Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This client was referred to us from a past client. They are a busy 2-career household with young children and enjoy entertaining friends and family in their home. They have a beautiful open concept home but unfortunately the kitchen was not fitting for the rest of the home. They were not quite sure what to do with the space. We talked about trying to refresh it or do more of a minor remodel, but in the end they decided a full gut would get them to where they wanted to be. One problem was there was no place for guests to hang out other than the large and awkward banquette area. The brick wall and tiled hood area were feeling a bit dated and tired. The space was just not functional for their lifestyle. There was no prep space near the cooktop and no landing area for items coming out of the ovens or refrigerator, plus a big dead zone in the center of the room. Banquettes, like the one they previously had in the space, are great for small spaces, but when they get really large like this one, it makes getting in and out of the seating area awkward and uncomfortable. Plus, there was room for a large table, so we eliminated the awkward built in. We started by removing the faux brick wall between the kitchen and back entry. We relocated the entry to the garage over a couple feet in order to get every last inch out of the new kitchen. We also made the decision to close up the primary window that faced the pretty ho hum brick wall of the neighbor’s house. There was plenty of light coming in from the seating area, so we just didn’t feel the window was adding much to the room. Construction went smoothy. There was a bit of rework with electrical, flooring and HVAC, but in the end, we think it was well worth it. The clients really wanted a sleek contemporary look, and we originally had planned for a full height slab backsplash, but due to it’s size, it was a budget buster. Instead, we got creative and settled on large format porcelain tiles that have a similar feel but were a fraction of the cost. We made sure the wall was plumb and level so that the fit and finish would mimic that of slab material. The final space was quite a change. A large prep sink sits directly across from the new pro-style range with plenty additional prep space on the large island. The refrigerator and ovens now have miles of landing space, and a nice tight work triangle makes cooking a breeze. Since we wanted a more contemporary feel, not many wall cabinets were included. Instead, we outfitted some of the drawers for dish storage with a peg system. Two large pantries flanking the refrigerator hold baking supplies and small appliances. Large drawers by the cooktop hold pots and pans, and an appliance garage tucked away to the left of the range hides away miscellaneous items. The large island also houses a microwave drawer and tons of storage, most of which is drawers offering maximum convenience. The island now seats 5-6 people comfortably along with the new table in the seating area which can seat up to 8. Entertaining will be a breeze in this space. With such a clean backdrop, we knew we would need some drama with the lighting, so we chose two sets of staggered pendants, which we adjusted for the right visual balance above the island. We also included a small coffee station to the right of the main kitchen, which helps keep the coffee clutter out of the kitchen proper. Two tones of complimentary gray are featured in this kitchen. The perimeter is a light gray that reads almost white. The island is a gray stain that adds some depth and interest with the visible wood texture. The countertops are clean white quartz, and the hardware, barstools and light fixtures add warm brass tones. I see lots of cooking and entertaining with family and friends in the near future in this bright and airy new space. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Inspiration for a mediterranean white exterior home remodel in Miami

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  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Chang Kyun Kim
Walk-in shower - contemporary white tile and mosaic tile mosaic tile floor walk-in shower idea in Los Angeles with white walls

Casey Dunn
Inspiration for a modern brown two-story flat roof remodel in Austin

A rustic kitchen with the island bar backing to a stone fireplace. There's a fireplace on the other side facing the living area. Karl Neumann Photography

WA Bentz is a custom home builder serving Miami and Ft Lauderdale, Florida. See what we're up to! www.facebook.com/wabentzfl www.instagram.com/wabentz_construction www.wabentz.com

Example of a beach style light wood floor dining room design in Houston with white walls

