Down-to-studs remodel and second floor addition. The original house was a simple plain ranch house with a layout that didn’t function well for the family. We changed the house to a contemporary Mediterranean with an eclectic mix of details. Space was limited by City Planning requirements so an important aspect of the design was to optimize every bit of space, both inside and outside. The living space extends out to functional places in the back and front yards: a private shaded back yard and a sunny seating area in the front yard off the kitchen where neighbors can easily mingle with the family. A Japanese bath off the master bedroom upstairs overlooks a private roof deck which is screened from neighbors’ views by a trellis with plants growing from planter boxes and with lanterns hanging from a trellis above. Photography by Kurt Manley. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-mediterranean/

We designed this 3,162 square foot home for empty-nesters who love lake life. Functionally, the home accommodates multiple generations. Elderly in-laws stay for prolonged periods, and the homeowners are thinking ahead to their own aging in place. This required two master suites on the first floor. Accommodations were made for visiting children upstairs. Aside from the functional needs of the occupants, our clients desired a home which maximizes indoor connection to the lake, provides covered outdoor living, and is conducive to entertaining. Our concept celebrates the natural surroundings through materials, views, daylighting, and building massing. We placed all main public living areas along the rear of the house to capitalize on the lake views while efficiently stacking the bedrooms and bathrooms in a two-story side wing. Secondary support spaces are integrated across the front of the house with the dramatic foyer. The front elevation, with painted green and natural wood siding and soffits, blends harmoniously with wooded surroundings. The lines and contrasting colors of the light granite wall and silver roofline draws attention toward the entry and through the house to the real focus: the water. The one-story roof over the garage and support spaces takes flight at the entry, wraps the two-story wing, turns, and soars again toward the lake as it approaches the rear patio. The granite wall extending from the entry through the interior living space is mirrored along the opposite end of the rear covered patio. These granite bookends direct focus to the lake.

Living room - contemporary formal and open concept painted wood floor and black floor living room idea in Melbourne with white walls

Bold colors, functional furniture & mindfulness are all trends for next year. Get the look you desire with simple crown moulding like this Craftsman Crown, 460MUL-5, or a similar base moulding like 1 Eased Edge Craftsman Base, PR387FJ. Also, note that the blue chairs really pop against the light walls. A fun finishing touch is the wood ladder, it adds to the design and is also functional!

Function Basement Design
Country basement photo in Chicago

Inspiration for a large transitional galley brown floor and coffered ceiling enclosed kitchen remodel in Boston with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Kitchen - 1950s kitchen idea in Los Angeles

This home’s former kitchen was transformed into a hardworking mudroom - equal parts utility and charm. An exterior entrance makes it a natural drop zone, while custom cabinetry, rolling laundry bins, and ample storage keep the space highly functional. Moody blue locker-style cabinets add depth and character, and laser-cut detailing delivers both function and a refined design detail in an often overlooked corner of the home.

The kitchen serves as the centerpiece of the home, combining style and functionality with high-end finishes and a spacious layout. A large island provides ample workspace and seating, perfect for both cooking and conversation. With seamless flow to the great room and dining area, it’s designed for modern living and effortless entertaining.

The home features a one-wall kitchen design with island and dining area. The modern space features stainless steel appliances, promoting added contrast and beauty to the dark wood cabinets. The white quartz countertops and stainless steel fixtures go nicely with the white wash engineered oak flooring. The sliding glass doors prompt an open concept design providing extra lighting to the bright room.

Maximizing the functionality of this space, and coordinating the new kitchen with the beautiful remodel completed previously by the client were the two most important aspects of this project. The existing spaces are elegantly decorated with an open plan, dark hardwood floors, and natural stone accents. The new, lighter, more open kitchen flows beautifully into the client’s existing dining room space. Satin nickel hardware blends with the stainless steel appliances and matches the satin nickel details throughout the home. The fully integrated refrigerator next to the narrow pull-out pantry cabinet, take up less visual weight than a traditional stainless steel appliance and the two combine to provide fantastic storage. The glass cabinet doors and decorative lighting beautifully highlight the client’s glassware and dishes. Finished with white subway tile, Dreamy Marfil quartz countertops, and a warm natural wood blind; the space warm, inviting, elegant, and extremely functional. copyright 2013 marilyn peryer photography

