From the street, it’s an impeccably designed English manor. Once inside, the best of that same storied architecture seamlessly meshes with modernism. This blend of styles was exactly the vibe three-decades-running Houston homebuilder Chris Sims, founder and CEO of Sims Luxury Builders, wanted to convey with the $5.2 million show-home in Houston’s coveted Tanglewood neighborhood. “Our goal was to uniquely combine classic and Old World with clean and modern in both the architectural design as well as the interior finishes,” Chris says. Their aesthetic inspiration is clearly evident in the 8,000-square-foot showcase home’s luxurious gourmet kitchen. It is an exercise in grey and white—and texture. To achieve their vision, the Sims turned to Cantoni. “We had a wonderful experience working with Cantoni several years ago on a client’s home, and were pleased to repeat that success on this project,” Chris says. Cantoni designer Amy McFall, who was tasked with designing the kitchen, promptly took to the home’s beauty. Situated on a half-acre corner lot with majestic oak trees, it boasts simplistic and elegant interiors that allow the detailed architecture to shine. The kitchen opens directly to the family room, which holds a brick wall, beamed ceilings, and a light-and-bright stone fireplace. The generous space overlooks the outdoor pool. With such a large area to work with, “we needed to give the kitchen its own, intimate feel,” Amy says. To that end, Amy integrated dark grey, high-gloss lacquer cabinetry from our Atelier Collection. by Aster Cucine with dark grey oak cabinetry, mixing finishes throughout to add depth and texture. Edginess came by way of custom, heavily veined Calacatta Viola marble on both the countertops and backsplash. The Sims team, meanwhile, insured the layout lent itself to minimalism. “With the inclusion of the scullery and butler’s pantry in the design, we were able to minimize the storage needed in the kitchen itself,” Chris says. “This allowed for the clean, minimalist cabinetry, giving us the creative freedom to go darker with the cabinet color and really make a bold statement in the home.” It was exactly the look they wanted—textural and interesting. “The juxtaposition of ultra-modern kitchen cabinetry and steel windows set against the textures of the wood floors, interior brick, and trim detailing throughout the downstairs provided a fresh take on blending classic and modern,” Chris says. “We’re thrilled with the result—it is showstopping.” They were equally thrilled with the design process. “Amy was incredibly responsive, helpful and knowledgeable,” Chris says. “It was a pleasure working with her and the entire Cantoni team.” Check out the kitchen featured in Modern Luxury Interiors Texas’ annual “Ode to Texas Real Estate” here.

White and blue kitchen
Inspiration for a coastal dark wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Boston with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, marble countertops and white countertops

Light and Airy! Fresh and Modern Architecture by Arch Studio, Inc. 2021
Open concept kitchen - huge transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and gray floor open concept kitchen idea in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

An existing 70’s brick home nestled streets away from the beach, is in dire need of a transformation. The existing home had the bones to accommodate a substantial renovation, some modifications to the layout, adding an extension and exaggerating the existing raked ceilings in the main living area impacts the new home. The home itself is a relatively disjointed 70’s home, so cleaver planning was imperative to make the most of the interior space. Large open plan living areas with adjoining outdoor entertaining was important. The owners are a young family who enjoy family and entertaining so interaction with the outdoor alfresco was essential not only for quality of living but to appear as a continuation of the main living area to increase the zone visually. My client’s fresh approach; introduction of modern materials with a hint of Scandinavian and industrial, an improved working area and a functional space for cooking and preparing meals.

Have a hexagon floor tile bathroom in mind? Go floral. Featuring two colors from our best-selling and budget-friendly Foundations collection, this floral hex tile is as fresh as a daisy. TILE SHOWN 4" Hexagon Tile in White Wash, Oyster Shell & Evergreen DESIGN Caroline Myers Interior Design PHOTOS Thomas Kuoh

Port Aransas Beach House, kitchen
Example of a huge beach style l-shaped vinyl floor and brown floor open concept kitchen design in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, gray backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash and gray countertops

Laure Joilet
Large transitional light wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, wood countertops, gray backsplash, cement tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This transitional kitchen design blends timeless cabinetry with modern details, creating a functional yet elegant space. The perimeter cabinets in a soft greige finish contrast beautifully with a navy blue island, topped with a bright quartz countertop for a fresh, clean look. A professional-grade stainless steel range takes center stage, framed by a stunning diamond-patterned mosaic tile backsplash that adds depth and texture. Overhead, a trio of brass pendant lights provides warm illumination and a touch of sophistication. Styled with fresh citrus and greenery, the kitchen feels both lively and inviting—perfect for everyday cooking as well as entertaining.

