Photo by Pedro Marti The client’s hired us to update this small post war apartment which didn’t appear to have ever been renovated since the buildings construction in 1964. The kitchen and bathroom were outdated and were fully gutted. In doing so we decided to open up the apartment in general by removing the wall that separated the kitchen from the living space to create a more open plan. The resulting design is an exercise in ultra-minimalism. The rear wall of the kitchen was outfitted with floor to ceiling cabinetry fit with custom satin lacquer doors and minimal white pulls. The custom paneled refrigerator integrates seamlessly within this wall to create a white backdrop for the kitchen. A peninsula was created opposite to give a work surface and to house the sink and range. Starkly contrasting black metal clad doors were chosen for this run of cabinetry. The unique metal doors have integrated pulls that are cut and folded from the metal cladding. The peninsula is topped in a faux concrete quartz surface. New wide plank walnut flooring was laid throughout the kitchen, living, and bedroom to giving the space a look of continuity. Trim was kept to a minimum, removing from all doors and windows and using only where absolutely necessary at the base of the walls. To achieve the look in the monochromatic bathroom, large format grey porcelain tile was laid in a careful grid; white metal floating shelves and the medicine cabinet were installed to precisely align with both the tile grid and the overhead linear LED fixture.

Mid-sized country master walk-in shower photo in San Luis Obispo

This project was completed for clients who wanted a comfortable, accessible 1ST floor bathroom for their grown daughter to use during visits to their home as well as a nicely-appointed space for any guest. Their daughter has some accessibility challenges so the bathroom was also designed with that in mind. The original space worked fairly well in some ways, but we were able to tweak a few features to make the space even easier to maneuver through. We started by making the entry to the shower flush so that there is no curb to step over. In addition, although there was an existing oversized seat in the shower, it was way too deep and not comfortable to sit on and just wasted space. We made the shower a little smaller and then provided a fold down teak seat that is slip resistant, warm and comfortable to sit on and can flip down only when needed. Thus we were able to create some additional storage by way of open shelving to the left of the shower area. The open shelving matches the wood vanity and allows a spot for the homeowners to display heirlooms as well as practical storage for things like towels and other bath necessities. We carefully measured all the existing heights and locations of countertops, toilet seat, and grab bars to make sure that we did not undo the things that were already working well. We added some additional hidden grab bars or “grabcessories” at the toilet paper holder and shower shelf for an extra layer of assurance. Large format, slip-resistant floor tile was added eliminating as many grout lines as possible making the surface less prone to tripping. We used a wood look tile as an accent on the walls, and open storage in the vanity allowing for easy access for clean towels. Bronze fixtures and frameless glass shower doors add an elegant yet homey feel that was important for the homeowner. A pivot mirror allows adjustability for different users. If you are interested in designing a bathroom featuring “Living In Place” or accessibility features, give us a call to find out more. Susan Klimala, CKBD, is a Certified Aging In Place Specialist (CAPS) and particularly enjoys helping her clients with unique needs in the context of beautifully designed spaces. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel

This project was such an incredible design opportunity, and instilled inspiration and excitement at every turn! Our amazing clients came to us with the challenge of converting their beloved family home into a welcoming haven for all members of the family. At the time that we met our clients, they were struggling with the difficult personal decision of the fate of the home. Their father/father-in-law had passed away and their mother/mother-in-law had recently been admitted into a nursing facility and was fighting Alzheimer’s. Resistant to loss of the home now that both parents were out of it, our clients purchased the home to keep in in the family. Despite their permanent home currently being in New Jersey, these clients dedicated themselves to keeping and revitalizing the house. We were moved by the story and became immediately passionate about bringing this dream to life. The home was built by the parents of our clients and was only ever owned by them, making this a truly special space to the family. Our goal was to revitalize the home and to bring new energy into every room without losing the special characteristics that were original to the home when it was built. In this way, we were able to develop a house that maintains its own unique personality while offering a space of welcoming neutrality for all members of the family to enjoy over time. The renovation touched every part of the home: the exterior, foyer, kitchen, living room, sun room, garage, six bedrooms, three bathrooms, the laundry room, and everything in between. The focus was to develop a style that carried consistently from space to space, but allowed for unique expression in the small details in every room. Starting at the entry, we renovated the front door and entry point to offer more presence and to bring more of the mid-century vibe to the home’s exterior. We integrated a new modern front door, cedar shingle accents, new exterior paint, and gorgeous contemporary house numbers that really allow the home to stand out. Just inside the entry, we renovated the foyer to create a playful entry point worthy of attention. Cement look tile adorns the foyer floor, and we’ve added new lighting and upgraded the entry coat storage. Upon entering the home, one will immediately be captivated by the stunning kitchen just off the entry. We transformed this space in just about every way. While the footprint of the home ultimately remained almost identical, the aesthetics were completely turned on their head. We re-worked the kitchen to maximize storage and to create an informal dining area that is great for casual hosting or morning coffee. We removed the entry to the garage that was once in the informal dining, and created a peninsula in its place that offers a unique division between the kitchen/informal dining and the formal dining and living areas. The simple light warm light gray cabinetry offers a bit of traditional elegance, along with the marble backsplash and quartz countertops. We extended the original wood flooring into the kitchen and stained all floors to match for a warmth that truly resonates through all spaces. We upgraded appliances, added lighting everywhere, and finished the space with some gorgeous mid century furniture pieces. In the formal dining and living room, we really focused on maintaining the original marble fireplace as a focal point. We cleaned the marble, repaired the mortar, and refinished the original fireplace screen to give a new sleek look in black. We then integrated a new gas insert for modern heating and painted the upper portion in a rich navy blue; an accent that is carried through the home consistently as a nod to our client’s love of the color. The former entry into the old covered porch is now an elegant glass door leading to a stunning finished sunroom. This room was completely upgraded as well. We wrapped the entire space in cozy white shiplap to keep a casual feel with brightness. We tiled the floor with large format concrete look tile, and painted the old brick fireplace a bright white. We installed a new gas burning unit, and integrated transitional style lighting to bring warmth and elegance into the space. The new black-frame windows are adorned with decorative shades that feature hand-sketched bird prints, and we’ve created a dedicated garden-ware “nook” for our client who loves to work in the yard. The far end of this space is completed with two oversized chaise loungers and overhead lights…the most perfect little reading nook! Just off the dining room, we created an entirely new space to the home: a mudroom. The clients lacked this space and desperately needed a landing spot upon entering the home from the garage. We uniquely planned existing space in the garage to utilize for this purpose, and were able to create a small but functional entry point without losing the ability to park cars in the garage. This new space features cement-look tile, gorgeous deep brown cabinetry, and plenty of storage for all the small items one might need to store while moving in and out of the home. The remainder of the upstairs level includes massive renovations to the guest hall bathroom and guest bedroom, upstairs master bed/bath suite, and a third bedroom that we converted into a home office for the client. Some of the largest transformations were made in the basement, where unfinished space and lack of light were converted into gloriously lit, cozy, finished spaces. Our first task was to convert the massive basement living room into the new master bedroom for our clients. We removed existing built-ins, created an entirely new walk-in closet, painted the old brick fireplace, installed a new gas unit, added carpet, introduced new lighting, replaced windows, and upgraded every part of the aesthetic appearance. One of the most incredible features of this space is the custom double sliding barn door made by a Denver artisan. This space is truly a retreat for our clients! We also completely transformed the laundry room, back storage room, basement master bathroom, and two bedrooms. This home’s massive scope and ever-evolving challenges were thrilling and exciting to work with, and the result is absolutely amazing. At the end of the day, this home offers a look and feel that the clients love. Above all, though, the clients feel the spirit of their family home and have a welcoming environment for all members of the family to enjoy for years to come.

Following a single contour line for one-level living. With an attenuated plan and delicate folds in the roof, the origin of the name “Origami House” is clear. The house is built along a contour on a gentle south-facing slope. The different slopes of the black roof, the gray cement-board walls in a traditional Japanese clapboard style, and the Cor-Ten sheet metal accents at the entrances evoke a natural formation in the woods as much as traditional readings of “house.” Requirements included rooms to pursue interests and support a lifestyle in very specific ways: an acoustically isolated music room, a sewing room, a screened porch, a wine room and room for a large collection of books. Low-maintenance and energy-efficiency were desired, with conveniences and arrangements that will continue to meet their needs as they age. A strong connection to the site, embracing the outdoors was essential.