View from the roof, with wood bench, raised glass border, and the rooftop kitchen/tea house. For natural landscaping that brings beauty to your home or business, contact the professionals at Stout Design-Build, where we offer you a range of landscape design and building services that are . . . "Organic. Responsible. Naturally!" Stout Design-Build is a full service designing and building firm that offers a variety of residential and commercial services. We can help you with landscape design, landscape construction, building construction, and more. Our professionals have 20 years of design experience. We work with LEED certified, Green Point Rated, and standard properties. We focus on designing you a landscape that is efficient and beautiful with natural products from plants to patios, and with the implementation of water and energy conservation. We also renovate homes and offer them up for sale, providing you with stylish living at affordable prices. Everything we do is environmentally friendly, with great craftsmanship, so you will always get the best in quality whether you need landscape design and building or one of our other services. Contact the professionals at Stout Design-Build in Los Angeles, CA to get beautiful landscape design and professional quality services. Call 310-876-1018 to set up your consultation!

Interior of rooftop kitchen/tea house with folding windows, sink and wood cabinets. For natural landscaping that brings beauty to your home or business, contact the professionals at Stout Design-Build, where we offer you a range of landscape design and building services that are . . . "Organic. Responsible. Naturally!" Stout Design-Build is a full service designing and building firm that offers a variety of residential and commercial services. We can help you with landscape design, landscape construction, building construction, and more. Our professionals have 20 years of design experience. We work with LEED certified, Green Point Rated, and standard properties. We focus on designing you a landscape that is efficient and beautiful with natural products from plants to patios, and with the implementation of water and energy conservation. We also renovate homes and offer them up for sale, providing you with stylish living at affordable prices. Everything we do is environmentally friendly, with great craftsmanship, so you will always get the best in quality whether you need landscape design and building or one of our other services. Contact the professionals at Stout Design-Build in Los Angeles, CA to get beautiful landscape design and professional quality services. Call 310-876-1018 to set up your consultation!

Bio Domus D.01 is a bioclimatic and eco-friendly house, designed to provide comfort, elegance, and well-being.
Large farmhouse white two-story stucco house exterior photo in Other with a tile roof

we clean mold and mildew from walls
Inspiration for a craftsman bathroom remodel in Other

Small transitional single-wall porcelain tile and brown floor dedicated laundry room photo in Houston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Photographer: Jay Goodrich This 2800 sf single-family home was completed in 2009. The clients desired an intimate, yet dynamic family residence that reflected the beauty of the site and the lifestyle of the San Juan Islands. The house was built to be both a place to gather for large dinners with friends and family as well as a cozy home for the couple when they are there alone. The project is located on a stunning, but cripplingly-restricted site overlooking Griffin Bay on San Juan Island. The most practical area to build was exactly where three beautiful old growth trees had already chosen to live. A prior architect, in a prior design, had proposed chopping them down and building right in the middle of the site. From our perspective, the trees were an important essence of the site and respectfully had to be preserved. As a result we squeezed the programmatic requirements, kept the clients on a square foot restriction and pressed tight against property setbacks. The delineate concept is a stone wall that sweeps from the parking to the entry, through the house and out the other side, terminating in a hook that nestles the master shower. This is the symbolic and functional shield between the public road and the private living spaces of the home owners. All the primary living spaces and the master suite are on the water side, the remaining rooms are tucked into the hill on the road side of the wall. Off-setting the solid massing of the stone walls is a pavilion which grabs the views and the light to the south, east and west. Built in a position to be hammered by the winter storms the pavilion, while light and airy in appearance and feeling, is constructed of glass, steel, stout wood timbers and doors with a stone roof and a slate floor. The glass pavilion is anchored by two concrete panel chimneys; the windows are steel framed and the exterior skin is of powder coated steel sheathing.

John Gessner
Example of a small country medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Raleigh with white walls

Nicholas Alan Cope
Example of a small trendy gray two-story wood exterior home design in Los Angeles

The original mid-century door was preserved and refinished in a natural tone to coordinate with the new natural flooring finish. All stain finishes were applied with water-based no VOC pet friendly products. Original railings were refinished and kept to maintain the authenticity of the Deck House style. The light fixture offers an immediate sculptural wow factor upon entering the home.

Great room - large coastal light wood floor great room idea in Grand Rapids with beige walls and no fireplace