Kitchen pantry - large coastal porcelain tile and white floor kitchen pantry idea in Miami with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Chastity Cortijo
Kitchen - small traditional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in New York with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, marble backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, white countertops and white backsplash

APD was hired to update the kitchen, living room, primary bathroom and bedroom, and laundry room in this suburban townhome. The design brought an aesthetic that incorporated a fresh updated and current take on traditional while remaining timeless and classic. The kitchen layout moved cooking to the exterior wall providing a beautiful range and hood moment. Removing an existing peninsula and re-orienting the island orientation provided a functional floorplan while adding extra storage in the same square footage. A specific design request from the client was bar cabinetry integrated into the stair railing, and we could not be more thrilled with how it came together! The primary bathroom experienced a major overhaul by relocating both the shower and double vanities and removing an un-used soaker tub. The design added linen storage and seated beauty vanity while expanding the shower to a luxurious size. Dimensional tile at the shower accent wall relates to the dimensional tile at the kitchen backsplash without matching the two spaces to each other while tones of cream, taupe, and warm woods with touches of gray are a cohesive thread throughout.

Large country medium tone wood floor, brown floor and tray ceiling eat-in kitchen photo in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Inspiration for a large country ceramic tile kitchen remodel in Other with quartzite countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets and gray countertops

The Maxwell is easy-to-love. A beautiful modern farmhouse that superbly highlights all the best parts of this style. Fresh rustic, comfortable modern, and clean lines with a twist. The crisp whites and blacks are paired with exquisite accessories that complete the look. There is a down-home feeling to the Maxwell that invites a sense of laughter and fun.

This Boulder, Colorado remodel by fuentesdesign demonstrates the possibility of renewal in American suburbs, and Passive House design principles. Once an inefficient single story 1,000 square-foot ranch house with a forced air furnace, has been transformed into a two-story, solar powered 2500 square-foot three bedroom home ready for the next generation. The new design for the home is modern with a sustainable theme, incorporating a palette of natural materials including; reclaimed wood finishes, FSC-certified pine Zola windows and doors, and natural earth and lime plasters that soften the interior and crisp contemporary exterior with a flavor of the west. A Ninety-percent efficient energy recovery fresh air ventilation system provides constant filtered fresh air to every room. The existing interior brick was removed and replaced with insulation. The remaining heating and cooling loads are easily met with the highest degree of comfort via a mini-split heat pump, the peak heat load has been cut by a factor of 4, despite the house doubling in size. During the coldest part of the Colorado winter, a wood stove for ambiance and low carbon back up heat creates a special place in both the living and kitchen area, and upstairs loft. This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. These windows also provide a seamless indoor/outdoor connection, with 9′ wide folding doors from the dining area and a matching 9′ wide custom countertop folding window that opens the kitchen up to a grassy court where mature trees provide shade and extend the living space during the summer months. With air-tight construction, this home meets the Passive House Retrofit (EnerPHit) air-tightness standard of

Mt. Washington, CA - Complete Kitchen Remodel Installation of the flooring, cabinets/cupboards, countertops, appliances, tiled backsplash. windows and and fresh paint to finish.

This remodel of a three-story San Francisco Victorian honors the timeless design while breathing fresh, modern life into the home. The clients’ new favorite room - the kitchen - is now bathed in light due to a skylight and floor-to-ceiling bi-folding steel framed doors. Beautiful custom wood cabinets and wood details add warmth, gorgeous tiles insert rich color and personality while the handcrafted concrete counters and sink bring a modern and functional touch. A new a arch opening into the kitchen matches the original casing detail – a way to pay homage to what was.

Inspiration for a huge coastal master mosaic tile and black and white tile mosaic tile floor and blue floor bathroom remodel in New York with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and gray countertops

This Boulder, Colorado remodel by fuentesdesign demonstrates the possibility of renewal in American suburbs, and Passive House design principles. Once an inefficient single story 1,000 square-foot ranch house with a forced air furnace, has been transformed into a two-story, solar powered 2500 square-foot three bedroom home ready for the next generation. The new design for the home is modern with a sustainable theme, incorporating a palette of natural materials including; reclaimed wood finishes, FSC-certified pine Zola windows and doors, and natural earth and lime plasters that soften the interior and crisp contemporary exterior with a flavor of the west. A Ninety-percent efficient energy recovery fresh air ventilation system provides constant filtered fresh air to every room. The existing interior brick was removed and replaced with insulation. The remaining heating and cooling loads are easily met with the highest degree of comfort via a mini-split heat pump, the peak heat load has been cut by a factor of 4, despite the house doubling in size. During the coldest part of the Colorado winter, a wood stove for ambiance and low carbon back up heat creates a special place in both the living and kitchen area, and upstairs loft. This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. These windows also provide a seamless indoor/outdoor connection, with 9′ wide folding doors from the dining area and a matching 9′ wide custom countertop folding window that opens the kitchen up to a grassy court where mature trees provide shade and extend the living space during the summer months. With air-tight construction, this home meets the Passive House Retrofit (EnerPHit) air-tightness standard of