This laundry room and mudroom remodel was designed to create a clean, efficient, and welcoming space with elevated style. What was once a purely utilitarian area is now an organized, joyful, and multifunctional room that supports everyday routines and reduces clutter from the family’s frequent use of the garage entry. Thoughtful cabinetry, improved organization, durable work surfaces, and dedicated areas for air-drying, sorting, and folding make the room feel like a practical extension of the home rather than simply a utility space. Functional Features • A custom fold-down drying rack provides a beautiful and practical solution for air-drying delicate clothing. • The tall drawer stack between the washer and dryer includes an oversized lower drawer that functions as a built-in hamper. • A custom built-in bench with storage lockers keeps coats and shoes tidy yet accessible, while motion-sensor lighting in the shoe cubbies makes everyday use convenient at any time of day. • Cabinetry extends to the ceiling, maximizing vertical storage and concealing bulk items such as paper goods, detergents, cleaning supplies, outdoor clothing, and other household essentials. Materials and Finishes Durable materials were selected to withstand frequent use while maintaining a cohesive, elevated look. Large-format dark floor tile helps conceal dirt tracked in from the garage, while a combination of warm white and deep cherry cabinetry adds richness and contrast. Stain-resistant white quartz was used for both the folding counter and bench top, and a 2 ½-inch round mosaic tile backsplash complements the palette. Brushed gold hardware adds warmth and visual appeal. Lighting Lighting enhancements further improve both function and atmosphere. Under-cabinet lighting at the folding counter adds task illumination, while motion-sensor lighting in the shoe cubbies increases convenience. An oversized statement ceiling fixture brings warmth, personality, and a finished designer touch to the space.

Dining room - rustic dining room idea

We created this beautiful accessible bathroom in Carlsbad to give our client a more functional space. We designed this unique bath, specific to the client's specifications to make it more wheel chair accessible. Features such as the roll in shower, roll up vanity and the ability to use her chair for flexibility over the fixed wall mounted seat allow her to be more independent in this bathroom. Safety was another significant factor for the room. We added support bars in all areas and with maximum flexibility to allow the client to perform all bathing functions independently, and all were positioned after carefully recreating her movements. We met the objectives of functionality and safety without compromising beauty in this aging in place bathroom. Travertine-look porcelain tile was used in a large format on the shower walls to minimize grout lines and maximize ease of maintenance. A crema marfil marble mosaic in an elongated hex pattern was used in the shower room for it’s beauty and flexibility in sloped shower. A custom cabinet was made to the height ideal for our client’s use of the sink and a protective panel placed over the pea trap.

Laundry room - transitional laundry room idea in Jacksonville

My client had very specific ideas / goals as to what they wanted in their new bathroom. A completely accessible shower, few grout lines (for easier maintenance) and a customized vanity…which would include at least one accessible side. To save money, we were able to use the same footprint, without moving any walls. After careful planning, we created a primary bathroom that worked within all those parameters. We created a larger 36” pocket door for easier, open access to the space. (That included a 36" access to the primary bedroom as well.) We also repurposed their adjustable mirrors and updated the old wall toilet to a Toto bidet wall toilet. Plumbing in this home was galvanized, so the plumbing in entire home was updated, as it was on the verge of failing.

Timeless Modern Design is Blackdoor's signature. This luxurious bathroom is a full body and mind experience. Relax in the bubbling water and enjoy the greenery right outside the window. Or steam in the shower under the rain shower head and body sprays. Which ever you choose, just don't forget your favorite wine and book for the full experience ;)

Updating a recently built town home in culver city for a wonderful family was a very enjoyable project for us. The townhouse bathroom had a basic look and was lacking in both storage and looks. the main part of this project was the custom design and building of the vanity unit and the extra storage with bi-fold doors so not to take up too much space. the floors were done with porcelain tile that mimics the rich look of Calcutta marble. the large format tile gives a sensation of space and minimalize the amount of grout lines on the floor. The shower unit received a much-needed high end plumbing fixture and the shower head was raised to a normal height. the walls were tiled with the same floor tile in a staggered pattern. the bench wall is the center focal point and is boasting a chiseled texture dark gray tile that is been complimented by the slate shower pan tile work. notice the bench top and the step into the shower, it is done with a single piece of quartz stone for a clean and grout-less look.

Steam bath enclosure features a slab of Taj Mahal quartzite on the back wall, side walls of 12 x 24 porcelain tile, and a floor of pebble tile. The teak shower bench is removable, supported by a decorative tile detail that runs all the way around the shower enclosure.