A combination of quarter sawn white oak material with kerf cuts creates harmony between the cabinets and the warm, modern architecture of the home. We mirrored the waterfall of the island to the base cabinets on the range wall. This project was unique because the client wanted the same kitchen layout as their previous home but updated with modern lines to fit the architecture. Floating shelves were swapped out for an open tile wall, and we added a double access countertwall cabinet to the right of the range for additional storage. This cabinet has hidden front access storage using an intentionally placed kerf cut and modern handleless design. The kerf cut material at the knee space of the island is extended to the sides, emphasizing a sense of depth. The palette is neutral with warm woods, dark stain, light surfaces, and the pearlescent tone of the backsplash; giving the client’s art collection a beautiful neutral backdrop to be celebrated. For the laundry we chose a micro shaker style cabinet door for a clean, transitional design. A folding surface over the washer and dryer as well as an intentional space for a dog bed create a space as functional as it is lovely. The color of the wall picks up on the tones of the beautiful marble tile floor and an art wall finishes out the space. In the master bath warm taupe tones of the wall tile play off the warm tones of the textured laminate cabinets. A tiled base supports the vanity creating a floating feel while also providing accessibility as well as ease of cleaning. An entry coat closet designed to feel like a furniture piece in the entry flows harmoniously with the warm taupe finishes of the brick on the exterior of the home. We also brought the kerf cut of the kitchen in and used a modern handleless design. The mudroom provides storage for coats with clothing rods as well as open cubbies for a quick and easy space to drop shoes. Warm taupe was brought in from the entry and paired with the micro shaker of the laundry. In the guest bath we combined the kerf cut of the kitchen and entry in a stained maple to play off the tones of the shower tile and dynamic Patagonia granite countertops.

This was a remodel of a traditional craftsmen/shingle style home. The clients wanted to make their home more energy efficient, warm and functional. The solution was to bring more light into the spaces (master bedroom and kitchen), insulate throughout and redo the existing space and create a fully functional, roomy kitchen to be used for both cooking and entertaining.

Inspiration for a contemporary bathroom remodel in Toronto

A contemporary mountain home: Home Office, Photo by Eric Lucero Photography
Study room - large contemporary freestanding desk medium tone wood floor and brown floor study room idea in Denver with brown walls, a tile fireplace and a ribbon fireplace

Ernesto Santalla was approached to create a new home for two Washington, DC lawyers wishing to downsize their living space. The move took them from a row house in Washington's historic Dupont Circle neighborhood to a two bedroom apartment in the vibrant, up-and-coming U Street Corridor. Our task was to transform a rather plain and generic apartment into a custom, sophisticated space in a few strategic moves. Ceiling details serve to define functional areas of the living space without creating divisions. Changing some doors from wood to frosted glass, creates a sense of continuity between spaces, and allows light to travel between spaces. Lighting was inserted strategically, to enhance certain functions of the home. The kitchen was partially enclosed with a plane of frosted glass to create visual separation from the main living space while still allowing natural light to filter in from the expansive wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. Color was used to reinforce the architectural intent and simplify spaces, such as the entry, which as many doors and frames. Furniture was selected to blend with the client's collection of heirloom pieces, creating a sophisticated juxtaposition. Statement pieces like a ceiling light from Viabizzuno create impact while maintaining the visual simplicity of our minimal approach. This project was featured in DC Modern Luxury. https://www.modernluxury.com/washington-dc/story/grand-nest Photography by Geoffrey Hodgdon

Sean Klingelhoefer
Guesthouse - mid-century modern guesthouse idea in Los Angeles

Maximizing the functionality of this space, and coordinating the new kitchen with the beautiful remodel completed previously by the client were the two most important aspects of this project. The existing spaces are elegantly decorated with an open plan, dark hardwood floors, and natural stone accents. The new, lighter, more open kitchen flows beautifully into the client’s existing dining room space. Satin nickel hardware blends with the stainless steel appliances and matches the satin nickel details throughout the home. The fully integrated refrigerator next to the narrow pull-out pantry cabinet, take up less visual weight than a traditional stainless steel appliance and the two combine to provide fantastic storage. The glass cabinet doors and decorative lighting beautifully highlight the client’s glassware and dishes. Finished with white subway tile, Dreamy Marfil quartz countertops, and a warm natural wood blind; the space warm, inviting, elegant, and extremely functional. copyright 2013 marilyn peryer photography

Minimalist design meets modern living! This Scandinavian-inspired rowhome features geothermal heating, triple-pane windows, a stunning sauna, and a rooftop deck. All within walking distance to Linden Hills, Bde Maka Ska, and Lake Harriet!