSS Electrolux Front Load Washer/Dryer - Model no longer available Cabinets: Rod Heiss, Cutting Edge Design- Salt Lake City, Utah Designer: Stephanie Lake- Bountiful, Utah Contractor: J. Budge Construction- Herriman, Utah Flooring is Timeline Light Photography Credit: Lindsay Salazar Photography

Example of a trendy kitchen design in Philadelphia with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, blue backsplash, paneled appliances and white countertops

Charlie is the perfect kitchen for those who are as serious about cooking as they are about having fun. For this kitchen design we used Semihandmade’s Supermatte Slab doors in Blush. The slab doors in Blush offer a striking way to inject personality into your kitchen. In a fearless, fresh pink hue, these cabinet doors bring color and character to the space without compromising on practicality. Charlie comes with a top of the line Smeg appliance package, Franke sink set and Vola faucet, Terrazzo countertops, Mod Hex Extended Pull hardware by Emtek, and Dune Bianco ceramic tile backsplash by StoneSource. Like the Charlie look? Get it yourself at Skipp.co

This forever home, perfect for entertaining and designed with a place for everything, is a contemporary residence that exudes warmth, functional style, and lifestyle personalization for a family of five. Our busy lawyer couple, with three close-knit children, had recently purchased a home that was modern on the outside, but dated on the inside. They loved the feel, but knew it needed a major overhaul. Being incredibly busy and having never taken on a renovation of this scale, they knew they needed help to make this space their own. Upon a previous client referral, they called on Pulp to make their dreams a reality. Then ensued a down to the studs renovation, moving walls and some stairs, resulting in dramatic results. Beth and Carolina layered in warmth and style throughout, striking a hard-to-achieve balance of livable and contemporary. The result is a well-lived in and stylish home designed for every member of the family, where memories are made daily.

Casey Dunn Photography
Example of a trendy master freestanding bathtub design in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and beige walls

This commercial-to-residential remodel took an abandoned commercial building in southeast Portland and transformed it into an open, light-filled celebration of simplicity. Architect Elizabeth Williams of Pencil Work Studio designed the remodel of the building, which in its hundred-year life had served as nickelodeon, school, place of worship, and dance hall. The loft living space occupies the second floor, while music and rehearsal space occupies the first. After converting the building into a livable loft space, Hammer & Hand returned to remodel the existing kitchen with design by Risa Boyer Architecture.

Countertop: Ella from Cambria's Marble Collection
Trendy l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photographer Peter Peirce
Mid-sized trendy master gray tile and stone tile porcelain tile and beige floor bathroom photo in Bridgeport with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, red cabinets, a one-piece toilet, beige walls, quartzite countertops and a hinged shower door

Example of a trendy l-shaped gray floor kitchen design in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Example of a trendy galley dark wood floor kitchen design in New York with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, paneled appliances and a peninsula

The Tice Residences replace a run-down and aging duplex with two separate, modern, Santa Barbara homes. Although the unique creek-side site (which the client’s original home looked toward across a small ravine) proposed significant challenges, the clients were certain they wanted to live on the lush “Riviera” hillside. The challenges presented were ultimately overcome through a thorough and careful study of site conditions. With an extremely efficient use of space and strategic placement of windows and decks, privacy is maintained while affording expansive views from each home to the creek, downtown Santa Barbara and Pacific Ocean beyond. Both homes appear to have far more openness than their compact lots afford. The solution strikes a balance between enclosure and openness. Walls and landscape elements divide and protect two private domains, and are in turn, carefully penetrated to reveal views. Both homes are variations on one consistent theme: elegant composition of contemporary, “warm” materials; strong roof planes punctuated by vertical masses; and floating decks. The project forms an intimate connection with its setting by using site-excavated stone, terracing landscape planters with native plantings, and utilizing the shade provided by its ancient Riviera Oak trees. 2012 AIA Santa Barbara Chapter Merit Award Jim Bartsch Photography

Bathroom - transitional blue floor bathroom idea in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and white countertops