This project was completed for clients who wanted a comfortable, accessible 1ST floor bathroom for their grown daughter to use during visits to their home as well as a nicely-appointed space for any guest. Their daughter has some accessibility challenges so the bathroom was also designed with that in mind. The original space worked fairly well in some ways, but we were able to tweak a few features to make the space even easier to maneuver through. We started by making the entry to the shower flush so that there is no curb to step over. In addition, although there was an existing oversized seat in the shower, it was way too deep and not comfortable to sit on and just wasted space. We made the shower a little smaller and then provided a fold down teak seat that is slip resistant, warm and comfortable to sit on and can flip down only when needed. Thus we were able to create some additional storage by way of open shelving to the left of the shower area. The open shelving matches the wood vanity and allows a spot for the homeowners to display heirlooms as well as practical storage for things like towels and other bath necessities. We carefully measured all the existing heights and locations of countertops, toilet seat, and grab bars to make sure that we did not undo the things that were already working well. We added some additional hidden grab bars or “grabcessories” at the toilet paper holder and shower shelf for an extra layer of assurance. Large format, slip-resistant floor tile was added eliminating as many grout lines as possible making the surface less prone to tripping. We used a wood look tile as an accent on the walls, and open storage in the vanity allowing for easy access for clean towels. Bronze fixtures and frameless glass shower doors add an elegant yet homey feel that was important for the homeowner. A pivot mirror allows adjustability for different users. If you are interested in designing a bathroom featuring “Living In Place” or accessibility features, give us a call to find out more. Susan Klimala, CKBD, is a Certified Aging In Place Specialist (CAPS) and particularly enjoys helping her clients with unique needs in the context of beautifully designed spaces. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel

Design Consultant Jeff Doubét is the author of Creating Spanish Style Homes: Before & After – Techniques – Designs – Insights. The 240 page “Design Consultation in a Book” is now available. Please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com for more info. Jeff Doubét specializes in Santa Barbara style home and landscape designs. To learn more info about the variety of custom design services I offer, please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com Jeff Doubét is the Founder of Santa Barbara Home Design - a design studio based in Santa Barbara, California USA.

Kitchen of a ground-up new construction home in the Berkeley Hills, CA, as featured on America ByDesign on CBS. Full-height terrazzo backsplash runs continuously from countertop to ceiling across the entire perimeter wall - a bold material statement that carries the terrazzo palette from the island through to the cooking zone in a single uninterrupted surface. Walnut flat-front upper and lower cabinetry with integrated brushed metal pulls, black induction cooktop, and integrated black oven. White terrazzo quartz island countertop with large-format undermount sink and matte white arched gooseneck faucet on the right. Slim cylinder pendant lights drop from birch plywood ceiling panels above. Through the kitchen opening, a white floating open-riser stair with oak laminated veneer lumber treads, glass panel railing, and white steel balustrade rises through the double-height volume — the lush built-in indoor garden of tropical ferns, and ground cover planting visible beneath the stair in a gravel bed. Fold House - Berkeley Hills CA - CB Architecture + Design

Kitchen of a ground-up new construction home in the Berkeley Hills, CA, as featured on America ByDesign on CBS. Full-height terrazzo backsplash runs continuously from countertop to ceiling across the entire perimeter wall - a bold material statement that carries the terrazzo palette from the island through to the cooking zone in a single uninterrupted surface. Walnut flat-front upper and lower cabinetry with integrated brushed metal pulls, black induction cooktop, and integrated black oven. White terrazzo quartz island countertop with large-format undermount sink and matte white arched gooseneck faucet on the right. Slim cylinder pendant lights drop from birch plywood ceiling panels above. Through the kitchen opening, a white floating open-riser stair with oak laminated veneer lumber treads, glass panel railing, and white steel balustrade rises through the double-height volume — the lush built-in indoor garden of tropical ferns, and ground cover planting visible beneath the stair in a gravel bed. Fold House - Berkeley Hills CA - CB Architecture + Design

Custom Interiors FL
Example of a mid-sized transitional open concept porcelain tile living room library design in Miami with beige walls, a corner fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a media wall

Updating a recently built town home in culver city for a wonderful family was a very enjoyable project for us. The townhouse bathroom had a basic look and was lacking in both storage and looks. the main part of this project was the custom design and building of the vanity unit and the extra storage with bi-fold doors so not to take up too much space. the floors were done with porcelain tile that mimics the rich look of Calcutta marble. the large format tile gives a sensation of space and minimalize the amount of grout lines on the floor. The shower unit received a much-needed high end plumbing fixture and the shower head was raised to a normal height. the walls were tiled with the same floor tile in a staggered pattern. the bench wall is the center focal point and is boasting a chiseled texture dark gray tile that is been complimented by the slate shower pan tile work. notice the bench top and the step into the shower, it is done with a single piece of quartz stone for a clean and grout-less look.